Trump says US needs to make meaningful deal with Iran, cites good talks
WASHINGTON, Feb 19 - President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had to make a meaningful deal with Iran, citing good talks with the Middle Eastern country.
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Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some US allies wary of new body
Members are expected to unveil commitments of thousands of personnel to international stabilisation and police forces for the territory.
With somersaults, nunchucks, China’s humanoid robots thrill at CNY show – but can they make coffee?
The aim is for robots to do real work, and enter homes and shopping streets in pursuit of mass-market consumers.
Sweden pledges another $1.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine
STOCKHOLM, Feb 19 - Sweden announced on Thursday a 12.9 billion crown ($1.42 billion) military aid package for Ukraine that will include air defence, drones, long-range missiles and ammunition.
Japan panel approves stem cell medical products to treat heart disease and Parkinson’s
The products now await a final green light from the Health Ministry.
Yoon conviction stirs questions of judicial overreach
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Seoul court on Thursday for spearheading an insurrection through his December 3, 2024, martial law decree. Yoon and other defendants, including his former defense minister, who was given 30
Nepal mulls over stricter safety rules for Everest climbers
Industry insiders say some foreign mountaineers are ill-prepared for what is a major test of endurance.
Malaysia police arrest man who allegedly vandalised ATMs in Kuala Lumpur
In total, 12 ATMs have been reportedly damaged.
Far-right leader Pauline Hanson’s crafty social media use in Australia fuels surging popularity
Like far-right groups in Europe, the veteran politician has projected her messages to great effect on social media.
Osaka gets $4.5m donation in gold to fix water system
The donation was made by someone who earlier had already given cash for the municipal waterworks.
Nearly 200 Southeast Asians, including 2 Singaporeans, served in Israeli military: IDF data
There were 111 Filipinos, 71 Thais, four Vietnamese, two Singaporeans and one Indonesian enlisted in the Israel Defence Forces as of March 2025, according to official data obtained by an Israeli non-governmental organisation.
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Malaysia on Feb 20 at the invitation of PM Anwar Ibrahim
The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest during Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's "special visit", said Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
South Korea ruling party claims ex-President Yoon’s life sentence falls short of expectations
The alternative was a death sentence.
Modi’s AI unity pose turns awkward for Altman and Amodei
The episode, captured on camera and widely shared across social media, drew amused reactions online.
Modi's AI unity pose turns awkward for Altman and Amodei
NEW DELHI, Feb 19 - When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi nudged speakers at the India AI summit to join and raise their hands in a symbolic show of unity, most executives obliged. Two did not: rivals Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic.
Thai cops go undercover as lion dancers to nab suspected thief
Officers dressed as a red-and-yellow lion made the arrest on the evening of Feb 18.
Russia urges restraint as US builds up military assets near Iran
MOSCOW, Feb 19 - Russia said on Thursday that it was seeing an unprecedented escalation of tension around Iran as the United States moved military assets into the Middle East, and the Kremlin urged both Tehran and \"other parties\" to exercise prudence and restraint.
Landslide at Indonesia Morowali nickel hub kills one worker
The country’s smelting sector has been plagued by industrial accidents.
At least 16 killed after building collapses in Pakistan following blast
An official said the three-storey building collapsed after an "unknown" explosion.
Peranakan pride: Indonesia’s ‘tan but Chinese’ Benteng people revive their fading heritage
The Benteng Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled and married local Sundanese women.
Why Japan’s new realism needs a human heart
Fujitsu’s February 12 announcement that it will begin domestic production of “sovereign AI” servers marks a significant milestone in Japan’s quest for digital autonomy. Coming on the heels of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resounding election victory this month, the move fits
At least 13 killed in Karachi building collapse after blast, police say
KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 19 - At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed after a gas cylinder blast caused a residential building to collapse in the southern port city of Karachi on Thursday, police said.
Indonesia, US firms sign deals worth US$38.4 billion ahead of Trump-Prabowo meet
The 11 deals involving sectors such as textile, energy and mining were signed at a dinner attended by Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce on Feb 18.
Woman handed reduced sentence over role after daughter allegedly beheaded man in Sapporo hotel
The daughter allegedly beheaded a man she stabbed and took his head home in a suitcase.
Martial law gambit made convict of South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol, once a lawman
Yoon, 65, was sentenced on Feb 19 to life in prison for masterminding insurrection.
Push for democratised AI and stronger safety rules at India summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at India's AI Impact Summit that artificial intelligence must be made widely accessible, stressing that it should serve as a tool for inclusion and empowerment, especially for countries in the Global South.
Beachgoers warned against touching jellyfish washed ashore in Terengganu
These venomous jellyfish have recently been found at several popular tourist locations in the state.
At least 6 familicide cases recorded in 2026 as Malaysia vows to strengthen social support services
The latest killing of family members took place on Tuesday (Feb 17) in Pahang, in which a 32-year-old man allegedly murdered his wife, mother and two young daughters aged two and four with a sharp blade before killing himself.
South Korean citizens recommended for Nobel Peace Prize over martial law resistance
The non-violent movement was described as a “Revolution of Light".
South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol: From rising star to jailed ex-president
A panel of judges sentenced him to life in prison after finding him guilty on Feb 19.
Telegram dismisses Russian claim that foreign spies can read soldiers' messages
MOSCOW, Feb 19 - Telegram says it has not found any breaches of its encryption, dismissing a Russian government allegation that foreign intelligence services can see messages sent by Russian soldiers via the messaging app.
Martial law gambit made convict of South Korea's Yoon, once a lawman
SEOUL, Feb 19 - Ousted South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor who took gambles to win power, finally fell victim to his own recklessness, people who knew him said, through a belief that he could crush political enemies by declaring martial law.
What to know about the trial of South Korea’s ousted leader
Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment on Feb 19.
Why Big Oil wants no part of Trump-seized Venezuela
After the US captured Venezuela’s president at the start of 2026, Donald Trump promised to “unleash” the country’s oil supply. He wanted companies to invest US$100 billion to get hold of it. Big Oil though, seems less than keen on that idea, appearing to consider Venezuela too
Pakistan compensates families of victims in mosque suicide attack
The families of the 40 victims in the Feb 6 attack received more than US$700,000 (S$887,000) in total.
Police declare Australian bar a crime scene over ‘hate symbols’
Under recent hate crime legislation, it is an offence to display Nazi and other hate symbols.
South Korean court hands life term to ex‑President Yoon in insurrection trial
Yoon Suk Yeol was found guilty on charges of abuse of authority and masterminding an insurrection, stemming from his December 2024 attempt to impose martial law.
Mark Carney’s middle-power masterclass
There’s been a lot of talk about middle powers lately. Nothing new there, perhaps, but this time there’s also been some middle-power action. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has single-handedly demonstrated that not only is it possible for leaders of middle powers to think
South Korean court hands life term to ex‑President Yoon for insurrection
Prosecutors sought the death penalty in January.
Indonesia, US firms sign trade, investment deals worth $48.7 billion
Deals were signed for the mining, energy, agribusiness, textiles, furniture and technology sectors.
Bill Gates pulls out of India's AI summit over Epstein files controversy
The Gates Foundation said the decision was made to "ensure the focus remains on the summit's key priorities".
12 cops in Malaysia arrested for alleged US$51,000 crypto robbery
The officers allegedly forced a group of Chinese nationals to transfer cryptocurrency in exchange for their release after a house raid.
Watch: Thai police go undercover as lion dancers to catch thief
Wanted for multiple counts of theft, the suspect was caught outside a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Sabah body parts murder: Search ongoing for dismembered victim’s arm and leg
Four suspects, a father and his three children, are still under remand to help the investigation.
Australian police probe threatening letter to country’s largest mosque ahead of Ramadan
The latest letter is the third such incident in the lead-up to Ramadan.
Australian police probe threatening letter to country's largest mosque ahead of Ramadan
SYDNEY, Feb 19 - Australian police said on Thursday they had launched an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to the country’s largest mosque, the third such incident in the lead-up to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
How China plans to dominate global trade long after Trump
BEIJING, Feb 19 - China sees an opening to turn President Donald Trump's tariffs to its advantage by reshaping global trade in ways that would insulate its $19 trillion economy from U.S. pressure far into the future.
Australia condemns foreign threats after claim of China interference
This comes after a media report alleged Chinese police had pressured food delivery riders in Australia.
Lee’s AI-fueled Kospi boom masks reform evasion
By one metric, Lee Jae Myung’s eight months as South Korean president have been a smashing success, with the stock market more than doubling on his watch. Before Lee’s election in June, he ran on a Kospi 5,000 platform that struck many as fanciful. At that time, the benchmark