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A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone before take-off in Puerto Rico on December 26, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Venezuela

Trump says US ‘hit’ drug boat loading facility in Venezuela pressure campaign

If confirmed, it would mark the first known land strike on Venezuelan soil since the US began its lethal anti-cartel campaign in September.

Venezuela

Venezuela ‘frees 99 prisoners’ detained after 2024 election protests

The Philippines

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

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China-Latin America relations

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

Venezuela turns to UN as Trump’s oil crackdown intensifies and Caracas advances a law targeting those in support of naval blockades.

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Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA
China-Latin America relations

China says US broke international law by seizing oil tankers off Venezuela

Situation intensifies as Beijing condemns tanker seizures and US security chief calls to remove Nicolas Maduro from power.

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Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

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US-China relations

China showcases joint effort with US in drugs-related money laundering case

Case spanning both nations saw two men sentenced to jail following US tip-off, People’s Daily reports.

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A court in northern China has sentenced two men to prison and fined them for “illegal trading of foreign exchange and disrupting the financial market order”, according to Chinese state media. Photo: dpa
Crime in Hong Kong

Passenger flung from car as 3 arrested after high-speed chase in Hong Kong

Driver and two passengers arrested for various offences after parked car and truck hit during wild ride in New Territories.

Malaysia

‘One of the biggest ever’: Malaysia busts US$375 million drug ring

Six arrested in raids on a syndicate that could have supplied drugs to 68.5 million users according to narcotics officials.

United States

Trump leaves war with Venezuela on the table, threatens more seizures: NBC

The comments increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s regime, but Trump wouldn’t say if ousting the Venezuelan leader was his ultimate goal.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump told NBC News he’s keeping the possibility of war with Venezuela on the table. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

The US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which has been operating in the region. Photo: US Navy via AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

US forces strike another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4

The attack brought the total number of known boat strikes to 26, while at least 99 people have been killed.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela

Venezuelan government condemns blockade as ‘irrational’ after the US president demands it ‘return’ oil, land and assets to the US.

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Fame and celebrity

US doctor who helped sell ketamine to Matthew Perry avoids prison time

Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and must do 300 hours of community service.

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Mark Chavez is seen in Los Angeles in October 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore court dismisses challenge to mandatory death penalty for drugs

Singapore’s High Court rejects first constitutional challenge in 15 years to decades-old law as executions rise; activists may appeal.

People gather next to the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade in Singapore. Officials say Singapore’s death penalty helps keep the city among the world’s safest. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China seizes 430kg cocaine aided by US intel, in sign anti-drug pact is working

Chinese authorities uncovered the drug in an international container at the Yantian port in Shenzhen, according to CCTV.

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Americas and the Caribbean

US military boat strikes kill 8, adding to drug war death toll

The US military said it targeted ‘designated terrorist organisations’, and posted video of an operation in the eastern Pacific.

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Donald Trump

Trump considers reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug

Reclassification could have ripple effects in the US, and represent one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades.

Dozens of US states already have legal medical marijuana programmes, and many also have approved its recreational use. Photo: TNS
United States

Trump declares fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction’

US president dramatically escalates his fight against the drug by signing an executive order and warning against the ‘scourge’ of fentanyl.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Tensions rise as US prepares to seize more tankers with Venezuelan oil

Seizure off Venezuela signals a crackdown on a shadow fleet of tankers and financially squeezing the Maduro government.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Tanker seized off Venezuela to be taken to US port, as threat of war grows

White House justifies targeting ‘black-market oil’ as Russia expresses support for its ally, Nicolas Maduro.

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The tanker as it was being seized by US forces off the coast of Venezuela this week. Photo: US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s X account via Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?

As tensions escalate in the Caribbean, the world waits for Washington’s next move.

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US Marines wade ashore from a landing craft during amphibious operations in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
United States

Forget the war on drugs. The US has gone to war on a font

The US State Department is ditching Calibri font, to restore ‘decorum and professionalism’.

China-Latin America relations

US senators warn of China-cartel links forming a global ‘Silk Road of crime’

At a Senate hearing, officials described Chinese money brokers as key to laundering cartel funds and fuelling the illicit fentanyl trade.

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Indonesia

Video | Indonesia sends home Dutch death row convict

Two Dutch nationals convicted of drug offences returned home after more than a decade in prison a week after Indonesia and the Netherlands signed a repatriation deal.

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Singapore

Myanmar teen to be first foreigner deported under Singapore’s new Kpod law

As of September 1, foreigners with Kpods or testing positive for etomidate may be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

A teenager was found to be in possession of an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate during a routine check by police. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over possession of suspected dangerous drugs

Man, 55, and woman, 49, stopped in Cheung Sha Wan with officers seizing cartridges and packets of suspected etomidate and methamphetamine.

Fame and celebrity

US actress Tara Reid seen downing wine in footage from night of alleged drugging

The ‘American Pie’ star accused a YouTuber of spiking her drink, but he denies it and authorities say the video is clear.

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