Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi hails the retrieval of rare earths from close to 20,000 feet below sea level as a world first. She faces an election on Sunday.

Notorious debt restrictions policy imposed in 2020 appears to have been abandoned, but analysts say a lot more is needed to stabilise the sector's grim outlook

Korean officials have been unable to stop the US from increasing the tariff on their exports, as the National Assembly needs to pass a special law on the deal, which could take a few more weeks

The deal comes after close to two decades of on-and-off negotiations, which first started in 2007. It covers about a quarter of the global economy

Diversification of trade to Africa, SE Asia and other regions, helps China manage US tariffs, but it also highlights its weak domestic economy, analysts say

While many challenges remain for both countries to sustain their pivot to cleaner energy, the decline in coal-power use marks a 'historic moment', researchers say

Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting. Meanwhile, analysts unsure if Trump will impose a higher tariff on China, plus countries that are US allies. States are also waiting to see if the US will intervene in the crisis

The Nikkei shot up on Tuesday amid widespread speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will call a snap election, possibly in just a month's time

China's finance ministry said the VAT export rebates for battery products would be cut to 6% from 9% from April, then rolled back entirely from January 1, 2027.

German government sources said there are high expectations that a deal could be signed at the end of January after "very intensive" talks between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Modi on Monday

Indonesian president Prabowo's robust policy of ousting illegal miners and plantation operators has unnerved business groups

Court denies key shareholders' move to block zinc refiner's plan to issue shares to help fund $7.4-billion smelter in the US, but they still support the US plan