Sabah body parts murder: Daughters of main murder suspect arrested

The suspect's 19-year-old son was arrested on Feb 12 and is currently under remand.

Russia sentences US citizen to 4 years in jail for trying to take Kalashnikov stocks

MOSCOW, Feb 17 - A Russian court has sentenced a U.S. citizen to four years in jail for trying to take the stocks of Kalashnikov assault rifles out of a Moscow airport, the RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday.

AI is the future of warfare and US is in the lead

While many experts have focused on the significance of drones in the new reality of warfare, the AI revolution is a much bigger deal. AI now enables drones to be far more impactful, helps select and prioritize battle targets, designs tactical operations and assesses results

Once a national obsession, traditional Korean wrestling fights for survival

Ssireum – pronounced like “see room” – had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s.

China unfazed as US rallies global critical minerals bloc

The Trump administration is pushing to build a 55-country critical minerals alliance to coordinate supply and pricing for niche metals vital to technology and defense. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on China, but Beijing remains confident that it will still dominate the

China has slashed air pollution, but the ‘war’ isn’t over

Particulate pollution fell 41 per cent nationwide in the decade from 2014.

Woman killed, two injured in Chinese New Year crash in Malaysia

The crash involved two cars and a trailer lorry carrying limestone powder.

Australia rules out helping families of IS militants leave Syrian camp

SYDNEY, Feb 17 - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday his government would not help Australians in a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Islamic State militants return home, with the government open to prosecutions if they make it back.

Philippines takes ‘strong exception’ to China embassy comment on job losses

The Chinese embassy warned that any serious damage to bilateral ties would “cost millions of jobs”.

Land in focus at Geneva peace talks between Russia and Ukraine

GENEVA, Feb 17 - Representatives of Ukraine and Russia will meet in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday for a fresh round of U.S.-mediated peace talks that the Kremlin says are likely to focus on land, the main sticking point.

Heavy rain batters New Zealand’s South Island, triggers flood warnings

Online images showed collapsed sections of road, flooded streets and fast-rising streams.

Heavy rain batters New Zealand's South Island, triggers flood warnings

SYDNEY, Feb 17 - Heavy rain pummelled New Zealand's South Island on Tuesday, triggering flooding and forcing the closure of roads and bridges, as a powerful storm that caused widespread destruction in the capital Wellington since the weekend moved south.

Trump says he will be involved indirectly in Iran talks

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Feb 16 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved \"indirectly\" in talks between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's nuclear program set to begin on Tuesday in Geneva, adding he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal.

9 Indonesian fashion labels to know now – modern silhouettes, heritage touches and thoughtful craft

Indonesia is shaping up to be Southeast Asia's next premier fashion stop, and these thriving local brands are proof.

China is hitting Japan where it hurts. Will PM Takaichi give in?

From recalling pandas to cancelling tourist flights, China continues to retaliate after Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

North Korea's Kim marks completion of Pyongyang housing project as key party congress nears

Australia rules out repatriating citizens from Syrian camp holding ISIS-affiliated families

“We have a very firm view that we won’t be providing assistance or repatriation," said the Australian prime minister.

Southeast Asia’s animators are smashing box office records — and redefining local storytelling

Filmmakers in Malaysia and Indonesia are developing characters and stories that have hit a sweet spot with local audiences. What’s next?

Commentary: What the West gets wrong about Chinese manufacturing

There are three key reasons for China’s industrial advantage and “de-risking” is less simple than imagined, says tech CEO Robin Rivaton.

The property guide price is not what you’ll pay: Australia cracks down on underquoting ‘plague’

The entrenched problem of underquoting or price baiting has made it harder for buyers to hunt for a home they can afford.

Gen Zs in China snapping up replicas of museum artefacts. Is this about cultural confidence?

These bastions of culture and history have become unlikely spots where emotional purchases are made.

Taiwan parliament to tackle defence spending review after Chinese New Year holiday

The special defence budget will be "treated as a top legislative priority" after the Chinese New Year holiday, says a spokesperson for Taiwan's parliament.

Imran Khan's sons fear for his health, seek visas to visit him in Pakistan

LONDON, Feb 16 - Imran Khan's sons say they fear for their father's deteriorating health in a Pakistani jail and are seeking permission to visit the former prime minister, urging authorities to grant access after more than two years apart.

Taiwan's cycling 'missionary', Giant founder King Liu, dies at 91

Canada's Carney to visit India in early March, Ontario minister says

NEW DELHI, Feb 16 - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit New Delhi in early March to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the framework for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, Canadian official Victor Fedeli said on Monday.

India seizes Iran-linked US-sanctioned tankers, steps up surveillance

The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in US-India relations.

Taiwan’s cycling ‘missionary’, Giant founder King Liu, dies at 91

Giant is now one of the biggest bicycle makers in the world, selling millions of bikes annually.

India hosts AI summit as safety concerns grow

Indonesia expects first aircraft carrier this year

Decommissioned Italian aircraft carrier ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi is expected to arrive in Indonesia.

Cyclone Gezani leaves 59 dead in Madagascar, displaces more than 16,000

ANTANANARIVO, Feb 16 - At least 59 people died when Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar last week, the disaster management office said on Monday, as it assesses the impact of the second tropical storm to hit the Indian Ocean island nation this year.

Taiwan to tackle defence spending review after Chinese New Year holiday

The opposition is pushing its own, less expensive proposals.

Senior ‘Luffy’ crime group member gets life sentence over Japan robberies

A 90-year-old woman died in one of the group’s robberies in 2023.

Thirty-four Australians released from Syrian camp holding ISIS-affiliated families

They will be flown to Australia from Damascus.

Malaysia’s opposition fractures as sacked leader races to PAS, threatens Muhyiddin’s grip

Perikatan Nasional can no longer house the warring factions in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Looks like AI is an existential threat after all

So the other day I wrote a post about how humanity is inevitably going to be disempowered by the existence of AI. A bunch of people wrote to me and asked me: “What made you change your mind?”. Three years ago, shortly after the release of the original ChatGPT, I wrote a post

Asian markets sluggish as Chinese New Year holiday looms

India doubling down on Rafales despite combat loss

India’s move to expand its Rafale fleet comes as it weighs recent combat lessons, urgent force-structure shortfalls, and longer-term strategic ties with France in a rapidly shifting regional security environment. This month, the Indian Ministry of Defense and multiple media

Move over, Dubai-style chewy cookies: ‘Frozen jelly’ set to be South Korea’s next dessert craze

Texture, sound and viral appeal of the dessert have caused an increase in demand for sour gummies.

Can Europe reassert itself after Ukraine?

Washington’s 2025 strike on Iran, the raid to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early 2026 and its renewed interest in acquiring Greenland have clarified the country’s international priorities. Meanwhile, securing Ukraine’s independence, once a defining rallying cry

‘No one is above the law’: Malaysian King warns graft offenders in government agencies

He stressed that graft will not be tolerated in the country’s administration.

Bondi Beach shooting accused faces court for the first time

The 24-year-old faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist attack.

Indonesia readies 1,000 troops for potential peacekeeping force in Gaza in early April

JAKARTA, Feb 16 - Indonesia is readying 1,000 troops for potential deployment in Gaza by early April as part of a proposed multinational peacekeeping force, its army spokesperson said on Monday.

US paving way for India’s shift from Russia to Venezuela oil

Russian state media outlet RT posted on X about the US Treasury Department’s new “Venezuela General License 48,” which allows US companies to provide “goods, technology, software, or services for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in Venezuela,” with two

Australian museum recovers Egyptian artefacts after break-in

All the stolen goods, except for a wooden cat sculpture, were found with only minor damage.