Medan’s non-halal meat ban draws criticism from impacted traders in Indonesia
The ban could escalate into a sensitive ethnic or religious issue in the city.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
‘No more rip-off’: South Korea moves to end unfair pricing amid concern over negative image among tourists
A motel in Busan can charge up to $670 per night leading up to the BTS concert in June.
Australian PM Albanese sorry after saying sexual assault survivor ‘difficult’
He was asked at a forum to give one-word reactions to various personalities.
Shots fired at Malaysian official’s vehicle near Thai border
The shots were fired at the vehicle from about 1m away.
Thai ex-PM Thaksin eligible for release on parole on May 9, says official
He will not be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Samsung unveils Galaxy S26, raises prices on AI push
Samsung Electronics raised prices for the first time in three years.
Fiji and Tuvalu to host pre-COP31 climate meetings
SYDNEY, Feb 26 - Fiji and Tuvalu will host key meetings in the lead-up to the COP31 climate summit in 2026, the Pacific Islands Forum said on Thursday.
New tax proposal takes aim at Thailand’s salty food obsession
The move could make it the first country in Asia to impose nationwide levies on both sugar and salt.
North Korea leader Kim’s daughter appears at military parade, state media footage shows
She has made increasingly prominent appearances over the past three years.
North Korea leader Kim's daughter appears at military parade, state media footage shows
SEOUL, Feb 26 - The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a military parade held in Pyongyang on Wednesday night, state media footage showed on Thursday, amid speculation that she is being groomed as a potential successor.
Cambodia claims its crackdown has halved online scam activity
Officials aim to bring all remaining operations under control by April.
Delays at Malaysia’s Johor checkpoint on Feb 25 caused by system failure that disabled all autogates
The three-and-a-half-hour failure occurred between 3am and 6.30am.
Malaysia bets on durian trails, wildlife to extend tourism boom
Malaysia hopes that food pilgrimages, farm stays and wildlife treks will lure visitors.
Nepal election 2026: When is the vote and who are the main candidates?
This election will be the first since deadly youth protests toppled the government in 2025.
How a ‘poo-nami’ turned Wellington summer beach dreams into a stinky nightmare
A Feb 4 sewage leak in south Wellington has seen millions of litres of untreated sewage flush into the sea.
8 budget-friendly Malaysian handbag brands that deliver luxe style for less
These eight Malaysian handbag brands deliver style, quality and versatility – with prices starting from S$17.
North Korea says willing to ‘get along’ with US if acknowledged as nuclear power
He excluded any discussion with South Korea.
'We don't know where we are going': Why Asian firms are not cheering Trump tariff ruling
The US Supreme Court's decision to block a pillar of US trade policy has caused yet more uncertainty.
North Korea's Kim says relations with US depend on US attitude, military parade held
SEOUL, Feb 26 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said prospects of North Korea-U.S. relations depend entirely on the attitude of the United States, while excluding any discussion with South Korea, state media KCNA said on Thursday.
Southeast Asia caught between relief and new risks after US court strikes down Trump tariffs
Southeast Asian countries could benefit from a temporary lowering of tariffs, but analysts warn there are other means United States President Donald Trump can use to keep his trade agenda alive.
Commentary: My aunties now debate Trump’s tariffs on Indonesia. Here’s what they miss
A good tariff deal means little if permits crawl and customs stumble, says a strategic communicator.
Commentary: China’s gold rush comes to Xi's tariff-free paradise
Sales have soared in duty-free shopping hub Hainan, but the Chinese middle class isn’t actually consuming, says Shuli Ren for Bloomberg Opinion.
Attacking refugee problems with the old UNHCR setup won’t work
Sir, It would be preposterous of me to present to you my congratulations for your recent election to head the UN Refugee Agency. Conversely, having served 20 years with your organization I would like to share with you some observations, whatever their relevance. You have been
Scam centres ‘destroying’ Cambodia’s economy, PM tells AFP
A clampdown has resulted in thousands of arrests, but critics have questioned its authenticity.
Cambodia wants ‘de-escalation’ in conflict with Thailand, PM tells AFP
Clashes in 2025 killed dozens of people and displaced more than a million.
Top Dems reportedly work to sabotage bill to stop Trump Iran war
Top US Democrats are reportedly working behind the scenes to stop a vote that would force them to go on the record about whether they support a Trump administration attack on Iran. As the president amasses an armada in the Middle East in apparent preparation for an unauthorized
India’s Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount
India stands with Israel “with full conviction", Mr Modi told Israel's Parliament.
Shen Yun in the news again: target of an Australian bomb threat
A Tuesday night evacuation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese from his Canberra official residence, the Lodge, has been linked to the Chinese dance troupe Shen Yun. In a bomb threat emailed to the group, the sender said explosives would be detonated if Australian performances
Kyoto mulls over higher bus fares for visitors, up to double those for locals
If confirmed, it would be the first such tiered pricing in Japan that favours local residents.
US tariff rate to hit 15% or more for some nations, USTR says
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 - The U.S. tariff rate for some countries will rise to 15% or higher from the newly imposed 10%, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, without naming any specific trading partners or giving further details.
Sri Lanka arrests ex-intelligence chief over 2019 Easter bombings
COLOMBO, Feb 25 - Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department arrested on Wednesday the country's former intelligence chief in connection with the Easter bombings of 2019 that killed 279 people.
Iran sees 'good outlook' for talks with US as negotiating team heads to Geneva
DUBAI, Feb 25 - Iran sees the chance of a good outcome from a third round of talks with the United States, its President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday, as a delegation left for Geneva for negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.
Record 129 journalists and media workers killed in 2025, mostly by Israel, says CPJ
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 - A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed in the course of their work last year, two-thirds of them killed by Israel, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday.
Hungary's Orban says Ukraine planning steps to disrupt energy system
BUDAPEST, Feb 25 - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday accused Ukraine of planning to disrupt the Hungarian energy system and ordered the deployment of soldiers and equipment to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Hong Kong’s Budget is back in the black – but not without sacrifice
The odds have finally tipped in city’s favour. Can it last?
Australia tells families of diplomats to leave Israel, Lebanon
JERUSALEM, Feb 25 - The Australian government has told dependants of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave the two Middle East countries, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, amid rising fears of military conflict between the United States and Iran.
China warns US it will respond if trade probe spurs new tariffs
China’s Commerce Ministry was responding to comments by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
‘I thought I was safe’: What’s behind Malaysia’s rising TB cases
Transmission of tuberculosis typically requires prolonged, close exposure to an infectious individual.
Mostaqur Rahman appointed Bangladesh cenbank head, government says
DHAKA, Feb 25 - Bangladesh's new government appointed entrepreneur and financial governance specialist Mostaqur Rahman as governor of the central bank, a government notification said on Wednesday.
Ukrainian drone strike kills seven in western Russia, investigators say
MOSCOW, Feb 25 - Russian investigators said seven people were killed and at least 10 wounded on Wednesday in a Ukrainian drone attack on a chemical plant in western Russia.
Pakistan wary of militant attacks after Afghanistan air strikes
ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 - Pakistan has boosted security and arrested dozens of suspects as it fears rising wave of militant attacks following its air strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan's Junior Interior Minister said on Wednesday.
China’s Spring Festival travel and spending hit record highs, but it’s not all rosy
Some 596 million domestic trips during the nine-day holiday, but Chinese consumers appeared more prudent.
Man wanted for alleged role in Cambodia-based human trafficking and scam ring arrested in Bali
Rifaldo Aquino Pontoh was arrested at I Gusti I Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali.
40 years after dictatorship, Philippines struggles with entrenched political dynasties
Anniversary protests alleging ongoing corruption underscore how the revolution’s promises of reform remain unfulfilled.
Google disrupts Chinese-linked hackers that attacked 53 groups globally
Feb 25 - Google disrupted a Chinese-linked hacking group that breached at least 53 organizations across 42 countries, the company said Wednesday.
Filipinos protest against corruption on anniversary of Marcos Sr’s ouster
Protestors aimed their anger at a corruption scandal under the Marcos Jr administration.
Tokyo Skytree observation deck remains closed after elevator malfunction that trapped 20 people
Inspectors are continuing to look into the cause of the accident.
Myanmar junta air strike kills at least 17: Local groups
Myanmar has been consumed by civil war since the junta snatched power in a 2021 coup.