Hamas says to swap four Israeli hostages' bodies for prisoners
Hamas said it would exchange the bodies of four Israeli hostages for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners on Thursday, capping the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
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Hong Kong to slash public spending, civil service jobs
Hong Kong's finance chief unveiled a "belt-tightening" budget on Wednesday that aimed to end the city's string of record-high deficits by 2028 while seeking growth in areas such as artificial intelligence.
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Taiwan sends forces in response to China 'live-fire' drills off island
Taiwan sent forces on Wednesday in response to China's "live-fire" drills off the self-ruled island, Taipei's defence ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous.
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Aston Martin cuts jobs as weak China demand weighs
Aston Martin Lagonda announced Wednesday it would cut about five percent of its workforce as weak Chinese demand contributed to losses widening at the luxury car group last year.
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Erosion of multilateralism threatens global stability: S.Africa leader
The erosion of multilateralism threatens global growth and stability, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Wednesday at a G20 finance meeting in South Africa marked by the absence of the US Treasury secretary.
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Stellantis says 2024 profits fall 70% on N. America troubles
The Stellantis car giant -- which includes Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Peugeot -- on Wednesday reported a 70 percent fall in 2024 profits against the previous year because of troubles in North America.
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'Joyful' South Koreans hope rising births will continue
South Koreans rejoiced Wednesday at news that the number of births had risen for the first time in about a decade -- a rare bright spot for a country facing a deepening demographic decline.
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Thousands mourn Bibas family, symbols of Israel's hostage ordeal
Thousands of mourners, carrying flags and orange balloons, joined the funeral procession Wednesday for Shiri Bibas and her two sons, who were killed in Gaza captivity and had become symbols of Israel's hostage ordeal.
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Rights decline but bright spots in South Asia: Freedom House
Freedom declined around the world last year with authoritarians solidifying their grip, but South Asia led a series of bright spots, Freedom House said Wednesday in its annual report.
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Indonesia agrees deal with Apple that could end iPhone sales ban: reports
Indonesia has struck a deal with Apple for the tech giant to invest in the country, local media reported a minister as saying Wednesday, in a move that could end a ban on iPhone 16 sales in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.
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