TOP NEWS Ramyeon powers South Korea’s K-food exports to record high of US$17.5bilUS exit from global renewable energy agency won’t impact South-East Asia support, says chiefChinese visitors to South Korea soar, topping JapanMORE HEADLINES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE KuenselBhutan, Canada partner to strengthen AI policy and governance The Korea HeraldNearly all Seoul students use generative AI, teachers warn of over-reliance The Jakarta PostIndonesia blocks Elon Musk’s Grok over AI-generated sexualised images The Korea HeraldWhy South Korea is vying to be first to regulate AI The Yomiuri ShimbunNew AI service in Japan will keep ads away from inappropriate posts Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippine national insurance eyes AI-powered system to detect fraud in health claims The Straits TimesWorld’s tallest indoor vertical farm, costing US$62 million, opens in Singapore The Korea HeraldSouth Korea brings AI into the physical world at CES 2026 China DailyChinese women seen at forefront of AI adoption The Korea HeraldAI is no longer optional in K-pop — it’s becoming the new normal Viet Nam NewsA look at Hanoi’s AI traffic camera system The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan Medical Safety Body to review all accidental death reports with AI The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan Fair Trade Commission to launch investigation into use of news articles by AI-powered search engines The Korea HeraldSouth Korean Defence Ministry to restore North Korea policy division, boost military AI The Straits TimesIn Johor Bahru – Malaysia’s first ‘leading smart city’ – AI is used to ease jams and detect potholes Viet Nam NewsHanoi AI cameras flag nearly 400 traffic violations in first three daysVIEW ALL COMBATING INFLATION The StatesmanIndia’s retail inflation stays below central bank’s lower band for fourth straight month The Daily StarElectric cooker sales soar as Bangladesh’s gas crisis worsens KuenselBhutanese consumers foot the bill as double taxation bites during GST transition The Daily StarLPG prices in Bangladesh soar on artificial scarcity The StarMalaysians enjoy a holiday and tax relief at the same time Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippine 2025 inflation slows to 1.7%, a 9-year low The StarRM100 government and school aid a timely relief for Malaysians The StatesmanIndian brokerage firms flag surge in illicit cigarette trade risks after sharp tobacco tax hike The Jakarta PostFood, gold push Indonesia’s inflation to highest level since 2022 The Kathmandu PostNepal’s wide wholesale-retail price gap keeps veggies out of common person’s reach Vientiane TimesLaos’ inflation eases to 5.6 percent in December as food prices fall KuenselPrice slump and early harvests in India hit Bhutan’s potato exports The StarMalaysians go on last-minute dash to use government cash aid The Daily StarBangladesh’s potato paradox: Just another curry on the rice plate? This will not solve the price problem The Daily StarGold prices in Bangladesh break all records DawnPakistan’s rate cut too meagre to address major challenges, industry leaders complainVIEW ALL TECHNOLOGY VIEW MORE Following an initial consultation, a one-and-a-half-day training session commenced to help policymakers, government officials, and thought leaders understand Al's role in public service, ethics, and cybersecurity. Artificial Intelligence, Asia On Screen, BUSINESS, Technology, Technology Right, TransportationA look at Hanoi’s AI traffic camera system ... Around Asia, BUSINESS, Daily Digest, Home Page, SOCIETY, Technology, Technology RightHow IP cameras become South Korea’s quiet privacy risk ... Around Asia, BUSINESS, FIGHTING FAKE NEWS, Home Page, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, Technology, Technology RightBangladesh made 279 requests for content removal in first half of 2025: Google report ...ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE Businesses voice frustration over policy concentration. The figures represented a year-on-year decline of 10.8 per cent in volume and 27.6 per cent in value, clearly reflecting the impact of the global downturn in rice prices over the past year.CORPORATE BUZZ VIEW MORE Two-wheeler sales, meanwhile, reached 6.4 million units last year, marking a 1.3 percent rise from the year before. This move aims to boost Jollibee's global presence, access deeper capital pools, and allow investors to choose between its distinct business profiles. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINESICT-1 frames crimes against humanity charges against Bangladeshi ex-PM adviser, ex-law minister ...Government maps Laos’ development path to 2030 ...Veterinarians begin peaceful protest in Ulaanbaatar’s Sukhbaatar Square ...Why South Korean ex-president Yoon’s sentencing request was postponed — and what it means for the ruling ...Indian EAM Jaishankar discusses defence, security cooperation with French President Macron ...Philippine fast-food giant Jollibee eyes global expansion with planned US listing ...CHINA AND ASEAN DawnAI deepfakes: The latest weapon in Pakistan’s disinformation wars The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China planning sixth military drills The Straits TimesSingapore, Shanghai ink record 15 MOUs as bilateral trade grows The Japan NewsU.S., Australia to counter China’s ‘destabilizing military activities’ China DailyAsean-Plus defence ministers agree to improve defence collaboration The Jakarta PostChina and Asean join hands to bring the ‘Asian moment’ in global governance China DailyRCEP shows strength and resilience of regional trade liberalization The NationThailand and China ink 5 agreements to boost trade, regional security The Jakarta PostIndonesia, China to resume joint-military training exercises, strengthen military cooperation China DailyXi, Widodo vow to take ties to new level The Jakarta PostIndonesia-China ink $2.6 billion crude palm oil, fishery trade deals The Straits TimesOutcome of China’s application to join CPTPP trade pact not yet known: S’pore PM The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China sign $1.6 billion deal for second expressway The Jakarta PostAs Xi visit draws near, delays haunt Jakarta-Bandung rail project The Jakarta PostWhat does the 20th CCP National Congress mean for Indonesia? Viet Nam NewsVietnamese, Chinese Party leaders stress peace at sea, resumption of flights in talksVIEW ALL BIG PICTURE VIEW MORE Toys offering emotional value for young people took centre stage at the 52nd HKTDC Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair's new "Pop and Play" pavilion, which has brought together about 150 famous local and international IPs. Industry stakeholders say the current tourism policy allows substantial revenue leakage, with foreign travel agents controlling key segments of bookings and tour arrangements.POLICY MATTERSVIEW MORE The development plan outlines six main objectives and 26 focus work plans aimed at accelerating growth, improving living standards, and strengthening national resilience. In a recent report, the Pollution Control Department said Thailand generated more than 400,000 tonnes of electronic waste in 2023, including used and discarded smartphones and tablet computers.MORE HEADLINESNepal’s federalism on a bumpy road ...40 litterbugs caught in Brunei ...Indonesia should be more active in foreign policy, former ministers say President Moon meets BTS, officially appoints them as special diplomatic envoy Russia’s Putin, PM Imran discuss Afghanistan, bilateral ties in 2nd call in a month Asean is China’s largest trading partner with US$685b trade CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT The Daily StarBrick kilns ravage land, waterbodies in Bangladesh’s Chattogram The Jakarta PostWaste crisis haunts Greater Jakarta The StarFloods and landslides shut schools in Malaysia’s Sabah, Sarawak DawnGas shortages trigger protests in Pakistan’s Quetta amid severe cold The StatesmanAir pollution in India silently fuelling rise in respiratory, cardiac, and neurological diseases The Kathmandu PostAs wetlands in Nepal’s Chitwan shrink, migratory birds are vanishing The StarSuperbug risk grows at Malaysian farms Viet Nam NewsLocalities across Vietnam step up cold-weather protection for livestock China DailyChina’s new burial rules promote eco-friendly rituals, curb high costs The Jakarta Post22 villages in Indonesia’s Aceh vanish after Cyclone Senyar, dozens remain isolated The Daily StarBangladeshi farmers urged to protect crops, livestock against ongoing cold wave Philippine Daily InquirerDome of Philippines’ Mount Mayon collapses, releases lava KuenselDisasters leave Bhutan’s pockets empty KuenselBhutanese capital Thimphu faces growing urban heat risk, new study finds The Daily StarCold wave intensifies sufferings in northern Bangladesh The Yomiuri ShimbunTsunami can travel vast distances before striking, warn Japanese researchersVIEW ALL AGRICULTUREVIEW MORE The figures represented a year-on-year decline of 10.8 per cent in volume and 27.6 per cent in value, clearly reflecting the impact of the global downturn in rice prices over the past year. Authorities seized more than 4.1 million hectares of land last year, arguing it was being illegally operated in forest areas by both large palm oil companies and smallholder farmers.TRANSPORTATIONVIEW MORE Two-wheeler sales, meanwhile, reached 6.4 million units last year, marking a 1.3 percent rise from the year before. This move, China's Ministry of Commerce noted in a statement, will enable Chinese exporters to address the EU's anti-subsidy case concerning Chinese EVs in a way that is "more practical, targeted and consistent with WTO rules."ENERGYVIEW MORE South-east Asia has accounted for 11 per cent of global energy demand growth since 2010, and this is projected to rise to more than 25 per cent of the growth by 2035, according to the International Energy Agency's 2024 report. Siberian winds continued to lash Quetta and other towns in northern and central parts of the province following rain and snowfall last week.MORE HEADLINESJapan to establish ¥500 billion fund to reinforce economic security ...China to include sex education in primary school text books ...Indonesian migrant worker’s ‘7 conditions’ for job search sparks debate ...Livelihoods hinge on green recovery ...Energy minister tells petroleum dealers ‘legitimate’ demands will be met, urges them to reconsider strike ...Japan cultural agency to earmark ¥6.5 billion to preserve local festivals ...Marijuana legal in Thailand from Dec 9, but ‘doobies’ still not allowed ...Covid-19 shots alone don’t ensure 100 percent safety, continued caution needed, experts say ...SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA The Korea HeraldFrom living with mums to facing exes, Korean dating shows raise stakes The Yomiuri ShimbunOn Japan’s coming-of-age day, new adults in disaster-hit areas renew vow to revitalise hometowns Philippine Daily InquirerWhat is the most underrated hack to beat Manila traffic? Philippine Daily InquirerWhat food tells us about Filipino psychology Viet Nam NewsKeeping an ancient script alive in a modern world The Daily StarGlobal fame of Bangladesh’s Tangail saree and the weavers we forget Philippine Daily InquirerWhen faith moves millions: Inside the uniquely Philippine Catholic tradition of Traslacion The Daily StarBangladesh’s coldest season is also its most dramatic DawnWhat do airports reveal about the societies that build them? The Korea HeraldWere chefs always this wild? The colorful backstories behind ‘Culinary Class Wars’ The Korea HeraldKorean words ‘ramyeon,’ ‘ajumma’ enter Oxford English Dictionary China DailyChina’s heritage crafts find new life DawnHow Pakistani writer Ibne Safi taught an entire generation to read The Jakarta PostBeyond tropical: How Indonesian design is evolving today The Japan NewsSumo restaurant in Tokyo teaches foreign visitors about the ancient sport The Straits TimesSingaporeans playing mahjong to build intergenerational tiesVIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANNANN NewsletterSign up hereTHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFETHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFEFollow us: