Indonesia readies up to 8,000 troops for Gaza in support of Trump peace plan

The plan comes as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received an invitation from the United States on Monday (Feb 9) to attend a Feb 19 Board of Peace meeting.

South Korea revives plan to add medical students; doctors criticise bid

A similar plan to boost medical student numbers triggered nationwide protests in South Korea in 2024.

Families in China scramble for mercury thermometers ahead of ban despite health risks

The ban applies to manufacturing, not to owning or selling existing inventory.

Japanese sausage maker says sounds produced when chewing links resemble those of batting a home run

Experiments were conducted by the Japan Acoustic Laboratory using high-precision microphones.

South Korea to raise medical school quota to ease shortage

Policymakers argue that expanding medical school intake is necessary to prevent worsening access to care.

A spat between a restaurant and an influencer was out of control. Then Beijing stepped in

Some 4,000 jobs will be lost as restaurant chain Xibei shuts over 100 of its outlets due to loss of business.

Indonesia says proposed Gaza peacekeeping force could total 20,000 troops

JAKARTA, Feb 10 - A proposed multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza could total about 20,000 troops, with Indonesia estimating it could contribute up to 8,000, President Prabowo Subianto’s spokesman said on Tuesday.

China says Japan's Takaichi must show 'actions' for dialogue

Japanese businesses in China worried over negative impact from diplomatic row

China has implemented a string of measures such as an advisory against travel to Japan.

Cricket diplomacy: India playing the long game in Afghanistan

On the night of October 23, 2023, India’s oldest international cricket ground, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, erupted in celebration. Tens of thousands roared and waved flags. The stands rejoiced in what seemed like a familiar triumph over a long-standing

Singtel-owned Optus outage in Australia: 35,000 customers still affected, advised to restart phones

Optus is contacting those still affected via e-mail with instructions to restart their devices.

Over 60% of Nepal’s households use sewage-contaminated water

Information was collected from 12,960 households, according to the report.

False alarm: US-Iran talks are not a countdown to conflict

When Iranian and US officials met for talks in the Omani capital of Muscat on February 6, many journalists and analysts were speculating as to whether diplomacy will fail and whether war will inevitably follow. But that framing misses the deeper reality of this moment. The more

Philippine Congress dismisses impeachment complaints against Marcos

Out of 300 lawmakers in the Lower House, 284 voted to dismiss the complaints.

Estonia says Russia planning military buildup to shift power in Europe

VILNIUS, Feb 10 - Russia has no intention of launching a military attack on any NATO state this year or next, but is racing to rebuild its forces as Europe steps up its rearmament, Estonia's foreign intelligence service said in its annual report on Tuesday.

Growing fruits on desert lands? Inside China’s decades-long fight against desertification

For more than four decades, China has been working to halt the spread of desertification through the Three-North Shelterbelt programme, colloquially known as the Great Green Wall.

China charges former official of defence industry regulator with graft

BEIJING, Feb 10 - China has accused a former deputy director of its defence industry regulator of bribery and abuse of influence, the top prosecutor said on Tuesday, as Beijing steps up its anti-graft campaign in the military and supporting industries.

Russian attack damages energy facility in Ukraine's southern Odesa region, company says

Feb 10 - A Russian attack damaged an energy facility in Ukraine's southern Black Sea region of Odesa, power company DTEK said on Tuesday.

China to support 'reunification forces' in Taiwan, go after 'separatists'

The fourth-ranked leader in China's ruling Communist Party Wang Huning said officials must advance the "great cause of national reunification".

Australian author's erotic novel is child sex abuse material, judge finds

The author's erotic novel featured an 18-year-old protagonist who role-played as a toddler.

Man arrested in Thailand for smuggling rhino horns

Commentary: Thai voters sent a message – they want political stability more than reform

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s political strategy paid off, but his victory was also due to a fortunate combination of circumstances, says Harrison Cheng from Control Risks.

Philippine top court says same-sex couples can co-own property

The landmark decision said "legitimate intimate relationships" must not be "legally invisible".

Election Commission mulls e-voting option for Malaysians abroad, says minister

Malaysians living overseas are currently allowed to vote through the overseas postal voting system.

Man arrested in Thailand for smuggling rhino horn inside meat

Airport authorities and police seized six pieces of rhinoceros horn and around 12kg of unidentified meat.

Main issues in Bangladesh's February 12 election

DHAKA, Feb 10 - Bangladeshis will head to the polls on Thursday, with nearly 128 million people eligible to vote, in a key test of the country’s return to democracy after a popular uprising toppled long‑time leader Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

Main parties in Bangladesh election

DHAKA, Feb 10 - Bangladesh’s February 12 vote is a direct contest between two coalitions, with the lead parties competing for the largest share of seats.

Islamist leader rises from obscurity to challenge for Bangladesh’s top job

DHAKA, Feb 10 - Shafiqur Rahman has long been on the margins of Bangladeshi politics, but his bearded face now appears on posters and billboards across Dhaka, urging voters to elect the country’s first Islamist‑led government in a general election on Thursday.

‘Still in intensive care’: Classmates raise funds for mum of girl who died in Chinatown accident

The collection was initiated by the injured woman’s friends, her older sister said.

Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman: From exile to edge of power

DHAKA, Feb 10 - Less than two months after returning from nearly two decades of self‑imposed exile in London, Tarique Rahman could win one of Bangladesh's most pivotal elections and become prime minister, leading the country as his parents once did.

10 new active TB clusters detected in Malaysia so far in 2026

Selangor recorded the highest number, with four clusters involving 10 cases.

India’s major farmer group revolts against US trade deal

Concerns persist over whether New Delhi has made too many concessions in agriculture under the deal with the US.

Seven killed in gold mine accident in eastern China, state media CCTV reports

The accident occurred on Feb 7 when a cage fell down a mine shaft.

Philippines sees signs of cooperation from China despite sea disputes

Envoy Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila’s relationship with Beijing should not be defined solely by maritime disputes.

South Korea government calls Coupang breach involving 33.7 million records worst ever

Information leaked included names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Senior Chinese official calls for 'resolutely' cracking down on 'Taiwan independence' separatists

BEIJING, Feb 10 - A senior Chinese official has called for \"resolutely\" cracking down on \"Taiwan independence\" separatist forces and opposing interference by external forces this year to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, state agency Xinhua reported Tuesday.

China to support ‘reunification forces’ in Taiwan, go after ‘separatists’

A senior Chinese official said officials must advance the “great cause of national reunification”.

Australia asks for meeting with Roblox after grooming, content complaints

SYDNEY, Feb 10 - The Australian government has called a meeting with gaming platform Roblox over reports of child grooming and exposure to graphic content on the platform, while a regulator said it will test whether Roblox had delivered on child-safety commitments.

Japan elects fewer women MPs in snap election

it dealt a blow to already underrepresented women in male-dominated Japanese politics.

Malaysia’s top court restores conviction and jail sentence on former palm oil agency head

The court ordered that Mohamad Isa Abdul Samad begin serving his six-year sentence on Feb 10.

Death toll from heavy snowfall in Japan rises to 46

Continued snowfall since late January has buried northern communities and caused traffic chaos.

South Korea’s army eyes 24-hour childcare services for military families

Service members and military civilian staff face difficulties in arranging childcare.

Malaysia’s ageing oil palm plantations to hit 2 million hectares by 2027

About 35 per cent of Malaysian palm oil plantations will be 19 years or older by 2027.

‘Best to leave before 8am’: Malaysian highway operator urges motorists to plan their journeys

PLUS is pushing drivers to use its travel app ahead of festive traffic surge.

Five years after Myanmar coup, ‘even hope has become a risk’

Now Myanmar’s university system is in shambles.

Indonesia weighs sending up to 8,000 troops for Gaza peace plan

Indonesia has stepped up diplomatic messaging on Gaza in recent months.

China releases policy paper on national security in Hong Kong after Jimmy Lai sentencing

The White Paper said that Hong Kong's practice of safeguarding national security had consolidated the security foundation of the city's one country, two systems governance model.