Japan sets sail on rare earth hunt as China tightens supplies

The month-long mission will mark the world's first attempt to continuously lift rare-earth seabed sludge from 6km deep onto a ship.

Landmark Myanmar Rohingya genocide case to open at UN's top court

THE HAGUE, Jan 12 - A landmark case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against minority Muslim Rohingya will open at the United Nations' top court on Monday.

Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under Australia's social media ban

The new law, which came into effect in December, is aimed at protecting children from online harm.

Himalayas bare and rocky after reduced winter snowfall, scientists warn

Experts say dwindling snowfall during winter will impact the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai's mitigation hearing set to begin ahead of sentencing

See Trump foreign policy patterns in Art of the Deal health care

President Trump is often derided for not having a health reform plan, or even his “concepts of a plan” he’s talked about, or more narrowly, a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act and its enhanced tax credits currently under debate. It’s true he has none of these. But he does

Does launch of ringgit-backed RMJDT signal rise of stablecoin adoption in Southeast Asia?

Analysts say that while still at an early adoption stage, stablecoin's market size and popularity is expected to grow in the region. However, strong regulation is needed to manage risk and prevent misuse.

Commentary: Myanmar’s flawed election is also a test of ASEAN credibility

International observers have criticised Myanmar’s polls amid a civil war as a sham, but ASEAN leaders have been deliberately cautious, says RSIS' Tan See Seng.

Hong Kong court to hear sentencing arguments for Jimmy Lai

Lai, who was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces, may be sentenced 10 years to life in prison.

India’s economy may be shifting from speed to strength – and that’s a win

Improvement in rural consumption suggests that growth is trickling down the highly unequal society.

Contrasting Chinese and US power plays in Venezuela and beyond

Oh, you’re a hard one But I know you got your reasons These things that are pleasin’ you Can hurt you somehow – The Eagles The ghost of Winston Churchill is watching President Trump exhaust all of America’s possibilities. And it appears getting around to doing the right thing

Prepare for a transatlantic divorce

It could be that 2026 is the year when the transatlantic alliance ends in divorce. As President Emmanuel Macron implied in his speech to the French diplomatic corps on Thursday, European states must face up to the fact that our long-time American partner has become coercive,

Thai reformist party pledges to revive ‘Fifth Tiger’ economy as election nears

The party, backed largely by young and urban voters, unveiled 12 key agendas on Jan 11.

Thai reformist party chief holds his lead in latest opinion poll

Incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of the conservative Bhumjaithai Party came second.

Bride and groom killed by gas explosion day after Pakistan wedding

Eight people were killed after a gas cylinder exploded at a house the morning after the wedding celebration.

With Venezuela raid, US tells China to keep away from the Americas

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 - Among the many goals of last week's U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to send China a message: stay away from the Americas.

Nordics reject Trump's claim of Chinese and Russian ships around Greenland, FT reports

Jan 11 - Nordic diplomats rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of Russian and Chinese vessels operating near Greenland, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Hopes wane for survivors in Philippine garbage site collapse

The focus is expected to turn from rescue to recovery on Monday, four days after the collapse in Cebu City.

Ex-king voices concern over state of Nepal after protests

Former King Gyanendra Shah warned that Nepal “itself might not survive any more”.

Bangkok air quality expected to worsen to ‘high risk’ level from Jan 12 to 15

Some may be allowed to work from home on Jan 12 and 13, when air quality is expected to be at its worst.

Beijing looms large over Singapore-based Manus’ deal with Meta

China's scrutiny illustrates limits to third-country domiciling.

South Korea’s ramyeon exports hit new record of $1.9b, driven by US and China markets

The country’s leading noodle makers have also begun to expand overseas.

India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul

The source code would be analysed and possibly tested at designated Indian labs, the documents show.

India’s proposed phone security rules that are worrying tech firms

Apps cannot access microphones or location services in the background when phones are inactive.

4 injured in petrol station bombings in Thailand's Deep South

Several bombs exploded within a 40-minute period, igniting 11 petrol stations across Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces.

International law applies to everyone, including US, says German finance minister

BERLIN, Jan 11 - The principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday, in reference to President Donald Trump's threats to seize Greenland.

China debuts unmanned mid-altitude, low-cost cargo aircraft: CCTV

The aircraft is designed for multi-functional roles, including cargo transport and rescue operations.

Europe’s silence on Venezuela

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. The night the Ukraine narrative collapsedDiego Faßnacht argues that Europe remained largely silent after Trump’s Venezuela operation because condemning it would expose

One person dead and 300 buildings destroyed in Australia bushfires

A state of emergency has been declared in Victoria as thousands of firefighters battle the blaze.

Nephew of former Thai premier Thaksin faces balancing act to win over electorate

Yodchanan Wongsawat is now one of the front runners to be Thailand’s next leader.

Four injured in bomb attacks at petrol stations in south Thailand, says army

Several bombs exploded within a 40-minute period after midnight on Jan 11.

Autogate outage affecting foreigners at Johor Bahru land checkpoint remains unresolved: Malaysia’s border agency

Tens of thousands of foreign travellers reportedly faced long queues at Malaysia’s land checkpoints with Singapore on Saturday (Jan 10), after most e-gates failed amid the weekend traffic.

Malaysia blocks Grok AI chatbot over sexually explicit content

It remains open to engagement with X and xAI, subject to demonstrable compliance with Malaysian law.

Japan doubles down on Asia’s defence by expanding budget, reach of security aid scheme

The country has allocated $147.6 million for 2026, a significant hike from previous years’ budgets.

Autogate fault unresolved, foreigners advised to continue using NIISe app: Malaysia border agency

Malaysians are unaffected, as the issue involves only foreign passport holders.

Philippine fast-food giant Jollibee eyes global expansion with planned US listing

Started in 1975 as an ice cream parlour, Jollibee has grown to become the country’s largest fast-food company.

Nearly all Seoul students use generative AI, teachers warn of over-reliance

Students were found to use generative AI more frequently in language-related subjects such as Korean and English.

Buddhist monk gets 1-year jail for beating wife in South Korea

At one point, he held two knives and threatened to harm her.

Express bus with 42 people involved in crash with lorry on North-South Expressway in Malaysia

The incident occurred near Sungai Buaya, heading towards Rawang.

North Korea demands detailed 'explanation' from Seoul over drone incursion

South Korea's defence ministry has said that the drone, which Pyongyang claimed to have shot down, was not a model operated by its military.

Social media cooks up new flavours for South Korea’s ramyeon

Buldak miyeok tang myeon has become one of South Korea’s most talked-about food trends.

Two passports, one grudge: Roots of South Korea’s unease with ‘black-haired foreigners’

The 25-year-old could have legally avoided conscription, but his decision not to was widely praised as a rare display of civic duty.

Zoo visitors in Malaysia thrilled as panda enclosure opens to public

Visits to the panda enclosure are carefully managed, with only 50 visitors allowed every 10 minutes.

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi may call early election, coalition partner says

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly considering a February vote, just months after taking office in October last year.

Myanmar votes in second phase of military-run election

Polling stations opened at 6am local time in 100 townships across the country, including in many areas that have seen clashes in recent months or remain under heightened security.