12 h. ago New Year's Eve: Japan and South Korea ring in the new year as first Asian nations join Australia and New Zealand in 2026

LIVEBLOG: Follow New Year's Eve celebrations across the globe as nations around the world throw parties to toast the final hours of the year before ushering in 2026.

Politics

17 h. ago New Zealand's Auckland kicks off 2026 celebrations with fireworks

Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2026 with fireworks from Sky Tower

Events

17 h. ago New Year’s Eve live: world prepares to ring in 2026, as Kiribati becomes the first country to see in the new year

Join our live coverage as we start the 26 hours for the entire globe to enter the new yearAn atoll in the remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati – Kiritimati – has become the first to usher in the new year (at 10:00 GMT). We will bring you pictures as soon as we get them in.Other parts of Kiribati will be welcoming in the new year over the next few hours.Kiribati -10:00 GMTNew Zealand – 11:00 GMTMost of Australia’s east coast – 13:00 GMTNorth Korea, South Korea and Japan- 15:00 GMTTaiwan, Hong Kong and China – 16:00 GMTThailand – 17:00 GMTIndia and Sri Lanka – 18:30 GMTRussia (Moscow) – 21:00 GMTUkraine – 22:00 GMTGermany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy – 23:00 GMTThe UK , Ghana and Portugal– 00:00 GMT Brazil and Argentina – 03:00 GMTThe east coast of the US – 05:00 GMT Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago I did acupuncture to relieve my arthritis... but when my pain got worse an X

Doctors in South Korea were taken aback when a 65-year-old patient's knee X-ray, intended to assess her arthritis, revealed numerous unexpected foreign objects embedded in the tissue.

Politics

5 d. ago Country announces it will end foreign adoptions after claims of fraud and abuse

Tens of thousands of South Korean children have been adopted overseas

Events

6 d. ago Myanmar will hold its first general election in 5 years as criticism of the military rule mounts

Myanmar will hold the first phase of a general election on Sunday, its first vote in five years and an election framed by the ruling military as a return to multi-party democracy

Events

6 d. ago North Korea reveals nuclear submarine progress as Kim Jong Un slams South Korea

Photos show largely completed hull of new submarine

Events

8 d. ago The Breakdown | Chile coach Pablo Lemoine: ‘Rugby is in trouble, even in countries like Wales’

Former Uruguay prop has praise for new World Cup format but wants more help for developing nationsHow did Pablo Lemoine, Chile’s head coach, react when they were drawn with Australia and New Zealand for the 2027 Rugby World Cup? The answer is perceptive and somewhat surprising.“When countries like Chile play in a World Cup you need a general vision,” Lemoine says. “Thinking only of sport it’s fantastic – it’s awesome. But thinking of the real impact Chile needs: development programmes, political impact, social impact for our fans, it’s much more difficult to find tickets when you play the All Blacks or Australia.” Continue reading...

Sport

9 d. ago Idyllic holiday island sees spike in tourist numbers after appearing in hit Netflix show

Long a popular destination among South Koreans, Jeju island has seen a surge in foreign visitors since premiere of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’

Events

1 week ago Jesse Lingard opens up on South Korea transfer from escaping Man Utd ‘noise’ to learning language & eating LIVE octopus

JESSE LINGARD has opened up on his move to South Korea in an attempt to escape the Manchester United "noise". The Englishman made the switch to the East Asian nation after leaving Nottingham Forest. Lingard, 33, was without a club after his contract in the East Midlands expired for some time until he was approached...

Politics

1 week ago Asian Football Confederation to introduce new Nations League tournament

The AFC follows in the footsteps of the Confederation of African Football, which plans to introduce a similar tourmament in 2029

Sport

1 week ago Gold logo found on AC unit from decades ago sparks treasure hunt in South Korea

Logo believed to have come from limited-edition LG Whisen air conditioner released in 2005

Politics

2 w. ago Xi Jinping gives ‘strong support’ for Jimmy Lai conviction amid international condemnation

The UK, Australia, New Zealand, the EU and Taiwan have all condemned Lai’s conviction, while Donald Trump says he is saddened by the Hong Kong court’s verdict and that he has raised the case with Xi

Politics

2 w. ago Britain hails ‘golden age’ in South Korea relations after crucial trade deal struck

Sir Keir Starmer described the agreement as “a huge win for British businesses and working people”

Economics

2 w. ago ‘I didn’t have double eyelids’: Why Korean actors are turning to Hollywood

The global success of ‘Parasite’ and ‘Squid Game’ has opened Hollywood’s doors to South Korean actors, but for those without major agency backing, navigating the American industry remains a challenge

Culture

2 w. ago Stephen Mulhern breaks down in tears discussing death of his dad on Accidental Tourist

The Catchphrase presenter, 48, embarked on a trip to South Korea intended to help face his fears - organised by Ant and Dec .

Events

2 w. ago Sir Cliff Richard battling prostate cancer as singer reveals year

Singer Cliff Richard has explained how he discovered the cancer early before heading on a tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Events

2 w. ago Sir Cliff Richard, 85, reveals secret prostate cancer battle as he calls for a national screening test for men

The British star, 85, said he was diagnosed after a health check for his insurance ahead of a concert tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Events

2 w. ago Stephen Mulhern breaks down in tears as he opens up on dad’s death on Accidental Tourist

STEPHEN Mulhern broke down in tears as he opened up about his dad's death on Accidental Tourist. The ITV show saw the In For a Penny host face his fears on a trip planned by his pals, Ant and Dec. The Geordie duo sent him to South Korea where he tackled some of his food...

Events

2 w. ago Stephen Mulhern breaks down during Ant and Dec TV challenge in emotional scenes

Stephen Mulhern travels to South Korea to confront his fears in Accidental Tourist show but the Ant and Dec challenge causes a massive meltdown

Culture