Meta buys China-founded AI agent Manus
Singapore: Facebook owner Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, an artificial intelligence agent created by a company founded in China but now based in Singapore, the two firms said. Exceeding the capabilities of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, AI agents can autonomously perform complex tasks for users, and »»»
South Korean President Lee to visit China next week
Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit China from Sunday to meet counterpart Xi Jinping and deepen cooperation, Seoul and Beijing said. Lee and Xi last met in November on the sidelines of the APEC summit in the South Korean city of Gyeongju. Lee's visit will be the first by a South »»»
Lee to make state visit to China next week for summit with Xi Jinping - UPI.com
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) will visit China next week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. In this November photo, the two leaders shake hands ahead of their meeting at the APEC summit in Gyeongju. Photo by Yonhap President Lee Jae Myung will make a»»»
Taiwan Leader Expresses 'Strongest Condemnation' over China Drills
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday expressed "strongest condemnation" as China kicked off a second day of live-fire drills around the self-ruled island. "China is disregarding the international community's expectations for peace and is deliberately undermining regional stability through mil»»»
South Korea's President Lee to Visit China from January 4 to 7
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit China from January 4 to 7 and meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the Blue House said on Tuesday, aiming to keep up momentum to restore ties, Reuters said. Making his first visit to China since he took office in June, Lee will also discuss plans»»»
Meta Buys China-founded AI Agent Manus
Facebook owner Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, an artificial intelligence agent created by a company founded in China but now based in Singapore, the two firms said. However, analysts warned the deal could fall foul of regulators at a time of fierce technological rivalry between Washington and Be»»»
Erigaisi stuns Carlsen to secure World Blitz Championship lead
Doha: Indian Grand Master Arjun Erigaisi produced one of the standout moments of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Doha yesterday, defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to climb to the top of the standings. In yesterday’s ninth game, Erigaisi outplayed the Norwegian eight-time World Bl»»»
2025 was one of three hottest years on record, scientists say
Climate change worsened by human behavior made 2025 one of the three hottest years on record, scientists said. It was also the first time that the three-year temperature average broke through the threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 »»»
S. Korea urges 'peace and stability' in Taiwan strait as China conducts drills
Seoul: South Korea called on Tuesday for "peace and stability" to prevail in the Taiwan Strait as China sent dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels in drills around the self-ruled island. Foreign ministry spokesman Park Il said Seoul hoped "cross-strait relations will develop peacefully throug»»»
Dubai gold drops Dh21 from its record high last week after sharp year-end rally
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai have retreated sharply from last week’s record highs, as profit-taking set in after a powerful year-end rally that pushed prices into uncharted territory. By 8.45 am on Tuesday, 24-karat gold was priced at Dh525 per gram, down Dh21.25 from its all-time high of Dh546.25 r»»»
Checkpoints on border with China to be closed on January 1, 2026 - | 24.KG
The Information and Communications Department of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Border Service announces that, due to the New Year’s celebrations, Torugart-Avtodorozhny and Irkeshtam-Avtodorozhny checkpoints, located on the Kyrgyz-Chinese section of the state border, will be close»»»
A world transformed: geopolitics in the first quarter of the 21st century
The first quarter of the 21st century is coming to an end, and global politics looks quite different to how it did when crowds gathered across the globe to welcome in the new millennium. For many, especially in the West, the year 2000 marked a high point in liberal-democratic optimism before it was»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Russia's Treasury to accept digital ruble payments from January 1
Russia's Treasury will accept budget payments in digital rubles from January 1, 2026, with the Central Bank projecting the currency could account for up to 5% of payment volumes within seven years, TASS reported on December 29. »»»
Trump confirms strike on alleged drug port in Venezuela - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump, pictured in the White House earlier this month, on Monday acknowledged the the United States struck a dock in Venezuela, which would be the first time the military has hit an onshore target as part of the administrations efforts to stem the flow of drugs out of Vene»»»
Kyrgyzstan’s U23 national football team defeats Arabian Falcons from UAE - | 24.KG
The national U23 football team of Kyrgyzstan defeated the Arabian Falcons from UAE in a friendly match. The Kyrgyz Football Union reported. The match ended 6-0. The first match between Kyrgyzstan and China took place on December 23. Kyrgyz players lost 0-1. The match against the Chinese team schedu»»»
More than 100,000 air passengers will face delays over China drills, Taiwan warns
Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration said that the delay of roughly 296 international departures, 265 international arrivals and 296 transit flights affected by the live-fire drills that China launched around the island on Monday would snarl travel for more than 100,000 passengers. Taiw»»»
China launches second day of military drills around Taiwan
China conducted a second day of live-fire military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, staging rocket launches and naval-air exercises it said were aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island, as Taipei condemned the manoeuvres as "military intimidation". China kicked off a second day of l»»»
Kyrgyzstan — China football match cancelled - | 24.KG
The match between the youth national teams of Kyrgyzstan and China has been cancelled. The Kyrgyz Football Union reported. This decision was made by mutual agreement of both sides. «The decision was made taking into account the principles of fair play and the fact that the teams’ previous match was»»»
China plans AI rules to protect children and tackle suicide risks
China has proposed strict new rules for artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safeguards for children and prevent chatbots from offering advice that could lead to self-harm or violence. Under the planned regulations, developers will also need to ensure their AI models do not generate content that»»»
'No worries': Trump downplays Chinese military drills around Taiwan
US President Donald Trump said he is not worried about Beijing's military drills around Taiwan, choosing to instead highlight his rapport with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. "I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn't told me anything about [the drills]. I certainly have seen»»»
Coups, elections and protests - a difficult year for democracy in Africa
October's shocking events in Tanzania offer a snapshot of some of the tensions which have shaped a difficult year for African politics. Demonstrators were shot dead by police while protesting against what they saw as a rigged election - condemned by regional and continental bodies - shattering the »»»
Iran 2025: When Diplomacy Advanced Under the Shadow of Deterrence
Batoul Wehbe Between negotiation tables and confrontation arenas, between active diplomacy and attempts to derail it by force, the Islamic Republic of Iran moved through 2025 in one of the most sensitive and consequential years of its contemporary history. It was a year defined by the management of»»»
China condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state
China has joined the chorus of countries staunchly condemning Israel's recognition of the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation. "No country should encourage or support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jia»»»
Alleged D.C. pipe bomber disliked both political parties - UPI.com
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro speaks during a press conference at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4. In a court filing Monday, prosecutors said that alleged attempted bomber Brian Cole Jr. disliked both political parties. Photo by Bonni»»»
China opposes Israel's recognition of Somaliland
Beijing: China firmly opposed Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland as an "independent sovereign state" and its agreement to "establish diplomatic relations" with it, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Monday. "China firmly supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial in»»»
Pentagon report projects China could field nine carriers by 2035 - UPI.com
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales(R09) arrives at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, August 28, 2025. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Dec. 27 (Asia Today) -- China's push to become a major aircraft carrier power, which gained momentum after i»»»
Russian energy: Taiwan's hidden risk in a China conflict? – DW – 12/29/2025
BusinessTaiwanRussian energy: Taiwan's hidden risk in a China conflict?Arthur SullivanDespite vows to cut back, Russian hydrocarbons continue flowing to Taiwan, making it Moscow's biggest buyer of the naphta derivative, and raising concerns over energy dependence. https://p.dw.com/p/55cjOTaiwan con»»»
China holds military drills in mock blockade of Taiwan - UPI.com
People gather to watch a jets take off and land, like this Taiwan Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Monday. China has begun live-fire drills around Taiwan as a warning. Photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA Dec. 29 (UPI) -- China began holding live-fire military drills around »»»
China Stages Military Drills around Taiwan to Warn 'External Forces' after US, Japan Tensions
China's military on Monday dispatched air, navy and missile units to conduct joint live-fire drills around the island of Taiwan, which Beijing called a “stern warning” against separatist and “external interference” forces. Taiwan said it was placing its forces on alert and called the Chinese govern»»»