World

India and the United States are exploring ways to tap Myanmar’s rare earth reserves, with New Delhi reportedly in talks with a powerful rebel group and Washington considering working with either opposing side of the country’s civil war, as they seek to diversify their sources for the crucial minerals. But analysts say their plans face formidable challenges, including risks from …

On Wednesday, Lieutenant General He Lei, the former vice-president of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences, told Phoenix Television that there was “no explicit distinction” about whether mainland China’s advanced weaponry was aimed at Taiwan. Speaking on the sidelines of the Xiangshan military forum in Beijing, he added: “We do not wish to possess weapons for attacking Taiwan. …

Hollywood blasted the White House for targeting free speech after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show on Wednesday under regulatory threats from President Donald Trump’s administration, rallying behind the late-night comic after his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Walt Disney-owned broadcaster said it was yanking Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely after at least one affiliate said it …

A week after Israel bombed Qatar, Saudi Arabia has signed a mutual defence pact with Pakistan in what analysts say will be an extension of Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella over the Gulf kingdom and is a clear signal to the United States for failing to intercept Israeli missiles during the attack. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister …

China’s urban youth unemployment rate rose last month to the highest level since the data set was adjusted in 2023, as career prospects for young people have weakened amid an economic slowdown. The jobless rate for those aged 16 to 24, excluding students, rose to 18.9 per cent in August from 17.8 per cent in July, according to data released …

The development of fintech and the strong desire of mainland Chinese companies to go global are conducive to Chinese and international banks setting set up operations in Hong Kong, according to the head of the city’s de facto central bank. “While many international and mainland banks already use Hong Kong as a base to develop their regional business, we believe …

A short video featuring Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto promoting his flagship social programmes has sparked debate after it was aired in cinemas across the country, with some viewers comparing the screening to past propaganda campaigns and others defending it as suitable for public outreach. The one-minute video, which began screening last week in several major cinemas, highlights key government initiatives …

From cooking barbecued pork with Yakult to trying Superman posture tricks, young people in China are embracing a lifestyle of xie xiu or “evil cultivation” to create bizarre life hacks to cope with stress. The idea stems from Taoist culture, which provides deviant paths to immortality, describing those who reject orthodox practices and abandon moral codes. In Chinese web novels, …

Japan’s police are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to identify individuals who appear likely to commit “terrorist attacks” based on their social media posts, but observers say the move could backfire by sweeping up innocent citizens engaging in normal political discussion. The National Police Agency is seeking 49.5 million yen (US$338,000) in next year’s budget for a pilot project that …

It is sometimes argued that democracy suffers when autocrats manipulate legal frameworks or when institutions are weakened. Yet in liberal democracies such as Australia, a quieter but similarly corrosive danger is emerging: the normalisation of street-level hostility. This hostility, particularly towards migrants from the Indo-Pacific region, is an early warning signal of democratic erosion. In late August, thousands joined coordinated …