2 h. ago Local Chinese government stimulus pushes big spenders to dig in while dining out

A local government in China’s provincial economic powerhouse of Zhejiang has announced plans to subsidise the restaurant meals of high-value consumers, in a move that is intended to stimulate consumption but could raise questions about whether it runs contrary to the central government’s austerity drive. Shaoxing – a city known for its textile industry and a prized variety of cooking wine – will offer subsidies of up to 5,000 yuan (US$700) to banquet holders if they host five or more tables and...

Politics

7 h. ago Trump offers more US troops to Poland’s nationalist president

US President Donald Trump hosted new Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Wednesday at the White House with a military flyover and an offer to send more US troops to the eastern European ally. Talks were expected to focus on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, where Trump’s peacemaking efforts have been struggling to get traction. Trump called it a “stupid war” and said he thought ending it would have been “much easier” for him. “It’s going to get done,” he vowed to reporters in the Oval Office,...

Politics

7 h. ago ‘They were hoping I was watching’: Trump on Beijing parade with Xi, Putin, Kim; calls it ‘impressive but

‘They were hoping I was watching’: Trump on Beijing parade with Xi, Putin, Kim; calls it ‘impressive but  The Times of India

Politics

8 h. ago China, Russia and North Korea unite at Beijing military parade

China, Russia and North Korea unite at Beijing military parade  BBC

Events

8 h. ago WATCH: Trump says China and Russia ‘were hoping I was watching’ the military ceremony

WATCH: Trump says China and Russia ‘were hoping I was watching’ the military ceremony  PBS

Events

10 h. ago Private toilet, sealed DNA: Kim Jong Un's secret lavatory on Beijing trip — Why aides wipe rooms after me

Private toilet, sealed DNA: Kim Jong Un's secret lavatory on Beijing trip — Why aides wipe rooms after me  Times of India

Politics

11 h. ago Power of Siberia 2: Russia’s Pivot, China’s Leverage, and Global Gas Implications

Power of Siberia 2: Russia’s Pivot, China’s Leverage, and Global Gas Implications  CGEP

Politics

14 h. ago UK’s Deputy PM faces calls to resign over tax error on US$1 million home

Angela Rayner, the deputy British prime minister, faced calls to resign on Wednesday after she admitted to not paying enough tax on a home purchase. Following weeks of press speculation regarding the tax paid on her purchase of a flat in Hove, on England’s south coast, Rayner said she has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards and that she has considered resigning. Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his support to Rayner as opposition lawmakers demanded that she...

Economics

14 h. ago UK deputy PM faces calls to resign over tax error on US$1 million home

Angela Rayner, the deputy British prime minister, faced calls to resign on Wednesday after she admitted to not paying enough tax on a home purchase. Following weeks of press speculation regarding the tax paid on her purchase of a flat in Hove, on England’s south coast, Rayner said she has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards and that she has considered resigning. Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his support to Rayner as opposition lawmakers demanded that she...

Economics

14 h. ago US tariff damps holiday mood of India’s jewellers as exports set to fall by 70%

India’s gem and jewellery businesses face a bleak year-end holiday season following Washington’s decision to slap a 50 per cent tariff on the country’s exports, as they warn the move could affect more than two-thirds of their shipments to the United States. On Wednesday, the tariff on India’s exports to the US took effect in response to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil and weapons. “With the imposition of a 50 per cent tariff, we expect exports to the US to decline by more than 70 per cent....

Politics

17 h. ago Putin invites North Korea's Kim to Russia after holding talks in Beijing with him

Putin invites North Korea's Kim to Russia after holding talks in Beijing with him  Reuters

Politics

17 h. ago Kim pledges help in ‘any way’ for Russia’s war in Ukraine during Putin meeting

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to continue helping Moscow’s war in Ukraine in “any way” as he met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday. That meeting came only hours after US President Donald Trump made harsh accusations against both leaders as the brutal war in Ukraine continued. The bilateral summit between the two neighbours – the first in more than a year – revealed that it was Kim who took the initiative in sending military aid to Russia for its...

Politics

17 h. ago Trump tariffs live updates: Trump seeks Supreme Court 'emergency' hearing, rules out India tariff cuts

Trump tariffs live updates: Trump seeks Supreme Court 'emergency' hearing, rules out India tariff cuts  Yahoo Finance

Politics

17 h. ago Australian tourist’s Japan cemetery stunt sparks travel warning, outrage

The Australian embassy in Japan issued a warning to travellers to behave themselves after an Instagrammer drank offerings from a Japanese burial site, provoking widespread anger online. In the most recent example of fame-seeking foreigners riling locals, Lochie Jones – reportedly an Australian tourist – posted a clip of himself swigging from a can placed on a headstone as an offering. Moments earlier, he is seen flipping a coin to decide whether to open the drink, likely left as a gift for...

Events

18 h. ago Afghan commandos airdrop to quake zones where helicopters can’t land

Afghanistan airdropped commandos on Wednesday to pull survivors from the rubble of homes in mountainous eastern areas ravaged by earthquakes this week that have killed 1,400, as it ramped up efforts to deliver food, shelter and medical supplies. The first earthquake of magnitude 6, one of Afghanistan’s worst in recent years, unleashed widespread damage and destruction when it struck the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar around midnight on Sunday at a shallow depth of 10km (6 miles). A second...

Politics

19 h. ago Hong Kong’s ‘Cassette King’ offers to sell luxury property to pare debt

One of Hong Kong’s best-known real estate investors has put another luxury home up for sale at a discount, as the city’s property glut and elevated interest rates weigh on highly leveraged entrepreneurs. David Chan Ping-chi, dubbed the “Cassette King” for his fortunes made from producing audiovisual cassettes and compact discs, plans to sell a three-storey mansion at 51 Mount Davis Road on Hong Kong Island to repay debt, he said in a phone interview with the Post. Chan is asking for about HK$450...

Politics

20 h. ago Hungry for justice: Southeast Asia sends Indonesia’s protesters food, solidarity

It began with a few Malaysians buying meals on Grab for strangers across the Java Sea. Within days, thousands were taking part, from Manila to Bangkok, sending food to Indonesian delivery riders caught in the turmoil of mass protest. Struggling food delivery riders, emblematic of Indonesia’s urban underclass, have become the focus of sympathy, solidarity and support from across Southeast Asia. Starting last week, thousands of social media users from around the region began ordering meals via the...

Society

21 h. ago Russia has identified ‘three problems’ with China in their bilateral relations: Putin

Russia has identified ‘three problems’ with China in their bilateral relations: Putin  Anadolu Ajansı

Politics

23 h. ago China’s mega military show: Donald Trump slams Xi's parade with Vladmir Putin, Kim Jong Un; claims conspi

China’s mega military show: Donald Trump slams Xi's parade with Vladmir Putin, Kim Jong Un; claims conspi  The Times of India

Politics

23 h. ago 'Warmest regards to Putin, Kim Jong Un': Donald Trump reacts to China's mega military show; calls it cons

'Warmest regards to Putin, Kim Jong Un': Donald Trump reacts to China's mega military show; calls it cons  The Times of India

Events