ASIA

JAPAN PM SHOWS STRONG CONCERNS OVER BLOCKING OF STEEL DEAL

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba conveyed "strong" concerns to US President Joe Biden regarding the blocking of Nippon Steel's proposed takeover of US Steel, according to local media reports on Monday. The issue was raised during a three-way call with the President of the Philippines, which also included discussions about China's "dangerous and unlawful" behavior in the region, as stated by the White House.

STEEL DEAL DRAMA: NIPPON STEEL BENDS OVER BACKWARDS FOR BIDEN'S APPROVAL

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In a bold move to secure President Joe Biden's blessing for its proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel, Japan's Nippon Steel has offered an unusual concession: giving the U.S. government veto power over potential cuts to U.S. Steel's production capacity.

NORTH KOREA FIRES NEW HYPERSONIC MISSILE, CLAIMS CAPABILITY TO ‘CONTAIN’ RIVALS

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North Korea test-launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile fitted with a hypersonic warhead on January 6, 2025, and said the development could “reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region.”

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CHINA GOES TO WAR WITH TAIWAN

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The prospect of war between China and Taiwan holds profound global consequences, especially in economic and geopolitical spheres. As tensions rise, particularly in light of China's aggressive military exercises and growing influence in the region, the possibility of a full-scale conflict is no longer a distant scenario. With both countries prepared for military escalation, the world is closely watching the potential fallout of such an event.

DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE STRIKES TIBET, CLAIMS OVER 50 LIVES

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A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead and dozens injured. The tremors, felt as far as Nepal and northern India, sent shockwaves through the Himalayan region and caused widespread destruction.

TAIWAN’S UNIQUE CELEBRATION BY CRYING IN THE NEW YEAR

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In an unlikely New Year’s Eve tradition, some people in Taiwan welcomed the coming of 2025 with cries. This innovation, put together by university student Harry Li, 22 years old, has just gained popularity and is gradually changing the way people welcome the coming of the New Year.

SLOVAKIA THREATENS RETALIATION AGAINST UKRAINE ON GAS TRANSIT DISPUTE

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Slovakia and Ukraine's energy relations have reached a breaking point, with significant implications for both nations and the European Union. On New Year's Day, Ukraine ceased the flow of Russian gas through its territory to Slovakia, ending a decades-long transit arrangement. This abrupt halt has triggered retaliatory threats from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who accuses Ukraine of "sabotage" on the orders of Russia.

KILLER DRIVER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CHINA

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A man who killed multiple people by deliberately driving into a crowd of exercisers outside a stadium in southern China has been sentenced to death. Fan Weiqiu was found guilty of "endangering public safety," a court statement said. At least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured in the 11 November attack in Zhuhai, thought to be the deadliest on Chinese soil for a decade.