Suicide bomber kills 12 at mosque in Pakistan's capital, police say

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - A suicide bomber killed at least 12 people during Friday prayers in a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, two police officials said.

Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono summoned by police over Netflix show

Several killed in Islamabad mosque explosion, say police

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - An explosion ripped through a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad on Friday killing several worshippers, police said.

UN Security Council to exempt sanctions on humanitarian aid for North Korea, source says

SEOUL, Feb 6 - A United Nations committee has approved exemptions from wide-reaching sanctions against North Korea to allow fresh humanitarian aid to reach the country, a diplomatic source said on Friday, amid a push by Seoul and Washington to engage Pyongyang.

Indonesian comedian summoned by police over Netflix show

JAKARTA, Feb 6 - A prominent Indonesian comedian who became the first from his country to air a special on Netflix was summoned by police on Friday over what they called public complaints about the material he used in his stand-up act.

New START’s expiration invites new nuclear arms race

The New START treaty, the last remaining agreement constraining Russian and US nuclear weapons, lapsed on February 4. There are no negotiations to extend the terms of the treaty, either. As US President Donald Trump said dismissively in a recent interview, “if it expires, it

Gas-filled balloons explode inside Mumbai lift, injuring delivery worker and student

The student had just arrived in Mumbai to visit a relative when the balloons were being delivered for a birthday celebration in the same building.

Hong Kong’s tolerance for shortcuts has turned deadly

Hong Kong prides itself on being a first world city. So how did such a thing like the Tai Po fire happen?

Trump has been clear on wanting new nuclear arms control treaty, says US official

GENEVA, Feb 6 - The U.S. on Friday called for a new arms control agreement after the treaty that set caps on Russia and the U.S.'s strategic nuclear weapons deployments for more than two decades expired on Thursday.

UN to approve sanction exemptions on N. Korea aid projects: Sources

The move would the provision of aid such as medical equipment and water purification systems.

China’s ‘Starlink killer’ new cutting edge of microwave weapons

China’s latest high-power microwave (HPM) breakthrough, a powerful truck-mountable system described by Chinese researchers and Chinese media as a potential counter to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as Starlink, signals a shift toward non-kinetic weapons designed to

Cement truck plunges into Penang Hospital construction site, killing one

The incident occurred at 11.29am on Feb 6 and the Indonesian victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Japan’s election tests its ability to navigate the Trump era

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Japan’s political equilibrium is on the ballotScott Foster reports that Japan’s February 8 election will decide whether the LDP regains one-party dominance or remains

Taiwan to seek extension of arms deals with US amid budget stand-off

Taiwan’s defence ministry has warned any delay could postpone much-needed weapons deliveries.

Takaichi seeks voter blessing for a new fiscal blowout

TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party looks set to strengthen its hold on parliament in Sunday’s election, which, if so, will free her to pump new waves of stimulus into Japan’s underperforming economy. Voters appear jazzed by the prospect of reopening those fiscal

Fire near Hong Kong wholesale food market extinguished

HONG KONG, Feb 6 - A fire engulfing eight vehicles outside a Hong Kong wholesale food market was put out on Friday, according to the fire services department, after plumes of black smoke could be seen rising above the western part of the city's Kowloon peninsula.

China open to talks with Lithuania after apparent change in Taiwan stance

BEIJING, Feb 6 - China said on Friday it was open to dialogue with Lithuania after the Baltic nation's prime minister described as a \"mistake\" its 2021 decision to let Taiwan set up a de facto embassy in the capital of Vilnius.

China says open to communicating with Lithuania after apparent change in Taiwan stance

BEIJING, Feb 6 - China said on Friday that it was open to dialogue with Lithuania - remarks that come after Lithuania's prime minister described a 2021 decision to let Taiwan set up a de facto embassy in its capital Vilnius as a \"mistake\".

Senior Russian officer in hospital after being shot in Moscow

MOSCOW, Feb 6 - A senior Russian officer, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, was rushed to hospital after being shot in Moscow on Friday, officials said.

WANTED: Volunteers to host nuclear waste, forever

LONDON/WASHINGTON, Feb 6 - The Trump administration's plan to unleash a wave of small futuristic nuclear reactors to power the AI era is falling back on an age-old strategy to dispose of the highly toxic waste: bury it at the bottom of a very deep hole.

Indonesia may leave US-led Board of Peace if goal of Palestinian independence not met: Minister

Indonesia Foreign Minister Sugiono made the remarks after accompanying President Prabowo Subianto to a meeting with more than 40 Islamic leaders and representatives from Islamic organisations.

‘Several tonnes’ of rubbish cleared from Bali’s beaches after criticism from Prabowo

Bali has been grappling with a growing waste crisis in recent years.

Why Xi spoke with Putin and Trump in back-to-back calls - and what it says about China’s ambitions

Analysts say the rare same-day calls on Wednesday (Feb 4) were a calculated move by Beijing to assert its centrality and maximise leverage as great-power politics hardens.

In ousted PM Sheikh Hasina’s home town in Bangladesh, voters face an unfamiliar ballot

For the first time in decades, her Awami League party’s “boat” symbol is absent.

Why struggling Thailand keeps voting for change that never comes

The reality is that whoever wins government will inherit an economy with little fiscal or monetary room.

Philippines aims to wrap up talks on South China Sea code this year

The code has been under discussion for years, but the talks have stalled repeatedly over disagreements on its scope, enforcement and legal status.

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, an election bulldozer

The LDP has governed Japan for all but four years since its founding seven decades ago.

Marathon coach regains license after athlete interaction controversy

The controversial incident took place on Nov 23, 2025, but was not listed as an official reason for punishment despite public criticism.

Reversing car smashes through neighbour's fence in viral video in Malaysia

The driver apparently lost control while reversing the Perodua Viva car just after 8am on Feb 3. Security camera footage of the incident circulating online sparked safety concerns.

Ong-Bak star Tony Jaa reportedly battling gallbladder cancer, say Thai media

The action star is reportedly receiving treatment for gallbladder cancer. A source close to him shared that he was diagnosed in 2024 and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

Seoul official says ‘new progress’ on North Korea possible in coming days

A report saying the Trump administration has decided to approve humanitarian sanctions exemptions for Pyongyang.

In Hasina’s hometown in Bangladesh, voters face an unfamiliar ballot

GOPALGANJ, Bangladesh, Feb 6 - For the first time in decades, the image that once defined the hometown of Bangladesh's ousted premier Sheikh Hasina during elections, her Awami League party's \"boat\" symbol, is absent.

Former Malaysian PM Mahathir allowed ‘home leave’ a month after hip fracture

The medical team monitoring Dr Mahathir’s progress are satisfied with his recovery.

Australia drug kingpin walks free after police informant scandal

His case fell apart after his lawyer at the time fed information to police while supposedly defending her clients.

China probes mental hospitals over reports patients are being locked up in insurance scam

Media reports of psychiatric institutes locking up patients - including people without mental illness - as part of an insurance scam triggered a nationwide review.

Hong Kong to sentence media mogul Jimmy Lai on Feb 9

Jimmy Lai will be sentenced alongside eight co-defendants on Monday (Feb 9), including six executives of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper.

At least 18 die in 'rat-hole' mine blast in India

Rescue operations are on as more people are feared trapped inside the mine, police say.

Australia, Indonesia sign security deal in hedge against China

The deal is largely based on an agreement signed 30 years ago.

Taiwan’s political stand-off stalls $51b defence spending plan

Divisions in Parliament have resulted in the government’s proposal being blocked 10 times since December.

Indonesia signs security pact with Australia

It commits them to consult each other if either country is threatened.

Drones spiking risk of a mega-miscalculation in Persian Gulf

The United States Navy’s decision to shoot down an Iranian drone in the Arabian Sea is not in itself extraordinary. What is, however, is how routine such encounters have become and how thin the margin for miscalculation is in the Persian Gulf and its surrounding waters.

Malaysian authorities busted ‘Ninja Turtle’ syndicate that breeds, sells exotic turtles

Fifty turtles were seized when authorities raided three locations.

Thailand’s party spots dry up with election day booze bans

It is illegal to sell, pay for or give away any kind of alcoholic drink during two 24-hour windows linked to voting.

USS John F Kennedy exposes America’s carrier crunch vs China

The USS John F. Kennedy’s progress toward service highlights both the US Navy’s investment in carriers and the mounting pressure on a fleet stretched thin by global commitments. This month, multiple media outlets reported that the US Navy’s next carrier, the future USS John F.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai to be sentenced on Feb 9

The 78-year-old democracy campaigner faces possible life imprisonment.

Murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya’s family returns over $1.5m in damages to Malaysia govt

It was returned after a Court of Appeal ruling that absolved the government of liability in her death.

Taiwan teams with US firm Kratos to build attack drones to counter China

Taiwan is seeking to expand security ties with the US, including jointly developing and manufacturing weapons.