New lottery scheme, discount packs: China makes $374m push to boost Chinese New Year spending
The new campaign is the latest bid by China to boost flagging domestic consumption.
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Kyrgyzstan moves to purge allies of ousted security chief
BISHKEK, Feb 12 - The speaker of Kyrgyzstan's parliament resigned on Thursday and several allies of the country's ousted security chief Kamchybek Tashiev were detained, as President Sadyr Japarov moved to purge supporters of the one-time close ally he dismissed on Tuesday.
Syria says it has taken over al-Tanf base vacated by US troops
Feb 12 - Syria's Defence Ministry said on Thursday that Syrian army units had taken control of the al-Tanf military base vacated by U.S. troops, following coordination between Syrian and U.S. authorities.
Severed arm found at Sabah dumpsite leads to discovery of more body parts
The victim was believed to have been dismembered into at least seven parts using a sharp tool.
India farmers protest US trade deal
Farmer unions called the deal announced last week a "total surrender" to American agricultural giants.
Polls close in first election since Gen Z protests ousted Bangladesh leader
Voters are hoping for a return to democracy after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Sheikh Hasina.
Face of China’s Year of the Fire Horse? Draco Malfoy, of course
The Chinese Year of the Fire Horse has a new, unexpected mascot: Draco Malfoy. Associating the Harry Potter antagonist with China’s Year of the Fire Horse might seem odd or whimsical. But it has much to teach us about the complexities of Chinese Mandarin wordplay, online
China lowers EU dairy tariffs in final ruling after 18-month probe
China will impose tariffs ranging from 7.4 per cent to 11.7 per cent on dairy imports from the EU.
Kim Jong Un chooses teen daughter as heir, says Seoul
South Korea's spy agency says Ki Ju Ae's prominent public presence indicates she is the chosen heir.
China’s demographic crisis has moved from theory to fact
China’s demographic crisis is no longer a distant projection buried in academic journals or UN forecasts. It has become an observable fact, confirmed by official statistics and increasingly felt across Chinese society. In January 2026, China’s National Bureau of Statistics
Ukrainian drone strike causes fire at refinery in Russia's Komi region, governor says
MOSCOW, Feb 12 - A Ukrainian drone attack has caused a fire at an oil refinery owned by Lukoil near Ukhta in Russia's northwestern Komi Republic, the head of the region, Rostislav Goldshtein, said on Thursday.
South Korea’s culture minister says lifting of China’s Hallyu ban remains fragile
Mr Chae said there has been little tangible advancement in lifting of restrictions.
China calls Taiwan’s President Lai a ‘war instigator’
Lai had called for greater defence and artificial intelligence cooperation between Taiwan and Europe.
Principal dies after Thailand school shooting
School director Sasiphat Sinsamosorn died in hospital early on Thursday (Feb 12) after being admitted with gunshot wounds and undergoing surgery.
South Korea's ex-interior minister jailed for role in martial law crisis
Lee Sang-min was found to have instructed authorities to cut power to media outlets deemed critical of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
US pushes AI funding, fisheries tech at APEC amid China rivalry
GUANGZHOU, Feb 12 - The Trump administration is promoting artificial intelligence exports and maritime surveillance technology at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in southern China this week, as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s technological and maritime
Indonesia to pay Whoosh HSR debt to China from state funds: Minister
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said technical discussions on the repayment mechanism are still underway, with negotiations led by the CEO of Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara.
Will China power or pollute Indonesia’s EV battery dream?
Indonesia has announced a US$7-8 billion partnership to build a large-scale electric vehicle battery ecosystem. The project, called Titan, involves state-owned companies Antam and Industri Baterai Indonesia, together with a Chinese consortium led by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt. The
Selangor school stabbing: Malaysian teen pleads not guilty to murder of schoolmate in 2025
The victim was found dead in the school toilet after she was suspected to have been stabbed repeatedly.
Chinese tourists head to Russia, Thailand on extended Lunar New Year break
HONG KONG/BEIJING, Feb 12 - More Chinese tourists are expected to travel overseas during next week's extra-long Lunar New Year break, with top destinations ranging from Russia and Australia to Thailand and South Korea, travel agencies say, but Japan has lost some sheen.
Chinese tourists head to Russia, Thailand on extended Chinese New Year break
China expects a record 9.5 billion passenger trips during the accompanying 40‑day travel rush.
Former South Korean interior minister Lee Sang-min jailed 7 years in martial law case
He is accused of playing a key role in the insurrection relating to ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Former South Korean interior minister jailed for 7 years in martial law case
SEOUL, Feb 12 - A South Korean court on Thursday sentenced former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to seven years in prison for his role in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched attempt to place the country under martial law in December 2024.
The mirage of regime change in Cuba
As Washington once again contemplates its approach to Cuba, familiar voices are calling for more aggressive policies to hasten the end of the Castro-era political system. This reflexive interventionism ignores both the lessons of history and the realities of contemporary
Malaysia’s police to put brakes on errant drivers during festive period
Police chief says over 2.8 million vehicles are projected to hit the roads during the period.
America First in Myanmar means rejecting China’s election ploy
A recent column in Forbes, entitled “New U.S. Minerals Stockpile Creates Opportunities in Myanmar,” argues that Washington should pivot from sanctioning Myanmar’s junta to “structured engagement” built around critical minerals and a new US stockpile. It portrays Myanmar as
Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions
Made-in-China vehicles account for nearly half of total vehicles sold in Russia in 2025.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Yunus says post-uprising polls mark end of ‘nightmare’
He has also pushed a reform charter for democratic change designed to prevent a return to autocratic one-party rule.
Monkey business: Conflicts involving animals cost Malaysia $1.6m worth of losses in 5 years
The causes of such conflicts include shrinking animal habitats and the primates' rapid reproductive rates.
Risk of Nipah spread low after cases in India, Bangladesh: WHO
Three cases of infection were recently confirmed in India and Bangladesh.
Trump’s trade deal with India has become a headache for Modi
The potential costs to India in terms of trade and foreign policy are multiplying.
People in Japan scammed out of record $2.7 billion in 2025
This is 62.8 per cent higher than in 2024.
China is the bright spot in Trump’s foreign policy
After one year in office, the Trump administration’s foreign policy has drawn mostly negative reviews. Major efforts to bring peace to both Eastern Europe and the Middle East—both admittedly tall orders—have resulted in meager progress. That is to say nothing of the intense
North Korea’s Kim positioning daughter as successor: Seoul spy agency briefing
There are signs she is providing input on policy matters, South Korean lawmakers said.
3 Johor pupils recover from TB; 4 more still being treated
No schools in the Malaysian state have been instructed to close for now.
Why Malaysia’s latest judicial commissioner picks are reviving worries about court independence
The appointments come just months after the country narrowly avoided a judicial crisis in July last year.
China's Xi Jinping makes rare reference to recent military purge
Zhang Youxia, widely seen as Xi's closest military ally, was in January removed from his post.
US wields nuclear test claim to press China on arms control
A disputed Chinese nuclear test has become the latest stress test for a global arms control system already coming apart. At the Conference on Disarmament, the US accused China this month of carrying out a covert nuclear explosive test in June 2020. The allegation came just a
More seniors in China growing addicted to the internet; loneliness, boredom cited as key reasons
One senior spent 10,000 yuan (S$1,820) tipping streamers within a month.
Cambodia floats new law in crackdown on gangs running scam farms
Cambodia does not have a comprehensive set of laws to address crimes related to scams.
Nearly 3,000 bullying cases recorded in Malaysia’s govt schools in 2025: Education Minister
As at Nov 19, 2025, safety audits had been carried out at 1,758 schools .
Protests expected on Israeli President Herzog’s last day in Australia
Police and protesters clashed in Sydney on the evening of Feb 9, with 27 arrested.
Protests expected on Israeli President Herzog's last day in Australia
SYDNEY, Feb 12 - Pro-Palestine protesters will rally in Melbourne on Thursday on the final day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's trip to Australia, following protests in the capital Canberra and violent clashes between protesters and police in Sydney.
Japan’s main opposition begins two-horse leadership race after election defeat
A new leader - either Mr Junya Ogawa or Mr Takeshi Shina - is set to be chosen on Feb 13.
Fire breaks out in Orang Asli village in Johor, damaging 30 houses
The operation to contain the fire is ongoing.
UN aid relief a potential opening for Trump-Kim talks, say analysts
No tangible progress has been made between the US and North Korea since a 2019 summit collapsed.