Thailand’s Anutin to invite Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party to join coalition

If Pheu Thai declines, Bhumjaithai will ask Klatham, another conservative party, to join the bloc.

Moving US Marines out of Okinawa would be a grave mistake

A US Marine officer did what Marine officers are supposed to do the other day. He opened a can of worms. Lt Colonel Caleb Eames, a fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, and his colleague wrote an article proposing a halt to the relocation of 5,000 Marines from

No red flags: Look out for red heart-shaped traffic lights in Krabi instead this Valentine’s Day

The unique signal has been installed at six traffic lights in the city centre.

Philippine V-P Sara Duterte’s impeachment attempts face hurdles as her popularity holds

Unseating Ms Sara Duterte and barring her from politics will not be easy.

Key priorities of the BNP, winner of Bangladesh election

Feb 13 - The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) won a decisive two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability to the nation after months of tumult following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.

Explainer: Key priorities of the BNP, winner of Bangladesh election

The party, led by Mr Tarique Rahman, will return to power after 20 years.

China’s ski slopes pull big crowds as Japan tensions run high

Chinese ski centres recorded 118 million visits in the three months through January 2026.

Deadly catch: Filipino vlogger dies after eating ‘devil crab’ on camera

She filmed herself eating one of the Philippines’ most poisonous reef crabs.

Bangladesh's BNP wins sweeping election majority, promise of stability

DHAKA, Feb 13 - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won an overwhelming two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability after months of tumult following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising in 2024.

Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, arrests skipper

TOKYO, Feb 13 - Japanese authorities have seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain for allegedly fleeing inspection in its exclusive economic zone, an incident that could further inflame tensions between Asia's top two economies.

Who is Tarique Rahman, set to become Bangladesh's next PM?

Rahman, the son of two former leaders of Bangladesh, only recently returned to the country after years in exile abroad.

Prostitution ring busted in KL luxury bungalow raid; 40 arrested, S’porean asked to assist in probe

One of those detained is a male Chinese national believed to be the mastermind of the operation.

What to watch at North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress

SEOUL, Feb 13 - North Korea is expected to convene the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party this month, the country's biggest political gathering that reviews performance, sets new policy goals and can bring leadership change.

North Korea's Kim to tout power and military gains at party congress

SEOUL, Feb 13 - North Korea will convene the Ninth Party Congress this month, a major political undertaking aimed at showcasing leader Kim Jong Un's absolute grip on power and his image as a benevolent leader at home and as head of a world-class military.In the run-up to the

Japanese-style bus driver training in Java: Japan turns to Indonesians amid worker shortage

The students also learn Japanese to pass the driving licence examination.

Indonesia to go ahead with free meals programme despite 'extraordinary' campaign against it, president says

Since the programme's launch in January last year, at least 15,000 children across the country have fallen ill as a result of food poisoning.

China orders cereulide tests as infant formula makers Nestle, Danone face recalls over toxin

No poisoning cases linked to infant formula have been reported in China.

3 accounts hacked every minute: Philippines confronts relentless tide of data breaches

Regulators warn the more urgent threat may not be hackers breaching firewalls, but people being persuaded to open the door.

Reality behind Trump’s tariffs, AI job losses and Japan’s debt

Welcome to another roundup of interesting news and events from around the econosphere, from my traditional, 100% handcrafted human-written blog. 1. Fixing public spaces is actually pretty easy The Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) is in a parlous state. Ridership has

When machines do the flirting: AI agents create surprise dating accounts for humans

At least one of these platforms used a real person’s photos without permission.

‘Follow rules’: First Singaporean litterbug convicted under Malaysia's stricter law serves community service in KL

Mohamed Nuh Qurasaini Kayat, 25, was among four who carried out the public cleaning service in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Feb 13), with 11 others doing likewise in other parts of Malaysia.

Bangladesh's BNP wins two-thirds majority in landmark election

DHAKA, Feb 13 - The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) won a decisive two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability after months of tumult following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.

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 young people 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 opposition, with a majority in the Parliament, refused to review the proposed spending and advanced its own proposals.

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.

Bangladesh's BNP wins big in 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 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.