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Tatsiana Khomich holds up a picture of her detained sister Maria Kalesnikava after accepting a prize on her behalf in 2022. Kalesnikava is one of those now due to be released by the authorities in Belarus. Photo: Reuters

Russia & Central Asia

Belarus frees 123 prisoners in exchange for US sanctions relief

Peace prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and 121 others have been released by one of Russia’s key allies.

UK police won’t investigate ex-prince Andrew over Virginia Giuffre allegation

2 US troops and a US civilian killed in Syria by ‘Isis gunman’

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Russia & Central Asia

Over 1 million in Ukraine lose electricity after strikes on infrastructure

Kyiv and its allies say Moscow aims to cripple Ukraine’s power grid to deny residents access to light, heat and running water.

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A Ukrainian power plant worker walks in front of a damaged production hall after a Russian missile attack this month. Photo: AP
A Ukrainian power plant worker walks in front of a damaged production hall after a Russian missile attack this month. Photo: AP

Middle East

‘My future is paralysed’: Gaza amputees desperate to walk again

The World Health Organization estimates there are some 5,000 to 6,000 amputees from the Israel-Gaza war, 25 per cent of them children.

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Entrepreneurs vie for Africa’s Business Heroes titles in start-up bonanza

Record 32,000 applications from 54 nations vie for seventh Africa’s Business Heroes awards to recognise 100 start-ups over 10 years.

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Middle East

Iran seizes foreign oil tanker suspected of smuggling fuel

Semi-official media cited few details but the news comes days after the US intercepted a tanker off Venezuela allegedly linked to Tehran.

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A gasoline refinery in Asalouyeh, Iran. File photo: AP
A gasoline refinery in Asalouyeh, Iran. File photo: AP

Politics

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

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Middle East

Iran detains Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi in ‘brutal’ arrest

The activist’s brother says she was beaten on the legs, held by her hair and ‘dragged down’ by security forces personnel.

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United States & Canada

Trump, Clinton and ex-prince Andrew seen in new photos from Epstein’s estate

Larry Summers and Bill Gates also appear, as well as sex toys, and a condom emblazoned with both Trump’s image and the phrase ‘I’M HUUUGE!’.

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This image showing Donald Trump (left) with Jeffrey Epstein (second left) was among the pictures released on Friday. Photo: House Oversight Committee

Europe

Miss Finland loses her crown due to anti-Chinese racism scandal

Sarah Dzafce apologised after a photo surfaced of her making a gesture seen as derogatory to Asian people.

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Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce wears a swimsuit during the 74th Miss Universe 2025 preliminary competition in Thailand in November. Photo: EPA
Miss Finland Sarah Dzafce wears a swimsuit during the 74th Miss Universe 2025 preliminary competition in Thailand in November. Photo: EPA

United States & Canada

How Asian-American history is reshaping classrooms in the US

Connecticut schools are enriching lessons with Asian-American stories amid rising anti-Asian sentiment.

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Americas

How Mexico’s Sheinbaum weaves generations of tradition into her signature style

The colourful embroidered dresses and blouses have become a wardrobe staple for Mexico’s ‘most stylish’ president.

Europe

EU indefinitely freezes Russian assets so they can be used to help Ukraine

Hungarian PM Orban, a Putin ally, accused the European Commission, which prepared the decision, ‘of systematically raping European law’.

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Ukrainians hold placards during a protest demanding the use of the frozen Russian assets in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday. Photo: EPA

United States & Canada

Christine Choy, who made documentary on racist killing of Vincent Chin, dies at 73

The indie filmmaker brought attention to the 1982 slaying, a galvanising moment in the fight against anti-Asian hate in the US.

Filmmaker Christine Choy attends a screening of “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” at the 59th New York Film Festival in 2021. Photo: Film at Lincoln Centre via AP
Filmmaker Christine Choy attends a screening of “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” at the 59th New York Film Festival in 2021. Photo: Film at Lincoln Centre via AP

Europe

EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening

Multiple sources confirm increase in Beijing backing before China-Russia ties are discussed by ministers from the EU’s 27 members on Monday.

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Europe

King Charles shares ‘good news’ that his cancer treatments can be reduced

The British monarch credited early diagnosis, effective intervention and advances in medical care.

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Politics

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Xi and Trump’s key people

Discover the power players in Xi and Trump’s teams; the key people setting the agenda on diplomacy, the military, the economy, security and science.

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s inner circles

United States & Canada

Power players: a visual guide to Trump’s team and their views on China

Discover who is in Donald Trump’s inner circle, their backgrounds, stances on China and the roles they will play in shaping the future of the US.

United States & Canada

Trump calls media reports on his health ‘seditious, perhaps even treasonous’

Outburst is sparked by reports as the 79-year-old US president’s health and appearance come under greater scrutiny.

Economy, Trade & Business

‘A slap in the face’: some US farmers unhappy with Trump’s US$12 billion bailout

US soybean growers, who were hit hardest by tariff disputes, have voiced frustration that overdue funding falls well short of what they need.

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A soybean farmer inspects his harvest at his family’s farm in Maryland in October. US farmers fear that the government’s new US$12 billion farm aid package will not provide enough funding. Photo: AFP
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Open Questions series

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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29
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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OPINION
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MULTIMEDIA
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Cambodian evacuees plead for US help

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Dozens killed in Myanmar junta air strike on hospital

Dozens killed in Myanmar junta air strike on hospital
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Australian skydiver survives stunt accident

Footage recently released by Australian authorities shows a parachutist’s reserve chute accidentally deployed and getting caught on the tail of a plane during a stunt performance in south Cairns, Australia in September 2025.
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Cambodian evacuees shelter in makeshift tents

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Miss Finland loses her crown due to anti-Chinese racism scandal

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