North Korea Gives Glimpse Into a Secretive Uranium-Enrichment Facility as Kim Pushes for More Nukes – The Diplomat

A video clip of California governor Gavin Newsom circulated on Chinese social media, falsely claiming he threatened to withhold federal taxes from the Trump administration. However, the voiceover in Chinese did not match Newsom's actual words, and his office denied the claim. States cannot withhold federal taxes as they do not collect them. The false claim arose after Trump's reelection, sparking discussions about California's independence. Full Article

Bee Gees drummer Dennis Bryon died just four days before Colin Petersen, the group's original sticksman, at the ages of 75 and 78, respectively. Bryon, known for his time with the band from 1974 to 1980, was praised by his Amen Corner bandmates Blue Weaver and Andy Fairweather Low. Petersen, who played on several Bee Gees albums, including 1st and Odessa, was a beloved member of tribute act The Best Of The Bee Gees before...

Vietnam and Malaysia have established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with Malaysia becoming the first ASEAN member state to reach this top diplomatic level with Hanoi. The two nations pledged to enhance cooperation in various areas, including defense, energy, education, and maritime security in the South China Sea. The upgrade aims to deepen economic ties, with a goal to increase two-way trade to $18 billion from nearly $13 billion in 2023. Full Article

China is increasing its efforts to stockpile microchips from the US to prepare for potential sanctions from the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump, with purchases reaching US$1.11 billion in October, a 60 per cent increase from last year. China has imported US$9.61 billion of microchips from the US over the first 10 months of the year, focusing on CPU-based processors and controllers, as well as chips for storage and signal amplification, to meet its...

Campaign Asia-Pacific announces the 2024 cohort of 34 exceptional women shaping the marketing and communications industry in Asia-Pacific. The awards, now in their 12th year, recognize these professionals amid ongoing challenges in achieving workplace inclusivity. Winners from 12 markets showcase diverse expertise across various sectors, with selection criteria emphasizing business achievements, leadership, collaboration, and industry impact. Full Article

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and seven other executives have been indicted in the US for allegedly bribing Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. The scheme involved over $250m in bribes and false representations to investors, with Adani facing charges of wire and securities fraud. Arrest warrants have been issued, and the indictment adds to Adani's recent financial troubles amid other fraud claims. Full Article