China
The Arctic and Antarctica record "off the charts" heat as polar warming accelerates
Parts of both the Arctic and Antarctic have experienced historically high temperatures in recent weeks, with weather stations in East Antarctica recording record-breaking warmth for the month of October, alarming climate scientists.
US-China trade talks deliver breakthrough as markets rally ahead of Trump-Xi meeting at APEC
How and if China will react to a US-Japan rare earths deal remains to be seen but Beijing has said it will suspend its restrictions on rare earth metal exports in what is a move likely to ease pressure on the US tech and defence sectors.
COMMENT: Taiwan’s equality paradox - when “progressive” doesn’t mean equal
Taiwan’s insistence that women should have access to every privilege of citizenship - from political office to professional advancement - but not its responsibilities, undermines the moral foundation of its democracy.
BYD surpasses Tesla to become EV market leader – Statista
While Chinese manufacturer BYD already pulled ahead of Tesla in production volume last year, with 1,777,965 battery electric vehicles (BEV) produced in 2024 (4,500 more than Tesla), the American manufacturer remained ahead in sales.
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US senator tells Maduro "head to Russia or China" as warships close in on Venezuela
A senior US Republican senator has warned that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's time in power is running out and suggested he leave the country, as military tensions in the Caribbean continue to escalate.
EU rare earth supply dominated by China and Russia - Eurostat
The European Union remains heavily dependent on China and Russia for rare earth imports, with nearly three-quarters of its supply sourced from the two countries in 2024, according to data published by Eurostat and reported by Statista.
Zelenskiy accuses China of aiding Russia’s war effort through industrial and military support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused China of materially supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, providing key technologies and resources that have enabled Moscow to sustain and scale its war effort against Ukraine.
Trump pledges enduring support for Southeast Asia as new trade deals signed
During his visit to Southeast Asia, US President Donald Trump declared that Washington would remain a steadfast ally to the region, as he signed a series of trade agreements with four ASEAN member states.
COMMENT: Europe’s “fake it till you make it” war approach cannot hold off Russia’s trillion dollar war machine
In their speeches on the war in Ukraine, European leaders appear like a video clip looped on repeat. Standing before the cameras they declare new packages of support for Kyiv and threaten new measures to pressure Russia as if it was still 2022.
US expands oil sanctions on Russia
US President Donald Trump imposed his first sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies on October 22, the state-owned Rosneft and the privately-owned Lukoil in the latest flip flop by the US president.
US denies negotiating with China over Taiwan, as Beijing presses for reunification
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, told reporters that the administration of Donald Trump is not contemplating any agreement that would compromise Taiwan’s status.
Asian economies weigh their options amid fears of over-reliance on Chinese rare-earths
Just how control over these critical minerals plays out will be a long fought battle lasting decades, and one that will increasingly define Asia’s industrial future.
Is Kazakhstan building a digital utopia, or a China-style surveillance state?
Many Kazakhs will tell you that officials should limit their ambitions to fixing the internet speed. Others worry that the time for joking is over.
Trump and Xi to meet in Busan, South Korea
The meeting comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether the encounter would take place. A trade dispute flared earlier this month when Beijing expanded export curbs on rare‐earth minerals, prompting the US to threaten additional tariffs.
China’s state-owned oil giants halt Russian crude purchases in response to US sanctions
China’s state-owned oil giants have paused their purchase of Russian crude oil in response to recent US sanctions targeting Moscow’s two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil
Asian carrot smuggling ring busted in the Philippines
The cargo, consigned to Fourth Consumer Goods Trading, contained more than 53,000 kilograms of carrots that were already beginning to rot.
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China accuses Washington of “bullying” over visa ban threats in Central America
China has sharply criticised the United States for its decision to impose visa restrictions on Central American officials and citizens accused of ties to the Chinese Communist Party, describing the move as evidence of American “arrogance and bias."
Russia, China sign off on Northern Route shipping deal to slash global freight times
Russia and China have signed a landmark agreement to develop and commercialise the Northern Sea Route (NSR), after Beijing tested the route last month, that could slash Europe-Asia cargo transit times and challenge the primacy of the Suez Canal.
Hong Kong cargo plane crash: authorities defend safety procedures amid ongoing probe
Hong Kong airport and rescue authorities have reaffirmed their confidence in the airport’s safety protocols after a cargo plane crashed into the sea early on October 20, killing two.
China’s solid-state battery breakthrough challenges the future of petrol-powered cars
Chinese researchers have announced a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology that could accelerate the global shift away from internal combustion engines, with a new design that more than doubles the range of current electric vehicles.