20 h. ago Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ as Marcos, 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...

Politics

20 h. ago 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...

Politics

33 h. ago 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 Associated Press correspondent Jim Gomez and confirmed by French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel during a freewheeling discussion on Tuesday at her residence. In a bid to balance the...

Culture

41 h. ago Philippines’ Cebu residents cry foul over mounting garbage, health risks

A deadly garbage avalanche in central Philippines last week, which killed 19 and led to more than 20 missing, has prompted outrage from civic and green groups over poor enforcement of environmental laws for contributing to the disaster. On January 8, a mountain of debris collapsed at a 15-hectare landfill in the village of Binaliw, Cebu City, where over 100 sanitation workers were on site. Officials say the tragedy may have been partly caused by recent earthquakes and heavy rains affecting soil...

Events

46 h. ago B.C. and feds enter lumber understanding with China during Carney visit

B.C. and feds enter lumber understanding with China during Carney visit  CBC

Politics

51 h. ago Carney: Canada entering ‘new era’ in relationship with Beijing

Carney: Canada entering ‘new era’ in relationship with Beijing  Yahoo! Finance CanadaCarney in Beijing to reset 'complex' Canada-China ties, says minister  ReutersCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in Beijing for landmark four-day visit to China  ABC News

Politics

55 h. ago Japan and the Philippines Sign New Defense Pact as They Face Growing China Aggression

Japan and the Philippines Sign New Defense Pact as They Face Growing China Aggression  Military.com

Events

55 h. ago Hong Kong police shoot and kill man wielding meat cleaver in Tuen Mun

Hong Kong police have shot and killed a man who brandished a meat cleaver at a shopping centre in Tuen Mun. The tragedy unfolded around 7pm on Thursday near Tuen Mun Town Hall on Tuen Wui Road. A video taken by a passer-by shows a man in a white tracksuit carrying a 20cm knife entering the Tuen Mun Town Plaza mall. One of three police officers at the scene is seen shooting the man, who is holding a woman, with a pepper spray gun. Another officer fires two shots. A source said police received a...

Events

57 h. ago Mark Carney says Canada entering ‘new era’ of relations during trip to Beijing

Mark Carney says Canada entering ‘new era’ of relations during trip to Beijing  CTV News

Politics

58 h. ago Japan, Philippines sign new defence pacts amid surging China tensions

Japan, Philippines sign new defence pacts amid surging China tensions  Al Jazeera

Events

61 h. ago Nexperia and Chinese owner fight for control of chipmaker in Dutch court

The battle for control of Dutch chipmaker Nexperia entered a new phase on Wednesday, as lawyers representing the firm and its Chinese parent Wingtech Technology traded blows during a seven-hour court hearing in the Netherlands. The Enterprise Chamber – a special Dutch court handling corporate disputes – scheduled the hearing to determine whether it should order a formal investigation into alleged mismanagement at Nexperia or overturn its earlier ruling, with a verdict set to be issued by...

Events

61 h. ago China’s Ningbo cuisine; Hong Kong goes Back to the Past: 7 Lifestyle highlights

We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Umami, salty, stinky’: how 3 flavours define China’s Ningbo cuisine Located directly south of Shanghai across Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo is just a two-hour ride away from China’s biggest city on the high-speed rail. For many, the first thing that may come to mind is the city’s famous tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings). But...

Politics

62 h. ago Man shot by federal officer in Minneapolis as tensions flare over crackdown

A federal officer shot a man in the leg on Wednesday night in Minneapolis, a week after the fatal shooting of a local woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent touched off angry protests and an intensifying clash between state leaders and the Trump administration. The shooting followed a targeted traffic stop shortly before 7pm Central Time, when the man fled in his vehicle and crashed into a parked car, according to Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland...

Events

63 h. ago 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...

Events

2 d. ago High Seas Treaty a chance for China to lead on marine conservation

On January 17, a quiet revolution will take place across around two-thirds of the world’s oceans. A landmark United Nations agreement known as the High Seas Treaty will formally enter into force, creating the first legally binding global framework to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. For the first time, activities beyond national jurisdictions – from industrial fishing to deep-sea mining and bio-prospecting – will be subject to environmental impact assessments, marine...

Politics

3 d. ago Opinion | Forget Trump’s Tariffs. The Real Danger Lies in China’s Trade Surplus.

Opinion | Forget Trump’s Tariffs. The Real Danger Lies in China’s Trade Surplus.  The New York Times

Politics

3 d. ago Trump envoy says Gaza entering second phase of ceasefire plan, including disarming Hamas

The US said on Wednesday that it is moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan that involves disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs in Gaza under American supervision. US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said in a social media post that the ceasefire deal that the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and...

Politics

3 d. ago Gaza entering next ceasefire phase as US pushes to disarm Hamas

The United States said on Wednesday that it was moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan that involves disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs in Gaza under American supervision. US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post on X that the deal that the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and Hamas,...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong Cantopop singer Raymond Lam cancels 2 concerts in Japan amid China friction

Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actor Raymond Lam Fung has cancelled two coming concerts in Japan, adding to a growing list of high-profile entertainment disruptions amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. Japanese promoter Promax Inc said on Wednesday that Lam’s “Go With The Flow in Japan” tour – originally scheduled for January 31 and February 1 at the Tokyo Garden Theatre – had been postponed indefinitely. “After careful consideration and extensive discussions with all...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Fundamental disagreement’ with Trump remains over Greenland, Denmark says

A top Danish official said on Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains with US President Donald Trump after highly anticipated talks in Washington with Vice-President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two sides, however, agreed to create a working group to discuss ways to work through differences as Trump continues to call for a US takeover of the semi-autonomous territory of Nato ally Denmark. “The group, in our view, should focus on how to address the...

Politics