News
Chinese director jailed for documenting 'white paper' protests against COVID restrictions
A Shanghai court has sentenced Chinese director Chen Pinlin to three and a half years in prison for his documentary film on the "white paper" protests that erupted across China in late 2022.
Former chief of the Bank of Japan sees more rate hikes on the horizon
The Bank of Japan is expected to continue raising interest rates in the coming years as inflation shows signs of sustainably reaching the central bank’s 2% target, according to former Governor Haruhiko Kuroda
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Kamala Harris to visit Singapore, Bahrain and Germany on final vice-presidential overseas trip
US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to conclude her term with a global trip spanning Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany
Western acceptance of gender transitioning is “horrifying” and “apocalyptic,” says Head of Russian Church
Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has denounced gender transitioning as a "horrifying trend" and "a sin," attributing it to the West's alleged abandonment of faith and rejection of traditional moral principles.
Energy crisis in Moldova’s separatist Transnistria escalates
Russia-backed separatists step up their propaganda blaming the pro-EU government in Chisinau for the crisis.
Turkish textile maker Akin Tekstil fires 152 on negative impacts of real lira appreciation
Extension of “forbearance measures”, meanwhile, will keep Turkey’s “zombie” companies on feet at least until end of 2025.
Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas reportedly bids for Lukoil’s Bulgarian asset
Lukoil aims to sell Bulgarian refinery and petrol stations after Sofia banned imports of Russian crude oil.
Venezuelan opposition leader's son-in-law kidnapped in Caracas ahead of Maduro inauguration
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González, who asserts victory in last year's presidential election against President Nicolás Maduro, reported on January 7 that his son-in-law was kidnapped in the capital.
Mexico's new leader enjoys strong public backing despite security woes
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has marked her first 100 days in office with high public approval, though her administration continues to grapple with critical challenges, particularly in public security and economic stability.
Damascus International Airport resumes operations
Damascus International Airport resumed operations on January 7, with the first flight of Syrian Airlines departing this morning for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway officially launched, but sidetracked at least until summer
Project moving forward under yellow signal.
Czech central bank monetary department chief quits
Peter Kral had reportedly long been at loggerheads with dovish Governor Alex Michl.
US winds down Guantanamo Bay with removal of Yemenis to Oman
The Pentagon has transferred 11 Yemeni men to Oman after holding them without charge for over two decades at Guantanamo Bay.
Hungary’s 4iG seeks further acquisitions in CEE and Western Balkans for rebranded telco operations
Thanks to a streak of acquisitions, 4iG’s revenue has surged from HUF15bn in 2018 to nearly HUF700bn.
North Korea claims breakthrough with new hypersonic missile test
North Korea has made bold claims following the test-firing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead, describing the system as a "game changer" for its strategic deterrence
Pompeo eyes continuity in US-Taiwan policy under Trump’s second term
Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State, has expressed confidence that the US will continue its robust stance on Taiwan under President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration
Over 120 dead as powerful tremor hits Tibet
At least 126 people have been confirmed dead following a powerful earthquake that struck Tibet early on January 7, according to Chinese state media.
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Turkey-Iran border dispute escalates over new fuel tax
Turkey’s recent decision to end a long-standing tax exemption on fuel for Iranian transit trucks has triggered a major backlog at the Bazargan border crossing and left some 300 trucks stranded daily in harsh winter conditions.
Cost of producing one Turkish lira coin surpasses three lira
Embarrassments caused by depleted currency include public toilet fee only kept at one lira thanks to two-lira subsidy.
Tajik “terrorist” reportedly appointed Syrian defence ministry operational HQ chief
Sayfiddin Tajibayev’s jihadist group fought in offensive that toppled Assad.