More Chinese firms at Singapore Airshow, in push for wider reach in foreign skies

But geopolitics and regulatory hurdles are among the headwinds that could hamper their overseas push.

New Zealand mosque shooter tells court mental health forced him to plead guilty

Feb 9 - A white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand seven years ago said on Monday that he was irrational when he pleaded guilty, local media reported, as he sought to overturn his conviction in a New Zealand court.

Reaction to Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai's 20 year sentence in security trial

Feb 9 - Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to a total of 20 years in jail on three security charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one of publishing seditious materials.

Thailand's Bhumjaithai prepares for coalition talks after big election win

BANGKOK, Feb 9 - Thailand faced a realignment of conservative politics on Monday after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party won a stronger-than-expected general election victory, with coalition talks expected to start in the coming days.

'Flood' of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

Authorities say the scale of the disinformation is so severe that a special unit has been created to curb false content.

Why Indonesian K-pop fans are boycotting a South Korean bank

Kpop4planet are opposing Hana Bank’s lending to Indonesia’s major nickel producer Harita Group.

Analysts warn of ‘flood’ of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

The problem has become so severe that a special unit has been created to curb false content.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai given 20 years’ jail in national security case

The sentencing marks closure of a lengthy trial that has gone on for years.

Stronger ringgit has no impact on Singaporean shoppers

Traders still expect to see crowds from Singapore as Chinese New Year draws closer.

Prabowo’s approval rating rises in survey before market turmoil in Indonesia

The survey showed Prabowo, who took office in October 2024, remained most popular among the Gen Z.

Heatwave in the northern Malaysia to last until April

The archipelago of Pulau Langkawi recorded 38 consecutive days without rain since Dec 31, 2025.

Indian refiners avoid Russian oil in push for US trade deal

New Delhi has not announced plans to halt Russian oil imports.

Age of Takaichi dawns with a supermajority in Japan

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi led the Liberal Democratic Party to a historic victory in Japan’s general election, which decided control of the 465-seat House of Representatives. The LDP, which went into the election with a minority, finished with 316 seats, clearing the 310

14-year-old boy wins a new BMW car from Malaysia’s BSN

The family plans to keep it.

Bangladesh votes in world’s first Gen Z-inspired election

Analysts say a decisive result in the Feb 12 vote is vital for restoring stability in the country.

Bangladesh votes in world's first Gen Z-inspired election

DHAKA, Feb 9 - For years under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s opposition had little presence on the streets during elections, either boycotting polls or being sidelined by mass arrests of senior leaders. Now, ahead of Thursday’s vote, the roles have reversed.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years jail in national security trial

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials.

How Jimmy Lai’s case reflects Hong Kong’s shrinking press freedoms

The former British colony has plunged in press freedom rankings, from 18th in 2002 to 140th in 2025.

New Zealand’s Christchurch mosque killer appeals conviction

Brenton Tarrant's penalty of life imprisonment without parole was the stiffest in New Zealand history.

Japan stocks surge to record, bonds slide with yen on Takaichi's landslide election win

Sanae Takaichi’s win paves the way for promised tax relief and big fiscal spending that have spooked markets since she came to power last year.

Trump congratulates Japan’s Takaichi on election win

He had endorsed her leadership just days earlier.

Trump congratulates Japan's Takaichi on election win

Feb 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her coalition's election win, wishing her \"great success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda\" in a social media post.

Takaichi triumphs with Japan’s biggest post-war election victory

The LDP secured a two-thirds super majority in the 465-seat lower house by itself, NHK said.

Pro-Palestine protest planned in Sydney against Israeli President Herzog's visit

SYDNEY, Feb 9 - Pro-Palestine demonstrators plan to rally in Sydney on Monday to protest the visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as authorities declared his visit a major event and deployed thousands of police to manage the crowds.

Israeli President Herzog begins Australia trip at site of Bondi Beach attack

While seeking to console Australia’s Jewish community, his trip has also sparked calls for protests.

After years-long legal battle, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrives at day of sentencing

HONG KONG, Feb 9 - Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to be sentenced on Monday in the financial hub's most high-profile national security case, amid growing calls to free the longstanding critic of the Chinese Communist Party whose health is frail.

Commentary: South Korea’s dependence on US may give it little room to navigate renewed tariff threats

South Korea is highly dependent on the US for security and exports, says Pusan National University’s Robert Kelly.

A different side of JB: 5 things to do after dark you might not have expected

As many Singaporeans head north and the light rail link to Johor Bahru nears completion, the city’s after-hours scene is also evolving. The programme On The Red Dot explores the nocturnal experiences across the Causeway.

How traditional Chinese medicine in Malaysia is winning over more Malays

Tung Shin Hospital in KL said that more than 20% of those seeking TCM treatment there are non-Chinese.

Acupuncture with MRI: HK opens first TCM hospital as China aims to take traditional medicine global

S'pore is among the countries looking to learn from HK’s experience in integrating TCM into its public healthcare.

US Treasury chief hails 'big victory' for Japan PM Takaichi in election

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi vows sustainable finance, faster tax cut talks

She said her party had earned public approval for her platform on a temporary suspension of the food sales tax.

Christchurch shooter seeks to overturn guilty plea

Brenton Tarrant is serving a life sentence after murdering 51 people in the March 2019 attack on two mosques in New Zealand.

Bangladesh seeks UN help to probe killing of uprising leader

Building collapse in Lebanon kills at least six people, local official says

BEIRUT, Feb 8 - At least six people were killed and seven others were injured when two adjoining buildings collapsed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli on Sunday, with more trapped under the rubble, the head of the municipal council said.

Anutin’s landslide shifts Thailand decisively to the right

BANGKOK – Thailand’s snap elections delivered a decisive rightward turn on Sunday, with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party securing a sweep while upending the progressive People’s Party, whose predecessor won on an anti-establishment ticket in 2023. Bhumjaithai won an estimated

Thai PM Anutin consolidates power with dominating election win

His victory raised the prospect that a more stable coalition may now succeed in ending a prolonged political instability.

Thailand’s PM Anutin staked his election on nationalism — and won

The Bhumjaithai Party leader will become the first Thai prime minister to be voted back to office in two decades.

Thailand's PM Anutin staked his election on nationalism — and won

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Anutin Charnvirakul stood at a rally in Thailand's capital Bangkok last month and declared that his Bhumjaithai Party should be the automatic choice for any patriotic Thai in Sunday's general election.

‘Clear signal’: Thai PM Anutin says Bhumjaithai won most seats in election, open to working with other parties

“Our victory is a victory of all people,” says Anutin Charnvirakul as his party pips its fierce rivals in Sunday’s (Feb 8) election.

Thailand PM's party takes wide lead in three-way election race

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's party was far ahead in Sunday's general election, leading a three-way race with a commanding margin that could make it easier to form a coalition and reduce the risk of further political instability.

New Zealand to hear Christchurch mosque shooter's appeal against sentence

Thailand election: Anutin’s Bhumjaithai declares victory as People’s Party concedes

According to projections, Bhumjaithai had won 177 constituency seats, followed by People’s Party with 81.

Colour and caution as banned kite-flying festival returns to Pakistan

Punjab authorities banned the kite-flying festival Basant in 2007 due to a series of fatal accidents.

Thailand PM's party takes early lead in three-way election race

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party took an early lead in Sunday's general election, though the three-way battle is unlikely to give any single party a clear majority, potentially prolonging the spectre of political instability.

Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi forges stunning election win

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's win paves the way for her tax cuts that have spooked financial markets and military spending aimed at countering China.

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi forges stunning election win

Her Liberal Democratic Party is set to secure a big majority in Japan’s Lower House.