Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker at a meeting last week in New Delhi. Photo: Handout

    US rejects claims of Indo-Pacific retreat, says aid is being recalibrated to counter China

    Senior US officials on Monday pushed back against suggestions of American retreat from the Indo-Pacific, declaring that Washington is recalibrating its foreign assistance to more effectively outcompete China in the strategically vital region while maintaining support for allies through targeted aid and security cooperation. The focus, they said, is shifting away from broad assistance towards…

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    Boats at a dive site off Sipadan, an island over which Malaysia and Indonesia once had rival claims. Photo: Shutterstock

      Why are South China Sea disputes hard to resolve? Power ‘asymmetry’, Malaysian expert says

      An inherent “asymmetry” of power poses a challenge to resolving South China Sea disputes via the quiet diplomacy traditionally favoured by Southeast Asian nations, a leading Malaysian security expert has said. Chinese analysts said Beijing supported the “Asean way” too, so long as sovereignty claims were resolved bilaterally. They also warned against external interference and…

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      Mei Mei Chu

        Hong Kong fire came after contractor safety breaches and a residents’ revolt

        Prestige Construction had history of safety violations before winning renovation contract, documents show Wang Fuk Court residents wrongly told by consultant that Prestige had clean safety record Homeowners repeatedly complained about costs and fire safety after Prestige won contract, tried to revoke agreement Prestige and consultant Will Power now subjects of manslaughter and anti-corruption probes…

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        An undisclosed number of MQ-9 Reaper drones have been deployed to the Philippines by the US Marine Corps. Photo: Handout

          Drones are on the rise over South China Sea with shift to data-driven strategies

          Across the strategic waterway of the South China Sea, claimant countries are increasingly relying on long-endurance aerial drones to carry out continuous patrols – overcoming the geographic and logistical limitations of traditional aircraft and ships. The US Marine Corps last month deployed MQ-9A Reaper drones to the Philippines, at Manila’s request, to “support Philippine regional…

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          Jessie Pang

            Police comb fire-ravaged Hong Kong apartments, death toll at 146

            Item 1 of 7 Firefighters gather next to bamboo scaffolding debris at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex after the deadly fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov [1/7]Firefighters gather next to bamboo scaffolding debris at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex after the deadly fire, in Tai Po, Hong…

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            John Geddie

              Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze that killed 128 and counting

              Two hundred still missing, search and rescue ended Eleven arrested in connection with city’s worst fire in decades Hong Kong officials hold three-minute silence on Saturday Britain’s King Charles sends condolences for ‘appalling tragedy’ HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) – Hong Kong on Saturday mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive…

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