French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (Dec 4) to strengthen trade ties, as the European Union prepares stricter trade regulations. Macron is accompanied by a large business delegation on his fourth state visit to China. Macron will travel to Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan province with Xi—a rare gesture, since the Chinese leader seldom joins visiting officials outside Beijing. However, Xi is not expected to approve a long-awaited Airbus deal or reduce duties on EU brandy imports, nearly all of which come from France.

Beijing aims to ease trade tensions with Brussels over its heavily subsidized electric vehicle sector, which has led to retaliatory tariffs on some European goods. At the same time, committing to a 500-jet Airbus order could reduce China’s leverage with the US, which is pushing for a Boeing deal, and with Europe as it plans new economic security measures.

Macron has previously emphasized a united European stance in dealing with China while avoiding confrontation, recognizing China’s importance as an export market for key French companies. The delegation with Macron includes top executives from Airbus, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Alstom, as well as leaders from the French dairy and poultry sectors. Macron and Xi are expected to sign several agreements following their meeting.

China is France’s seventh-largest trading partner, importing about US$35 billion in goods annually, including cosmetics, aircraft parts, and alcoholic beverages. France imports around US$45 billion in Chinese products, mainly low-cost items such as clothing, accessories, and gadgets through online platforms like Shein, benefiting from an EU customs waiver on purchases under 150 euros (S$226.65).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Opium poppy cultivation in conflict-ridden Myanmar has reached its highest level in ten years, rising by 17 percent over the past year as ongoing fighting and economic instability push more farmers toward the illegal crop, the United Nations reported on Wednesday (Dec 3). According to a new report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), poppy cultivation expanded from 45,200 hectares in 2024 to 53,100 hectares this year, reinforcing Myanmar’s role as the world’s largest known producer of illicit opium at a time when production in Afghanistan continues to fall.

“Myanmar is at a pivotal point,” said Delphine Schantz, UNODC’s representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. “The significant rise in cultivation shows how strongly the opium economy has re-emerged in recent years and highlights the potential for even further growth.” The country has been mired in political chaos since the military overthrew the elected government in 2021, removing Aung San Suu Kyi from power and triggering a widespread armed resistance. Despite a brutal civil war, the junta is preparing for a heavily criticised national election starting Dec 28.

Attempts to reach a junta spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful. UNODC noted that after several years of decline, poppy cultivation has consistently increased since 2020, driven largely by soaring opium prices, which have doubled during that period. The steepest increases were seen in eastern Shan State (up 32 percent) and Chin State (up 26 percent), while southern Shan State continues to be the main region for poppy farming, accounting for 44 percent of the national total. All of these areas are currently experiencing clashes between the military and armed groups.

For the first time, the survey detected 552 hectares of poppy fields in northern Sagaing Region near the Indian border, indicating that cultivation is spreading into new areas. “With the rise in Chin State and new findings in Sagaing, attention is increasingly turning toward Myanmar’s western border regions and what this may mean for neighbouring countries,” the UNODC added.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Malaysia Airlines has upgraded its Thiruvananthapuram–Kuala Lumpur route to a daily service, moving up from the previous five flights per week. The enhanced schedule, starting December 2, 2025, aims to provide greater convenience for travelers from Kerala, particularly due to competitive fares. With Kuala Lumpur serving as a key transit hub offering connections to destinations such as Australia and New Zealand, this expansion is expected to boost traffic at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), operated by Kerala International Airport Limited. TRV Airport announced the update on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "@MAS is commencing daily flights from ThiruvananthapuramAirport to Malaysia starting 2 December 2025." The route now offers 11 weekly flights, combining seven Malaysia Airlines flights and four AirAsia flights.

Earlier in October, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport released its Winter Schedule 2025, marking a 22% increase in weekly flight operations compared to the Summer Schedule. Effective from October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026, the new schedule will handle 732 weekly Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), up from 600 in Summer 2025, highlighting the airport’s growing connectivity.

The expanded schedule introduces new domestic destinations including Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Trichy, while enhancing connections to key cities such as Kannur, Kochi, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. Internationally, TRV will continue flights to destinations like Dammam, Riyadh, Kuwait, Kuala Lumpur, and Male, with a projected 9% increase in international ATMs, rising from 300 to 326 weekly.

Major international destinations and their weekly flights include Abu Dhabi (66), Sharjah (56), Dammam (28), Kuwait (24), Male (24), Dubai (22), Muscat (22), Kuala Lumpur (22), Doha (20), Singapore (14), Bahrain (10), Colombo (8), Riyadh (6), and Hanimaadhoo (4). Domestic operations will grow 35%, from 300 to 406 weekly ATMs, largely due to increased frequencies to key metro and regional hubs. Leading domestic routes include Bengaluru (92), Delhi (84), Mumbai (70), Chennai (42), Hyderabad (28), Navi Mumbai (28), Kochi (26), Trichy (12), Kannur (10), Pune (8), and Mangaluru (6). A TRV Airport spokesperson said, “The new winter schedule reflects Thiruvananthapuram International Airport’s growing role as a preferred gateway to Kerala and beyond. With enhanced connectivity and new routes, we continue to support regional mobility and economic growth.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

A court in Bangladesh has sentenced British MP and former minister Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison in a corruption case concerning the alleged illegal allocation of a land plot, according to local media reports. The verdict was delivered in absentia, as Siddiq, her aunt and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana—all co-accused—were not present in court. Hasina received a five-year sentence, while Rehana was handed seven years.

Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 amid an uprising against her government, was sentenced to death last month over her administration’s violent crackdown on protesters. In addition, she received a combined 21-year prison sentence in other corruption cases. Prosecutors stated that the 13,610 sq ft land plot was allocated illegally through political influence and collusion with senior officials, accusing Siddiq, Hasina, and Rehana of abusing their authority during Hasina’s tenure as prime minister. Most of the 17 defendants were absent when the judgments were pronounced.

Siddiq resigned in January from her position as the UK minister responsible for financial services and anti-corruption initiatives, following scrutiny over her financial ties to Hasina. She has consistently dismissed the allegations, describing them as a “politically motivated smear.” The UK currently does not have an extradition treaty with Bangladesh, making it unlikely that Siddiq will face imprisonment there.

The case has drawn international attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about political corruption in Bangladesh and the legal risks faced by high-profile figures involved in government affairs. The sentencing underscores the government’s crackdown on alleged misuse of power and continues to resonate amid the country’s turbulent political landscape.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

A recent study reveals that maintaining a sense of control is crucial for ageing well. Seniors who retain independence and the ability to make their own decisions tend to be healthier and happier. Post-retirement, men often face more challenges, whereas women’s social networks help them stay resilient. The research underscores the significance of purpose, social connections, and dignity in later life. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo discuss the study with A/P Justina Tan, Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at SUSS.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

On November 11, Thailand’s government announced it would suspend the implementation of an enhanced ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, which had been signed in October in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The government also stated it would brief Washington on its decision. The move comes after a landmine explosion the previous day injured four Thai soldiers. Andrea Heng and Hairianto discuss the potential impact of this suspension on the ongoing conflict with Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, an independent expert on international relations and security affairs and former chairman of the Prime Minister's Security Advisory Committee.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Utt, one of MTV Asia’s most beloved VJs during the 1990s and 2000s, hosted Mediacorp’s cult-classic horror docuseries Incredible Tales for eight seasons between 2004 and 2017. Now 51, he has returned to Singapore to join the video podcast series Tales From Incredible Tales, currently in its third season. The vodcast revisits some of the most iconic episodes from the original show. Hairianto Diman speaks with Utt Panichkul about his experience as host and how the show’s success has influenced his career.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan's first female prime minister, yet she immediately faces significant challenges. Taking office amid a slow-growing economy and rising living costs, she must address public frustration over inflation and the burden of daily expenses. Genevieve Woo talks with CNA’s Michiyo Ishida to explore the implications of Takaichi’s victory for Japan’s future, as she manages both domestic pressures and complex international relations.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.