No quick wins in tapping Venezuela’s oil reserves
MIAMI — Venezuela is unlikely to see any meaningful boost to crude output for years even if US oil majors do invest the billions...
Groups flag P633 billion corruption risk in bicam-approved 2026 budget
Multisectoral groups on Monday raised their recommendations on the P6.793-trillion national budget approved by the bicameral for 2026, following their concerns on the P633...
Canada asks Air India to probe incident of pilot reporting for duty under influence...
NEW DELHI — Canada's transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot reporting for duty under the influence of...
Brazil’s Bolsonaro leaves hospital after surgeries, returns to prison
BRASILIA — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged from hospital and taken to prison on Thursday after undergoing medical procedures to treat a hernia...
China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate
HONG KONG — China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and devices from January 1 in new steps to spur a flagging birth...
Several reported killed in Iran protests over economic hardships
DUBAI — Several people were killed during unrest in Iran, Iranian media and rights groups said on Thursday, as the biggest protests to hit the...
China’s Xi to host South Korea’s Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions
SEOUL/BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Sunday, signaling Beijing's intent to...
Dozens killed, 100 injured in fire at Swiss ski resort bar
CRANS-MONTANA — Around 40 people were killed and 115 injured when a fire ripped through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in...
Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty as China fires rockets in military drills
TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense in the face of...
US jobless claims slide to cap a bumpy year for job market
AMERICANS filed the fewest new jobless claims in a month last week, and while the number of unemployed workers collecting relief payments has eased...
Chinese AI firm MiniMax, others launch Hong Kong IPOs in year-end rush
CHINESE artificial intelligence (AI) startup MiniMax Group spearheaded six Hong Kong listings worth HK$16.7 billion ($2.15 billion) launched on Wednesday, exchange filings showed, as...
Japan business lobby chiefs urge government to tackle weak yen, media reports
TOKYO — Two major Japanese business lobbying groups called on the government to address the yen’s weakness, which is inflating import costs and weighing...