25 h. ago What Trump’s visa pause means for Southeast Asia and US regional priorities

The inclusion of four Southeast Asian nations in the United States’ 75-country visa suspension has thrown up questions over Washington’s foreign policy approach, including its interest in the region. Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand are among countries affected by the indefinite suspension, set to take effect on January 21, as the Donald Trump administration continues to roll out punitive measures to drastically restrict immigration. The list, released by the US Department of State on...

Politics

51 h. ago Japan, US vow ‘unshaken’ defence alliance despite Trump’s pivot from Asia

The defence chiefs of Japan and the United States on Thursday agreed that the bilateral alliance is “unshaken” and pledged to reinforce its deterrence capabilities amid concerns in Asia that Washington’s focus is shifting from the region. Following his meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon near Washington, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he was reassured that the administration of President Donald Trump remains committed to peace and stability in the...

Politics

67 h. ago Nie Weiping, Chinese Go master known for victory over Japanese rival, dies at 73

Nie Weiping, Chinese Go master known for victory over Japanese rival, dies at 73  South China Morning Post

Events

3 d. ago US, Trump losing trade power to China as Africa, Southeast Asia boost Chinese exports by over $1 trillion

US, Trump losing trade power to China as Africa, Southeast Asia boost Chinese exports by over $1 trillion  Business Insider Africa

Politics

4 d. ago As Vietnam’s US trade surplus overtakes China, Trump replaces envoy to fix ‘imbalance’

The Trump administration plans to replace the US ambassador to Vietnam with a nominee set on addressing “imbalanced” trade relations, as Hanoi’s goods trade surplus with Washington surpassed China’s in recent quarters while it was locked in unresolved tariff negotiations with Washington. On Sunday, current ambassador Marc Knapper will end his tenure after being abruptly recalled before Christmas alongside several other career diplomats. His designated successor, career diplomat Jennifer Wicks...

Politics

5 d. ago Why timing may be right for China to press North Korea on denuclearisation

The Ukraine war and Donald Trump’s return to the White House have significantly altered northeast Asia’s geopolitical landscape. North Korea’s defence treaty with Russia and leader Kim Jong-un’s decision to deploy troops to support Moscow have shattered any remaining illusions of strategic restraint. While Russia is believed to be supplying North Korea with finance and technology, Japan and South Korea are accelerating military spending and preparing for long-term confrontation, potentially –...

Events

9 d. ago Top South Korean official calls Trump’s Venezuela raid ‘violent atrocity’, stirring unease

Senior officials in South Korea’s Prime Minister’s Office are voicing concern over Park Seok-woon, a committee chairman under its authority, after he joined protests criticising US President Donald Trump and his administration over American military operations in Venezuela. Park, a long-time liberal activist, took part in a rally on Monday in front of the US embassy in Seoul, following an American military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013,...

Politics

1 week ago China’s OpenAI Rival Zhipu Debuts in HK After $558 Million IPO

China’s OpenAI Rival Zhipu Debuts in HK After $558 Million IPO  Bloomberg.com

Economics

1 week ago US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump over Venezuela despite his ‘cowboy tactics’

The mild responses by America’s Asian allies in response to the US military strike on Venezuela stem from a desire not to “bite the hand that feeds” them, analysts have said, noting that some countries were buying time by claiming to monitor the situation. Following the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday to face narcoterrorism charges on US soil, President Donald Trump declared on Sunday that Washington was “in charge” of the South American nation, including its...

Politics

1 week ago India faces new tariff hikes as Trump demands end to Russian oil imports amid trade talks

The United States could raise tariffs on India if New Delhi does not meet Washington’s demand to curb purchases of Russian oil, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday, escalating pressure on the South Asian country as trade talks remain inconclusive. “[Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said in response to...

Politics

1 week ago Trump says Ukraine did not target Putin residence, disputing Russian claim of drone attack

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told reporters that US officials have determined that Ukraine did not target a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack last week, disputing Kremlin claims that Trump had initially greeted with deep concern. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week said Ukraine launched a wave of drones at Putin’s state residence in the northwestern Novgorod region that the Russian defence systems were able to defeat. Lavrov also...

Events

1 week ago India ‘spreads its bets’ to beat Trump’s 50% tariff as exports rise

When India reached a free-trade agreement with New Zealand in a record time of nine months towards the end of last year, the speedy conclusion signalled New Delhi’s intention to diversify away from the United States – an approach that is only expected to gather pace. Ever since US President Donald Trump imposed import tariffs of 50 per cent on India last year, among the highest levied by Washington, the South Asian nation has maintained a resolute approach to the punitive levies, even as it has...

Politics

2 w. ago North Korea fires ballistic missiles as rival South's leader visits China

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as rival South's leader visits China  Reuters

Events

2 w. ago Trump ‘not thrilled’ with Putin, says too many people dying in Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump expressed fresh frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, bristling at the Kremlin’s continuing military operations even as the US leader seeks to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. “I’m not thrilled with Putin, he’s killing too many people,” Trump said on Saturday during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump spoke hours after a brazen US strike that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who is now en route to the US to...

Politics

2 w. ago Elon Musk promised a 'major rebound' for Tesla in 2025. Instead it fell behind its biggest rival from China

Elon Musk promised a 'major rebound' for Tesla in 2025. Instead it fell behind its biggest rival from China  Fortune

Politics

2 w. ago Singapore defies Trump’s tariffs as manufacturing drives growth

Singapore’s pharmaceutical and electronic manufacturers powered the economy in the final three months of 2025, pushing full-year growth to the fastest since its rebound from the pandemic despite fears of a shock from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Gross domestic product last quarter grew 5.7 per cent from the same period a year ago, according to an advance estimate on Friday from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. That compares with a 6.3 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and...

Politics

2 w. ago If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

US President Donald Trump’s hopes for a grand deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping are being undercut by American allies’ self-interested amplification of the “China threat”. This year’s Nanking massacre memorial was particularly poignant in light of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s controversial remarks on Taiwan. Beijing warned that any attempt to challenge the post-war international order or undermine established historical truths would be “doomed to failure”. Meanwhile, Singaporean...

Politics

2 w. ago China’s SpaceX Rival LandSpace Prepares IPO After Historic Reusable Rocket Test

China’s SpaceX Rival LandSpace Prepares IPO After Historic Reusable Rocket Test  Technology Org

Events

3 w. ago Zelensky looks to secure Ukraine peace deal at Trump meet as Russian offensive mounts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sit down on Sunday with Donald Trump and seek to secure the US president’s stamp of approval for a new proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The 20-point plan, which emerged from weeks of intense US-Ukraine negotiations, lacks Moscow’s approval, and the face-to-face in Florida comes in the wake of a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv. The meeting, hosted by Trump at his opulent Mar-a-Lago residence, will be the pair’s...

Politics

3 w. ago China Eases IPO Rules for Reusable Rocket Firms to Rival SpaceX

China Eases IPO Rules for Reusable Rocket Firms to Rival SpaceX  WebProNews

Economics