$549,000 for a ticket to space? Chinese firms play catch-up in space tourism
There has been national push to catch up with the US as the geopolitical rivals jockey over tech leadership.
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‘Draco Malfoy brings good luck’: Harry Potter character becomes lucky symbol in Year of the Horse
Draco Malfoy has become an unexpected symbol of good fortune this Chinese New Year.
Russia's Medvedev says expiry of New START should alarm the world
MOSCOW, Feb 2 - Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said that if the New START treaty expired with no replacement then the world should be alarmed that the biggest nuclear powers had no limits for probably the first time since the early 1970s.
Iran examines diplomacy with US, hopes for results in coming days, official says
DUBAI, Feb 2 - Details of various diplomatic processes to manage tensions with the U.S. are being examined by Iran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday, adding that Tehran hoped for results in the coming days.
Danantara’s big plan to cannibalize Indonesia’s textiles
Indonesia’s government has recently thrown a political and economic spanner into the works of the country’s crucial textile industry. Through the state investment authority Daya Anagata Nusantara, or Danantara, it plans to take on an aggressively expansionist role by building a
‘No connection whatsoever’: Malaysia PM Anwar dismisses Epstein email link
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was among several world figures – which include billionaire Bill Gates and Britain’s disgraced former prince Andrew – mentioned in a series of Epstein-related materials released by the US Department of Justice.
Chinese New Year travel rush kicks off in China ahead of an extra-long holiday
China expects a record 9.5 billion passenger trips to be made during the Chinese New Year travel period.
China executes 4 more accused Myanmar scam centre leaders
In recent years, Beijing has stepped up cooperation with regional governments.
Russia does not want a global conflict, Medvedev says
MOSCOW, Feb 2 - Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Kremlin security official, said in remarks released for publication on Monday that the world was getting very dangerous, but that Russia did not want a global conflict.
China’s fading power and prestige in South Asia
China sought to prove its capabilities through major projects in South Asia, but those same projects now challenge its image as a rising power. Over the past two decades, China has expanded its footprint across South Asia, presenting itself as a reliable provider of
Snapchat blocks 415,000 underage accounts in Australia
Companies face fines of $44 million if they fail to block underage users.
Which are the main parties in Thailand's election and what are their policies?
Feb 2 - Thailand is holding a general election on February 8 with three parties expected to dominate the contest to decide which will lead the Southeast Asian country's next government.
Rural Thai voters shift old loyalties, testing Pheu Thai’s populist machine
Pheu Thai’s grip on rural provinces is weakening and voters are switching allegiance to powerful individual candidates.
Rural Thai voters shift old loyalties, testing Pheu Thai's populist machine
UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand, Feb 2 - Rubber farmer Pinittaya Boonlieng sat with friends in a key political battleground in Thailand to discuss how to vote in the February 8 general election - a choice that once would have been simple in a region long loyal to former premier
Dalai Lama’s ‘gratitude’ at first Grammy win
He bagged the top music industry award for audio book, narration and storytelling.
Squeezed between Trump and China, India looks for faraway friendships
India counts as an especially relevant “middle power” in new arrangements of the world's economy.
Conservationists hopeful as rare fishing cat reappears near Tonle Sap in Cambodia
The fishing cat's global population estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals.
AI is upon us. So why is South Korea still fixated on rote learning?
As the AI era begins to take shape, many parents and students find themselves disoriented.
Students from North Korean defector families twice as likely to leave school in South Korea
Recent data indicates that students of North Korean backgrounds have difficulties with studying.
Nearly 1,800 Chinese among thousands held in huge Cambodian raid on scam compound
The latest raid "truly reflects" that the Cambodian government will never loosen crackdowns on online scammers, says an Interior Ministry spokesman.
Interpol issues red notice for Indonesia ‘gasoline godfather’
Riza’s Indonesian passport was revoked in October.
Two Penang city council officers hurt in balloon explosion during Thaipusam
It is believed the balloons were filled with hydrogen, which is cheaper than helium but highly flammable.
New mandarin orange draws attention in Malaysia for texture and taste
Yellow Beauty has been drawing attention for its sweeter taste, brighter skin and firmer texture.
Penang homemaker wins $12.9 million Supreme Toto jackpot
Her System 10 ticket also earned her an extra RM173,152 in System Play bonus winnings.
Blackpink's Lisa takes on new role as Thailand’s tourism ambassador
The Thai-born K-pop star was unveiled on Jan 28 as the face of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Feel All The Feelings campaign, which aims to attract travellers worldwide in 2026.
From charity to connectivity: China remaking global public health
The United States’ official departure from the World Health Organization in January 2026 creates a profound vacuum in global health governance. While news cycles focus on the immediate financial crisis—a US$260 million funding gap and management teams cut in half—the deeper
Japan says rare earth found in sediment retrieved on deep-sea mission
The sediment containing rare earth was retrieved from a depth of 6,000m, Japan's government said.
Impeachment complaints filed against Philippine V-P Sara Duterte
She is accused of misusing public funds during her term as education secretary.
China executes four more Myanmar mafia members
China has executed four members of the Bai family mafia, which ran scam centres in Myanmar, state media report.
Japan begins over-the-counter ‘morning-after pill’ sales to all ages
The pills must be taken in front of a pharmacist at the facility purchased.
Goodbye dollar dominance, hello global financial anarchy
A week ago I wrote about the possibility that the world would pull its money out of the United States of America. I noted the rise in the price of gold as a sign that the world might be entering a time of international financial anarchy: A lot of people asked me whether gold’s
South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace signs US$922 million deal with Norway to supply rocket launchers
Hanwha plans to build a guided rocket production facility in Poland by 2030, boosting its European presence.
JB-Singapore RTS Link to feature 100 immigration e-gates at Bukit Chagar complex
The rail operator said it benchmarked its approach against international standards.
Tighter curbs at major Western education hubs may steer more students to South Korea: Study
South Korea has stepped up efforts to attract more international students.
K-pop concerts face renewed uncertainty in Greater China
Nationality issues appear unlikely to have been the primary cause in the cancellations.
Japan election: AI-doctored video of campaign broadcast goes viral
The video, which has been deleted, had been viewed more than 1.6 million times.
Modi takes aim at Trump’s tariffs with a budget to shield India
For the Prime Minister, the focus is now on steering the economy through uncertain times.
Japanese PM Takaichi’s party poised for landslide victory, poll shows
A strong showing in the Feb 8 election would solidify Ms Sanae Takaichi’s grip on her party.
Japan PM Takaichi's party poised for landslide victory, Asahi poll shows
TOKYO, Feb 2 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's party is likely to score a landslide victory in next week's lower house election, a survey by the Asahi newspaper showed.
Fatal accidents shake Thailand’s faith in once-dominant builder
The accidents also highlighted broader public concern about Thailand’s highly concentrated economy.
Thailand Election 2026: Youth-linked orange wave propelled a party to win last poll – will history repeat itself?
As Thailand heads into a fragmented and unpredictable election on Sunday (Feb 8), reform has become harder to sell, analysts say. But even without the street protests of the recent past, youth politics continues to shape the electoral race and the ways parties are campaigning.
Pro-Beijing newspaper blasts Panama’s ruling against CK Hutchison’s ports concession
The ruling shows Panama’s lack of judicial independence, says a commentary published in Ta Kung Pao.
KPop Demon Hunters' Golden becomes first K-pop song to win Grammy
The Cure, Yungblud and FKA Twigs are the first British winners on the night in Los Angeles.
Bollywood milks India nationalism for box-office success
A wave of Bollywood war films and spy thrillers have hit screens in recent years.
In Iran, don’t expect a Libya scenario
The Trump administration has fundamentally changed direction on Iran. US NATO Ambassador Matt Whitaker says the US will not try and force regime change in Iran. “We don’t want another Libya scenario,” he says. Whitaker says, “We’re not asking for much, just stop killing your