US pitches Venezuelan crude to India as its Russian oil imports slow, sources say

The US wants India to cut Russian oil purchases due to the war in Ukraine.

Penang safeguards its best food, to gazette 10 dishes

Some dishes included are Hokkien mee, pasembor and char kue kak.

‘Start talking about death earlier’: China to improve palliative care with some help from Singapore

China still lags many countries in end-of-life care, even as it makes gradual progress.

Japan tightens security for Feb 8 election in wake of ex-PM Abe shooting

As the campaign intensifies, posts hinting at harm towards candidates are spreading on social media.

Malaysia appoints Malek Razak Sulaiman as 24th armed forces chief, effective Feb 1

Malek, who is currently the Army Western Field Commander Lieutenant-General, was appointed with the consent of the Malaysian king, Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

India’s wealthy embrace a new luxury symbol: Water

Wealthy opt for premium water as wellness craze boosts industry.

Popular Thai reformists face being blocked from power once more

The party advocates extensive reforms of the economy and state.

Thousands marched for democracy in Myanmar. Some died in prison

At least 74 political prisoners, aged between 18 and 35, have died in detention since the 2021 coup.

Born of a factory mistake, this sad toy horse captures China’s mood

Many young Chinese workers have embraced it as a symbol of their exhaustion and disillusion.

Fears of Prabowo’s path for Indonesia loom after stock rout

Talk of nepotism and his social spending plans sparked concerns about Indonesia’s investability.

Top Indonesian financial regulators quit after US$80 billion market meltdown

Financial Services Regulator chief, his deputy, head of capital markets and exchange chief all quit.

How the Chinese minority navigates identity and politics in PAS’ Kelantan

Despite centuries of integration under PAS, Kelantan’s Chinese minority now sees its youth leaving.

Flood-friendly homes: How Jakartans are making peace with rain

Instead of waiting for Indonesian President Prabowo’s giant sea wall, some have turned to redesigning their homes.

This tiny Australian town is up for sale - but the locals don't want to leave

Residents say the sale of Licola - population, five - jeopardises its future.

Syria to close camps housing thousands linked to Islamic State

Jan 30 - Syria plans to permanently close two displacement camps in the northeast that hold civilians, including foreigners, linked to Islamic State militants, a government official said on Friday.

US imposes sanctions on Iran's interior minister, businessman

WASHINGTON, Jan 30 - The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and a businessman it said helped launder money for Tehran, as President Donald Trump's administration ramps up pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Nepotism claims, gold mine expropriation: Why investors are dumping Indonesia stocks

The Jakarta Composite Index plunged nearly 9% on Jan 28 amid mounting concerns over governance and market transparency.

Bear shot under revised law in northeastern Japan

There were no human injuries.

Spanish police arrest Chinese hair salon owner accused of financing Hamas

MADRID, Jan 30 - Spanish police have detained a 38-year-old Chinese national who owned a hair salon near Barcelona on suspicion of financing the militant group Hamas through about 600,000 euros ($714,960) in cryptocurrency transfers, regional police said on Friday.

Rohingya survivors expect UN's highest court to find Myanmar committed genocide

THE HAGUE, Jan 30 - Rohingya survivors of the 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar expect the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' highest court, to rule the country committed genocide against them, they said on Friday.

Indonesia landslide death toll rises to 44

Heavy rain triggered the landslide that barrelled through Pasir Langu village on Jan 24.

In focus at India’s upcoming Budget 2026 – a sweet dish, a red cloth ledger, and implementation

As India prepares to unveil its annual Budget on Sunday (Feb 1), industry leaders are calling for action on AI, semiconductor design and funding reforms.

At least 170 killed in air strikes during Myanmar's widely criticised election, UN says

The UN said "credible sources" had counted more than 400 strikes in the same period.

Nipah airport screenings are for reassurance, not scientific step to stop spread, experts say

Public health experts said airport temperature screenings rarely worked to stop the spread of disease.

Iran prepared for 'fair' talks with US but not on defence capabilities, Araqchi says

ISTANBUL, Jan 30 - Iran is prepared for the resumption of talks with the United States, but they should be fair and not include Iran's defence capabilities, Iran's chief diplomat said on Friday, as regional powers work to prevent military conflict between the two foes.

Russia halts strikes on Kyiv until Sunday at Trump's request, Zelenskiy to reciprocate

KYIV, Jan 30 - Russia has agreed to a request from U.S. President Donald Trump to halt airstrikes on Kyiv until February 1 amid harsh winter temperatures, and Ukraine said it was ready to reciprocate as Washington pushes for a diplomatic solution to end the war.

In China’s richest province, not every city is in the fast lane

The differing fortunes Foshan and Shenzhen, both in Guangdong province, show the challenges of China's economic transition.

US war with Iran demands strategy, not just strength

We’ve entered a new age of international warfare where it has become apparent in advance how a conflict may unfold prior to the start of that war. For example, aircraft carriers move from one location to another; military bases throughout the world are being emptied; and

China to lift restrictions on UK lawmakers, PM Starmer says

SHANGHAI, Jan 30 - China is set to lift restrictions which it had imposed on a group of British lawmakers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday, meaning that they will now be free to travel to China.

WHO says Nipah virus risk low in India with no sign of spread

None of the over 190 contacts of the two people infected with the Nipah virus in India have tested positive for or developed symptoms of the virus, said an official with WHO's Health Emergencies Programme.

GRRM’s gold call: A 2024 forecast that held

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. How GRRM anticipated gold’s breakoutAn analysis by David Goldman for GRRM in October 2024 argued gold was set for a structural repricing driven by dollar weaponization,

Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt to reopen on Sunday, Israel says

JERUSALEM, Jan 30 - Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing on Sunday for people to travel between Gaza and Egypt, the Israeli government agency that coordinates civilian policy in Gaza, COGAT, said on Friday.

Explainer-How does Iran's system of power work?

Jan 30 - The United States is considering new military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran over its deadly suppression of protests this month.

South Africa declares Israel's chargé d'affaires persona non grata

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 30 - South Africa has declared Israel's chargé d'affaires Ariel Seidman persona non grata, its foreign affairs ministry said on Friday.

At least 170 civilians killed in Myanmar air strikes during election: UN

There were more than 400 military air strikes during nearly two months, said the UN.

At least 170 civilians killed in Myanmar airstrikes during election: UN

More than 400 airstrikes were conducted during the voting period between December 2025 and January 2026.

India arrests owner, manager after warehouse blaze kills 25

Worried families in India urge return of crew on ship seized by Iran

Iran seized the oil tanker with 18 crew members, including 16 Indians, in December alleging it had illegal diesel.

Panama voids Hong Kong-based firm's canal port contracts

The move follows Donald Trump's previous claim the US was taking the crucial Panama canal "back" from China.

Visit by Britain’s PM Starmer shows drawbacks of ‘China pivot’ in countering Trump

It is unclear what tangible long-term benefits such overture will yield, experts say.

Visit by Britain's Starmer shows drawbacks of 'China pivot' in countering Trump

HONG KONG/BEIJING, Jan 30 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China is the latest win Beijing can tout in its rivalry with Washington, but the deals he brings back to London also show the limits of the balancing act that middle powers may try to play.

Malaysia major-general charged with misappropriating US$1.27 million of Armed Forces Welfare Fund

Mohamed Fauzi Kamis is the third high-ranking military officer to be charged in just over a week, following the former armed forces chief and former army chief.

Malaysian court allows Rosmah Mansor temporary release of passport for trip to Singapore

She will return to Kuala Lumpur to attend an appeal hearing scheduled for Feb 25.

Malaysian influencer fined $12,800 for video of teens giving homeless man leftover chicken bones

Tang Sie Luk has since uploaded an apology video on his Instagram account.

Between justice and error: Why Taiwan remains divided over the death penalty

The island’s Constitutional Court ruled in 2024 that while the death penalty remains constitutional, it must be reserved only for the most serious crimes, among other conditions.

Philippine President Marcos rejects calls to declare Chinese envoy persona non grata, says palace

The Chinese Embassy criticised Philippine officials for speaking out against harassment of Philippine ships and fishermen.

Court ruling in Indonesia fuels competing claims for throne in Central Java’s Surakarta Palace

A court ruling allowing one claimant to legally adopt the royal title Pakubuwono XIV has intensified a bitter succession feud at Indonesia’s historic Surakarta Palace.

Did US ‘give back’ Greenland to Denmark, as Trump claims?

When Nazi Germany began its occupation of Denmark in April 1940, Greenland suddenly found itself cut off from its colonial power and thrust into the center of North Atlantic wartime strategy. The US temporarily took control of Greenland, establishing bases and defense

Syrian government, Kurdish forces announce integration deal

DAMASCUS, Jan 30 - The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led group the Syrian Democratic Forces said on Friday they had agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire and a phased integration of military and administrative bodies into the Syrian state under a broad deal.