58 m. ago Philippines eyes multirole fighter jets for ‘credible deterrence’ against China

The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a “niche air force” capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden’s Gripen. Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea, expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced...

Politics

9 h. ago Annexing Germany, China, UK, Japan, South Korea, US, and Canada with Explosive Travel Technology Innovations Topping and Gyrating with Bomb

Annexing Germany, China, UK, Japan, South Korea, US, and Canada with Explosive Travel Technology Innovations Topping and Gyrating with Bomb-Sized High-Tech Breakthroughs in 2025  Travel And Tour World

Events

13 h. ago South Korea exports rebound on tech boost but US, China shipments extend losses

South Korea exports rebound on tech boost but US, China shipments extend losses  Reuters

Politics

56 h. ago China Beats Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Philippines to Lead South Korea’s Travel Market with Explosive Growth in Independent Travel and Flexible Visa Policy

China Beats Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Philippines to Lead South Korea’s Travel Market with Explosive Growth in Independent Travel and Flexible Visa Policy  Travel And Tour World

Events

3 d. ago Why Israel’s spy tactics against Iran have sparked fears in Taiwan

Israel’s sweeping intelligence operations against Iran have jolted Taiwan’s security community, raising concerns that Beijing could adopt similar tactics to cripple the island’s leadership or critical infrastructure. As assassinations and sabotage rattle Tehran, analysts in Taipei warn that Beijing’s infiltration of Taiwan is no longer a purely political threat, and it might be laying the groundwork for high-stakes covert warfare. In recent months, Taiwan has seen a surge in espionage cases...

Politics

3 d. ago Talks over threats: South Korea tries a new tack to sway its nuclear neighbour

On a day heavy with memory, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung invoked the language of peace, urging restraint and dialogue even as the nuclear-armed North forges deeper ties with Russia and the Korean peninsula bristles with tension. “The surest way to secure our safety is to build peace – peace so strong that there is no need to fight,” Lee said in a solemn social media post, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the onset of the Korean war. The conflict from 1950–53 left millions dead and...

Events

4 d. ago 2 Chinese men arrested in South Korea for using drone to film naval base

Two Chinese men have been arrested in the South Korean city of Busan for using a drone to illegally film a naval base, including a visiting US aircraft carrier, amid fears of such incidents occurring more regularly and threatening national security. One of the men, in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of undertaking an action “benefiting an enemy by other methods”, South Korean police said on Thursday. It marked the first time that South Korea has arrested a foreigner on such a charge and...

Events

4 d. ago Red panda morning calls at China hotel cause safety concerns, service suspension

A five-star hotel in China has sparked controversy by using a red panda for morning calls, prompting an investigation and suspension of the service by authorities. The establishment, Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Hotel, located in southwestern China’s Chongqing municipality, raised public concerns after several guests shared videos of their morning calls delivered by an adorable red panda. In the footage, the animal climbs onto beds and desks in hotel rooms, where guests are invited to pet and feed...

Politics

4 d. ago China concerns expose Nato divisions as Tokyo liaison office shelved

Nato has shelved plans to open a liaison office in Tokyo, dealing a symbolic blow to Japan’s hopes of cementing the alliance’s presence in the Indo-Pacific and exposing divisions among member states over how directly they should confront China’s rising power. The proposal had been strongly backed by former prime minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which viewed the planned office as a step towards closer coordination with Nato and its partners in the region, including Australia, South Korea and...

Politics

4 d. ago China’s concerns expose Nato divisions as Tokyo liaison office shelved

Nato has shelved plans to open a liaison office in Tokyo, dealing a symbolic blow to Japan’s hopes of cementing the alliance’s presence in the Indo-Pacific and exposing divisions among member states over how directly they should confront China’s rising power. The proposal had been strongly backed by former prime minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which viewed the planned office as a step towards closer coordination with Nato and its partners in the region, including Australia, South Korea and...

Politics

4 d. ago Nato shelves Tokyo office plan. Is China too powerful to provoke?

Nato has shelved plans to open a liaison office in Tokyo, dealing a symbolic blow to Japan’s hopes of cementing the alliance’s presence in the Indo-Pacific and exposing divisions among member states over how directly they should confront China’s rising power. The proposal had been strongly backed by former prime minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which viewed the planned office as a step towards closer coordination with Nato and its partners in the region, including Australia, South Korea and...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong considers changing name of narcotic ‘space oil’ to ‘zombie oil’

Hong Kong is considering changing the name of the illegal narcotic “space oil” to “zombie oil”, as lawmakers raised concerns that the current title could romanticise the use of the drug. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Wednesday revealed the plan to rename space oil, whose main ingredient is the anaesthetic etomidate, after hearing feedback from the public. “Some people shared the view that the name ‘space oil’ is not that good and could romanticise [its use], we also agree that...

Politics

6 d. ago South Korea’s next labour minister was driving a train when he got the call

South Korea is set to appoint a train driver as the first blue-collar worker to lead its employment and labour ministry, as critics have expressed concerns about the role being entangled by influence peddling from politicians and labour unions. Kim Young-hoon, 57, was in his driver’s seat operating a train between Busan and Gimcheon, southeast of Seoul, when the news broke of President Lee Jae-myung’s cabinet selections on Monday. With his phone turned off, Kim said he had not learned about the...

Politics

6 d. ago South Korea’s first lady problem: plagiarism, privilege and Kim Keon

When a top private university revoked the master’s degree of South Korea’s former first lady for plagiarism this week, it was more than just another routine academic scandal – it was a signal that the days of unchecked privilege for political spouses may be over. On Monday, Sookmyung Women’s University announced it had annulled the art education degree awarded to Kim Keon-hee in 1999 – submitted under her previous name, Kim Myung-shin – after its research ethics panel found the thesis was so...

Politics

6 d. ago From degrees to designer bags, scandals plague South Korea’s ex

When a top private university revoked the master’s degree of South Korea’s former first lady for plagiarism this week, it was more than just another routine academic scandal – it was a signal that the days of unchecked privilege for political spouses may be over. On Monday, Sookmyung Women’s University announced it had annulled the art education degree awarded to Kim Keon-hee in 1999 – submitted under her previous name, Kim Myung-shin – after its research ethics panel found the thesis was so...

Politics

6 d. ago New Bat Viruses Discovered in China 'Raising Urgent Concerns'

New Bat Viruses Discovered in China 'Raising Urgent Concerns'  Newsweek

Politics

7 d. ago Pakistan’s embrace of Trump stirs India concerns of US tilt to Islamabad

Pakistan’s decision to nominate US President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize – just days after a rare White House meeting between Trump and Pakistan’s army chief – has raised concerns in India, where analysts say the move could signal Islamabad is regaining strategic favour in Washington at New Delhi’s expense. The nomination was formally filed on Saturday by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who praised Trump’s role in helping mediate a ceasefire during last month’s cross-border...

Politics

7 d. ago Lost futures: teen dancers’ deaths expose dark side of South Korean education

A suspected suicide pact among three teenage girls in Busan has reignited urgent calls for education reform, shining a harsh light on the crushing academic and career pressures faced by South Korea’s youth. Public criticism has centred on the country’s fiercely competitive university entrance system, widely blamed for thrusting children into a relentless academic race that begins as early as kindergarten. The latest tragedy unfolded early on Saturday, when the bodies of three second-year...

Events

7 d. ago Huawei’s latest notebook shows China is still generations behind in chipmaking

Huawei’s latest notebook shows China is still generations behind in chipmaking  theregister.com

Politics

8 d. ago S Korea to Discuss Concern Over Curbs on Chipmakers in China

S Korea to Discuss Concern Over Curbs on Chipmakers in China  Asia Financial

Politics