Philippines, Japan, US hold joint military drills in South China Sea

Malaysian police probe alleged plot to topple government

The probe centres on claims that a local influencer was working in collaboration with an international media agency.

Malaysia ministry urges hotels to offer 23-hour stays to attract tourists

The longer hotel stays would further enhance consumers’ value for money.

‘Having a woman as the first customer is bad luck’: Jeju soup restaurant under fire for sexism

The elderly woman who owned the place discriminated against women.

Panama officials search CK Hutchison's subsidiary office, source says

PANAMA CITY, Feb 26 - Panamanian authorities conducted a search of an office unit of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison in Panama on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the operation.

Pakistan strikes Afghanistan targets as clashes intensify

KABUL, Feb 27 - Pakistan struck targets inside Afghanistan's major cities overnight, Pakistani and Taliban officials said on Friday, as cross-border fighting intensified following months of tensions and skirmishes between the two countries.

Bacterial contamination of govt-provided meals blamed for food poisoning in North Sumatra

The case in Dairi regency was not the first bacteria contamination of the free meals.

Australian supermarket giant reins in AI assistant claiming to be human

Users reported that the AI-powered customer service assistant had been rambling about its mother.

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides.

TikTok and free durians: What Indonesia is doing to spark Gen Z interest in marriage

There has been a persistent decline in registered Muslim marriages in Indonesia.

China’s healthcare system races to catch up with rapid ageing

By 2035, about 30 per cent – more than 400 million people – of China’s population is expected to be 60 and above.

Warmer winters leave Pakistan festival on thin ice

HUNZA VALLEY, Pakistan, Feb 27 - Every winter for decades, the pool in front of Aleena Gul's house in Pakistan's Hunza Valley has transformed into an ice rink, framed by jagged Himalayan peaks and the stone walls of Altit Fort.

The Boys' Love at the heart of Heated Rivalry is a familiar tale in Asia

Same-sex romance has flourished in Asia as a haven of fantasy and escapism for women and the queer community.

Hong Kong jailed my dad to stop me speaking out, says activist

Pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok's father has been jailed for eight months for a national security offence.

What’s fuelling Malaysia’s temple land disputes and does Anwar face ‘no-win scenario’?

Land disputes over “illegal” temples are resurfacing long-standing questions of identity politics, and putting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim under fire, say analysts.

Commentary: Singapore’s best defence against Nipah virus isn’t temperature screening at the airport

Thermal scanning at ports of entry is not as effective in keeping rare deadly pathogens out as one may hope, says Hsu Li Yang from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Pakistan strikes Afghan cities as cross-border attacks escalate

The Afghan Taliban said it had responded to the Pakistani strikes, which targeted Afghan cities including Kabul and Kandahar.

Hong Kong’s budget surplus masks mounting structural deficit

The Hong Kong government has squezed out an estimated surplus for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, supported by stronger-than-expected revenue from stock-trading stamp duties along with expanded bond issuance and the reallocation of some special funds. Financial Secretary

Indian weddings feel weight of gold prices soaring to record levels

Demand for gold has remained steady despite the high prices.

A tale of two elections: Quiet in Laos, lively in Thailand. But some things remain the same

Analysts view the recent polls as "political theatre" with no real change expected.

Pakistan, Afghan forces clash after days of hostilities

KABUL, Feb 26 - Pakistani and Afghan border forces clashed on Thursday night after the Taliban launched what it called retaliatory strikes on Pakistani installations, sharply escalating tensions after days of cross-border hostilities.

Japan aims to draw up international recommendation to curb space debris near Moon

The area of the Moon is an extremely challenging environment for space debris removal.

Russia to help select and train first Myanmar cosmonaut

MOSCOW, Feb 26 - Russia said on Thursday it will help select and train Myanmar's first cosmonaut in a sign of growing ties with the Southeast Asian state.

China removes five generals from national lawmaking body

One lieutenant general and three major generals were also removed from the list of deputies in China's top legislature.

Bangladesh court seeks Interpol red notice for UK lawmaker Tulip Siddiq over alleged corruption

Siddiq is the niece of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh court orders move to seek Interpol red notice for UK lawmaker Siddiq

DHAKA, Feb 26 - A court in Bangladesh ordered authorities to seek an Interpol red notice against British lawmaker and former minister Tulip Siddiq on Thursday over alleged corruption linked to a private real estate project in the capital.

‘You stood by Israel’: Modi’s visit to Jerusalem deepens ties amid turmoil in the region

The visit comes as the conflict in Gaza and future of Palestine strain Israeli ties with many Global South countries.

UN rights chief says Taliban decree expands executions, deepens repression

GENEVA, Feb 26 - A new decree from Afghanistan's Taliban government is set to further crush rights and freedoms in the war-torn nation, especially for women, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Thursday.

Philippine volcano eruption sends ash 2.5km into sky

An official said there might be a bigger explosive eruption in the next few days.

China close to giving Iran a ship-killer as US carriers close in

As US carriers steam toward Iran, China’s CM-302 missile offer could turn a faltering energy-rich partner into a sharper spear in a widening great-power contest over power, data and energy. Reuters recently reported that Iran is close to finalizing a deal to buy Chinese-made

Russia says sending British troops to Ukraine would prolong war, not end it

MOSCOW, Feb 26 - Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the war, not end it.

Germany’s Merz says challenges remain as he concludes inaugural China trip

German business leaders say overcapacity by Chinese firms has distorted competition.

No proven link between Duterte speeches and drug deaths: Defence at ICC

His lawyer said the prosecution had “cherry picked” speeches.

Chinamaxxing: TikTok’s campaign to make being Chinese cool

“Drink hot water” has become an unlikely life philosophy on TikTok, as countless users track their journey towards “being” or “becoming Chinese.” All of this is part of a broader social media trend dubbed “Chinamaxxing.” Out of context it may seem strange: thousands of

‘Can’t run away’: Malaysia opposition bloc PN must engage non-Malays, says new chairman

Perikatan Nasional’s chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar will however have an uphill battle to persuade non-Muslim voters to support the coalition, analysts tell CNA.

Snake-like robot unveiled for Fukushima debris removal

Indonesia jails two British nationals for drug smuggling

Germany's Merz says challenges remain as he concludes inaugural China trip

HANGZHOU, China, Feb 26 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrapped up his two-day visit to China on Thursday hailing \"good cooperation\" with Beijing but pointing to overcapacity by Chinese exporters that have taken a growing share of German markets.

China disinformation targets Takaichi, Trump, says US institute; Chinese envoy says it’s ‘groundless’

35 X accounts and nine Tumblr channels portrayed the Japan PM as illegitimate and militaristic.

Hungary's Orban asks EU to go verify Druzhba pipeline damage

BRUSSELS, Feb 26 - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday asked the EU for a \"fact-finding mission\" to assess damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine, and suggested this could help unblock new EU funding to Ukraine, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

Syrian government forces and Druze factions exchange prisoners in Sweida

DAMASCUS, Feb 26 - The Syrian government and Druze factions controlling the southern city of Sweida carried out their first prisoner exchange on Thursday since deadly clashes last summer, the Syrian government's Sweida media office said.

India braces itself for unusually hot March, putting wheat, rapeseed crops at risk, say sources

Higher temperatures in March are expected to boost electricity demand.

Sabah floods: Over 4,400 displaced as rising waters spread across five districts

Evacuation numbers are expected to rise.

US, China challenge Indian PM Modi’s ‘make in India’ factory incentives

The US and China have said Mr Modi's use of subsidies for the manufacturing sector breaches global trade norms.

Clip of girl shoved at Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing goes viral, sparks outrage online

The child is seen posing for the camera moments before being knocked over by a fellow pedestrian.

Myanmar’s resistance winning ground but losing the narrative

Myanmar’s information war is now as decisive as the ground war. The generals fight it with a 64‑year‑old propaganda machine, Russian and Chinese “cognitive warfare,” Western lobbyists dangling access to natural resources and a growing ecosystem of enablers, while the opposed