2 h. ago ‘If you don’t die, it’s an adventure’: Hong Kong blogger’s Iran trip sparks travel debate

A Hong Kong travel blogger whose brief disappearance during a solo trip to protest-hit Iran has triggered a heated online debate over the safety of women travelling alone to politically volatile nations. More female solo travellers took to the internet on Sunday to share their experiences and feelings on visiting Iran for leisure, as the country became embroiled in social unrest and was isolated from the rest of the world. Hong Kong authorities on Saturday night confirmed the missing blogger...

Events

2 h. ago How China is stepping up Africa charm offensive to boost cultural ties, deepen influence

China is rolling out hundreds of activities across Africa, including study trips and AI competitions, as part of what experts have described as a “soft power” charm offensive designed to deepen its influence across the continent. In moving beyond its traditional focus on infrastructure and high-level finance, Beijing is expanding its engagement through the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges – an initiative dedicated to cultural and social diplomacy. Announced by Chinese Foreign...

Politics

4 h. ago Hong Kong police arrest 2, record 220 offences in illegal road racing crackdown

Hong Kong police arrested two drivers and found that motorists had committed about 220 traffic violations in a two-day crackdown on illegal vehicle modifications, speeding and other offences. Police said on Sunday the arrests were made during the force’s two-day operation called ‘Fossington’ over the weekend, targeting traffic violations across New Territories locations such as Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tolo Highway, Tai Mei Tuk, Luk Keng Road and Bride’s Pool Road. At around 9am on Sunday, transport...

Events

5 h. ago Exhibition showcasing ancient Shu civilization kicks off in Beijing

Exhibition showcasing ancient Shu civilization kicks off in Beijing-Xinhua  新华网

Politics

6 h. ago China office workers run to bond with peers, clients, pressured to meet speed expectations

Chinese office workers are literally switching to working on the run as the building of bonds with customers and colleagues becomes increasingly trendy. On mainland social media, increasing numbers of people say running has become their company’s work culture or helped them bond with clients. A woman based in Beijing said she first learned about the concept of “business running” two years ago when her client invited her on a 7am run. The woman, surnamed Peng, said the client was difficult, but...

Events

6 h. ago Beijing's first snow of 2026 turns Summer Palace into winter wonderland

Beijing's first snow of 2026 turns Summer Palace into winter wonderland  Global Times

Politics

7 h. ago Beijing row highlights need for Japan to reduce cleantech dependence on China

Beijing row highlights need for Japan to reduce cleantech dependence on China  The Japan Times

Politics

8 h. ago Beijing activates emergency responses to ensure safety during snowstorm

Beijing activates emergency responses to ensure safety during snowstorm  China Daily

Events

9 h. ago Beijing pours cash into Belt and Road financing in global resources grab

Beijing pours cash into Belt and Road financing in global resources grab  Financial Times

Economics

10 h. ago Hong Kong steps up bid to become global gold trading hub with Shanghai agreement

Hong Kong will sign an accord with Shanghai next week to establish a cross-border gold trade clearing system, a move the financial chief says will bolster the city’s push to become an international gold trading hub. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po revealed on Sunday that the city and the Shanghai Gold Exchange would sign a memorandum of understanding at the 19th Asian Financial Forum next week to pave the way for greater connectivity between the two markets. “We are accelerating the push to...

Politics

10 h. ago ‘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...

Politics

10 h. ago 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...

Events

11 h. ago Beijing’s first snowfall of 2026 continues as nationwide cold wave possibly brings widespread snow and ice

Beijing’s first snowfall of 2026 continues as nationwide cold wave possibly brings widespread snow and ice  Global Times

Politics

12 h. ago Spy fears and secret rooms: London protesters warn Beijing’s mega embassy could be an espionage hub

Spy fears and secret rooms: London protesters warn Beijing’s mega embassy could be an espionage hub  Malay Mail

Events

14 h. ago 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...

Events

20 h. ago Britain’s China dilemma: Opposition protests Beijing's 'mega embassy' as decision deadline looms

Britain’s China dilemma: Opposition protests Beijing's 'mega embassy' as decision deadline looms  Firstpost

Events

22 h. ago Book Scene: Finding light in gig work: “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”

Book Scene: Finding light in gig work: “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”  Yakima Herald-Republic

Culture

22 h. ago Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni wins seventh term in election marred by fraud claims

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni won his seventh term with 71.65 per cent of votes, according to official results Saturday, in an election marred by an internet shutdown and fraud claims by his youthful challenger, who rejected the outcome and called for peaceful protests. The musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine took 24.72 per cent of the vote, the final results showed. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has condemned what he described as an unfair electoral process...

Politics

23 h. ago Beijing slams US senators for ‘malicious’ bill targeting Hong Kong trade offices

Beijing’s foreign affairs arm in Hong Kong has “strongly condemned” a group of US senators for pushing what it calls “malicious legislation” that seeks to strip the city’s trade offices in the United States of their special privileges and potentially force their closure. A spokesman for the Commissioner’s Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said the senators’ move exposed their “deep-rooted ideological prejudice” and “Cold War mentality”. “Any attempts to smear Hong Kong’s freedom and...

Events

24 h. ago CBC omits Carney’s ‘new world order’ line in spliced Beijing clip

CBC omits Carney’s ‘new world order’ line in spliced Beijing clip  Juno News

Politics