JB e-hailing driver remanded in probe of sexual harassment viral video

He already had his public service licence cancelled.

UN rights chief appeals for $400 million as crises mount and funding shrinks

GENEVA, Feb 5 - U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk appealed for $400 million on Thursday to address mounting human rights needs in countries such as Sudan and Myanmar, after donor funding cuts drastically reduced the work of his office and left it in \"survival mode\".

Malaysia to ban heavy vehicles on roads before and after Chinese New Year to ease traffic flow

The bans will be on Feb 14 and 15, and Feb 21 and 22, 2026.

‘Money being thrown around to buy votes’: Voters in Thailand want more than just handouts

Nearly 53 million eligible voters across Thailand will choose their preferred member of parliament and the party they like best.

Indonesia on ‘right track’ to hit GDP, investment goals; Danantara keen to work with Temasek, Khazanah: Minister

At the CNA Summit held in Jakarta on Thursday (Feb 5), Indonesia’s Investment and Downstream Industry Minister Rosan Perkasa Roeslani called for more collaboration between the government, private sector and foreign investors.

India to sign trade deal with United States in March, minister says

NEW DELHI, Feb 5 - India and the United States expect to sign a long-awaited formal trade deal in March, after which New Delhi will reduce tariffs on U.S. goods, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

India to sign trade deal with US in March, minister says

Washington is expected to cut duties on Indian exports to 18 per cent from 50 per cent.

Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival cancelled due to overtourism

Expiration of US-Russia arms treaty regrettable, says China

China said it will not join bilateral arms-reduction talks between US and Russia.

China says expiration of US-Russia arms treaty regrettable

BEIJING, Feb 5 - The Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that the expiration of the U.S.-Russia arms treaty was regrettable, and urged the U.S. to resume dialogue with Russia on \"strategic stability\".

China removes 3 lawmakers with defence-sector ties after top general probed

General Zhang Youxia is being investigated over suspected “serious violations of discipline and law”.

Cambodia asks France to provide historical evidence to help settle Thai border dispute

PHNOM PENH, Feb 5 - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked France to provide historical documents to help resolve an enduring border dispute with Thailand that twice spilled over into armed conflict last year, Cambodia's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Russia's Dmitriev says progress made on Ukraine peace deal

MOSCOW, Feb 5 - Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, said on Thursday that there was progress and a positive movement forward in talks on a Ukraine peace deal.

Family affair: Thailand’s waning Shinawatra dynasty still election kingmaker

Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan Wongsawat has been installed as the Pheu Thai party’s prime ministerial candidate.

S. Korea’s ruling party calls for probe into online posts linking President Lee to Epstein scandal

The party plans to file a police report on the matter on Feb 6.

Pakistani military concludes operation against separatists in Balochistan, 216 killed

The military said 22 security members and 36 civilians were killed in separatist attacks on Jan 31.

EU rethinks climate diplomacy after bruising COP30 summit, document shows

BRUSSELS, Feb 4 - The European Union is mulling a new strategy in its diplomatic efforts on climate change after a bruising U.N. summit last year where it struggled to rally support for faster, more ambitious action to cut planet-heating emissions, an internal EU document seen

Has Russia agreed to a US-enforced ceasefire plan for Ukraine?

The US signaled its support for NATO troops in Ukraine last month after Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, praised the principle of security guarantees for the first time shortly after France and the UK committed to deploying troops there in the event of a

Explainer-How will Thailand's election play out?

BANGKOK, Feb 5 - Thailand is holding a general election on February 8, a three-way contest and the latest round in a turbulent battle for power between the country's progressive, populist and conservative camps.

Japan atomic bomb survivors fear nuclear war as US-Russia arms control pact expires

The end of the pact could unleash a new arms race between the world’s top nuclear powers.

Why US-Bangladesh rushed through a pre-election trade deal

On February 9, just 72 hours before a transformative general election in Bangladesh, a high-level delegation from Dhaka will gather in Washington to finalize a trade agreement that could fundamentally reshape the country’s economic trajectory. While domestic critics have

South Africa's trade minister heads to China, seeking duty-free export access

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 5 - South Africa's trade minister Parks Tau will travel to China from Thursday to Saturday to sign the China–Africa Economic Partnership Agreement, which will see South African exports gain duty-free access to the Chinese market, Tau's office said.

Taiwan Strait missions are about international law, not provocation, French diplomat says

TAIPEI, Feb 5 - Naval missions by foreign countries in the Taiwan Strait are about asserting international law, rather than offering provocation, France's de facto ambassador in Taipei said on Thursday, speaking of voyages that routinely infuriate China.

Indonesia warns it will walk away from Trump’s Board of Peace if Palestine goals fail

Mr Prabowo met Islamic leaders and former diplomats to discuss the country's participation in the board.

Suspected bomb found at bus terminal in Thai province of Pattani; incident is third in 3 days

Security sources suspect the device may have been planted by Muslim insurgents.

South Korea seeks closer China cooperation to secure critical mineral supply chains

South Korea will also cooperate with other countries, including the United States, Vietnam and Laos, to diversify its sourcing of critical minerals, Seoul's trade ministry said.

Authorities prevent attempted smuggling of wildlife to Thailand

Suspect held in attempted smuggling of hundreds of protected wild animals, including an orangutan.

South Korean governor draws criticism for suggesting importing women for marriage as population fix

His comment at a meeting sparked complaints from participants and viewers watching via live streaming.

Gold’s center of gravity moving from West to East

For decades, London reigned supreme in the global gold market. Its vast over-the-counter (OTC) system, built on unallocated accounts, netted trades and trust in paper claims set benchmarks and kept most bullion circulating as a financial instrument rather than plain physical

Four banned from South Korea conveyor-belt sushi bar for ordering too many salmon, flounder dishes

They ordered 20 plates of flounder sushi and 10 plates of salmon, among other dishes.

Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye’s home seized over unpaid debt

Ousted leader Park Geun-hye borrowed 2.5 billion won (S$2.1 million) to purchase the home in 2022.

Australia dodges call for arrest of visiting Israel president

Australia’s Foreign Minister said he was invited in line with wishes by the Jewish community.

Pokemon theme park opens in Tokyo

Pokemon is one of Japan’s top cultural exports since its origin in 1996.

‘It’s no laughing matter’: Culinary gas becomes deadly party trend in Indonesia

The death of a 26-year old influencer has thrown nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas”, into the national spotlight.

Taiwan should have no illusions about America’s support

For decades, Taiwan has drawn comfort from the belief that the United States stands as its ultimate security guarantor. Recent statements from Washington again describe Taiwan as a “vital partner” in technology, semiconductors and economic security. Yet history suggests that

Indonesia moves to professionalise padel as sport’s rapid rise fuels demand for licensed coaches, referees

Padel in Indonesia has enjoyed a strong start but the real test is turning today’s excitement into lasting impact, said observers.

Fewer storms, more heatwaves expected in Vietnam for 2026

Cold fronts in the early months of 2026 are expected to be weaker.

Thailand's pilot PM Anutin on course to keep top job

Analysts expect him to emerge from post-election negotiations at the head of a new coalition.

33 TB cases found in Kota Tinggi outbreak: Johor health department

Malaysia's Health Ministry officials are working to limit the spread of the disease, said the health minister.

Australia says attempted bombing of national day protest was act of terror

SYDNEY, Feb 5 - Australian authorities said on Thursday they were treating as a terrorism incident an attempt to bomb a rally protesting against the country's national day on January 26, the first such charge in the state of Western Australia.

South Korea trade envoy says making 'good faith' efforts to meet terms of US deal

US President Donald Trump threatened last week to hike tariffs on imports from South Korea, blaming a delay in enacting a trade deal in which the Asian ally promised to invest US$350 billion in the United States.

Australian police charge man after finding 23,000 child abuse images

Victims were aged between seven and 15 and lived both in Australia and abroad.

Indonesia expects preferential US market access under new tariff deal, says presidential trade envoy

Indonesia’s Presidential Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation Mari Pangestu told CNA the deal reflects a more balanced approach to trade and investment ties.

Lorry driver killed, 30 hurt in crash involving express bus and two lorries on Malaysian highway

The accident involved an express bus, a 10-tonne bonded lorry and a trailer lorry.

As Coupang data leak probe in South Korea drags on, delivery workers and sellers bear the cost

Declining user activity and order volumes have rippled through the e-commerce platform’s logistics ecosystem.

Indonesia’s F-15 fighter jet deal falls through after years of talks

The deal is Indonesia’s attempt to modernise its air force’s ageing fleet.