Ukrainian PM confirms $100 million loan from South Korea
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine has received a $100 million loan from South Korea aimed at supporting the social sector. In a post on social media X, Shmyhal said the loan is “the first budget assistance” from South Korea to
South Korea, Japan reaffirm security cooperation amid Sado mine row
South Korea and Japan held a joint meeting of senior diplomats and defense officials and reaffirmed the importance of their security cooperation, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said, despite the controversy over Japan’s memorial ceremony for Korean wartime forced labor victims. In the director general-level
Japanese PM pledges cross-party coordination in parliament to achieve policies
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to seek cross-party consensus as his minority government looks for opposition support to achieve policy goals following a recent defeat in the lower house election. Ishiba delivered his first policy speech in parliament since his ruling coalition
Iranian, Syrian FMs discuss radical groups’ resurgence
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone talk with his Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh, exchanging views on the latest developments in Syria, Iran’s state-run IRIB TV reported. During the talk on Friday, Araghchi denounced the resurgence of terrorist groups in Syria
African officials root for resilient livestock systems to tackle hunger crisis
The establishment of small-holder livestock systems that can withstand climatic shocks, pests, diseases, and habitat loss holds the key to alleviating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition crises in Africa, said agriculture officials. Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Hungarian PM nominates Varga as National Bank governor
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has nominated Finance Minister Mihaly Varga as the next governor of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB). The announcement was made during Orban’s regular Friday morning interview on public radio Kossuth, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The
Excited to give everything I can: Nistelrooy on joining Leicester City as manager
Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed his excitement about joining Leicester City as manager and said he will give his best at the job. The 48-year-old Dutchman, who has a wealth of experience at the highest level of the game, both as a player
US retailers use Trump tariff threats to urge shoppers to buy more: Report
Many US businesses are urging customers to buy now before President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs potentially raise costs and prices, local media reported. Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to impose tariffs of 60 percent on all Chinese goods and across-the-board tariffs of 10
Bangladesh: Three Hindu Temples Vandalised in Chattogram
In a troubling incident, a mob vandalized three Hindu temples in Chattogram, Bangladesh, during ongoing protests and violence in the region. The attack took place around 2:30 PM on Friday in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane area, targeting the Santaneshwar Matri Temple, the
Australian PM calls for social media companies to protect children following under-16 ban
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that social media companies now have a social responsibility to protect children, following the passage of legislation banning anyone under 16 from using social media platforms. The new laws, which passed through both houses of
South Korean opposition leader says US-North Korea talks more likely after Trump election
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung stated on Friday that the possibility of dialogue between North Korea and the United States seems higher under the incoming Trump administration. He urged the South Korean government to formulate a strategy to ensure that the country
Myanmar hosts 7th tourism ministers’ meeting in Yangon
Myanmar hosted the 7th Tourism Ministers’ meeting of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV) in Yangon on Friday. The meeting focused on strengthening regional tourism ties through joint initiatives such as creating a unified CLMV tourism website, coordinating international tourism events, and launching
Australia on track to achieve 2030 emissions reduction goal
The Australian government claimed on Thursday that the country is on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target, with new figures showing improved projections. In an annual climate change statement delivered to parliament, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced
Bangladesh Islamist leaders reach Beijing at invitation of China’s CCP
A 14-member delegation comprising top leaders from Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami and “other friendly Islamic political parties” – including the Khalifa Movement, Khalifa Council, and Islamic Order Party – reached Beijing on Thursday. This marks the second visit to China by political leaders from Bangladesh
Multiple Trump cabinet nominees targeted by threats
Several of US President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet and administration picks were targeted by bomb threats and “swatting incidents,” the Trump transition team said. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats
Laos capital aims to become green city by 2030
Laos has unveiled the Green City Action Plan for 2023-2030 in its capital, Vientiane, with the goal of transforming the city into a sustainable, climate-resilient, and eco-friendly urban environment by 2030. The plan focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving waste management, conserving
Harris tells supporters to safeguard their power
In her first message after her concession speech, a subdued and sad-sounding US Vice President Kamala Harris has told her supporters to safeguard their power. As the nation awaits her next act, she said in a video message, “I just have to remind
New centre to strengthen Australian ties with Southeast Asia: FM Penny Wong
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has launched the ASEAN-Australia Centre in the nation’s capital. Wong and Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), officially launched the new centre at an event in Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday
Trump’s proposed tariffs threaten North American jobs, says Mexican employers’ association
US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to slap tariffs on Mexico and Canada could threaten the regional job market and create economic uncertainty, the Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex) warned. Coparmex on Wednesday said that Trump’s repeated tariff threats would impact the
India can become AI chip capital of the world: SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son
As India makes strides in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, SoftBank’s Founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has said that the country can become the AI chip capital of the world. In a meeting with some leading Indian startup founders in the national capital,