Japanese anime Detective Conan cosplays banned at China events

The bans were set for recent events in Beijing, Chongqing and Lanzhou.

Heavy snowfall hits northern, western Japan, Tokyo also blanketed by snow

Japan Meteorological Agency expects extremely unstable atmospheric conditions.

Hunger not driving bears to populated areas in western Japan: Study

Japan’s recent rise in bear intrusions is partly attributed to food scarcity in their natural habitats.

Malaysia, India deepen trade ties as Anwar and Modi vow to grow friendship rooted in trust

The leaders also discuss Gaza and Ukraine, with Anwar praising Modi’s unequivocal peace commitment.

Factory explosion in North China kills 8

The explosion occurred at Jiapeng biotech company, located in Shanyin County, about 400km west of Beijing.

India, Malaysia renew pledges to boost trade, collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defence and other fields.

‘Better economy, fewer scammers’: Hopes high among Thais as voting kicks off in snap election

With Thailand having cycled through three different prime ministers over the last three years, voters CNA spoke to on Sunday (Feb 8) expressed hopes that the polls would bring about more unity and stability.

Iran rope-a-doping US in Oman

Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff no doubt talked to President Trump about the US-Iran meeting in Oman. We don’t have a special wiretap on his call to Trump, but it is a sure bet Witkoff told the president things were going well and another meeting is planned. If Trump’s idea is

Eight killed in explosion in northern China, state media says

The explosion occurred in Shuoyang, Shanxi province, in the early morning of Feb 7.

Economic nationalism giving rise to a zero-sum world

The world we inhabit today bears little resemblance to the one imagined by the architects of the global economy at the end of the 20th century. Back then, the dismantling of trade barriers was celebrated as a gateway to shared prosperity. Today, new walls are rising, not of

In bid to lead Thailand, a progressive party softens its image

The main message is now a pragmatic one: reviving the nation’s stagnant economy.

Amid Indian PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia, rally over ‘illegal’ temples fizzles after arrests

Malaysian PM Anwar warned that the authorities would take 'maximum action', hours before arrests.

A record 3.6 million young people in South Korea do not own homes

Just 1.29 million South Koreans under 40 owned homes in 2024, the lowest on record.

Australia’s opposition coalition reunites after split over hate laws

The coalition had split for the second time in less than a year.

Australia's opposition coalition reunites after split over hate laws

SYDNEY, Feb 8 - Australia's conservative opposition coalition reunited on Sunday after the junior partner National Party severed ties last month with the Liberal Party over its decision to back government hate speech laws drafted in the wake of the Bondi massacre.

Japan’s election: What you need to know

If she loses her Lower House majority, Japanese PM Takaichi has said she will resign.

Japan's election: What you need to know

TOKYO, Feb 6 - Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is seeking to secure her grip on power in a national election on Sunday, with polls suggesting a big win for her conservative party.

Thailand votes in three-way race as risk of instability looms

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Polls opened in Thailand on Sunday in a general election defined by a three-way battle between the country's conservative, progressive and populist camps, with no single party expected to secure a clear majority, prolonging the spectre of political instability.

Voting kicks off in Thailand election, with the economy and border conflict the key issues

Analysts believe it is unlikely any party will achieve a landslide victory and a coalition government is likely.

India's Modi visits Malaysia to boost trade, security ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday, as the two countries look to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defence and other fields.

Last-day campaign words remarkably revealing about where Japan is

Japan’s general election campaign ended on Saturday with major party leaders holding competing rallies across Tokyo. This has by any definition been a strange campaign. It was unexpected; it was the shortest-ever general election; its coming spurred the unlikely creation of a

Japanese people brave snow to vote in snap election

A coalition led by Takaichi is expected to clinch a decisive win, according to polls.

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi aims for blizzard of votes in rare winter election

The Japanese PM had earlier received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

Japan votes in test for PM Takaichi as snow weighs on turnout

TOKYO, Feb 8 - Japanese voters were casting ballots on Sunday in an election expected to hand Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a resounding win, although record snowfall in parts of the country could keep many voters at home.

Thailand Election 2026: What to watch out for on polling day and beyond?

For the first time in Thailand’s history, a national referendum will be held alongside the general election on Sunday (Feb 8). Voters will not only elect 500 Members of Parliament, but also decide whether a new constitution should be created.

North Korea to hold party congress in February, first since 2021

The last party congress – the reclusive nuclear-armed nation’s eighth – was held in January 2021.

North Korea to convene 9th Congress in late February, KCNA reports

SEOUL, Feb 8 - North Korea will convene the 9th Congress in late February in Pyongyang, state media KCNA reported on Sunday, without elaborating on the date.

‘It’s not going to be me’: Despite risks of shark attacks, Sydney beachgoers still catch the waves

During a tragic 48-hour period from Jan 18 to 20, the city recorded four separate shark attacks.

She teaches women in China to flirt. What could go wrong?

A businesswoman, who made fortunes from Chinese women's desire to be desired, is now being probed.

Jakarta’s stock plunge shines light on ‘pump and dump’ schemes that victimise retail investors

There are louder calls for market reforms after the recent 9 per cent market slide.

Bangladesh PM front-runner rejects unity government offer, says his party set to win

Thousands mourn victims of suicide bombing in Islamabad, as four arrests made

The woman tasked with kicking Australian kids off social media

After decades working in the private tech industry, Julia Inman Grant now finds herself on the other side.

Alleged mastermind among four arrested after Pakistan mosque blast

The four are suspected of facilitating a suicide bombing that killed more than 30 people, Pakistan's interior minister said.

Israel's Netanyahu expected to meet Trump in US on Wednesday and discuss Iran

Feb 7 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.

Algeria begins to cancel air services agreement with UAE

Feb 7 - Algeria has begun the process of cancelling its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013, state media said on Saturday.

S Korean crypto firm accidentally pays out $40bn in bitcoin

The company quickly realised its mistake and managed to recover virtually all the missing tokens from customers.

South Korean crypto exchange to reimburse some users after $51b error

The mistake, which was caused by an employee, was identified within 20 minutes.

Indonesia arrests dozens in Bali gambling crackdown

Police raided two villas and arrested 39 Indian nationals, seizing phones, laptops and computers.

Roll-out of Malaysian workers’ cross-border protection scheme by end of 2026: Minister

A feasibility study completed by March.

If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region

CAIRO, Feb 7 - Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by U.S. forces that have massed in the region, its foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting that this should not be seen as an attack on the countries hosting them.

Japan's Takaichi talks tough on immigration on eve of vote

Immigration screening "has already become a little stricter, so that terrorists, and also industrial spies, cannot enter easily", Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said during a rally.

China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed South China Sea

BEIJING, Feb 7 - China conducted naval and air patrols in the South China Sea from Monday to Friday, the China Southern Theater Command said in a statement on Saturday.

Soaring gold prices reshape South Korea’s rituals

As prices soar, South Koreans are increasingly moving away from gold at key life events.

Russia to interrogate two suspects over attempted killing of general, report says

MOSCOW, Feb 7 - Two suspects in the attempted assassination of top Russian military intelligence official General Vladimir Alexeyev \"will soon be interrogated,\" the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Saturday, citing a source close to the investigation.

Riau Police probe decapitation of critically endangered Sumatran elephant

The elephant's carcass was found on Feb 2 with the head missing.

‘I was turned away’: High gold prices cause cash crunch at Malaysia pawnshops ahead of CNY, Ramadan

Families are struggling to access emergency funds as gold lenders run short on cash before festivals.

Japan PM Takaichi talks tough on immigration on eve of election

Opinion polls suggest that her ruling bloc could secure a two-thirds majority in the Lower House.