Talk of the United States acquiring Greenland has often been dismissed as rhetorical provocation. But the latest escalation is harder to wave away. President Donald Trump said it would be “unacceptable” if the US did not control Greenland only hours before Vice-President J.D. Vance hosted the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers. When territorial language is paired with senior-level diplomacy, it forces allies to draw public red lines, narrows the space for quiet crisis management, and turns...

Australia faces record guns as Bondi massacre prompts reform

The number of firearms in Australia reached an all-time high of more than 4 ‌million in 2025, the centre-left government reported on Sunday, ‍a day after saying it would introduce a gun reform bill in parliament in response to the Bondi massacre. There were a record 4,113,735 guns in Australia last year, with ⁠1,158,654 of those in the most populous state of New South Wales where the Bondi attack took place, the government said, citing Department of Home Affairs data. The Labour government on...

Indonesia finds 1 body, wreckage from missing surveillance plane

Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province on the slope of a fog-covered mountain, and had recovered the body of one of the 10 people on board. The ATR 42-500 turboprop owned by aviation group Indonesia Air Transport lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday at about 1.30pm local time around the Maros ⁠region in South Sulawesi. There were seven crew members and three passengers on...

US’ Venezuela raid shows geopolitics is now a contest between economic blocs

The latest developments in Venezuela are interpreted as part of a broader US strategy to secure access to major oil resources. They are much more than that: the US raid signals a transformation in the global economy wherein a country’s power is increasingly determined not by its political actions, but by its capacity to embed resource wealth within a self-sustaining production system. These deeper processes did not begin today, but rather around 2008-2009 when, according to an integrated...

Seoul takes aim at North Korea’s leadership bunkers with ‘monster missile’ Hyunmoo-5

South Korea has begun deploying its most powerful conventional ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5 – dubbed the “monster missile” for its massive warhead – to frontline units, military officials said on Sunday, a move that underscores Seoul’s effort to strengthen deterrence against North Korea. The ground-to-ground missile, capable of carrying a warhead of up to eight tonnes, began entering frontline units late last year and is expected to complete full operational deployment before the current...

Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition debate draws comparisons with Westminster system

A peculiar gridlock has settled on Singapore’s political scene with the position of Leader of the Opposition (LO) vacant after Pritam Singh was removed from the post by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with public discourse now centred on the constitutional basis, or lack thereof, for the role. Created in 2020 by then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong after Singh’s party won a record 10 seats in parliament, the non-statutory position contrasts sharply with its counterpart in Westminster systems, where...

Feathered fortunes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

Somewhere on the cavernous loft floor, cooing softly from inside a stack of crates, a feathered fortune waits for its moment to shine. It’s “basketing day” for Asia’s richest pigeon race, held in Pattaya, eastern Thailand. In 24 hours’ time, a US$2 million prize pot will be shared among the lucky owners of the birds that find their way home. For now, those hopes are packed tightly, wing to wing, into crates: more than 5,000 perfectly conditioned racers waiting to be scanned, logged and stamped...

‘False pride’: Indonesia’s UN rights role clashes with its domestic record

Indonesia begins its tenure as president of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) this month under a cloud of contradiction, with officials hailing the prestige of the largely ceremonial role even as activists raise uncomfortable questions about the country’s own rights record. The 47-member body, a subsidiary of the UN General Assembly, has a mandate to promote and protect human rights globally. Indonesia’s ambassador was elected president on January 8 after being put forward as the Asia‑Pacific...

Missing Malaysian actress Nadia Kesuma dies of heart attack in Saudi Arabia

Malaysian actress Nadia Kesuma, who went missing upon arrival at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, was confirmed to have died of a heart attack. The news was announced by her daughter via social media, according to Astro Awani. “Assalamualaikum everyone, I would like to inform you that my mother, Nadiah Kasumawati Abdul Karim, has returned to Rahmatullah on January 15 at around 8.05am,” she said. “Thank you to all of you who have not stopped praying for Mama. Please pray that her...

Viral bullying clips, mass murder threat sound alarm in Japan over school violence

Recent viral clips in Japan of bullying, including one which later led to a mass murder revenge threat, have sparked concerns in the country about school violence. The latest case centres on an email message sent to the board of education in Oita city, in Kyushu, at 11pm on January 11 warning of an imminent attack. “On Thursday, January 15, I will intrude into the junior high school where the bullying video spread, together with several accomplices, and carry out a mass killing of students and...

Impulse control: Malaysia’s social media ban targets teen minds

Eric Wong is only 20, but his life online is so consuming that he struggles to draw a line between his digital presence and the physical world. A member of Malaysia’s Gen Z – those aged 13 to 29 this year – Wong belongs to the first generation of true digital natives, raised on a steady stream of social media, online gaming and endless internet connectivity. “If there’s time in between classes, me and my friends will gather in the cafeteria or the nearby mamak (food stall) to play PUBG or Mobile...

'Young 40s': Gen Z has found a new way to mock millennials for their style in South Korea

Even the iPhone, long considered the preserve of the youth, has been recast as a tacky trademark of Young 40s.

China’s cosmetics brands, stepping out of K-beauty’s shadow, set sights on global markets

Like many of her classmates, Xie Roumei, a 28-year-old accountant from China’s Fujian province, started using South Korean cosmetics in high school – a preference she carried into her twenties. Most of the eye make-up and beauty products she uses are still Korean, Xie said – a loyalty that has helped turn its cosmetics industry into a global powerhouse, with exports rivalling those of semiconductors and cars. Fuelled by the global appeal of K-pop, K-dramas and the “glass skin” ideal, the...

Indonesian plane with 11 people missing, search and rescue under way

A regional passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with ground control on Saturday while approaching a mountainous region between Indonesia’s main island of Java and Sulawesi island, officials said. A search and rescue operation is under way. The turboprop ATR 42-500 operated by Indonesia Air Transport was on the way from Yogyakarta to the capital city of South Sulawesi when it vanished from radar, said Endah Purnama Sari, a spokesperson for the transportation ministry. The plane was...

Japanese tattoo artists still face stigma despite landmark legal victory

Walk into any public bath in Japan, and you are liable to see a sign banning any visible tattoos. Even as Japan opens up to more international tourists and residents, body art remains taboo, not only at baths but gyms, swimming pools and other businesses. The strong stigma, which also extends to tattoo artists and can result in difficulties finding jobs, comes from its historical link with the yakuza and other criminal elements of Japanese society, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The...

Japanese mayor apologises after calling staff 'human scum'

Yokohama mayor Takeharu Yamanaka admits using the terms "idiot" and "human scum" to disparage staff.

Thai ruling party courts voters by vowing to end Cambodia conflict, close scam hubs

Thailand’s ruling party, which is seeking to retain power in next month’s election, has vowed to resolve the country’s conflict with Cambodia and clean up its image as a transit hub for trafficked scam victims. The conservative Bhumjaithai Party, which took power in September, has cast itself as the most suitable defender of Thai sovereignty during the border dispute between the two Southeast Asian countries. Clashes erupted for five days last July and reignited in December before a...

What Trump’s visa pause means for Southeast Asia and US regional priorities

The inclusion of four Southeast Asian nations in the United States’ 75-country visa suspension has thrown up questions over Washington’s foreign policy approach, including its interest in the region. Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand are among countries affected by the indefinite suspension, set to take effect on January 21, as the Donald Trump administration continues to roll out punitive measures to drastically restrict immigration. The list, released by the US Department of State on...

‘Will for Peace’ drills: Brics tests the waters of military cooperation

A week-long naval exercise off the South African coast involving the navies of China, Russia and the UAE has stirred debate over whether the primary purpose of Brics is evolving in the emerging post-Western global order. The exercise, held from January 9 to 16 under the banner “Will for Peace 2026”, was described by host nation South Africa as a routine maritime safety and interoperability operation. Officials said the drills aimed to improve coordination in protecting shipping routes and...

BTS’ comeback concert sees South Korean city’s hotel prices soar by up to 10 times

BTS’ long-awaited full-group comeback concert in Busan is still months away, but hotel prices in the South Korean southeastern port city have already hit exorbitant levels, rekindling anger over “rip-off” room rates whenever mega-events come to town. Some properties have reportedly hiked prices by up to 10 times and even asked guests with existing bookings to cancel so they could resell at higher prices. The K-pop group is returning as a full act for the first time since all members completed...

Malaysian reporter arrested for sedition after controversial question at Gaza lecture

Former Free Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist Rex Tan was arrested at about 12.45am on Saturday after being summoned to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. The arrest was confirmed by his lawyer, Rajsurian Pillai, who said Tan was detained under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code. It followed a sensitive question alleged to contain racial elements that was raised during a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur. At...

In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency

Medical professionals in Japan are concerned that China could dramatically ramp up trade pressure on Tokyo by adding antibiotics and ingredients for medicines to its list of exports subject to restrictions. Despite efforts over the last three years to increase domestic production of a range of commonly used medicines in Japan, the domestic medical sector still relies heavily on imports from China and restricting or halting imports would cause “huge trouble”, according to the experts. “Japan...

India's astrotourism boom draws urban stargazers beyond city limits

Stargazing, once a niche hobby for astronomers and science clubs, has gone mainstream and is boosting astrotourism.

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes supreme power, seeks presidency at party congress

Vietnam’s leaders convene next week for a once-every-five-years congress, where General Secretary To Lam is looking to cement control over the Communist Party ruling one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The nation of 100 million people is both a repressive one-party state and a regional economic bright spot, with the party seeking to deliver rapid expansion to underpin its claim to legitimacy. But its leaders face challenges from tensions between its main trading partners, the United States...

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

For the Philippines, 2026 promises to be a roller-coaster ride of political intrigue as President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and his deputy lock horns in an existential clash that risks tanking the economy, dividing military loyalties and derailing Asean’s regional diplomacy. “It will be a very messy year both in politics and the economy,” Philippine Congressman Edgar Erice told This Week in Asia. A showdown now seems all but inevitable: Vice-President Sara Duterte enters 2026 with an approval rating...

A hotline to report vapers and caning if you're caught: Singapore's e-cigarette crackdown

The city-state wants to stamp out e-cigarettes with harsh penalties including caning and fines.

Canada's deal with China signals it is serious about shift from US

Carney says Canada's relationship with China has become "more predictable" than that with the US, as his country searches for trade certainty.

Myanmar begins defence in landmark genocide case at UN court

Myanmar says The Gambia has failed to provide enough evidence of genocide against the Muslim-minority people.

China and Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meeting between Carney and Xi

Canola oil and electric cars are at the centre of the deal agreed by Mark Carney and Xi Jinping after years of strained ties.

As families shrink, our primary relationship is increasingly with ourselves

More than 2,300 years ago, Aristotle mused in Politics that to live alone, a man must be a god or a beast, or words to that effect. I wonder what he would have thought of the popularity of China’s “Are You Dead?” app. For Aristotle, we are social animals, thriving in the “polis” in the company of family, friends and fellow citizens. The average mother had at least five children. Many homes housed three, even four, generations. Family life was noisy and crowded, full of companionship, contest and...

Philippines, France near defence pact to boost ‘operational intimacy’ in contested waters

A visiting forces military deal to be signed between the Philippines and France has put the focus on “operational intimacy”, with observers noting that Paris has a presence in the Indo-Pacific and would serve Manila’s interests well in the contested waters of the South China Sea. The term was coined by French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel, during a freewheeling discussion on Tuesday at her residence. In a bid to balance the implications of the alliance – a first for the Philippines with a...

Why India is losing ground over Bangladesh and Myanmar to regional rivals

India is facing multiple geopolitical challenges in the region as Bangladesh and Myanmar show signs of drifting away from New Delhi’s orbit amid its long-standing disputes with Pakistan and China. Dhaka has been drawing closer to Islamabad following the downfall in 2024 of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who had close ties with Delhi during her rule, while China has continued to maintain its influence in Myanmar since the junta in Naypyidaw ousted the elected government in a coup in...

Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to secure his own legal freedom

The president of Malaysia’s Umno has denied abandoning disgraced ex-prime minister Najib Razak to save himself, as fissures emerge in the former ruling party over the mixed legal fortunes of two of its top leaders. Umno grass-roots members have urged President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government in protest after the High Court blocked Najib’s bid to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest last month. It also handed the one-time party figurehead a...

HSBC reviews Singapore insurance unit amid high growth focus on Hong Kong, mainland China

HSBC Holdings’ exploration of options for its insurance business in Singapore may lead to a sale of the unit as the group reallocates resources to its insurance business in Hong Kong and mainland China, according to analysts. “It makes sense for HSBC to consider an exit from Singapore’s insurance market to focus on Hong Kong and mainland China, as so many mainlanders are coming to Hong Kong to buy insurance products here,” said Kenny Tang Sing-hing, chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of...

South Korean church’s ‘special force’ targets young Australians amid crackdown at home

A controversial church facing possible disbandment over religious-political collusion in South Korea is aggressively expanding its presence across Australia by targeting young people at universities and shopping centres, according to a former member who has accused the group of weaponising fear to shield it from criticism. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, founded in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ, has an estimated 200,000 followers in the East Asian...

Malaysia rules 15-year-old fit to stand trial in 2025 school murder of Yap Shing Xuen

The 15-year-old male student accused of murdering his schoolmate at a school in Malaysia’s Selangor state has been declared fit to stand trial, following a psychiatric evaluation. His lawyer, Kitson Foong, informed the press that he conveyed the report’s findings to the Magistrate’s Court during closed-door proceedings on January 16. The court subsequently ruled that the accused is fit to stand trial and enter his defense. According to the lawyer, the psychiatric report also recommended the teen...

Asia chip stocks rise after U.S.-Taiwan trade deal; Taiex and South Korea's Kospi hit fresh records

The Taiwan Weighted Index climbed 1.94% and closed at a record high of 31,408.7.

Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia plan defence pact as US-Iran row threatens Middle East

As tensions between the United States and Iran threaten to plunge the Middle East into chaos again, regional military powers Turkey and Pakistan have revealed they are planning a tripartite defence partnership with Saudi Arabia. Thursday’s disclosure comes as Iran’s neighbours await clarity on US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on the Islamic Republic’s trading partners earlier in the week – a measure which threatens to disrupt supply chains across the region. The...

Investigation after Air India jet engine sucks in cargo container at Delhi airport

No-one was hurt, but the aircraft's engine was damaged and it has been grounded for repairs.

Malaysian man arrested for forcing son, 10, to shoplift regularly

A Malaysian man previously convicted of child abuse has been arrested again on suspicion of forcing his son, 10, to shoplift daily necessities. Police in Bahau, in Negeri Sembilan state’s Jempol district, were alerted to what initially appeared to be a simple case of theft on Wednesday, The Sun newspaper reported. Staff from a wholesale supermarket had caught the boy trying to steal a 200-gram pack of instant coffee. But officers soon uncovered a troubling pattern of child exploitation, Jempol...

South Korea’s Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison over martial law charges

Impeached former South Korean president Yoon Seok-yeol was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday after being found guilty of resisting arrest and other offences linked to his attempted imposition of martial law in 2024. The verdict marks Yoon’s first conviction among eight ongoing criminal trials, in one of which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for his alleged role as the “ringleader” of an attempted insurrection. The 2024 decree unleashed a wave of political unrest, triggering...

South Korea's impeached president found guilty in first of four trials: What you need to know

Yoon Suk Yeol is set to receive the first verdict on charges linked to his 2024 martial law attempt.

Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence alliance despite Trump’s pivot from Asia

The defence chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed that the bilateral alliance is “unshaken” and pledged to reinforce its deterrence capabilities amid concerns in Asia that Washington’s focus is shifting from the region. Following his meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon near Washington, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he was reassured that the administration of President Donald Trump remains committed to peace and stability in the...

India’s exports to China surge in December while shipments to U.S. decline as Trump tariffs bite

Exports to China surged 67% in December to $2 billion, in contrast to goods shipped to the U.S. — New Delhi's biggest export market — that dropped 1.8% to $6.8 billion.

Philippines’ Cebu residents cry foul over mounting garbage, health risks

A garbage landslide that killed 19 people and left more than 20 missing in the central Philippines last week has prompted outrage from civic and green groups over poor enforcement of environmental laws for contributing to the disaster. The deadly avalanche of debris struck on January 8 at a 15-hectare (37-acre) landfill in Binaliw village, Cebu City, when more than 100 sanitation workers were on site. Officials said recent earthquakes and heavy rainfall might have destabilised the soil,...

'Baby, don't move': Australian woman wakes to find massive python on her chest

Rachel Bloor had assumed the heavy weight on her chest was her dog.

Horrified Malaysian mother disowns daughter after mutilation threats by ‘vile’ loan sharks

The constant threat of genital mutilation of her daughter and son-in-law by loan sharks was so harrowing that a woman in Malaysia has resorted to disowning her own flesh and blood. “The loan sharks are vile. They threatened to sever the private parts of my daughter and her husband,” said the 60-year-old housewife who only wanted to be known as Heng. “A loan shark also sent me gory photos of people with severed genitals, claiming he had carried out the acts himself. It was so upsetting that I...

How realistic is India's quest for magnets made of rare earths

India has a $800m plan to make rare earth magnets, aiming to reduce dependence on Chinese imports - but can it work?

CNBC's Inside India newsletter: AI is taking over core operations of Indian IT companies

By 2027, most of IT services work will be done by human plus AI teams: Indian industry body report

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project set for boost as European rival stalls

Japan’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), its next-generation fighter project in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy, may be given a boost now that the development of a similar aircraft has been put on hold. Germany, France and Spain have indefinitely postponed the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), prompting suggestions that some or all participants may instead turn to the rival GCAP. On December 30, German defence media outlet Hartpunkt reported that the “faltering” project, long...

Chinese woman's plea for help killing pigs draws thousands to her village

The woman appealed for help after realising her father could not slaughter the pigs for a village feast alone.

Five takeaways from crunch White House talks on Greenland’s future

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the White House talks as "frank but constructive."

An internally split Europe can never fully engage China and Asia

When contemporary Europe engages with the world, it increasingly presents as two distinct Europes operating within the same institutional framework. This duality – a Europe of strategic dependence vs a Europe of normative assertion – creates a contradiction. For partners, particularly in China and across Asia, this is not merely an abstract identity crisis but a practical geopolitical puzzle that complicates engagement and challenges assumptions about Europe’s global role. One Europe, embedded...

FMT apologises for racial question linking Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’ and Palestine

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) has issued an apology after one of its reporters posed a question during a public lecture that was believed to have carried racial overtones. In a statement on Wednesday, FMT said that the incident occurred during a public lecture featuring United Kingdom politician George Galloway titled “Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors” held on January 12. “FMT wishes to put on record that it had no prior knowledge of the journalist’s intention to raise the...

Who is Pritam Singh, Singapore's former Leader of the Opposition?

Singh, the leader of the Workers' Party, was stripped of his title after being convicted of lying to MPs.

Asean urged to rethink stance as Myanmar election risks normalising junta rule

With Myanmar in the throes of an election widely expected to return its military junta to power, calls have renewed for Asean to rethink its approach of not engaging the regime. The region, observers warn, should also brace itself for the “very real possibility” that half of Southeast Asia might eventually recognise the results of Myanmar’s election and by extension the ruling junta. On Sunday, Myanmar began its second round of voting in the country’s first general election since the military...

India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces US tariff threat

US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on countries that do business with Iran has dented India’s ambition for the strategic Chabahar port and affected New Delhi’s trade with Tehran. Trump’s latest threat could curtail shipments of Indian basmati rice to Iran, but is likely to have a limited impact on India’s trade competitiveness since Iran accounts for about 0.3 per cent of its overall exports, according to analysts. Shipments of the rice, one of India’s biggest...

Singapore's opposition leader stripped of title after conviction for lying

Singh, who was convicted for lying to MPs, has always maintained his innocence.

Trip.com shares plunge almost 20% as China opens antitrust probe into Asia's largest online travel firm

In a statement, Trip.com said it would "actively cooperate" with the investigation, and added its business operations remain normal.

Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stripped the Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh of his role as the city state’s first Leader of the Opposition following Singh’s conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. Singh assumed the official role in 2020 following the general election where his party secured a record 10 elected seats in parliament. Then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during a press conference that Singh would be provided with staff and...

Why US is splurging US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian border war amid cuts in aid funding

Washington’s recent offer of US$45 million in funding to reinforce the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire is a sign that the US is scrambling to regain the upper hand over China in mediating the rift between the Southeast Asian neighbours, according to analysts. Announcing the funding on Friday, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre said Bangkok and Phnom Penh would strive to implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed last year when US President...

Malaysia says X must prove Grok is safe before ban is lifted: ‘abuse is not freedom’

Malaysia is amenable to lifting its ban on Grok – but only if Elon Musk’s microblogging site X proves that its AI chatbot can no longer be used to generate sexualised images of women and minors, according to its communications minister. “X must prove that there will no longer be incidents of videos or images that can be misused by users. If that is settled, we can release the temporary ban,” Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Thursday. Over the weekend, Malaysia and Indonesia became...

South Korea stocks hit record high after Bank of Korea keeps interest rate unchanged

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed as investors assessed the latest policy decision coming out of the Bank of Korea.

'It was terrifying': Residents describe carnage after Thai train crash

The BBC arrived at a grim scene in the evening, with rescuers still pulling bodies out of the mangled train.

Iran reopens airspace after hours-long shutdown spooks airlines

Iran temporarily closed most of its airspace late Wednesday, forcing airlines to reroute flights as tensions with the United States escalated.

Malaysia’s super-rich get cold feet as Langkawi luxury car tax perks vanish

For the very rich, a dream car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche used to cost 2.5 million ringgit (US$617,240) in Langkawi, a duty-free island in Malaysia’s Kedah state. They will now cost about 5 million ringgit. Industry players say the federal government’s move to abolish tax exemptions for luxury vehicles priced above 300,000 ringgit in Langkawi is expected to hurt the automotive sector and reduce long-term government revenue. Industry veteran Mohamad Azhar Mohd Jamil said the decision...

Thai PM moves to strip scandal-hit firm of contracts after second deadly crane accident

Thailand’s prime minister moved on Thursday to strip contracts from a major construction firm following a crane collapse that killed two people on a highway near Bangkok. The disaster occurred just a day after another crane toppled from an elevated rail line being built by the same company and claimed 32 lives. Facing pressure to respond to public anger over the repeated fatal incidents linked to Italian-Thai Development, a firm awarded state mega-projects across the country, caretaker Prime...

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as JF-17 orders soar from Muslim countries

Pakistan is increasingly confident of making billion-dollar arms sales, headlined by the JF-17 fighters its co-produces with China, as up to six Muslim-majority countries look to upgrade their air forces amid growing geopolitical turbulence and civil wars. A preliminary deal worth US$4 billion was struck last month with the Libyan National Army for an unspecified number of JF-17s and other training aircraft manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Reuters reported, citing Aamir Masood, an...

Japan, Philippines tighten ties with new defence pact amid China tensions

Japan and the Philippines signed a defence pact on Thursday that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with Beijing, which was angered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that potential mainland Chinese action against...

Toyota Industries shares hit record high after Toyota Motor raises buyout offer to over $35 billion

Toyota Motor sweetened the tender offer price for buying out the carmaker by more than 15% to over $35 billion.

BTS fans in Malaysia ecstatic over comeback concerts but fear scalpers

The announcement that BTS will return to Malaysia after more than a decade has sent K-pop fans into a frenzy, with many calling it a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The South Korean supergroup will stage two concerts in Kuala Lumpur on December 12 and 13, marking its first appearance in the country since 2015, when it performed its Red Bullet Tour at Mega Star Arena. This will also be BTS’ first-ever concert in Kuala Lumpur as its previous Malaysia performance was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. For...

Trump’s 500% tariff push raises risk of India-US trade freeze

US President Donald Trump’s backing for a Senate bill that would allow tariffs of up to 500 per cent on goods from countries buying Russian oil has raised the prospect of a near-freeze in trade between India and its largest export market, as New Delhi continues to absorb steep US duties imposed last year. Trump last week gave the green light to the proposal, which targets any country that continues to buy Russian oil, petroleum products or uranium, a move seen as part of Washington’s effort to...

Japan’s Takaichi faces uphill task in lower house election as opposition unites

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s bid to strengthen her slim parliamentary majority through a widely expected snap election has grown riskier after the country’s largest opposition party struck an alliance with a former ruling coalition partner. The new alliance between the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) and Komeito, announced on Thursday, complicates Takaichi’s bet that she will be able to significantly build on her razor-thin majority in the lower house of...

CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: Battle for the recovering luxury market heats up

Louis Vuitton’s newest Beijing store opened with celebrity buzz but little fanfare, underscoring how luxury brands are cautiously testing signs of a consumer recovery in China.

From behind bars, Aung San Suu Kyi casts a long shadow over Myanmar

The democracy campaigner has spent 20 years in total in detention, five of them since being overthrown by a coup.

Japanese stocks hit another record high as expectations of snap poll rise

This comes as Japan's ruling LDP under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to call an election in February.

China's annual trade surplus hits a record $1.2 trillion, even as exports to U.S. decline by 20%

China's exports growth in December sharply beat expectations, catapulting the annual trade surplus to a record high.

South Korea's special prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law bid

If Yoon is sentenced to death, it will be the first execution South Korea has carried out in almost 30 years.

Trump’s tariff gambit over Iran risks derailing U.S.–China trade deal

President Donald Trump's threat of 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran has raised the risk of derailing Washington's fragile trade deal with Beijing.

Iran’s regime in its ‘final days and weeks' after mass protests, Germany’s Merz says

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday said the embattled Iranian regime appears to be finished.

Japan's Nikkei 225 jumps over 3% as expectations that ruling party will opt for a snap vote rise

Asia markets rose as investors shrugged off geopolitical flashpoints and a criminal investigation into Fed chair Jerome Powell.

India inflation accelerates to 1.33% in December, driven by higher food prices

India's inflation accelerated in December, but still rose less than expected.

South Korea's Kospi closes at a record high as Asia-Pacific markets rise

Investors will be keeping an eye on oil prices as protests continue in Iran and U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly is weighing options to intervene.

What a U.S. intervention in Iran could look like as Trump weighs options

The unrest in Iran, which started in late December over soaring prices and the collapse of Iran's currency, has intensified and morphed into wider antigovernment protests.

Malaysia and Indonesia block Elon Musk's Grok due to nonconsensual sexual content

Malaysia and Indonesia blocked access to Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok over the weekend due to concerns that the tool was being used to generate sexually explicit and obscene content.

Japan plans to dissolve parliament with possible snap election in February: NHK

The snap election, if called in Feburary, would be just about five months into Takaichi's term as prime minister.

Trump’s Greenland gambit puts China on edge after Venezuela operation

U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to take control of Greenland raised alarms in Beijing as nations vye for the vast mineral reserves in the Arctic nation.

Iran's leader accuses protesters of acting for Trump

Iran's supreme leader accused protesters of acting on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump by destroying public properties in their own country.

Hanwha Aerospace soars 11%, leading Asian defense stocks rally

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Friday as investors parsed China's inflation data.

CNBC's Inside India newsletter: India wants five big airlines — but even with two, they are barely staying afloat

Despite being one of the fastest growing aviation market which is controlled by just two airlines, there are no winners in this sector.

China inflation hits near three-year high in December as full-year CPI misses target

China's consumer inflation accelerated in December to the fastest pace in more than two years, while factory-gate deflation extended for over three years.

Meta faces China probe over acquisition of AI agent startup Manus

China to probe Meta's acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Manus to assess its compliance with export control laws.

Asia-Pacific markets mostly fall as Trump rattles defense firms and oil prices slide

Overnight, the S&P 500 and the Down Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day winning streak.

CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: What's next after a 10-year 'experiment' with U.S.-China competition

For someone who's witnessed the ups and downs of U.S.-China tensions since the 1990s, AmCham China's new chair is strikingly optimistic about 2026.

India economy estimated to grow 7.4% in 2026 despite looming trade uncertainties

Amid rising global trade uncertainties, India's economy is projected to grow 7.4% in the fiscal year ending March 2026.

India’s state-owned refiners keep buying Russian oil even as New Delhi seeks U.S. tariff relief

India’s efforts to secure U.S. tariff relief are being complicated by continued Russian crude purchases by state-owned refiners, offsetting a pullback by private buyers.

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