Japan's beloved last pandas leave for China as ties fray

The distinctive black-and-white animals, loaned out as part of China's "panda diplomacy", have symbolised friendship between Beijing and Tokyo since they normalised diplomatic ties in 1972.

Man charged with throwing ‘explosive device’ into Australia Day rally

The man was charged with an attempt to cause harm and with making or possessing explosives.

Who really holds all the cards: Trump or the bond market?

When a Danish pension fund recently announced it would sell its US$100 million holding of US government bonds, the move was tiny in financial terms – just a drop in a $30 trillion ocean. But it touched on a much bigger issue. Foreign investors now hold around one-third of all

Mahathir enjoys quick coffee outing in KL in first public appearance since hip fracture

The former Malaysian premier fractured his hip on Jan 6 in his home.

India’s strategic autonomy has become a liability

India’s long-cherished doctrine of strategic autonomy, once a badge of post-colonial independence, is steadily mutating from a source of flexibility into a condition of strategic drift. What was designed to preserve room for maneuver is now generating accumulating

Indonesian parliament appoints president's nephew as central bank board member

On Monday, a parliamentary commission overseeing finance had endorsed Thomas Djiwandono as the new deputy governor, eliminating two other career central bankers.

Indonesian parliament appoints president’s nephew as central bank board member

The decision was unanimously agreed during the House’s plenary session on Jan 27.

Explainer: Why has Trump threatened to raise US tariffs on South Korea again?

Seoul pledged billions of investments into US industries in return for a 15 per cent cap on tariffs.

Explainer-Why has President Trump threatened to raise US tariffs on South Korea again?

SEOUL, Jan 27 - U.S. President Donald Trump said he was hiking tariffs on autos and other goods imported from South Korea to 25%, citing Seoul's failure to legislate a trade deal agreed last year that capped U.S. levies on the items at 15%.

Chinese tourists flock to South Korea over Japan for Lunar Holiday amid visa ease

China-Japan diplomatic friction and Seoul’s easing of visas for Chinese tour groups among factors.

Malaysia’s health ministry assessing situation after reports of Nipah virus infections in India

The ministry is actively verifying the reports through official channels.

Philippines grounds ferry operator’s fleet after deadly sinking

The ferry’s caption, eight crew members and a safety marshal remain are among those still missing.

Snow leopard lunges at tourist in Xinjiang ski area after she gets close for a photo

The incident occurred after the woman was said to have ignored repeated warnings from fellow tourists.

Severe haze blankets Bangkok as PM2.5 reaches orange-level health risk

Orange PM2.5 levels mean air quality is starting to affect health.

Philippines grounds ferry operator's fleet after deadly sinking

Zumwalt’s hypersonic reboot adds punch but not parity with China

The US Navy’s troubled Zumwalt-class destroyer is being recast as a long-range hypersonic strike asset as the US adapts its naval strategy to intensifying competition with China. This month, multiple media outlets reported that the US Navy’s stealth destroyer USS Zumwalt

China makes strides in extreme weather forecasts to help citizens stay safe

This additional time is crucial for people to take necessary safety measures, the authorities said.

S. Korean teacher died ‘in line of duty’ after parent dispute, review committee decides

A team concluded that the school’s complaint response system failed to function properly.

New Zealand government plans inquiry into landslide tragedy

The local council has come under pressure for leaving campers exposed to the risk.

China’s global leadership would be different

China is described as seeking to project global leadership and to fill a leadership vacuum left by the US under Donald Trump. This view, however, originates largely from Western sources. Chinese official discourse has remained markedly cautious on global leadership. Rather than

Philippines, US hold joint sail in disputed South China Sea shoal

The Philippines has pivoted closer to Washington under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippines, U.S. hold joint sail in disputed South China Sea shoal

MANILA, Jan 27 - The Philippine and U.S. militaries sailed together at a disputed South China Sea shoal this week, Manila's armed forces said on Tuesday, performing joint exercises to boost interoperability between the two treaty allies.

Tributes pour in for Mark Tully, BBC's 'voice of India' who died at 90

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to Tully, saying "his connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works".

Japan-US alliance would crumble if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis, says PM Sanae Takaichi

Ties between Japan and China have sunk to the worst level in years after her comments in November.

Japan-US alliance would crumble if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis, PM Takaichi says

TOKYO, Jan 27 - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan's strategic alliance with the U.S. would collapse if Tokyo were to turn away from a conflict in Taiwan, but distanced herself from previous comments that suggested a possible military response in such an event.

Hong Kong constitutional minister Erick Tsang resigns for health reasons

He said he is being treated for prostate cancer.

Fearing China clash, Japan asks fishermen to avoid flashpoint islands

The requests signal an abrupt shift after years in which Tokyo tacitly accepted such trips.

First accessible pub in China fosters community of people with disabilities and the able-bodied

'We support their needs, but we do not make it something special,' owner Xia Yujie said.

FIFA ban on Malaysia’s seven naturalised footballers put on hold pending final appeal

More than 40,000ha of mangrove forests lost in Malaysia since 2017, says ministry

This was caused by natural and human factors, said the Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Ministry.

Seoul’s first street-level tram in 58 years to hit the rails in February

Seoul plans to introduce 10 tram sets in stages through May.

Craftsmen in Sarawak determined to preserve the art of making lion heads

Customers from Malaysia and as far away as China, US come to buy Sarawakian Ronny Chin's lion heads.

Japan court orders compensation for migrants lured to North Korea

The plaintiffs said North Korea was marketed to them as "paradise on Earth".

Australia cancels visa of Israeli influencer

Sammy Yahood has commented on social media that Islam is a “disgusting ideology”.

Australia heatwave raises bushfire threat as Melbourne braces for hottest day in 17 years

SYDNEY, Jan 27 - A major heatwave across Australia's southeast raised bushfire threats, with Melbourne forecast to record its hottest day in nearly 17 years on Tuesday, and hundreds of residents in rural towns were ordered to immediately evacuate their homes.

Australia heatwave raises bush fire threat as Melbourne braces itself for hottest day in 17 years

The temperature in Melbourne could hit 45 deg C.

China cancels all flights on 49 routes to Japan

The latest adjustments follow earlier steps taken by Chinese airlines to manage Japan-bound demand.

Reunion of 2 friends in Japan results in $5.7m lawsuit over alleged fraudulent investment schemes

Ten years after their reunion, the two men, now in their 60s, ended up in court.

UK's Starmer heads to China to repair ties as he navigates tensions with US

LONDON, Jan 27 - Prime Minister Keir Starmer will fly to China on Tuesday on the first visit by a British leader in eight years, in a bid to mend ties with the world's second-largest economy and reduce its dependence on an increasingly unpredictable United States.

Search and rescue efforts under way for 10 still missing after deadly Philippine ferry disaster

Death toll is 18 and 316 people were rescued.

Divers to be deployed in search for missing in Philippine ferry sinking

Death toll is 18 and 316 people were rescued.

Trump raises US tariffs on South Korea imports to 25%

Trump has accused Seoul of "not living up" to a trade deal that was reached last year.

China has purged its highest-ranked military general. Why?

Zhang Youxia had been seen as a close ally of China's leader, Xi Jinping.

Trump says he is raising tariffs on certain South Korean imports

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 - President Donald Trump said on Monday he was increasing tariffs on South Korean imports into the U.S. related to autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals to 25% while accusing the ally's legislature of \"not living up\" to its trade deal with Washington.

Trump says he is raising tariffs on certain South Korean imports to 25% after trade deal delays

The increase for goods such as autos and pharmaceuticals would bring tariff levels from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

Trump says he is raising tariffs on certain South Korean imports to 25%

Tokyo pandas head for China, leaving Japan bereft of beloved bears

Ueno Zoo invited some 4,400 lucky winners of an online lottery to see the pandas for the last time.

Commentary: Time to rethink Philippine economy’s reliance on remittances

As remittances from overseas Filipinos slow down amid global uncertainties, the Philippines needs to develop new growth drivers, says an academic.

US believes Hamas disarmament comes along with some sort of amnesty, US official says

WASHINGTON, Jan 26 - The United States believes disarmament by Hamas militants in Gaza comes along with some sort of amnesty for the Palestinian group, a U.S. official said on Monday.