US President-elect Donald Trump appears committed to imposing high tariffs on imports to the United States – or, at least, using the threat of tariffs to bend US trading partners to his will. Trump now says he will enact a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico on his first day in offic...

Asia In The World Economy: Trump’s Tariffs Will Backfire

South Korea’s National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday, December 14. The vote marks the third time a president has been impeached in the country’s constitutional history.

Out of 300 assembly members, 204 voted in favour of the motion, 85 voted against, three abstained, and eight votes were declared invalid. This outcome indicates that at least 12 votes in favour came from Yoon’s conservative ruling People Power party.

South Korea at a crossroads after president is impeached — here’s what will happen next

The last time Donald Trump was US president, he entered trade wars with China and Europe. But despite his bravado and tariffs, the US trade deficit did not improve.

In fact, it deteriorated from US$195 billion in the first quarter of 2017 to US$260 billion in the same period of 2021.

Three possible futures for the global economy if Trump brings in new trade tariffs

(DEC 10): In the seemingly never-ending psychodrama surrounding Rupert Murdoch and his family, life has imitated art. Again.

A report on December 9 in The New York Times revealed details of the recent secret hearing in a Nevada probate court that was literally prompted by the e...

Rupert Murdoch loses his legal battle, leaving future of media empire in the balance

The 217-page Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge which was released on Dec 5 criticised the decision by the then executive government of the day not to proceed with the revision application on the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh to the International Court of Justice.

Redacted Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Pulau Batu Puteh leaves public guessing

Who could have predicted that after nearly 14 years of civil war and five years of stalemate, the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria would collapse in just a week? With Assad’s departure, the pressing question now is what lies ahead for Syria’s immediate future.

When opposition fighters led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized the major city of Aleppo in late November with minimal resistance, commentators widely believed it marked the beginning of the Assad regime’s downfall. Many anticipated a bitter fight to the end

After 55 years of brutal rule under the Assads, Syria is at a crossroads. Here are four priorities to avoid yet another war

President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats against the BRICS nations — a grouping of emerging economies like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — have sparked global headlines, but for Malaysia, the direct impact is negligible.

Malaysia is merely an observer of the BRICS bloc, not an active participant, which insulates it from the immediate fallout of Trump’s fiery rhetoric. That said, the broader implications for global trade and economic dynamics are worth Malaysia’s attention.

Broader implications for Trump’s tariff threats

France’s minority government led by right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a no-confidence vote, the latest shock to the country’s deadlocked political system in a turbulent six months.

France’s government has fallen and political chaos has returned. Here are three scenarios for what could happen next

During a whirlwind few hours in South Korean politics, President Yoon Suk Yeol placed the country under martial law on Dec 3, 2024, only to lift it just a short while later.

It marked the first time that a South Korean leader has imposed the emergency power since 1979. And although short-lived, the measure provoked concerns of the country backsliding into authoritarian rule.

What short-lived martial law says about South Korean democracy and the position of President Yoon

We refer to the Bill to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 that was tabled for a first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

New amendments to Communications and Multimedia Act a backdoor attempt to legislate fake news law, utter betrayal of promise to repeal — Lawyers for Liberty

In October 2018, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former Treasury secretary general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah were brought to court to face six criminal charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) amounting to RM6.6 billion in government funds involving payments to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

Prosecution owes public duty to recharge Najib and Irwan — Hanipa Maidin

China’s rise has challenged America’s undisputed hegemony over the world economy – a status the United States has enjoyed since the Soviet Union’s collapse. While some American national-security elites seek continued US primacy, others seem resigned to an increasingly bipolar world. A more likely...

Roads To Prosperity:  Middle powers will make a multipolar world

GERMANY’s Carl Benz might have invented the automobile, but it’s the United States that got us to drive them.

US got the world driving. Now it’s going home — David Fickling

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump, without a doubt, won a massive majority at the US election on Nov 5. Not only did he make a comeback to the White House, but his Republican Party was able to regain full control of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Odd appointments in the Trump cabinet

Pahang Islamic Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad has confirmed that a video alleging the allocation of durian plantation land in Pahang to retired soldiers is fake.

Video alleging durian land allocation is actually Skim Tanah Rakyat land rights handover, says Pahang MP's rep

The launch of a new direct route from Chennai to Penang, via IndiGo, commencing on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity, generating economic opportunities, and solidifying Penang’s position as a regional air travel hub.

Direct route from Chennai elevates Penang as key regional air travel hub, says exco

The world’s biggest stablecoin issuer, Tether Holdings Ltd, is on track to close the year with more than US$10 billion (RM45.07 billion) in net profits, chief executive officer Paolo Ardoino said in an interview.

World’s largest stablecoin issuer Tether sees US$10b in net profits for 2024

BNP Paribas SA finalised the €5.1 billion (US$5.3 billion or RM24.0 billion) purchase of Axa SA’s asset management unit, in the biggest acquisition under chief executive officer Jean-Laurent Bonnafe.

BNP Paribas signs €5.1b deal to buy Axa’s asset manager

At least five people were killed in a car-ramming attack at a German Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg that also left more than 200 injured, officials said, and a Saudi man was arrested on suspicion of driving a car into the crowd.

Death toll in German Christmas market car-ramming rises to five, more than 200 injured

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pursuit of closer ties with China has raised private questions from Donald Trump’s incoming administration, European diplomats and even some senior British officials.

UK's Starmer is deepening China ties while allies turn away

The US Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilising government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

US Senate passes govt funding bill, averts shutdown

Honda and Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to deepen ties and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Honda and Nissan mulling mutual production of vehicles, Kyodo reports

The Cabinet draft paper on the separation of powers between the attorney general (AG) and the public prosecutor (PP) is expected to be ready by the middle of next year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Draft paper on separation of AG powers expected to be ready by mid-2025 — PM

The government will continue its Special Appreciation for Pensioners (PKKP) initiative, aimed at supporting affected pensioners and derivative pension recipients, to ensure the welfare of this group is well taken care of.

Govt to continue special appreciation for pensioners — PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that an amicable solution will be taken to address the ongoing dispute between&nbsp;Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Sarawak's state-owned oil and gas (O&amp;G) company Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) over the distribution of natural gas in Sarawak.

PM: Amicable solution in the works for Petronas-Petros dispute over natural gas distribution

The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has warned that it will take a firm stance against associations that openly announce price hikes, minimum pricing or new trading conditions, particularly through the media.

MyCC warns stern action against cartel activities by associations

The US&nbsp;Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilising government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

Singapore’s main stock index is on track to have its best annual performance since 2017, but any celebrations over the Straits Times Index’s 15% gain so far this year are likely to be overshadowed by doubts about what lies ahead.&nbsp;

Singapore stocks’ best year since 2017 masks downbeat outlook

Alphabet Inc’s Google called a US Justice Department (DOJ) plan to force it to sell its web browser “extreme” and at odds with the law, urging a Federal Court judge to take caution lest he stifle innovation and future investment.

Google blasts Chrome sale as ‘extreme’ remedy at odds with law

At least five people were killed in a car-ramming attack at a German Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg that also left more than 200 injured, officials said, and a Saudi man was arrested on suspicion of driving a car into the crowd.

At first glance,&nbsp;Sony Group Corp’s US$1.2 billion (RM5.4&nbsp;billion) acquisition of the anime streaming site Crunchyroll in 2021 looks like a success. Subscribers to the US$8-a-month service have tripled to 15 million since then, and the number of new shows has doubled to more than 50 every quarter.

Sony's Crunchyroll finds its early lead in anime under attack

Volkswagen AG (VW) reached an agreement with labour leaders to cut capacity at its namesake brand while avoiding factory closures, capping three months of tense negotiations and preventing further union walkouts.

VW, union agree to cut capacity and keep German plants open

The government will continue its Special Appreciation for Pensioners (PKKP) initiative, aimed at supporting affected pensioners and derivative pension recipients, to ensure the welfare of this group is well taken care of.

The launch of a new direct route from Chennai to Penang, via IndiGo, commencing on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity, generating economic opportunities, and solidifying Penang’s position as a regional air travel hub.

Honda and&nbsp;Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to&nbsp;deepen ties&nbsp;and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in&nbsp;Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and&nbsp;Johor until 4pm on Saturday.

Thunderstorms in six states until 4pm on Saturday — MetMalaysia

Qualcomm Inc prevailed at trial against Arm Holdings plc’s claim that it breached a licence for chip technology that the world’s largest maker of mobile-phone processors acquired when it bought a startup in 2021.&nbsp;

Qualcomm defeats Arm’s claim over chip design licence breach

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pursuit of closer ties with China has raised private questions from Donald Trump’s incoming administration, European diplomats and even some senior British officials.

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects inflation to rise in 2025, driven by domestic policy reforms such as RON95 fuel subsidy rationalisation and an expanded sales and service&nbsp;tax (SST) scope. &nbsp;

HLIB sees higher inflation in 2025 on RON95 subsidy rationalisation, expanded SST scope

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence in Malaysia’s ability to safeguard its foreign policy and economic priorities amid&nbsp;evolving global dynamics.

Malaysia to adapt to Trump era, says Anwar

Nippon&nbsp;Steel alleges the White House had "impermissible undue influence" over a national security review of its US$14.9 billion (RM67.2&nbsp;billion) bid for US&nbsp;Steel and threatened legal action if the deal is blocked.

Nippon Steel alleges undue White House influence on doomed US Steel deal review, letter says

Pahang Islamic Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad has confirmed that a video alleging&nbsp;the allocation of durian plantation land in Pahang to retired soldiers is fake.

OpenAI is preparing to launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that it said is capable of more advanced human-like reasoning than its current offerings, ratcheting up the competition with rivals such as Alphabet Inc’s Google.

OpenAI unveils more advanced reasoning model in race with Google

The Johor government has completed seven housing projects, categorised as ‘sick’ and abandoned, this year, representing an estimated property value of about RM700 million.

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