South Korea's military announced on Friday, January 24, that it suspects North Korea is preparing to send additional troops to Russia to support its efforts against Ukraine, despite suffering significant losses and having soldiers captured in previous deployments. "Four months have passed since the initial troop dispatch for the Russia-Ukraine war. With numerous casualties and captures reported, North Korea is believed to be accelerating preparations for another round of troop deployment," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) stated. However, the JCS did not elaborate on what other measures Pyongyang might be considering. Additionally, North Korea is reportedly preparing to launch a spy satellite and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), although there are currently no indications of immediate action, according to the JCS. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region. This marks the first time North Korean troops have been taken alive since their involvement in the conflict began in autumn last year. Reports from Ukrainian and Western sources suggest that North Korea has deployed approximately 11,000 soldiers to Russia's western Kursk region, which Ukraine briefly seized during a surprise attack last year. Kyiv claims over 3,000 of these soldiers have been killed or injured in the ongoing conflict. While Moscow and Pyongyang initially denied the presence of North Korean troops in Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin refrained from dismissing the claims during a statement in October. Furthermore, a North Korean official asserted that any such deployment would be within legal bounds. This growing military collaboration follows President Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, during which both nations signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty," including a mutual defense pact. Disclaimer: This image is taken from KCNA via Reuters

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to appear before the Constitutional Court on Tuesday for a hearing in his impeachment trial. This marks a significant moment in the proceedings, as the detained leader may have an opportunity to present his defense or respond to questions regarding his controversial attempt to enforce martial law. President Yoon has been in custody since last week as part of a separate criminal investigation into allegations that he orchestrated an insurrection. The inquiry centers on his efforts in early December to impose martial law—a move that stunned the nation but was swiftly overturned by parliamentary intervention just hours later. This dual legal predicament has placed Yoon at the heart of South Korea's ongoing political turmoil. Disclaimer:This image is taken from Reuters.

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Friday, January 17, in a high-profile land corruption case. The verdict was delivered by an anti-graft court in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been detained since August 2023, according to ARY News. The case, involving alleged financial misconduct during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022, is considered the most significant of the many legal battles he has faced. Prosecutors accused Khan, 72, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, of accepting land as a gift from a real estate developer in exchange for illegal favors. Both had denied the charges. Bushra Bibi, who is in her late 40s and had been out on bail, was also convicted and taken into custody following the verdict, as reported by Geo News. The announcement of the judgment had been delayed multiple times, most recently earlier this week, as negotiations continued between the government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. In a statement, PTI’s foreign media wing criticized the verdict, calling the case against Khan and his wife “baseless” and predicting that it would not hold up under scrutiny. The ruling is a major blow to Khan and his party, which had shown resilience in the 2024 general elections despite political turmoil. PTI-affiliated candidates, forced to run as independents, secured the most seats but fell short of forming a majority government. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, has faced a series of legal challenges since being ousted from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022. While he has been acquitted or seen sentences suspended in most cases, he remains convicted in charges related to inciting violence. The May 9, 2023, arrest of Khan triggered violent protests, with his supporters storming military installations. This led to a heightened security situation and his subsequent trial being conducted within the jail premises. Khan’s sentencing marks another chapter in Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape, as his party continues to grapple with the fallout of legal battles and a fractured political base. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully achieved space docking for the first time, joining two small spacecraft in orbit. This technological breakthrough is a crucial step toward India's long-term goals of constructing a space station and sending humans to the Moon. The mission, known as SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment), launched from Sriharikota on December 30 aboard a single rocket carrying two spacecraft. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft separated and began traveling at carefully calibrated speeds. Although the docking was initially planned for January 7, it faced multiple delays due to additional testing and technical adjustments. On January 16, ISRO announced that India had become only the fourth nation—after the United States, Russia, and China—to master space docking technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present at ISRO's Bangalore office during the operation, called the achievement a "significant stepping stone" for India's future space endeavors. Federal Science Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed relief and pride in the mission's success. The two spacecraft involved, named SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target), each weigh approximately 220 kilograms. After separation, they maintained a distance of 10-20 kilometers to prepare for the docking process. According to Mila Mitra, a former NASA scientist, scientists gradually reduced this distance, maneuvering the Chaser closer to the Target until they successfully mated the two satellites. The docking operation required extreme precision and coordination. Initially, both spacecraft were placed in the same orbit to enable the Chaser to approach the Target. On the final day, engineers reduced their speeds, gradually closing the gap to just three meters. The spacecraft were then latched and screwed together, forming an airtight connection to enable the safe transfer of materials or crew. ISRO officials revealed that the next phase of the mission involves testing the transfer of electrical power from the Chaser to the Target. This critical experiment aims to demonstrate India's capability to send spacecraft to service others in orbit. Additionally, the mission will test undocking procedures and inter-satellite communication, as the spacecraft must relay data both to Earth and to each other during these operations. ISRO's SpaDeX mission represents a significant milestone in India's space program, showcasing the nation's growing expertise in advanced space technologies and paving the way for ambitious future missions. Disclaimer:This image is taken from ISRO.

SingPost fired three senior executives for mishandling internal investigations related to a whistleblower report. This raises questions about the protections available for whistleblowers and how companies can ensure transparency and independence when investigating such complaints. Steven Chia and Crispina Robert delve into these issues with insights from Professor Mak Yuen Teen from NUS and Celeste Ang from Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow. Disclaimer: This Podcats is taken from CNA.

On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake triggered devastating tsunami waves that claimed over 225,000 lives across 12 countries. In a special anniversary episode, CNA's Saifulbahri Ismail shares his discussions with survivors from Indonesia and Sri Lanka with Teresa Tang. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

The Northern Territory coroner has released findings from an inquest into the tragic domestic violence deaths of four Aboriginal women. The landmark report highlights widespread systemic failures and offers 35 recommendations to address what has been described as an “epidemic of violence.” Nour Haydar discusses the inquest with Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam, and reporter Sarah Collard, focusing on the lives of the four women at the center of the investigation and the coroner’s conclusions. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has warned of imposing tariffs on all imports to the United States, a decision that could trigger a trade war and endanger export-reliant economies in Asia, including Malaysia. In 2023, the U.S. was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, and the country is home to foreign companies vital to global supply chains. Arnold Gay discusses with CNA’s Malaysia correspondent, Melissa Goh, to explore how Malaysia, as an ASEAN member, is gearing up for Trump's 'America First' policy. Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.