ASIA

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The U.S. government has granted approval for Nvidia to sell its advanced AI chips in China, as announced by the Department of Commerce on Tuesday. Previously, the sale of the H200, which is Nvidia's second-most advanced semiconductor, was restricted due to concerns that it could bolster China's technological and military advancements, potentially posing a competitive threat to the U.S. The Commerce Department noted that shipments of these chips to China are allowed provided that there is a sufficient supply of the processors available within the United States.

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South Korea's special prosecutor has formally requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law in late 2024, marking one of the most dramatic legal reckonings in the country's modern political history.

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China is holding military drills around Taiwan simulating the seizure and blockade of the island's key areas, as a warning against "separatist forces".

The army, navy, air force and rocket force have been dispatched for the drills which include live-fire exercises, the Chinese military said.

Codenamed "Justice Mission 2025", the drills are taking place days after the US announced the sale of one of its largest weapons packages to Taiwan worth $11bn (£8.2bn). That move drew sharp protest from Beijing which in turn sanctioned US defence firms.

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South Koreas movie of the year did not arrive with loud promotion or blockbuster expectations. Instead it came quietly, led by an indie filmmaker few people knew and centered on a teenage girl whose life refuses to be defined by a single wound. The World of Love directed by Yoon Ga eun has become one of the most talked about films in the country, earning both critical praise and unexpected commercial success.

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Amid ongoing diplomatic talks to quell hostilities, Thailand executed air strikes on a disputed border area with Cambodia on Friday, leading to conflicting accounts from both sides. While the Thai Air Force asserted it targeted a Cambodian "fortified military position" after ensuring civilian evacuation, Cambodia's defence ministry strongly condemned the action, alleging "indiscriminate attacks" on civilian homes that left several people injured.

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The Asian Film Awards Academy has announced a major change to the format of its upcoming 19^th edition, opting to suspend all competitive award categories and cancel the traditional red carpet ceremony. Instead, the 2026 event will take place as a scaled back gathering centered on the presentation of special honors. The decision comes in response to the deadly fire that occurred in Hong Kong last year and the lasting impact it has had on the local community.

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The massive multibillion-dollar 1MDB corruption scandal saw its most significant development yet on Friday, as jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was found guilty of abuse of power. The verdict underlines claims by Malaysian and US investigators that a staggering $4.5 billion was stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the state fund Najib helped establish in 2009, with allegations that over $1 billion of these illicit funds were connected to accounts belonging to Razak, despite his consistent pleas of innocence.