98 m. ago Trump threatens 200% wine tariff to push France to join ‘Board of Peace’

US President Donald Trump said he will impose a 200 per cent tariff on French wines and champagnes, a move he claimed would push French President Emmanuel Macron to join Trump’s Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts. When asked by a reporter about Macron saying he will not join the board, Trump said: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.” “I’ll put a 200 per cent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he...

Politics

4 h. ago China Southern Power Grid Plans Record $26 Billion Spend in 2026

China Southern Power Grid Plans Record $26 Billion Spend in 2026  Bloomberg

Economics

4 h. ago Copper Drops on Concern Record Prices Hurting Demand in China

Copper Drops on Concern Record Prices Hurting Demand in China  Bloomberg

Politics

5 h. ago Record snow in Russia’s far east blocks building entrances, buries cars

The biggest snowfall in 60 years on Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula created vast drifts several metres tall that blocked building entrances and buried cars, according to Reuters visuals and weather monitoring stations. In some areas more than 2 metres (6.5 feet) of snow has fallen in the first half of January after 3.7 metres in December, according to weather monitoring stations. Heavy snow is not uncommon in Kamchatka - a peninsula which stretches down towards Japan. Reuters...

Politics

6 h. ago 2 Chinese nationals in Malaysia face US$392,000 tax bills after employer fraud

Two Chinese nationals working in Malaysia are facing income tax bills amounting to 748,073.84 ringgit (US$184,595) and 842,118.84 ringgit, respectively, after their employer allegedly used their identities to submit false salary information to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). Li Juan, 42, discovered the issue when she tried to extend her work permit, while the other victim, Chen Bi Ling, 40, who was married to a Malaysian, found out about it when she was extending her spouse’s visa. Speaking at...

Economics

7 h. ago Hong Kong professions ready for new child abuse law but ‘some challenges remain’

Hong Kong professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse cases under a new law taking effect on Tuesday are largely ready, but some have said challenges remain in working with parents from different cultural backgrounds and detecting online crimes targeting youngsters. Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, more than 100,000 people across 25 professions in the social welfare, education and medical sectors are required to report suspected maltreatment of those aged under...

Society

7 h. ago ‘No room for refusal’: Hong Kong professionals brace for tough calls under child abuse law

Hong Kong professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse cases under a new law taking effect on Tuesday are largely ready, but some have said challenges remain in working with parents from different cultural backgrounds and detecting online crimes targeting youngsters. Under the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, more than 100,000 people across 25 professions in the social welfare, education and medical sectors are required to report suspected maltreatment of those aged under...

Society

8 h. ago Kamala Harris aides grilled Tim Walz on China ties during running mate vetting process: report

Kamala Harris aides grilled Tim Walz on China ties during running mate vetting process: report  New York Post

Politics

8 h. ago China's stock market 'overheats' amid record high turnover, and regulators are getting worried

China's stock market 'overheats' amid record high turnover, and regulators are getting worried  CNBC

Politics

8 h. ago Syria deal with Kurdish fighters appears to unravel as Islamic State prisoners escape

Around 1,500 Islamic State members escaped from Syria’s Shaddadi prison on Monday, the Kurdish website Rudaw reported, quoting a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Earlier, the Syrian army said “a number of” Islamic State (Isis) militants had escaped a prison that had been under SDF control in the eastern city of Shaddadi, accusing the SDF of releasing them. The prison break took place a day after a sweeping deal was announced between the Syrian government and the...

Events

13 h. ago China's birth rate has hit a record low. Experts say it spells long

China's birth rate has hit a record low. Experts say it spells long-term trouble  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Events

13 h. ago Brazil beef exports seen as stable in 2026 as industry pivots beyond China

Brazilian beef exports will remain stable in 2026 compared with last year, beef lobby Abiec said on Monday, projecting shipments between 3.3 million and 3.5 million tonnes this year. That compares with 3.5 million tonnes of beef exported in 2025, including fresh and processed products, when Brazil’s beef shipments had their best year on record both in volumes and revenue, according to trade data. Roberto Perosa, Abiec president, said exports would remain broadly unchanged after top importer...

Politics

14 h. ago Canada could send small contingent of troops to Greenland for Nato exercises

Canada is considering whether to send a small contingent of troops to Greenland to take part in Nato military exercises, a source directly familiar with the matter said on Monday. The news was first reported by CBC News and the Globe and Mail newspaper. Military officials have presented plans for the operation to the government and are awaiting a decision from Prime Minister Mark Carney, said the source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter. Carney’s office declined to...

Politics

14 h. ago Canada considers sending small contingent of troops to Greenland

Canada is considering whether to send a small contingent of troops to Greenland to take part in Nato military exercises, a source directly familiar with the matter said on Monday. The news was first reported by CBC News and the Globe and Mail newspaper. Military officials have presented plans for the operation to the government and are awaiting a decision from Prime Minister Mark Carney, said the source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter. Carney’s office declined to...

Politics

17 h. ago China signs record US$213 billion of new ‘belt and road’ deals in 2025: report

China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative gained further traction in 2025, with a record US$213.5 billion of new deals signed as projects in metals, mining, fossil fuels and new technologies surged, a report by the Griffith Asia Institute has found. The value of new deals confirmed under China’s global infrastructure strategy rose 75 per cent last year compared with 2024, with a notable pivot towards investment in Africa and Central Asia, according to the report released on Sunday. China has...

Economics

18 h. ago Central Asia Trade with China Tops Record $100 Billion in 2025

Central Asia Trade with China Tops Record $100 Billion in 2025  The Times Of Central Asia

Economics

18 h. ago 13 children killed in South Africa as minibus collides with truck near Johannesburg

South Africa mourned the deaths on Monday of 13 schoolchildren who died when their minibus collided with a truck, local officials said in a statement, in an incident that put the spotlight on the country’s dismal road safety record. Three other children were in hospital being treated for injuries following the incident near the industrial Vanderbijlpark city south of Johannesburg, officials said in an earlier statement. A dangerous overtaking manoeuvre could have caused the incident, a...

Events

19 h. ago Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to China reach record high

Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exports to China reach record high  FreshPlaza

Politics

19 h. ago Chinese premier chairs symposium to solicit opinions on draft gov't work report, five

Chinese premier chairs symposium to solicit opinions on draft gov't work report, five-year plan  Xinhua

Politics

20 h. ago This week ahead: City seeks comments on Shenango China site cleanup

This week ahead: City seeks comments on Shenango China site cleanup  New Castle News

Politics