A tsunami following a volcanic eruption in Indonesia claimed at least 168 lives, said local authorities on December 23.

US starts returning troops home from Syria, says White House

The Trump administration has started returning US troops home from Syria after claiming a victory in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), the White House said on December 19.

German gov''''t finalizes immigration law for skilled workers

The German government on December 19 finalized a new immigration law that grants skilled workers from Non-European countries the opportunity to achieve permanent residence status in Germany.

Fire engulfs 600 stilt homes in Brazil city Manaus; thousands flee

A fire raced through a neighborhood in the Brazilian jungle city of Manaus early on December 18, engulfing at least 600 wooden houses built on stilts due to seasonal floods and sending thousands fleeing from their homes.

Saudi Arabia rejects US Senate moves on journalist death

Saudi Arabia rejected on December 17 recent moves of the US Senate over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Press Agency reported.

UN climate conference adopts rulebook for implementing Paris deal

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries on December 15 agreed on a package of the implementation guidelines, or a common rulebook of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

ASEAN pays attention to interests of migrant workers

The ASEAN Safe Migration Campaign was launched in Jakarta, Indonesia on December 12 to call on regional countries as well as the international community to pay attention to the interests of migrant workers who have grown rapidly in recent years.

EU, China stress urgent need to unblock appointment of WTO Appellate Body members

The European Union (EU), China and other World Trade Organization (WTO) members on Wednesday (December 12) delivered a joint statement, emphasizing the urgent need to unblock the appointment of WTO Appellate Body members.

ASEAN connectivity enhanced under Singapore’s chairmanship

Cooperation and connectivity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have seen improvements in 2018 under Singapore’s chairmanship, which was themed "Resilience and Innovation”.

Malaysia, Qatar enhance trade, investment cooperation

Malaysia and Qatar will boost cooperation in trade and investment, according to the two countries’ foreign ministers.

OPEC’s cutting oil production: An uneasy decision

| Global oil prices have increased again after members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and outside partners agreed to cut crude oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day in the first six months of next year. The uneasy decision was made after days of negotiations despite strong opposition from the United States.

Laos, Cambodia pledge to enhance cooperation

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen reaffirmed their commitments to strengthening bilateral friendship, solidarity, and cooperation during their talks in Vientiane on December 5.

Malaysian, Argentinean firms to set oil joint venture

Argentina’s state-controlled energy company YPF and Malaysia’s Petronas will form a joint venture to invest 2.3 billion USD over the next four years in the Latin American country’s Vaca Muerta shale oil fields.

Trump seeks Pakistan''s support in solution to Afghan problem: foreign ministry

US President Donald Trump has sought Pakistan's support in negotiated settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on December 3.

Putin, Erdogan agree on plans to set up demilitarized zone in Syria: Russian FM

The presidents of Russia and Turkey agreed on further steps to implement the agreement over a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on December 2.

G20 Summit 2018: Waiting for breakthroughs

The G20 Summit 2018 opens today in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires. In the context of the emerging trend of protectionism and rising tensions between economic powers, the conference is expected to reach a common voice and create breakthroughs for the global free trade process.

Migration crisis in Central America, a barbed problem

The bustling border crossing between San Diego (United States) and Tijuana (Mexico) has resumed operations, only a few hours after being closed due to tensions involving hundreds of immigrants seeking to cross into the US. However, Washington is still struggling to find a way out of the crisis of migrants arriving from Central America and cool the growing tensions in the southern border region.

Thailand pledges to sharply reduce tourism-related waste

Thai Tourism and Sport Minister Weerasak Kowsurat on November 27 pledged to cut tourism-related waste by 50 percent by 2020.

Ukrainian army on full combat alert over tensions with Russia in Sea of Azov

The Ukrainian armed forces were put on full combat alert over the situation in the Sea of Azov, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Monday ( November 26) in a statement on Facebook.

EU endorses Brexit deal in breakthrough

The European leaders on Sunday ( November 25) endorsed the Brexit deal at the European Union (EU) summit, a major breakthrough since the lengthy Britain-EU Brexit negotiation started one and half years ago.

Malaysia, Thailand to jointly work out solution to south Thai conflict

Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu on November 20 arrived in Thailand on a two-day visit in an attempt to address crisis in southern Thailand.

Reuters poll: Singapore sees lower than expected economic growth

A Reuters poll of 11 economists showed that Singapore is expected to report slower third-quarter economic growth than initially thought as the manufacturing sector faces strains from weaker global demand and an intensifying trade dispute between the United States and China.

Afghanistan declares day of mourning after deadly bomb attack

The Afghan government declared Wednesday (November 21) as a national mourning day to pay tribute for dozens of civilians, mostly religious scholars, who have lost their lives following a deadly bomb attack in Kabul, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.

Close to 1,000 still missing after deadliest California wildfire

Emergency services on Sunday (November 18) sifted through the charred wreckage of California's deadliest ever wildfire, searching for signs of nearly 1,000 people believed still missing as crews made progress in bringing the blaze under control.

German authorities warn damages caused by incorrect disposal of electronic waste

The Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) warned on November 19 that incorrect electronic waste disposal in Germany is costing valuable resources and causing significant damages to the country's environment.