Accused Bondi killer Naveed Akram appears in court by video link

Naveed Akram appeared for about five minutes via video link from prison.

Prabowo says Indonesia may need an authoritarian touch to fight corruption

The President has threatened to take unpopular steps to protect the nation’s resources.

Riau declares emergency alert for forest fires

The current hot spots were mostly in coastal and peatland areas, such as the regencies of Pelalawan.

China’s Chinese New Year travel rush is world’s biggest annual migration

The Chinese New Year travel rush in 2026 kicked off on Feb 2 and will run for 40 days.

China's Lunar New Year travel rush is world's biggest annual migration

BEIJING, Feb 16 - Hundreds of millions of people criss-cross China during Lunar New Year holidays each year to reunite with families in their hometowns or for sight-seeing in an extended festive period, making it the world's largest annual human migration.

Wild storm in New Zealand disrupts flights, thousands without power

SYDNEY, Feb 16 - Heavy rain and wild winds disrupted flights, trains and ferries, and forced road closures across parts of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, taking out power to tens of thousands of residents.

'Dragged out and set on fire' - the Bangladesh mob killing that shocked the world

In December, Hindu factory worker Dipu Das was lynched in Bangladesh, igniting global outrage.

From homecoming to ‘reverse Spring Festival travel’: How Chinese New Year reunions are changing in China

Changing work patterns, improved transport links and evolving ideas of family and tradition are signalling a subtle shift in China’s centuries-old homecoming tradition.

North Korea's Kim opens new Pyongyang housing district for families of fallen soldiers, KCNA says

SEOUL, Feb 16 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over the completion ceremony of a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of troops who died in overseas military operations, state media KCNA said on Monday.

North Korea opens new housing district for families of fallen soldiers

In 2024, some 14,000 soldiers were sent to fight with Russia in Ukraine, where more than 6,000 of them were killed.

Actress’ LinkedIn stunt strikes a nerve among young Indonesian job seekers

Indonesia's unemployment rate was 4.85 per cent in 2025 – the highest in the region.

A $3.5b takeover battle is testing Malay economic clout. Malaysia PM Anwar now holds all the cards

The Jan 12 offer by the Sunway conglomerate for IJM Corporation has triggered a frenzy of activity.

Netanyahu says US deal with Iran must dismantle nuclear infrastructure

JERUSALEM, Feb 15 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he told U.S. President Donald Trump last week that any U.S. deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process.

Contract worker dies at Rio Tinto mine in Guinea

Feb 15 - A contract worker died on Saturday following an incident at Rio Tinto's SimFer project in Nzerekore, Guinea, the company said, without giving details of what happened.

Myanmar expels Timor-Leste's representative over war crimes case

The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) said this month Timor-Leste had opened its own case against the junta for both war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Myanmar expels Timor-Leste’s representative over war crimes probe

A rights group representing the Chin ethnic minority filed a legal complaint in Dili against the junta.

China confirms visa-free access for Canada, UK visitors from Feb 17

Black-clad Malaysians protest against anti-graft chief over alleged shareholdings, abuse of power

There were about 1,000 protesters, which included student groups, civil society organisations and politicians.

Taiwan president vows to strengthen island's defences in Chinese New Year message

"We will continue to strengthen our national defence and public security efforts, safeguarding national security and maintaining social stability," said Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

‘Let them fight’, says Malaysia PM Anwar on Bersatu turmoil

This follows the party's ongoing crisis after it expelled some of its members.

Bangladesh's Islamist-led coalition submits poll complaints

Taiwan President vows to strengthen island’s defences in Lunar New Year message

Mr Lai Ching-te also thanked the armed forces for protecting Taiwan round the clock.

Bangladesh’s Islamist-led coalition submits complaints challenging poll results

Police records show that political clashes during the campaign period left five people dead and more than 600 injured.

Malaysia’s Bersatu reclaims social media page after alleged sabotage by admins

Four administrators suspected of being behind the sabotage had been removed.

Philippine authorities caution against spread of marijuana-laced vapes

They allegedly came from neighbouring Asian countries where cannabis use is allowed or loosely regulated.

Prison inmate dies of mpox in Thailand; authorities urge calm

The patient had multiple underlying conditions and was severely immunodeficient.

China wants to work with Canada to 'eliminate interference'

China's foreign minister Wang Yi, who met a slew of Western leaders during the Munich Security Conference, has been eager to paint Beijing as a more stable partner compared to the increasingly unpredictable United States.

Russia's Taman port damaged by Ukrainian drone strike

MOSCOW, Feb 15 - Russia's Black Sea port of Taman, which handles oil products, grain, coal and commodities, has been damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack, the governor of Russia's Krasnodar region said on Sunday.

SpaceX's Starlink gets nod for satellite internet in Vietnam

The approval comes ahead of an expected visit next week by Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, to the United States to attend the first meeting of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative on global conflicts.

India plans AI ‘data city’ on staggering scale

The world’s most populous country has seen a surge of investment as generative AI players seek inroads.

BNP landslide a breakthrough and test for Bangladesh

In winning the 13th national parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) capitalized on a rare convergence of public exhaustion and strategic patience. Its 212-seat landslide was harvested through moments it had spent nearly two decades preparing for. At the

China’s Xi emphasises stability at start of new policy cycle

China will also seek to maintain social harmony and stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

Japan’s ‘godless’ lake warns of creeping climate change

The phenomenon, called "God’s Crossing", has not appeared since 2018.

Plagiarised videos reposted with false subtitles to stoke anti-Japan sentiment in China

This comes amid deteriorating Japan-China relations.

High school in Japan plans petting zoo to attract more students

After its opening, the zoo will be open to the public once a month.

China is the real threat, Taiwan says in rebuff to Munich speech

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned at the Munich Security Conference that some countries were "trying to split Taiwan from China".

Sabah body parts murder: Son tells of alleged heartbreak, money dispute that led to mum’s death

She was laid to rest on Feb 13.

To recognise or not? Behind ASEAN’s lack of consensus on the Myanmar polls

Impasse threatens ASEAN's unity and relevance as members prioritise national interests over a collective response.

India plans vast AI 'data city' in major digital push

"The AI revolution is here," said Andhra Pradesh's information technology minister, as the state positions Visakhapatnam as a cornerstone of India's AI ambitions.

China is the real threat, Taiwan says in rebuff to Wang Yi’s Munich speech

In his speech, China's Foreign Minister blamed Japan for tensions over the island.

503 new TB cases reported in Malaysia

The latest detections brought the cumulative number of TB cases to 2,571 across the country.

3 teenagers stabbed in Osaka entertainment district, 1 killed

Police said they were informed that the 20-year-old suspect who was arrested knew the three victims.

1 dead, 2 injured in stabbing in Osaka, suspect arrested

A man in his 20s was arrested on Feb 15 on suspicion of murder after fleeing the scene on foot.

Muhyiddin is my No. 1 enemy, says sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah

Hamzah said he was unaware of the reasons for his sacking from Bersatu.

Holiday exodus sees congestion at hot spots in Malaysia

Police say at least 30% more vehicles are expected to enter Johor this Chinese New Year.

China seeks to take ties with Germany to 'new level': Wang Yi

China's top diplomat met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Australia pledges $2.7 billion to progress nuclear submarine shipyard build

SYDNEY, Feb 15 - Australia said on Sunday it would spend A$3.9 billion ($2.76 billion) to progress construction of a shipyard that will help deliver nuclear-powered submarines under the trilateral AUKUS defence pact with the U.S. and Britain.