Japan's Takaichi set for big election win, exit poll shows

Her party is set to secure a big majority in Japan’s lower house.

Child opens car door, causes accident involving six cars in Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Tun Razak

It is believed that the child safety lock feature was not activated.

Four Indian students injured in knife attack in Russia, embassy says

MOSCOW, Feb 8 - Four Indian students were injured in a knife attack at a medical university in Russia's Bashkortostan region on Saturday, the Indian embassy in Moscow and Russian investigators said.

Polls close in Thailand election that pitted reformists against conservatives

Thai voters were presented with a simple choice in this election: sweeping change, or more of the same.

Japan election: PM Sanae Takaichi's ruling coalition projected to win two-thirds majority

The snap vote is closely watched as a test of support for Japan's first female prime minister and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Cooling rooms, more green spaces: Bangkok launches heat management plan for 2026 with 379 risk zones

The plan is to help the city shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in dealing with the heat.

New Zealand to hear Christchurch mosque shooter's appeal against sentence

SYDNEY, Feb 8 - A white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers and injured dozens at two mosques in New Zealand will begin an appeal hearing against his sentence on Monday.

Man arrested after allegedly chasing university student in Melaka mall with knife

Police described the incident as a random attack on a shopper.

Thai security officials warn of renewed conflict with Cambodia, citing border military build-up

The border has been officially designated a critical security vulnerability.

Thailand election 2026: Counting underway with three main parties battling for power

An outright majority for any of the three main parties is unlikely, so an alliance is almost certain to be required to form a government.

Six injured, including two police officers, after snow-related car collisions in Tokyo

The accident involved seven cars at Tsukiji Ohashi bridge.

Japanese anime Detective Conan cosplays banned at China events

The bans were set for recent events in Beijing, Chongqing and Lanzhou.

Heavy snowfall hits northern and western Japan, Tokyo also blanketed by snow

Japan’s weather agency expects extremely unstable atmospheric conditions.

Hunger not driving bears to populated areas in western Japan: Study

Japan’s recent rise in bear intrusions is partly attributed to food scarcity in their natural habitats.

Malaysia, India deepen trade ties as Anwar and Modi vow to grow friendship rooted in trust

The leaders also discuss Gaza and Ukraine, with Anwar praising Modi’s unequivocal peace commitment.

Factory explosion in North China kills 8

The explosion occurred at Jiapeng biotech company, located in Shanyin County, about 400km west of Beijing.

India, Malaysia renew pledges to boost trade, collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defence and other fields.

‘Better economy, fewer scammers’: Hopes high among Thais voting in snap election

With Thailand having cycled through three different prime ministers over the last three years, voters CNA spoke to on Sunday (Feb 8) expressed hopes that the polls would bring about more unity and stability.

Iran rope-a-doping US in Oman

Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff no doubt talked to President Trump about the US-Iran meeting in Oman. We don’t have a special wiretap on his call to Trump, but it is a sure bet Witkoff told the president things were going well and another meeting is planned. If Trump’s idea is

Eight killed in explosion in northern China, state media says

The explosion occurred in Shuoyang, Shanxi province, in the early morning of Feb 7.

Australia's opposition coalition reunites after row over hate-speech laws

The Nationals had split from the Liberal Party citing free speech concerns over laws brought in after the Bondi Beach attack.

Economic nationalism giving rise to a zero-sum world

The world we inhabit today bears little resemblance to the one imagined by the architects of the global economy at the end of the 20th century. Back then, the dismantling of trade barriers was celebrated as a gateway to shared prosperity. Today, new walls are rising, not of

In bid to lead Thailand, a progressive party softens its image

The main message is now a pragmatic one: reviving the nation’s stagnant economy.

Amid Indian PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia, rally over ‘illegal’ Hindu temples fizzles after arrests

PM Anwar earlier warned that action would be taken anyone trying to disrupt public peace during the visit.

A record 3.6 million young people in South Korea do not own homes

Just 1.29 million South Koreans under 40 owned homes in 2024, the lowest on record.

Australia’s opposition coalition reunites after split over hate laws

The coalition had split for the second time in less than a year.

Australia's opposition coalition reunites after split over hate laws

SYDNEY, Feb 8 - Australia's conservative opposition coalition reunited on Sunday after the junior partner National Party severed ties last month with the Liberal Party over its decision to back government hate speech laws drafted in the wake of the Bondi massacre.

Japan’s election: What you need to know

If she loses her Lower House majority, Japanese PM Takaichi has said she will resign.

Japan's election: What you need to know

TOKYO, Feb 6 - Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is seeking to secure her grip on power in a national election on Sunday, with polls suggesting a big win for her conservative party.

Thailand votes in three-way race as risk of instability looms

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Voters in Thailand came out in numbers on Sunday for a general election defined by a three-way battle between conservative, progressive and populist camps, with no single party expected to secure a clear majority and prolonging the spectre of political

Voting closes in Thailand election: Official expects turnout to be higher than in 2023 polls

Analysts believe it is unlikely any party will achieve a landslide victory and a coalition government is likely.

India's Modi visits Malaysia to boost trade, security ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday, as the two countries look to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defence and other fields.

Last-day campaign words remarkably revealing about where Japan is

Japan’s general election campaign ended on Saturday with major party leaders holding competing rallies across Tokyo. This has by any definition been a strange campaign. It was unexpected; it was the shortest-ever general election; its coming spurred the unlikely creation of a

Japan's governing party projected to win snap election majority

A coalition led by Takaichi is expected to clinch a decisive win, according to media projections after polls closed.

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi aims for blizzard of votes in rare winter election

The Japanese PM had earlier received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

Japan votes in test for PM Takaichi as snow weighs on turnout

TOKYO, Feb 8 - Japanese voters were casting ballots on Sunday in an election expected to hand Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a resounding win, although record snowfall in parts of the country could keep many voters at home.

Thailand Election 2026: What to watch out for on polling day and beyond?

For the first time in Thailand’s history, a national referendum will be held alongside the general election on Sunday (Feb 8). Voters will not only elect 500 Members of Parliament, but also decide whether a new constitution should be created.

North Korea to hold party congress in February, first since 2021

The last party congress – the reclusive nuclear-armed nation’s eighth – was held in January 2021.

North Korea to convene 9th Congress in late February, KCNA reports

SEOUL, Feb 8 - North Korea will convene the 9th Congress in late February in Pyongyang, state media KCNA reported on Sunday, without elaborating on the date.

‘It’s not going to be me’: Despite risks of shark attacks, Sydney beachgoers still catch the waves

During a tragic 48-hour period from Jan 18 to 20, the city recorded four separate shark attacks.

She teaches women in China to flirt. What could go wrong?

A businesswoman, who made fortunes from Chinese women's desire to be desired, is now being probed.

Jakarta’s stock plunge shines light on ‘pump and dump’ schemes that victimise retail investors

There are louder calls for market reforms after the recent 9 per cent market slide.

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

Thousands mourn victims of suicide bombing in Islamabad, as four arrests made

The woman tasked with kicking Australian kids off social media

After decades working in the private tech industry, Julia Inman Grant now finds herself on the other side.

Alleged mastermind among four arrested after Pakistan mosque blast

The four are suspected of facilitating a suicide bombing that killed more than 30 people, Pakistan's interior minister said.

Israel's Netanyahu expected to meet Trump in US on Wednesday and discuss Iran

Feb 7 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.

Algeria begins to cancel air services agreement with UAE

Feb 7 - Algeria has begun the process of cancelling its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013, state media said on Saturday.