1 hour ago Thai woman stays on rooftop with pets during floods, refusing rescue without them

A Thai woman declined rescue and chose to remain stranded on a rooftop amid severe floods to stay with her pet dog and cat, garnering online praise. The woman, known as Jazz, appealed for help on social media on November 22. She reported being trapped on the roof with the water level rising dangerously close to her. In her post, she also provided her location and requested authorities to cut power in her neighbourhood to prevent electrocution. In a video included with her post, she was seen at a...

Events

5 h. ago Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

The White House released a national security blueprint on Friday, marking a sweeping assertion of US influence in the Americas. The framework pledges to prevent non-Western powers from expanding their foothold across the Western Hemisphere, a clear reference to China’s growing presence in the region. In US strategic parlance, the “Western Hemisphere” refers broadly to the Americas, a geopolitical space long regarded as a place Washington has sway over. This belief harks back to the Monroe...

Politics

7 h. ago China’s He Lifeng holds ‘constructive’ call with US officials Bessent, Greer

Top Chinese and US officials held a call on Friday to discuss trade, including ongoing efforts to implement an agreement to de-escalate their countries’ trade war. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng had an “in-depth and constructive” video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported. Both sides agreed to promote the stable development of bilateral trade and economic ties, and “expand the list for cooperation...

Politics

12 h. ago PLA holds urban warfare drill as Taipei looks to boost ‘asymmetric capabilities’

The People’s Liberation Army has carried out an urban warfare drill, according to state media, in what appears to be a response to Taipei’s bid to fund improved “asymmetric capabilities”. In a report on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of troops carrying out an operation to seize a built-up area in a war-torn city. The drill – involving reconnaissance, clearing and occupation – was part of a live-fire exercise conducted by a PLA Ground Force brigade that aimed to “test multiple...

Events

16 h. ago ‘Better late than never’: Singapore parents laud curbs on phone use in schools

There are some days when stay-at-home mother of three Lynn Lee finds her 15-year-old daughter watching drama programmes or playing games on her phone for hours on end, unaware of how much time has passed. The 49-year-old, whose children are aged between 10 and 15, calls it an addiction and says her teenager’s screen time can be between eight and 10 hours a day despite parental controls that shut off her internet at 10.30pm. According to Lee, the addiction has caused her daughter’s temperament to...

Politics

18 h. ago African Countries Should Learn From China's Economic and Infrastructure Development, Kenyan Scholar Says

African Countries Should Learn From China's Economic and Infrastructure Development, Kenyan Scholar Says  Yicai Global

Economics

31 h. ago Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others boycott

Israel on Thursday was cleared to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to follow through on their threats to withdraw from the competition over the war in Gaza. After a meeting in Geneva, contest organiser the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided not to call a vote on Israel’s involvement and said it had instead passed rules aimed at discouraging governments from influencing the contest. Right after that announcement, the Dutch,...

Politics

31 h. ago Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

Israel was cleared on Thursday to enter the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest by the organiser, prompting Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia to withdraw over the Gaza war and plunging the competition into one of the biggest rows in its history. The broadcasters who had threatened to boycott the event cited the death count in Gaza and accused Israel of flouting rules meant to guard the contest’s neutrality. Israel accuses its critics of mounting a global smear campaign against it. After a...

Politics

37 h. ago As Macron eyes China deals to revive industry, trade shows tables have turned

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Chinese companies to invest in France and transfer know-how in emerging sectors like batteries, electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels – highlighting growing concerns over the widening technological gap between the two countries. “We want to welcome more Chinese investment through projects and re-industrialisation strategies, and this is what will allow us to break the cycle we’re currently in,” he said on Thursday in Beijing, where he attended a...

Politics

38 h. ago China to provide $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, Xi says

China to provide $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, Xi says  The Times of Israel

Economics

39 h. ago ‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

Malaysia said on Thursday that it would consider a proposal by Singapore to jointly develop water infrastructure in southern Johor, signalling the intention of both sides to move beyond decades of rancour over the vital resource. The two countries have for years disagreed over various issues related to water supply, ranging from prices to the interpretation of the 1962 water agreement signed by them. Malaysia has argued that Johor’s water is sold too cheaply to Singapore. With Johor experiencing...

Politics

39 h. ago ‘Let me stay’: residents of block unscathed by Hong Kong fire hope to return

Some residents of the only housing block to emerge unscathed by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades have expressed hope that they could continue living in their flats, citing their deep emotional connection to the neighbourhood. Wang Chi House residents arrived at the block on Thursday for the second and final day of collecting belongings from their homes, with dozens packing light to make room for valuables and important documents. Those returning on the second day had not been home since the...

Events

44 h. ago HashKey’s IPO seeks US$300 million under shadow of Beijing’s regulatory scrutiny

The initial public offering (IPO) of HashKey Holdings, operator of Hong Kong’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, lays bare challenges faced by local platforms under Beijing’s watchful eye, even though the listing itself was recognition of the growing influence of digital assets in the city, according to analysts. HashKey, established in Hong Kong in 2018, on Monday cleared its Hong Kong listing hearing after a confidential filing earlier this year, paving the way for an IPO that could raise up to...

Economics

46 h. ago Xi Jinping urges Emmanuel Macron to ‘stand on the right side of history’

Chinese President Xi Jinping told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that he was willing to work with France to “eliminate interference” and work on developing a steady relationship as they met for talks on Thursday, where issues such as trade are expected to be on the agenda. Xi said the world was undergoing rapid changes and the two countries “should demonstrate their responsibility, uphold the banner of multilateralism and firmly stand on the right side of history”. “China, together...

Politics

46 h. ago China and France should ‘understand and support each other’, Xi tells Macron

Chinese President Xi Jinping told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that the two countries should “understand and support each other” and advance cooperation during a meeting on Thursday that touched on a range of issues, including the Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Xi described the discussions as “friendly, candid and fruitful”. He said the pair had agreed that the two countries “should uphold multilateralism, stand on the right side of history, adhere to equal...

Politics

51 h. ago China Slams Israel for Joining UN Human Rights Statement Condemning Beijing

China Slams Israel for Joining UN Human Rights Statement Condemning Beijing  Algemeiner.com

Politics

57 h. ago Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

Israel received a body that Hamas said was one of the last two deceased hostages in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as Israel said it would allow Gaza’s gateway to Egypt to open once all hostages were returned. A body has been transferred by the Red Cross to the Israeli military and will undergo forensic identification, a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said. Hamas also handed over remains on Tuesday, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later said were not of any...

Politics

57 h. ago Purdue effectively bans grad students from China, other countries, faculty say

Purdue effectively bans grad students from China, other countries, faculty say  Journal & Courier

Politics

57 h. ago After Deadly Fire, Hong Kong Ominously Warns Grieving Citizens to Stay in Line

After Deadly Fire, Hong Kong Ominously Warns Grieving Citizens to Stay in Line  The New York Times

Events

60 h. ago China slams Israel Over UN rights statement, accuses it of 'smearing' Beijing

China slams Israel Over UN rights statement, accuses it of 'smearing' Beijing  Ynetnews

Politics