There’s a new Louis Vuitton 'hotel' pop-up in Bangkok – we tour the rooms inspired by iconic bags

Louis Vuitton’s 130 Monogram Anniversary Hotel pop-up opened on Wednesday (Feb 11) in the historic Yaowarat quarter in Bangkok.

Thailand's progressive party moves backwards in polls

Thailand’s progressive People’s Party took a beating at the ballot box on Feb 8.

Taiwan president urges parliament to pass stalled special defence budget

TAIPEI, Feb 11 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday urged the opposition-controlled parliament to pass his $40 billion special defence budget, which has been stalled by lawmakers, saying given the rising threat level strengthening the military cannot wait.

Boom for Busan as Chinese cruise lines steer clear of Japan amid Beijing-Tokyo tensions

The other ports of Incheon and Jeju are also reporting an increase in the number of Chinese cruise ships arrivals.

Bangladesh vote tests Gen Z Uprising, India-China balance

The outcome will shape how the world’s eighth-most populous country balances ties with India and China.

China’s Li Qiang inspects rare earth facilities, hints at leverage in US rivalry

US and China face a contest to guarantee long-term access to the critical minerals.

Shaheen Malik: An acid attack survivor's fight for justice and dignity

Malik recently petitioned India's top court to include survivors forced to ingest acid under disability law.

TB outbreak in Malaysia: Mask up when travelling during festive period, experts say

Experts advised to get yourself checked should you suspect that you are experiencing symptoms.

IN FOCUS: Is Prabowo seeking to push Indonesia as a middle power, and why does it matter?

As Southeast Asia’s biggest economy and the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has the potential to become a credible middle power. Can Prabowo make this happen?

Commentary: ‘King Dollar’ risks losing its crown to an Asian mutiny

Markets are already questioning the dollar’s exceptionalism, says Andy Mukherjee for Bloomberg Opinion.

US Vice President Vance's office deletes post referring to 'Armenian genocide'

YEREVAN, Feb 10 - The White House on Tuesday deleted a social media post from Vice President JD Vance's account that commemorated massacres of Armenians as a \"genocide,\" saying the message, which contradicts the stance of U.S.-allied Turkey on the matter, was posted in error.

US bars Palau Senate president, former Marshall Islands mayor from entry

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 - The United States on Tuesday barred Palau Senate President Hokkons Baules and his family from entering the U.S., accusing him of corruption linked to China, as Washington pushes back on Beijing's effort to boost its influence in the Pacific.

US Vice President Vance's office backtracks after statement on 'Armenian genocide'

YEREVAN, Feb 10 - The White House on Tuesday deleted a post from Vice President JD Vance's account that commemorated massacres of Armenians as a \"genocide,\" saying the message that was likely to irk U.S.-allied Turkey was posted in error.

US used mobile launchers for missiles at Qatar base as Iran tensions rose, satellite pictures show

Feb 10 - U.S. forces in Qatar's al-Udeid, the biggest U.S. base in the Middle East, put missiles into truck launchers as tensions with Iran ratcheted up since January, analysis of satellite images showed, meaning they could be moved more quickly.

China’s US Treasurys exit could limit Japan’s military spending

According to recent media reports, China has instructed state-owned banks to reduce their holdings of US Treasuries further, thereby accelerating a long-standing diversification of its foreign exchange reserves. US Treasury data indicate that China’s holdings have declined from

China’s panda diplomacy is becoming a liability for Beijing

Japan said goodbye to its last two giant pandas on January 27, as twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were returned from their host country to China. Their departure has left Japan without any pandas for the first time since 1972, when Tokyo and Beijing normalized diplomatic ties. The

US and Azerbaijan sign strategic partnership during Vance visit

BAKU, Feb 10 - The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.

Will Donroe Doctrine really cut China’s Western Hemisphere clout?

The section of the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy that should most give China pause isn’t the one on Asia. It’s the Western Hemisphere section, the one proclaiming what commentators are calling the “Donroe Doctrine.” American farmers and ranchers might

Leader of Myanmar armed group says world is ignoring junta’s deadly air strikes

He said only China was intervening in the conflict.

Leader of Myanmar armed group says world is ignoring junta's deadly airstrikes

LOI TAI LENG, Myanmar, Feb 11 - The head of one of Myanmar’s influential ethnic armies accused world leaders of ignoring the ruling military junta's surge in deadly airstrikes on civilians, adding that only China was intervening in the conflict.

US and Azerbaijan sign strategic partnership charter during Vance visit

BAKU, Feb 10 - The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership agreement in Baku on Tuesday, launching a fresh chapter in economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in the South Caucasus.

South Africa's Ramaphosa backs efforts to end Ukraine war in call with Putin

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 10 - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his country's support for efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Ramaphosa's office said.

Kyrgyzstan president fires powerful security chief, a longtime ally

BISHKEK, Feb 10 - President Sadyr Japarov on Tuesday signed decrees removing Kamchybek Tashiev - a longtime ally seen as Kyrgyzstan’s second-most influential official - as head of the State Committee for National Security and deputy prime minister.

India tightens grip on social media with new three-hour takedown rule

India’s IT rules allow the government to order the removal of content deemed illegal under various laws.

Malaysia’s anti-graft chief slams report over US$203,900 shareholding as malicious, misleading

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday (Feb 10) that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki had owned 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Bhd worth RM800,000 (US$203,900). Azam said he bought the shares last year and disposed of them within the same year.

Unauthorised access of reservation system may have leaked 28,000 users’ personal data: JAL

The information that may have been leaked includes names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Thai PM Anutin’s core Cabinet team intact after ‘blue wave’ vote

His pledge that the team would stay in place bolstered the sense of policy continuity that buoyed markets after the election.

Taiwan negotiators head to US for final meeting on trade deal

TAIPEI, Feb 10 - Taiwan's trade negotiating team has left for the U.S. to hold their final meeting on a trade and tariff deal struck last month, the island's government said on Tuesday.

Taiwan’s security blanket may become warmer after Takaichi’s big win in snap polls

The Japanese PM believes that a "Taiwan contingency is a Japanese contingency".

Student protest over campus freedom law adds to Anwar’s pre-election reform challenges

The Act grants vice-chancellors powers to disband student groups deemed to disrupt campus harmony.

Thai man’s prison term for royal insult extended to 50 years

At least 289 people have been charged under the law since 2020.

Indonesia preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza

It would be the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the US last year.

Indonesia readies up to 8,000 troops for Gaza in support of Trump peace plan

The plan comes as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received an invitation from the United States on Monday (Feb 9) to attend a Feb 19 Board of Peace meeting.

South Korea revives plan to add medical students; doctors criticise bid

A similar plan to boost medical student numbers triggered nationwide protests in South Korea in 2024.

Families in China scramble for mercury thermometers ahead of ban despite health risks

The ban applies to manufacturing, not to owning or selling existing inventory.

Japanese sausage maker says sounds produced when chewing links resemble those of batting a home run

Experiments were conducted by the Japan Acoustic Laboratory using high-precision microphones.

South Korea to raise medical school quota to ease shortage

Policymakers argue that expanding medical school intake is necessary to prevent worsening access to care.

A spat between a restaurant and an influencer was out of control. Then Beijing stepped in

Some 4,000 jobs will be lost as restaurant chain Xibei shuts over 100 of its outlets due to loss of business.

Indonesia says proposed Gaza peacekeeping force could total 20,000 troops

JAKARTA, Feb 10 - A proposed multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza could total about 20,000 troops, with Indonesia estimating it could contribute up to 8,000, President Prabowo Subianto’s spokesman said on Tuesday.

China says Japan's Takaichi must show 'actions' for dialogue

Japanese businesses in China worried over negative impact from diplomatic row

China has implemented a string of measures such as an advisory against travel to Japan.

Cricket diplomacy: India playing the long game in Afghanistan

On the night of October 23, 2023, India’s oldest international cricket ground, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, erupted in celebration. Tens of thousands roared and waved flags. The stands rejoiced in what seemed like a familiar triumph over a long-standing

Singtel-owned Optus outage in Australia: 35,000 customers still affected, advised to restart phones

Optus is contacting those still affected via e-mail with instructions to restart their devices.

Over 60% of Nepal’s households use sewage-contaminated water

Information was collected from 12,960 households, according to the report.

False alarm: US-Iran talks are not a countdown to conflict

When Iranian and US officials met for talks in the Omani capital of Muscat on February 6, many journalists and analysts were speculating as to whether diplomacy will fail and whether war will inevitably follow. But that framing misses the deeper reality of this moment. The more

Philippine Congress dismisses impeachment complaints against Marcos

Out of 300 lawmakers in the Lower House, 284 voted to dismiss the complaints.