Sussan Ley and the glass cliff: Does Australian politics still have a problem with women?

The Liberal Party elected its first female leader at a time of crisis. She lasted less than a year.

Japan says 'significant gaps' with US in trade package talks

China’s SDV sub exporting gray-zone warfare to the Gulf

China’s low-key rollout of an underwater commando craft in Saudi Arabia highlights how it is linking special operations warfare with a global arms-sales push. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China’s state-owned shipbuilder China State Shipbuilding

‘Punk wellness’: China’s stressed youth mix traditional medicine and cocktails

“TCM bars” have popped up in several cities across China.

Sydney police to be investigated by watchdog after anti-Herzog protest violence

Videos have emerged of police appearing to punch protesters at rally against Israeli president on Monday.

North Korea warns of 'terrible response' if South sends more drones

Seoul initially denied any official involvement in a January drone incursion, with officials suggesting it was the work of civilians.

US lawmakers step up pressure on Taiwan parliament to approve defence spending

TAIPEI, Feb 13 - A bipartisan group of 37 U.S. lawmakers have written to senior Taiwanese politicians expressing concern about parliament stalling proposed defence spending, saying that the threat posed by China has never been greater.

US lawmakers step up pressure on Taiwan Parliament to approve defence spending

The US must address the massive backlog in weapons deliveries to Taiwan, the letter said.

Malaysia’s anti-graft chief says open to probe on his shareholding after media report

The report said Mr Azam Baki held shares that were currently worth about RM800,000 (S$259,000).

US, Taiwan finalise deal to cut tariffs, boost purchases of US goods

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 - Trump administration officials signed a final reciprocal trade agreement that confirmed a 15% U.S. tariff rate for imports from Taiwan, while committing Taiwan to a schedule for eliminating or lowering tariffs on nearly all U.S. goods.

Malaysia's anti-graft chief says open to probe on his shareholding after media report

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 - Malaysia's anti-corruption chief said on Friday he was willing to be investigated by a government committee amid calls for him to step down after a media report alleged he held shares in a company above the permitted limit for public servants.

More cloud seeding under way to beat dry season, says Malaysian disaster agency

The agency is addressing the decli­ning water levels due to dry weather.

2 arrested after woman found dismembered in Sabah, jealousy the motive, say police

A trash collector stumbled upon a dismembered arm that fell out of a rubbish bag.

Public spat between two Indonesia ministers raises questions about weak coordination

The dispute gained attention on social media but appeared to be resolved shortly after.

New Zealand net migration sinks to its lowest level in more than a decade

Data showed 66,300 New Zealand citizens left the country, with 61 per cent headed to Australia.

Japan says it seized Chinese vessel amid tensions with Beijing

The fishing boat tried to flee when ordered to stop for an inspection inside Japan's territorial waters, authorities say.

200 students in North Sumatra fall ill after consuming government-provided lunch

The programme started in 2025 but has been plagued by issues from the beginning.

Australia's Liberal Party ousts first woman leader

Sussan Ley, plagued by poor polls, was deposed by Angus Taylor after just nine months in the job.

US, Taiwan finalize deal to cut tariffs, boost purchases of US goods

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 - Trump administration officials signed a final reciprocal trade agreement that confirmed a 15% U.S. tariff rate for imports from Taiwan, while committing Taiwan to a schedule for eliminating or lowering tariffs on nearly all U.S. goods.

South Korean court rules against women in LG inheritance lawsuit

The judge said it was difficult to conclude that LG officials had engaged in deceptive conduct.

Japan seizes Chinese fishing vessel, arrests captain

It was the first time since 2022 that the agency has seized a Chinese fishing boat.

Bangladesh's BNP wins historic parliamentary election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party easily secured 185 seats in Bangladesh's 300-member parliament, easily crossing the halfway mark for a simple majority.

Australia’s main opposition party ousts leader Sussan Ley as polls drop

Liberal Party lawmakers elected former defence spokesman Angus Taylor as the party’s new leader.

Australia opposition elects former energy minister Taylor as new leader, ABC reports

SYDNEY, Feb 13 - Australia's opposition Liberal Party on Friday elected former Energy and Emissions Minister Angus Taylor as its new leader, media reported, replacing Sussan Ley less than a year after the conservative party's heavy defeat at the national election.

Beijing upset as Dutch court blocks Wingtech bid to recontrol Nexperia

The Chinese government has urged its counterpart in the Netherlands to take the initiative to resolve the dispute surrounding Nexperia after a Dutch court ordered an investigation into the auto chipmaker’s mismanagement by China’s Wingtech Technology. “The root cause of the

North Korea warns of ‘terrible response’ if South Korea sends more drones

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warned Seoul that such incidents would not be tolerated.

North Korea says South Korea should take steps to prevent violation of its sovereignty

SEOUL, Feb 13 - North Korea's Kim Yo Jong said in a statement on Friday that South Korean authorities should take steps to prevent \"reoccurrence of provocative sovereignty violation,\" state media KCNA reported, referring to a drone flown into its airspace recently.

What is behind 60% spike in Malaysia court cases and can judges keep up?

Lawyers and experts weigh in on why both civil and criminal court cases have shot up - and the implications for Malaysia’s justice system.

Commentary: India and Malaysia show what middle powers can do amid a rupture in world order

Most middle powers are now at their most open period to work with others to diversify outside of the US and China, says political analyst James Chai.

Commentary: Chinese electric vehicles made in the US - is that possible?

The fortress built by Washington to keep Chinese electric vehicles out is no longer looking so impregnable, says an analyst.

‘Fated to be lovers across eras’: Singapore couples go to China for time-travelling wedding shoots

The wedding photos and videos are often inspired by popular Chinese drama and films.

Bangladesh’s BNP wins historic parliamentary election

It is the first election since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

America’s security bargains in Northeast Asia are being redrawn

The stability of Northeast Asia has long rested on two strategic bargains with South Korea and Japan, forged out of the Korean War and formalized in security treaties. South Korea was compelled to accept the de facto division of the country in exchange for a treaty commitment,

Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman: From exile to winning power

Mr Rahman has pledged to recalibrate Bangladesh’s international partnerships to attract investment.

Loud expats unrepresentative of opinion back in Iran, other lands

As protest and military action raised the prospect of regime change in Iran and Venezuela, the voices of both countries’ diasporas were heard loud and clear through the media of their host nations. Venezuelan exiles in the US were, according to the popular narrative, broadly

Israel's Netanyahu says Trump may be creating conditions for Iran deal

JERUSALEM, Feb 12 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he hoped that U.S. President Donald Trump was creating the conditions to reach a deal with Iran that would avoid military action.

Six more children reunited with Russian, Ukrainian families, US and Russia say

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW, Feb 12 - Six more Russian and Ukrainian children are being reunited with their families, Washington and Moscow said on Thursday, crediting efforts by U.S. first lady Melania Trump.

Putin's children's commissioner says six kids to reunite with families in Russia and Ukraine, thanks Melania Trump

MOSCOW, Feb 12 - Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, said on Thursday that six more children were being reunited with their families in Russia and Ukraine and credited U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

US House, again defiant, votes to end Trump tariffs on Canada

WASHINGTON — In a notable break from President Donald Trump’s signature trade policy, several House Republicans joined Democrats in passing a resolution to terminate the president’s national emergency at the northern border that triggered tariffs on Canada just over one year

CIA makes new push to recruit Chinese military officers as informants

The US spy agency rolls out a video depicting a disillusioned mid-level Chinese military officer.

Saudi Arabia appoints new investment minister in diversification plan pivot

DUBAI, Feb 12 - Saudi Arabia appointed Fahd bin Abduljalil bin Ali al Saif as the new investment minister, it said on Thursday, replacing Khalid Al-Falih who oversaw the kingdom's opening to foreign investment amid massive economic diversification plans.

Pakistan PM to attend Trump peace board's first meeting, says foreign office

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 - Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the first meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump's \"Board of Peace\" next week in Washington, the country's foreign office said on Thursday.

Movies can change the world, but not politically, says Berlin Film Festival juror Wim Wenders

BERLIN, Feb 12 - German director Wim Wenders said on Thursday filmmakers must stay out of politics and focus on changing how people think, at the start of the Berlin Film Festival.

Malaysia’s top graft buster under fire over allegations of agency misconduct, rules breach

Anti-graft chief Azam held 17.7 million shares in a financial services company worth about $258,000.

Malaysia's top graft buster under fire over allegations of agency misconduct, rules breach

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 - Malaysia's top graft investigator faced fresh calls to step down on Thursday, after multiple media reports this week alleged misconduct involving him and other senior officials at the country's anti-corruption commission.

Ukrainian arms producers receive first wartime export licences, Kyiv says

KYIV, Feb 12 - Ukrainian arms producers have received the first wartime licences to export their goods abroad, the secretary of Kyiv's national security and defence council said on Thursday.

McDonald’s India outlet gets regulatory warning over rotten tomatoes, reused oil

Food adulteration is often reported across India, but safety lapses at high-profile brands are rare.

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.

Polls close, counting begins in Bangladesh election after high turnout