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Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, center, who founded local newspaper Apple Daily, was arrested by police officers at his home in Hong Kong on April 18, 2020. (AP Photo)

How Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai's imprisonment points to China's tightening grip

February 10, 2026 1:11 pm

Many view the targeting of Jimmy Lai as part of a repressive campaign under Xi. Lai is among the many influential figures who have fallen prey to Beijing's bid to cut out what it calls 'foreign influence'.

In his Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump said subjects discussed in their “excellent” call included trade, military, the April trip “(which I very much look forward to!)”, Taiwan, the Ukraine-Russia war, and Iran.

China This Week | Trump’s ‘excellent’ call with Xi, and US claims of secret Chinese nuclear test

February 08, 2026 7:53 pm

Every week, we recap highlights of the news from China. This week, we look at a phone call that reveals much about the priorities of leaders in the US and China, and claims of nuclear explosions in China.

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, waves during a campaign rally on the eve of the lower house election in Tokyo, Feb. 7.

Why Japanese PM Takaichi’s snap election call is a bold bet, amid Trump factor and feud with China

February 08, 2026 1:04 pm

Takaichi has energized right-wing groups with promises to tighten immigration and build a “strong and prosperous” Japan. She shares the conservative vision of her mentor, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, who was assassinated in 2022.

In CIA’s decision to shutter World Factbook, information becomes collateral damage

February 06, 2026 5:49 pm

For over 60 years of existence, the CIA manual went from being reference material for intelligence officers to one for the public at large. But it might have become an unwitting casualty of domestic political upheaval

Trump says India will stop buying Russian oil. That is easier said than done

February 07, 2026 6:57 am

The challenges in replacing Russian oil with US or Venezuelan crude are not only commercial but also technical. Then there are the considerations around India’s strategic autonomy. Analysts expect a gradual reduction in imports rather than a sudden stop.

How will Thailand's general election play out?

February 05, 2026 8:35 pm

Opinion polls consistently show the progressive People's Party is Thailand's most popular party. With its ambitious reform agenda and mastery of social media, it has huge appeal among young and urban Thais and will be a force to reckon with

The last US-Russia nuclear pact ends today. Is this the beginning of a new arms race?

February 06, 2026 7:41 pm

From SALT to START, the US and Russia have had a stop-start history of arms control. The expiry of the New START pact on February 5 raises fears over the erosion of restraint among nuclear states.

UK-China ties have long been tumultuous. Is Trump enough to bring them together?

February 05, 2026 1:20 pm

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trip to China is being seen as a ‘reset’ in the bilateral ties. What led up to it, and what were its outcomes?

Bill Gates' 'infidelity', Musk's 'wildest party' plans, Trump allegations: Takeaways from latest, and possibly final, release of Epstein Files

January 31, 2026 5:59 pm

Three million pages, 180,000 images, 2,000 videos — and a Mira Nair cameo. The US Department of Justice has released a large tranche of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying it had 'erred on the side of over-collecting materials'.

Expert Explains: As START treaty expires, why Europe's security calculus is under (nuclear) cloud

February 06, 2026 5:43 am

The US GDP is roughly USD 31 trillion, and it has a population of 345 million; the Europeans add up to USD 28 trillion with around 600 million people. With such economic might, why are the Europeans unable to ‘keep the Russians out’ by themselves? An Expert Explains.