South Korea seeks closer China cooperation to secure critical mineral supply chains

South Korean governor draws criticism for suggesting importing women for marriage as population fix

Mr Kim's comment sparked complaints from over 15,000 viewers watching via YouTube livestream.

Gold’s center of gravity moving from West to East

For decades, London reigned supreme in the global gold market. Its vast over-the-counter (OTC) system, built on unallocated accounts, netted trades and trust in paper claims set benchmarks and kept most bullion circulating as a financial instrument rather than plain physical

Quartet banned from conveyor-belt sushi bar in South Korea for bulk-ordering salmon, flounder dishes

They ordered 20 plates of flounder sushi and 10 plates of salmon, among other dishes.

Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye’s home seized over unpaid debt

Ousted leader Park Geun-hye borrowed 2.5 billion won (S$2.1 million) to purchase the home in 2022.

Australia dodges call for arrest of visiting Israel president

Australia’s Foreign Minister said he was invited in line with wishes by the Jewish community.

Pokemon theme park opens in Tokyo

Pokemon is one of Japan’s top cultural exports since its origin in 1996.

‘It’s no laughing matter’: Culinary gas becomes deadly party trend in Indonesia

The death of a 26-year old influencer has thrown nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, into the national spotlight.

Taiwan should have no illusions about America’s support

For decades, Taiwan has drawn comfort from the belief that the United States stands as its ultimate security guarantor. Recent statements from Washington again describe Taiwan as a “vital partner” in technology, semiconductors and economic security. Yet history suggests that

Indonesia moves to professionalise padel as sport’s rapid rise fuels demand for licensed coaches, referees

Padel in Indonesia has enjoyed a strong start but the real test is turning today’s excitement into lasting impact, said observers.

Fewer storms, more heatwaves expected in Vietnam for 2026

Cold fronts in the early months of 2026 are expected to be weaker.

Thailand's pilot PM Anutin on course to keep top job

Analysts expect him to emerge from post-election negotiations at the head of a new coalition.

33 TB cases found in Kota Tinggi outbreak: Johor health department

Malaysia's Health Ministry officials are working to limit the spread of the disease, said the health minister.

Australia says attempted bombing of national day protest was act of terror

SYDNEY, Feb 5 - Australian authorities said on Thursday they were treating as a terrorism incident an attempt to bomb a rally protesting against the country's national day on January 26, the first such charge in the state of Western Australia.

South Korea trade envoy says making 'good faith' efforts to meet terms of US deal

US President Donald Trump threatened last week to hike tariffs on imports from South Korea, blaming a delay in enacting a trade deal in which the Asian ally promised to invest US$350 billion in the United States.

Australian police charge man after finding 23,000 child abuse images

Victims were aged between seven and 15 and lived both in Australia and abroad.

Indonesia expects preferential US market access under new tariff deal, says presidential trade envoy

Indonesia’s Presidential Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation Mari Pangestu told CNA the deal reflects a more balanced approach to trade and investment ties.

Lorry driver killed, 30 hurt in crash involving express bus and two lorries on Malaysian highway

The accident involved an express bus, a 10-tonne bonded lorry and a trailer lorry.

As Coupang data leak probe in South Korea drags on, delivery workers, sellers bear the cost

Declining user activity and order volumes have rippled through Coupang’s logistics ecosystem.

Indonesia’s F-15 fighter jet deal falls through after years of talks

The deal is Indonesia’s attempt to modernise its air force’s ageing fleet.

Canada must maintain working-level trade ties with China, says ex-trade minister

United States President Donald Trump recently warned of imposing a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian imports if Ottawa deepens trade engagement with Beijing.

Watch: CNA Summit 2026 in Indonesia on smart growth in a new era

Today’s leaders face shifting geopolitics, faster AI adoption and rising expectations for inclusive growth. Tune into the CNA Summit 2026 as senior decision-makers discuss how to turn capital into delivery confidence, scale innovation across diverse markets, and build resilient

Malaysian cross-border workers welcome insurance scheme covering commute to Singapore

Some workers spoke of witnessing accidents on the Causeway or checkpoint building during commutes.

Dozens hospitalised after nitric acid leak in Indonesia, raising safety concerns

Direct inhalation of nitric acid can cause burns on the skin, eye irritation and respiratory infections.

Relations with US ‘rock solid’, Taiwan President says after Trump-Xi call

In December, the Trump administration announced a record US$11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

Relations with US 'rock solid,' Taiwan president says after Trump-Xi call

TAIPEI, Feb 5 - Relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are \"rock-solid\" and cooperation programmes will continue and not change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the democratically governed island with President Donald

Fake ‘haha’ reactions attack political opponents ahead of Bangladesh elections

The investigation found that such attacks not only mock a post, but also reduces its visibility.

US launches plan to tackle China's critical minerals dominance

The event was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries, the White House said.

US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump

Wednesday's call comes in the wake of a flurry of visits by Western leaders to China in recent months.

Growing calls in India to restrict children's social media use

Some Indian states have said they are examining Australia's law curbing social media for children.

Gen Z toppled an autocrat - but old guard tipped to win Bangladesh vote

A student uprising promised a new dawn in Bangladesh but old parties are tipped to win a landmark election.

New insurance scheme to cover Malaysians working in Singapore

The scheme would ensure they remain covered even during their daily cross-border commute.

How India repositions its trade diplomacy via EU, US negotiations

Global markets barely had time to digest the announcement that India and the European Union (EU) had sealed their long-delayed free trade agreement when US President Donald Trump, in a characteristically overdone social-media flourish, proclaimed that Washington, too, was on

Trump, Xi discuss Taiwan and soybeans in call aimed at easing China, US relations

Both leaders publicly affirmed their personal stakes in strong relations after the call, their first since November.

UN chief calls New START expiration 'grave moment'

Feb 4 - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called the expiration of the New START Treaty a grave moment for international peace and security and urged Russia and the United States to negotiate a new nuclear arms control framework without delay.

Australia charges teenager over alleged death threats to Israeli President Herzog

SYDNEY, Feb 5 - An Australian teenager has been charged for allegedly making online death threats against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, ahead of his upcoming visit to Australia.

End of ‘Pax Americana’ doesn’t necessarily mean a less-safe world

America’s role in the world is changing. If this wasn’t obvious before, it should be now, following President Donald Trump’s efforts to take over Greenland and his visibly strained relations with traditional allies in Europe and elsewhere. But how much will the world change if

A global craze for Korean culture is making its humblest snacks unaffordable

Black, crispy, often flat and square, dried seaweed is growing in popularity - but also in price.

UK asks Air India to explain Boeing Dreamliner fuel-switch incident

Fuel switches were at the centre of the Air India crash that killed 260 people in 2025.

Supply chains and China’s Hormuz imperative

In the evolving landscape of 21st-century energy security, global attention often gravitates toward the maritime disputes of East Asia. However, a structural analysis of global energy flows indicates that the true center of gravity for Asian economic stability remains thousands

Thailand Election 2026: Debt worries, economic uncertainty loom large on voters’ minds

With Thai households under financial strain, economists say debt and global trade risks could hugely impact who voters pick on Sunday (Feb 8).

Elect KL mayor? Malaysian MPs trade barbs over an issue that is ‘racialised for too long’

Proponents say it is a practical way to improve governance in the capital city, but critics argue it would sideline vulnerable groups. Analysts say central to the issue is race.

Commentary: What Asia risks now that the last nuclear guardrails are gone

Discussions about the need for independent nuclear capabilities are no longer seen as fringe ideas in some parts of Asia, says Patricia M Kim from Brookings Institution.

Commentary: Chinese AI videos used to look fake. Now they are making money

Beijing-based Kuaishou has spent the past year recasting itself as an AI video contender with global ambitions and it is succeeding, says Catherine Thorbecke for Bloomberg Opinion.

Indonesia’s unlikely activists: How white-collar workers are finding their voice

Indonesia’s urban middle class has become an increasingly prominent part of the country’s civil society.

India’s Kerala state rolls out new form of identification: Protection or exclusion?

The nativity card, the first in India, is for residents seeking access to services in Kerala.

Japan’s ‘Owl’ spy satellites in orbit

Earth observation specialist Synspective has been selected as a partner company in the Satellite Constellation Project of Japan’s Ministry of Defense. A designer and operator of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, it will contribute imaging data and analytics to the

In calls with Trump and Putin, Xi sets stage for US meeting, reaffirms Russian ties

The calls, held hours apart, come as the Ukraine war anniversary and nuclear treaty expiry loom.