Starmer invites Japan PM to UK after Tokyo talks

Sir Keir and Sanae Takaichi discussed ways to strengthen ties between their two nations during the meeting, at the end of the UK prime minister's trip to East Asia.

Britain, Japan agree to deepen defence and security cooperation

Mr Starmer arrived on a one-day Tokyo stop after a four-day visit to China.

Pakistan says 67 militants killed after coordinated attacks in Balochistan

QUETTA, Pakistan, Jan 31 - At least 67 militants were killed on Saturday as they battled Pakistan's security forces in multiple cities across the southwestern province of Balochistan, four security officials told Reuters.

Explosion occurs at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas, Iranian media reports

Jan 31 - An explosion occurred at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, Iranian media reported, without giving a cause for the blast.

Pokémon cancels event at controversial Japan shrine following backlash

The event, advertised through official channels, was criticised in China for being held at a military memorial.

Death toll from Indonesia landslide rises to 53

Thousands flee northwest Pakistan after mosques warn of possible military action

China's corruption watchdog probing emergency management minister

Wang Xiangxi, 63, took office in July 2022, after serving as chairman of state-owned power generator National Energy Investment Corp.

Riau to convert former illegal gold mines into rice fields

Converting former gold mines into agriculture lands can also boost their value.

Separatist attacks in Pakistan kill 21, dozens of militants dead

China’s corruption watchdog probing emergency management minister

It is relatively rare for a sitting minister to undergo investigation.

Thousands flee north-west Pakistan after mosques warn of possible military action

The Pakistani government has not announced the evacuation nor any planned military operation.

Little-known Malaysian volunteer firefighters among flood rescuers in Thailand

The volunteer teams’ first-ever cross-border mission in late 2025 saved over 3,000 people.

Iran president says Trump, Netanyahu, Europe stirred tensions in protests

Jan 31 - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that U.S., Israeli and European leaders had exploited Iran's economic problems, incited unrest and provided people with the means to \"tear the nation apart” in recent protests.

10 security officials, 11 civilians, 67 militants killed in south-west Pakistan attacks: Official

Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan province for decades.

Toilets at Malaysia’s Kota Kinabalu airport to get $3.8m upgrade amid questions over high cost

The renovation involved 196 toilet cubicles.

Rise of no-viewing funerals in South Korea

No-viewing funerals are a rational alternative that allows for quiet remembrance, said an expert.

The currency crisis behind Iran’s protest explosion

In early January, several currency trackers briefly displayed the Iranian rial’s value as “$0.00,” unable to process the speed and scale of the depreciation, making it unexchangeable on important international trading platforms. The fallout quickly translated into a protest in

Indonesia landslide death toll rises to 53, agency says

23 soldiers were also killed while conducting border patrol training, the navy said on Jan 27.

Britain's Starmer ends China trip aimed at reset despite Trump warning

A series of agreements were made with, including planned visa-free travel for British citizens.

Xi’s military purge of top general may set back his Taiwan ambitions

The upheavals may affect a 2027 milestone he has set for modernising the military.

China counting how many missiles it needs to win a Taiwan war

As modern warfare shifts toward attrition, China’s push for cheaper munitions raises a sharper question: can its missile industry sustain the scale and tempo a Taiwan war would demand? This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China should consider adopting

Japan’s costly new business visa prices out real entrepreneurs

Under Japan’s newly tightened business immigration rules, that “try first, grow later” logic is increasingly out of place. The minimum capital for Japan’s Business Manager visa (経営・管理) was raised from five million yen (about US$32,000) to 30 million yen (about $190,000),

Foreign snowboarder in Japan in serious condition after hanging in midair from chairlift

The woman had failed to dismount the chairlift.

Vietnam receives 59 citizens repatriated from Cambodia after scam-linked employment

Officials said many had travelled to Cambodia after responding to job offers on social media.

Malaysian Cabinet agrees to PM’s 10-year, 2-term limit, says law minister

The proposal to limit the tenure aims to prevent excessive concentration of power, she said.

Truck in Thailand hits power lines, toppling 70 poles and causing widespread blackout

The driver did not see the overhead power lines due to poor lighting in the area.

Modi ally proposes social media ban for India's teens as global debate grows

NEW DELHI, Jan 31 - An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a bill to ban social media for children, as the world's biggest market for Meta and YouTube joins a global debate on the impact of social media on young people's health and safety.

Modi ally L.S.K. Devarayalu proposes social media ban for India’s teens as global debate grows

The lawmaker said children in India are becoming addicted to social media.

Thai FDA warns about unapproved herbal inhaler registration misuse

Its registration certificate number G belongs to a different product and is not linked to the popular-brand inhaler.

Thai military fires warning shots at Cambodia after laser targeting incident near military base

Thai forces detected a searchlight-like beam and a laser pointer aimed directly at the Phu Pha Lek base.

Man randomly attacks 4 passers-by near station in Japan; suspect on the run

The police are chasing the whereabouts of the suspect who fled the scene.

Pokemon event at Yasukuni shrine in Japan cancelled after drawing China’s ire

China and South Korea view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

6 arrested over $476k robbery of Japanese men in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police said the suspects, comprising both men and women, include three Japanese nationals.

6 arrested over $476k robbery from Japanese men in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police said the suspects, comprising both men and women, include three Japanese nationals.

Is Trump’s foreign policy really realist?

Trump’s second-term foreign policy presents a complex picture when evaluated against classical realist principles. While certain elements align with realist thinking—particularly its emphasis on power politics and national interest—others reveal significant departures from the

China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed South China Sea shoal

The Scarborough Shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China also claims it as part of its territory.

Hong Kong port operator contract violated Panama constitution, court rules

The court said that the contract violated Panama’s constitution by giving exclusive privileges and tax exemptions.

US pitches Venezuelan crude to India as its Russian oil imports slow: Sources

It wants India to cut Russian oil purchases that are funding the war in Ukraine.

Penang to gazette 10 dishes in move to safeguard its best food

Among the dishes are Hokkien mee, pasembor and char kue kak.

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

A programme led by Singapore's Lien Foundation and TTSH will train over 1,000 healthcare professionals in Beijing.

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

They are opting for premium water amid a spreading wellness craze.

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 5 years ago after coup. Some died in prison

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