In JB during Chinese New Year? Your quick guide to what’s open, where to go and what to skip

Most of Johor Bahru’s Chinese shops and eateries will shutter during CNY, but you’ll find life in the major malls and then some.

Under US scrutiny, CATL rolls out new batteries and investment

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, has delivered a cluster of upbeat announcements within the past one week. These included new investment plans in Europe, test results showing ultra-long-life lithium batteries and

They were drawn to Korea with dreams of K-pop stardom - but then let down

Stories of aspiring foreign trainees shed light on an under-regulated industry, where there is opportunity and risk.

Will Sunday's snap election gamble pay off for Japan's first female premier?

Sanae Takaichi is popular - but inflation and a diplomatic row with China weigh on voters' minds.

Three dead in light plane crash off South Australia coast: Police

The plane went down in Long Bay near the port town of Goolwa South.

Three dead in light plane crash off South Australia coast, police say

SYDNEY, Feb 7 - A light plane crashed into the ocean off South Australia on Friday killing the three men on board, police said.

Thailand Election 2026: Foreign policy in spotlight as leaders look outward amid shifting world

Some experts believe Thailand is still paying the price of past military coups and grappling with a legitimacy deficit on the world stage.

Seven key Trump-Iran moments as tensions run high

Feb 6 - The United States and Iran on Friday were trying to reach a diplomatic solution to disputes between the two nations that have led to heightened tensions in the Middle East, and warnings from President Donald Trump that military options are at his disposal.

When the screen turns black in the age of digital sieges

In 1938, watching the rise of totalitarianism in Europe and the looming shadow of global conflict, Bertrand Russell defined “naked power.” In his seminal work Power: A New Social Analysis he described power that requires no consent, no tradition and no justification other than

After years of low growth and intensifying competition, can Thailand get back its economic groove?

Thailand, which heads to the polls on Feb 8, has lost its lustre after years of economic underperformance.

Sweeping EU sanctions plan aims to hit Russian crude exports harder

BRUSSELS, Feb 6 - The European Commission on Friday proposed a sweeping ban on any services that support Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, going far beyond previous piecemeal EU sanctions in its effort to stunt Moscow's key source of income for its war on Ukraine.

EU proposes to broaden sanctions on Russian crude in sweeping new package

BRUSSELS, Feb 6 - The European Commission on Friday proposed a sweeping ban on any services that support Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, going far beyond previous piecemeal EU sanctions in its effort to stunt Moscow's key source of income for its war on Ukraine.

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

DHAKA, Feb 6 - Bangladesh’s leading prime ministerial contender, Tarique Rahman, on Friday rejected a proposal from his main rival for a unity government after elections next week, saying his party was confident of winning on its own.

Kites and victory cries fill Lahore skies as festival returns after 18-year ban

The Basant festival was banned in 2008 due to kite string deaths and injuries.

Azerbaijan issues strong protest to Russia over lawmaker's comments on Karabakh trial

BAKU, Feb 6 - Azerbaijan issued a strong protest to Russia on Friday after a Russian lawmaker condemned the sentencing of 13 ethnic Armenians who had held senior positions in the former breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Hezbollah accepts resignation of senior security official Wafiq Safa, sources say

BEIRUT, Feb 6 - Lebanon's Hezbollah accepted the resignation of senior security official Wafiq Safa on Friday, the first time an official of his rank has stepped down, sources familiar with the group's thinking told Reuters.

Epstein offered ‘tall Swedish blonde’ to Indian tycoon Anil Ambani

Anil Ambani responded "Arrange that." less than 20 seconds after the offer.

Kites and victory cries fill Lahore skies as festival returns after long ban

LAHORE, Feb 6 - Extravagantly coloured kites dueled above Lahore and cries of victory rang out from rooftops on Friday, as the city celebrated the lifting of an 18-year ban on a spectacular three-day traditional Punjabi kite-flying festival.

Cambodia reveals damage to UNESCO-listed temple after Thailand clashes

Thailand Election 2026: Major parties make final push in Bangkok as Feb 8 vote looms

The three major parties hoping to lead Thailand’s next government made their final pitches to large crowds of supporters in Bangkok on Friday (Feb 6), as the country prepares to head to the polls this weekend.

Over 480,000 summonses issued to foreign drivers in Malaysia over last three years

The summonses amounted to RM25.3 million (S$8.15 million).

More than 30 killed in blast at Pakistan mosque, officials say

Almost 170 were injured in the explosion, which took place during Friday prayers in the capital Islamabad.

Many Chinese choosing S-E Asia over Japan for Chinese New Year holiday as bilateral spat hits flights

Beijing cancelled flights on 49 air routes to Japan after PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan angered it.

Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono summoned by police over Netflix show

Police said he had been summoned but did not name him as a suspect in any offence.

Coin portrait of late Queen draws criticism in Australia

The Royal Australian Mint has defended the design of the coins, which mark 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II's birth.

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi’ite mosque in Pakistan’s capital, officials say

The blasts wounded almost 170 other people.

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi'ite mosque in Pakistan's capital, officials say

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - A suicide bomber killed at least 31 people and wounded almost 170 others during Friday prayers in a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police and government officials said.

A bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad's outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores

Bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad's outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores

During Friday prayers, a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque in Pakistan where 31 people were killed.

ASEAN chair says no change to stance on Myanmar, even as questions persist

The cessation of violence is "the most basic thing" that the grouping will look at, said the Philippines.

Suicide bomber kills 12 at mosque in Pakistan's capital, police say

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - A suicide bomber killed at least 12 people during Friday prayers in a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, two police officials said.

Several killed in Islamabad mosque explosion, say police

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - An explosion ripped through a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad on Friday killing several worshippers, police said.

UN Security Council to exempt sanctions on humanitarian aid for North Korea, source says

SEOUL, Feb 6 - A United Nations committee has approved exemptions from wide-reaching sanctions against North Korea to allow fresh humanitarian aid to reach the country, a diplomatic source said on Friday, amid a push by Seoul and Washington to engage Pyongyang.

Indonesian comedian summoned by police over Netflix show

JAKARTA, Feb 6 - An Indonesian comedian who became the first from his country to air a special on Netflix was called in for questioning on Friday after police said they had received complaints that some of the material in the show was insulting and blasphemous.

New START’s expiration invites new nuclear arms race

The New START treaty, the last remaining agreement constraining Russian and US nuclear weapons, lapsed on February 4. There are no negotiations to extend the terms of the treaty, either. As US President Donald Trump said dismissively in a recent interview, “if it expires, it

Gas-filled balloons explode inside Mumbai lift, injuring delivery worker and student

The student had just arrived in Mumbai to visit a relative when the balloons were being delivered for a birthday celebration in the same building.

Hong Kong’s tolerance for shortcuts has turned deadly

Hong Kong prides itself on being a first world city. So how did such a thing like the Tai Po fire happen?

Trump has been clear on wanting new nuclear arms control treaty, says US official

GENEVA, Feb 6 - The U.S. on Friday called for a new arms control agreement after the treaty that set caps on Russia and the U.S.'s strategic nuclear weapons deployments for more than two decades expired on Thursday.

UN to approve sanction exemptions on N. Korea aid projects: Sources

The move would the provision of aid such as medical equipment and water purification systems.

China’s ‘Starlink killer’ new cutting edge of microwave weapons

China’s latest high-power microwave (HPM) breakthrough, a powerful truck-mountable system described by Chinese researchers and Chinese media as a potential counter to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as Starlink, signals a shift toward non-kinetic weapons designed to

Cement truck plunges into Penang Hospital construction site, killing one

The incident occurred at 11.29am on Feb 6 and the Indonesian victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Japan’s election tests its ability to navigate the Trump era

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Japan’s political equilibrium is on the ballotScott Foster reports that Japan’s February 8 election will decide whether the LDP regains one-party dominance or remains

Taiwan to seek extension of arms deals with US amid budget stand-off

Taiwan’s defence ministry has warned any delay could postpone much-needed weapons deliveries.

Takaichi seeks voter blessing for a new fiscal blowout

TOKYO — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party looks set to strengthen its hold on parliament in Sunday’s election, which, if so, will free her to pump new waves of stimulus into Japan’s underperforming economy. Voters appear jazzed by the prospect of reopening those fiscal

Fire near Hong Kong wholesale food market extinguished

Plumes of black smoke could be seen rising above the western part of the city's Kowloon peninsula.

China open to talks with Lithuania after apparent change in Taiwan stance

Lithuania had begun taking “small first steps” to restore ties, PM Inga Ruginiene said.

China says open to communicating with Lithuania after apparent change in Taiwan stance

BEIJING, Feb 6 - China said on Friday that it was open to dialogue with Lithuania - remarks that come after Lithuania's prime minister described a 2021 decision to let Taiwan set up a de facto embassy in its capital Vilnius as a \"mistake\".