Anwar aide dismisses minister’s call for royal inquiry into Malaysia’s anti-graft agency

The call for a royal inquiry must not be based on hearsay, says Kamil Munim, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary in the Finance Ministry.

Can Olympic skier Eileen Gu continue to walk the US-China tightrope?

Public reactions from the US and China were strikingly different after the skier won an Olympic gold medal on Feb 22.

AI robot monk in Japan helps answer humans’ sensitive questions

Buddharoid can offer a sense of presence at religious sanctuaries in addition to voice communications.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-spy chief over 2019 Easter bombings

He allegedly permitted the attack to happen to sway the elections which took place two days later.

Don't break up NewJeans and I'll forgo $18m payout, says ex-K-pop boss

Min Hee-jin has said she "can no longer bear to watch" the group get "torn apart".

Malaysian university student arrested for posting photo of foot on Quran

His university is investigating the matter that touched on race, religion and royalty sensitivities.

Indonesia’s carrier dream risks becoming a port queen

Indonesia’s bid to acquire the retired Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi is being pitched as a step toward greater maritime resilience. But it may instead expose a widening gap between ambition and the hard realities of doctrine, budgets and fleet readiness. This month,

'Buoyant' Hong Kong economy spurs fiscal deficit turnaround, budget shows

The buoyant economy will help the city return to a budget surplus after several years of deficits.

Modi's Israel visit to test India's priorities in the Middle East

India and Israel's relations have expanded since Modi came to power more than a decade ago.

China sanctions hit back hard at Japan’s remilitarization drive

China has ramped up its retaliation against Japan’s accelerating military build-up under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. On Tuesday, February 24, China’s Ministry of Commerce banned the export of dual-use items — goods with both civilian and military applications — to 20

Key partner in Malaysia’s ruling coalition calls for royal inquiry into anti-graft agency

The agency has been accused of misconduct and breaching public service laws, among other allegations.

Key partner in Malaysia's ruling coalition calls for royal inquiry into anti-graft agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 - A key party in Malaysia's ruling coalition called on Wednesday for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to be formed to investigate misconduct allegations against the country's anti-graft agency.

Retired Myanmar general set for powerful role in new parliament, sources say

Feb 25 - A retired general from an army-backed party that swept Myanmar's election is set to take the powerful role of speaker of parliament, party sources said, which could help the military cement control of government after a return to democratic rule.

Retired Myanmar general set for powerful role in new Parliament, sources say

Khin Yi is tipped to take the pivotal post of Lower House Speaker, sources say.

South Korea and the US to conduct Freedom Shield military drills in March

SEOUL, Feb 25 - South Korea and the United States will conduct major joint military drills known as Freedom Shield from March 9 to 19, military officials from the countries said on Wednesday.

Japan PM Takaichi under pressure over gifts to MPs

More than 300 lawmakers were given the option to choose an item from a gift catalogue "as an expression of appreciation for their success at this very tough election", said Sanae Takaichi on X, adding that no taxpayer money was used.

Germany wants deeper, fairer economic cooperation with China, Chancellor Merz tells Chinese premier Li

BEIJING, Feb 25 - China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Wednesday, as Merz began a visit aimed at resetting ties against the backdrop of a widening trade imbalance.

Malaysia blocks same-sex dating sites Grindr and Blued, mulls legal measures to curb LGBTQ+ dating apps

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has not received requests to remove the mobile application versions of Grindr and Blued from app stores, noting challenges due to such apps being foreign-owned.

India's Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount

JERUSALEM, Feb 25 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations, as regional concerns mount over the risk of military conflict between the United States and Iran.

Bangladesh First: BNP’s path to a winning foreign policy

The new government in Bangladesh begins its tenure with an unusually crowded foreign policy inbox. The swearing-in of Tarique Rahman as prime minister on February 17, 2026, marks the end of a turbulent transition. Following a commanding mandate in the February 12 general

Australian police arrest two over alleged kidnapping, murder of grandfather

Videos and photos obtained by local media have reportedly shown the victim with serious injuries.

Australian police to return posters seized from bar over banned symbols

Police said the posters did not meet some “aspects” of the legislation that outlaws “prohibited symbols”.

Former Malaysia PM’s wife Rosmah Mansor fails in bid to recuse apex court judges

The hearing for her case was also pushed to March 3 because of her absence from court on Feb 25.

Japan PM Takaichi under pressure over gifts to MPs after landslide polls victory

Japan’s law stipulates that individuals cannot make donations to candidates for public office.

India PM Modi heads to Israel to ‘strengthen cooperation’

New Delhi has steadily expanded cooperation with Israel across the several sectors.

Albanese tells Australia to ‘turn the heat down’ after bomb threat

The threat was reportedly linked to a Chinese dance troupe banned in China that is due to perform in Australia.

South Korea's birthrate, the world's lowest, rises again amid signs of easing demographic crisis

South Korea's total fertility rate, the average number of babies a woman is expected to have during her reproductive life, stood at 0.80 in 2025, up from 0.75 in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

Indonesia’s green gold: Coastal farmers reap benefits of booming seaweed industry

Seaweed has become one of Indonesia’s most valuable commodities, but despite strong production, it lags in processing capacity, limiting its ability to capture higher-value returns.

China-Indonesia waste-to-power pact neither clean nor green

Indonesia’s growing waste problem has long been viewed as a burden — a mounting strain on landfills, public health and municipal budgets. The waste-to-energy (WtE) initiative led by Danantara Indonesia, now entering its first phase in Bali, Bogor, Bekasi and Yogyakarta,

US forces regret giving Seoul late notice on drills tied to China mid-air stand-off

The drill saw about 10 American fighter jets fly between South Korean and Chinese air defence identification zones.

Indonesia deports US man convicted in Bali ‘suitcase murder’

Tommy Schaefer, 32, boarded a flight late on Feb 24 bound for the US.

South Korea’s birthrate, the world’s lowest, rises again amid signs of easing demographic crisis

The pace of the rebound is faster than the government’s optimistic-case projection.

Lawson opens 1st disaster-support convenience store ahead of Japan quake anniversary

It plans to have 100 of disaster relief stores across the country by fiscal 2030 through March 2031.

Chinese dance group's tour triggers bomb threat against Australian PM

The group was told to cancel its performances or explosives would be set off at Anthony Albanese's house.

Tech firms lead Asian markets rally as Seoul, Tokyo hit records

Japan start-up’s ‘flying car’ makes demo flight in Tokyo for first time

The battery-powered aircraft is capable of flying 15km to 40km.

Months after floods, Indonesian survivors frustrated by slow response

About 26,000 flood survivors are still displaced after a monsoon deluge hit their villages in Sumatra last year.

Japan to deploy missiles on island near Taiwan by 2031

The remote Yonaguni island lies on the frontlines of self-governing Taiwan's growing tensions with China.

Japan demands swift release of national detained in Iran

TOKYO, Feb 25 - A Japanese national has been detained in Iran and must be swiftly released, the Japanese government said on Wednesday.

German chancellor lands in Beijing for inaugural China trip

Friedrich Merz said it would be a mistake to "decouple" Germany from China shortly before boarding a plane to Beijing.

New Zealand mayor swims to allay sewage contamination fears

Despite bringing in experts from Australia, the cause of the issue remains unknown.

Nepali migrant workers influence polls, but can’t vote

Unable to find jobs at home, some 2.5 million Nepalis – 7.5 per cent of the population – work abroad.

Malaysia blocks same-sex dating websites Grindr and Blued

Communications agency mulls over legal options against mobile app.

Nepal’s rapper-turned-mayor in pole position to become prime minister

The musician who cut his political teeth when he became the mayor of the capital Kathmandu in 2022.

Political outsiders are up against Thailand's powerful patronage system, defeated MP tells BBC

The People's Party’s hopes were dashed on the rocks of the old-style patronage networks which dominate provincial politics.

AI is racing toward a collision with humanity

Steve Jobs once described the personal computer as “the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.” Jobs at 12 years old had read an article published in Scientific American that compared the efficiency of locomotion for various species on the planet. The study basically measured