In calls with Trump and Putin, Xi sets stage for US meeting, reaffirms Russian ties
The calls also highlighted China’s parallel engagement amid mounting pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine and the future of nuclear arms control.
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Germany's Merz heads to Saudi, Gulf in quest for new partners
BERLIN, Feb 4 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday aiming to forge energy and arms partnerships as Europe's biggest and richest economy sought to reduce dependence on the U.S. and China.
Trump has attacked pillars of democracy, Human Rights Watch says
WASHINGTON, Feb 4 - U.S. President Donald Trump has attacked key pillars of his country's democracy, Human Rights Watch warned on Wednesday in its annual report, citing the Republican president's immigration crackdown, threats to voting rights and other policies.
Who is the Baloch Liberation Army behind Pakistan's Balochistan attacks?
KARACHI, FEB 1 - Pakistan's banned separatist group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for coordinated gun and bomb attacks that killed dozens of civilians and security personnel and triggered one of the deadliest security operations in Balochistan in years.
Four people, including two Chinese nationals, arrested in France on suspicion of spying
PARIS, Feb 4 - Four people, including two Chinese nationals, have been arrested in France on suspicion of spying for China and have been brought before an investigative judge, the Paris public prosecutor's office said on Wednesday
China’s Xi calls for ‘mutual respect’ in Trump call, issues Taiwan warning
Mr Xi urged Mr Trump to exercise “caution” when selling arms to Taiwan.
China's Xi and Trump talk by phone, hours after Xi spoke to Putin
BEIJING, Feb 4 - Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV said, ahead of an expected visit by Trump to China in April and hours after Xi had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Quick on their feed: What’s driving the ‘AI slop’ consumption surge in South Korea
South Korea recorded among surveyed countries the steepest jump in generative AI usage in 2025.
India’s competition watchdog orders probe into IndiGo after mass flight cancellations
Indigo cancelled about 4,500 flights in the first weeks of December 2025.
Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival cancelled over fears of visitors behaving badly
The festival attracts around 200,000 visitors each year.
China's Xi and Trump talk by phone, Chinese state media report
BEIJING, Feb 4 - Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported, ahead of an expected visit by Trump to China in April.
Seoul feeling the ‘BTS effect’ ahead of K-pop band’s comeback concert
Budget and midrange options are also filling fast.
UK pro-Palestinian activists not guilty of burglary over raid at Israeli firm Elbit
LONDON, Feb 4 - Six British pro-Palestinian activists were acquitted of aggravated burglary on Wednesday over a 2024 raid on Israeli defence firm Elbit's factory, with a jury unable to reach verdicts on other charges including criminal damage.
UK pro-Palestinian activists not guilty of aggravated burglary at Israeli firm's factory
LONDON, Feb 4 - Six British pro-Palestinian activists were acquitted on Wednesday of aggravated burglary relating to a 2024 raid on a factory operated by Israeli defence firm Elbit, with a jury unable to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage.
Tourist arrested for brandishing knife after failing to buy cigarettes at KL convenience store
If convicted, the suspect may be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, fined, or both.
Malaysia PM Anwar denies ceding over 5,000ha of land to Indonesia amid border compensation claims
Three North Kalimantan villages are now recorded as falling within Malaysia after joint border redemarcation work.
Xi, Putin hail ties in video call as Ukraine war nears anniversary
BEIJING, Feb 4 - China's President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin both hailed their ties during a video call on Wednesday held in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of Moscow's war in Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific airlines set for continued growth despite global headwinds: Industry body
“Air travel is a socio-economic necessity in the region. That’s why the demand is so strong," AAPA chief Subhas Menon told CNA’s Yasmin Jonkers at the Singapore Airshow.
Myanmar junta plans ‘super-body’ to tighten grip on military, new government
Experts say the move will allow Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing to become president while ensuring he retains control over the military.
US hosts countries for talks to weaken China's grip on critical minerals
WASHINGTON, Feb 4 - The United States will host more than 50 countries on Wednesday for talks aimed at boosting their access to critical minerals, in a bid to loosen China's grip over vital industrial inputs that has allowed it to control global supply chains.
Pope Leo urges Russia and US to renew last nuclear arms treaty
VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 - Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last nuclear arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country.
Two brothers charged with murder in Johor skeletal remains case
No plea was recorded from the duo.
A new nuclear age beckons as clock ticks down on last Russia-US arms deal
MOSCOW, Feb 4 - The last nuclear treaty between Russia and the United States is due to expire within hours, raising the risk of a new arms race in which China will also play a key role.
Malaysia’s new armed forces chief promises ‘total clean-up’ of military
Malaysia's Defence Ministry has stepped up corruption probe in recent weeks.
The US-India trade deal that isn’t
When Donald Trump announces a “historic deal,” the room usually vibrates with superlatives. When Narendra Modi responds, the quiet is more telling than the words. Their latest exchange—a claimed swap of ending Russian oil purchases for a US tariff cut—was a masterclass in
South Korea parliament to finalise bill on US investment fund by March 9
SEOUL, Feb 4 - South Korea's National Assembly has agreed to finalise a bill to make investments in the United States by March 9 under a trade deal between the countries, the ruling and main opposition parties said on Wednesday.
Zhang Youxia: Veteran princeling caught in China’s military purge
His abrupt sidelining was largely unexpected, due to his long military tenure and perceived closeness with President Xi.
Markets losing faith in Prabowo’s grasp of economic reality
As economic bookmarks go, Indonesia’s stock market enduring its worst rout since the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis is as ominous as they come. Jakarta stocks are cratering as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy gets caught skinny dipping, in the Warren Buffett sense. The famed
Can Indonesian businesses thrive amid global uncertainties, changing consumer tastes?
As market pressures, digital disruption and global uncertainties intensify, Indonesian businesses must adapt and target impact-driven innovation, say analysts. These issues will be on the agenda at the CNA Summit in Jakarta on Thursday (Feb 5).
2 Malaysian brothers charged with murder after 6 bodies found in burnt Johor house
The deceased - including five from a family - were discovered in January in a burnt house at an oil palm plantation in Kangkar Pulai. Three of them were children aged two to nine.
Myanmar junta’s proxy party named winner of criticised election
Some 13.1 million of 24.2 million eligible voters cast their ballots, a junta spokesman said.
US and Iran to hold nuclear talks in Oman amid heightened tensions, diplomat says
DUBAI, Feb 4 - Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are expected to take place in Oman on Friday, a regional diplomat said, with a possible confrontation looming as U.S. President Donald Trump builds up forces in the Middle East.
Hong Kong’s bus seat belt saga has all the makings of a good comedy
The government’s policy U-turn features tension, deja vu, a big misunderstanding and a surprise plot twist.
Iran’s drones giving Russia a critical edge in Ukraine war
With Russian ground troops bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, Moscow is striving to press home its advantage in the skies – through an ever-evolving army of drones, courtesy of Iran. In early January, wreckage of a drone found in Ukraine hinted at a new high-speed
Japan warns of avalanches as number of snow deaths rises to 35
The warning comes after the mercury suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall.
Japan warns of avalanches as snow deaths rise to 35
Sustained snow since late January has left residents struggling to leave home and forced schools and businesses to close.
Taiwan must pass defence spending to avoid giving wrong impression, President says
Pressure from US politicians has grown on Parliament not to hold up defence spending.
Hong Kong signals caution in stablecoin license rollout
Hong Kong authorities are moving toward issuing the city’s first stablecoin licenses, with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority targeting March for an initial round. Market expectations, however, have been carefully managed. Based on regulatory signals and industry briefings, the
Chinese journalist Liu Hu detained in Sichuan after report scrutinising local officials
Liu, a veteran investigative journalist, and his assistant are reportedly in custody for "illegal business operations" and "false accusations".
Taiwan must pass defence spending to avoid giving wrong impression, president says
TAIPEI, Feb 4 - If Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament continues to block $40 billion in proposed extra defence spending the international community could misunderstand the island's determination to defend itself, President Lai Ching-te said on Wednesday.
Bomb disposal officer injured after explosion at petrol station in Thai province of Pattani
The blast was reported in the accessible toilet of the petrol station.
Philippine House panel finds bid to impeach President Marcos lacks substance
The President, who is midway through his term in office, had denied wrongdoing.
South Korea to regulate e-cigarettes by classifying them as tobacco products
The revision to the Tobacco Business Act is set to take effect on April 24.
Handbags and hashtags: Japan’s Takaichi rides youth-led craze into election
Her personal approval ratings are almost double that of her party's – the Liberal Democratic Party.