Japan PM Takaichi to push Russia to restart visits to graves on disputed islands

She said visits to the graves by ageing former islanders is a “humanitarian issue”.

Hong Kong summons Panama envoy over CK Hutchison ports ruling

Panama's Supreme Court had earlier annulled Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's contract to operate two ports at the Panama Canal.

‘Mrs Doubtfire’: Late British Queen’s image on new Australian coins ridiculed

The Australian mint posted an explanation of the coins’ details, including motifs celebrating her love of horses and dogs.

A tale of two villages: Cambodians lament Thailand's border gains

Thai forces took control of several patches of disputed land along the Thai-Cambodian border during fighting last year, which could amount to several square kilometres in total.

One person dead from Nipah virus in Bangladesh, says WHO

The patient had a history of consuming raw date palm sap, which can be contaminated by infected bats.

EU needs political adults, not feckless children, in Trump era

When Brussels convinced itself that regulation could substitute for power and values for capacity, leverage migrated elsewhere. Europe rendered its own vulnerabilities exploitable; Washington and Beijing simply did not hesitate to use them. Sermons multiplied as factories

No reports, no records: China’s nickel black hole in Indonesia

Indonesia’s investment authority recently informed Parliament that PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel, a Chinese major nickel smelter in Central Sulawesi, has never submitted its mandatory Investment Activity Report. The disclosure emerged during a 2025 review of smelter

China's central bank buys gold for 15th consecutive month

Gold, long seen as a safe-haven asset to hedge against political and economic risks, saw a wild run in a speculative buying spree in January that took it to a record near US$5,600 per ounce.

Australia isn’t remotely ready for a US-Iran war

As the United States weighs fresh strikes on Iran, the prospect of a wider regional conflict is once again coming into focus. For many of Washington’s allies, the question is no longer whether escalation is possible, but how they would respond if it spiralled into all-out war.

Police identify suspect in disappearance of Australian boy

Four-year-old Gus Lamont was reported missing in late September 2025.

Takaichi win expected as Japan campaign enters final, snowy day

The sixteen-day general election campaign enters its final day of campaigning with the country in the throes of heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures. The Japanese Meteorological Agency predicts that heavy snowfall will peak on election day, with an uncertain impact on

South Korean crypto firm accidentally sends US$44 billion in bitcoins to users

Bithumb had planned to distribute small cash rewards of 2,000 Korean won (US$1.37) to each user as part of a promotional event, but winners received at least 2,000 bitcoins each instead.

Malaysia to implement toll discounts, price caps to ease costs during CNY period

A total of 16 items will be placed under price control.

WHO says one person dead from Nipah virus in Bangladesh

The patient developed symptoms consistent with Nipah virus on Jan 21 and died a week later.

Fewer women in Japan plan to give Valentine’s chocolate as inflation bites

Women in the country traditionally give a box of chocolates to men.

Digital native teens given chance to spot fake news in Japan election

Japan lowered the voting age to 18 from 20 in 2016.

In JB during Chinese New Year? Your quick guide to what’s open, where to go and what to skip

Most of Johor Bahru’s Chinese shops and eateries will shutter during CNY, but you’ll find life in the major malls and then some.

Under US scrutiny, CATL rolls out new batteries and investment

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, has delivered a cluster of upbeat announcements within the past one week. These included new investment plans in Europe, test results showing ultra-long-life lithium batteries and

'I dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol - but I felt like I was scammed'

Stories of aspiring foreign trainees shed light on an under-regulated industry, where there is opportunity and risk.

Will Sunday's snap election gamble pay off for Japan's first female premier?

Sanae Takaichi is popular - but inflation and a diplomatic row with China weigh on voters' minds.

Three dead in light plane crash off South Australia coast: Police

The plane went down in Long Bay near the port town of Goolwa South.

Three dead in light plane crash off South Australia coast, police say

SYDNEY, Feb 7 - A light plane crashed into the ocean off South Australia on Friday killing the three men on board, police said.

Thailand Election 2026: Foreign policy in spotlight as leaders look outward amid shifting world

Some experts believe Thailand is still paying the price of past military coups and grappling with a legitimacy deficit on the world stage.

Seven key Trump-Iran moments as tensions run high

Feb 6 - The United States and Iran on Friday were trying to reach a diplomatic solution to disputes between the two nations that have led to heightened tensions in the Middle East, and warnings from President Donald Trump that military options are at his disposal.

When the screen turns black in the age of digital sieges

In 1938, watching the rise of totalitarianism in Europe and the looming shadow of global conflict, Bertrand Russell defined “naked power.” In his seminal work Power: A New Social Analysis he described power that requires no consent, no tradition and no justification other than

Thailand is wracked by floods and quakes. But what’s holding it back is far harder to tackle

Thailand, which heads to the polls on Feb 8, has lost its lustre after years of economic underperformance.

Sweeping EU sanctions plan aims to hit Russian crude exports harder

BRUSSELS, Feb 6 - The European Commission on Friday proposed a sweeping ban on any services that support Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, going far beyond previous piecemeal EU sanctions in its effort to stunt Moscow's key source of income for its war on Ukraine.

EU proposes to broaden sanctions on Russian crude in sweeping new package

BRUSSELS, Feb 6 - The European Commission on Friday proposed a sweeping ban on any services that support Russia's seaborne crude oil exports, going far beyond previous piecemeal EU sanctions in its effort to stunt Moscow's key source of income for its war on Ukraine.

Bangladesh PM front-runner rejects unity government offer, says his party set to win

DHAKA, Feb 6 - Bangladesh’s leading prime ministerial contender, Tarique Rahman, on Friday rejected a proposal from his main rival for a unity government after elections next week, saying his party was confident of winning on its own.

Kites and victory cries fill Lahore skies again as festival returns after 18-year ban

The Basant festival was banned in 2008 due to kite string deaths and injuries.

Azerbaijan issues strong protest to Russia over lawmaker's comments on Karabakh trial

BAKU, Feb 6 - Azerbaijan issued a strong protest to Russia on Friday after a Russian lawmaker condemned the sentencing of 13 ethnic Armenians who had held senior positions in the former breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Hezbollah accepts resignation of senior security official Wafiq Safa, sources say

BEIRUT, Feb 6 - Lebanon's Hezbollah accepted the resignation of senior security official Wafiq Safa on Friday, the first time an official of his rank has stepped down, sources familiar with the group's thinking told Reuters.

Epstein offered ‘tall Swedish blonde’ to Indian tycoon Anil Ambani

Anil Ambani responded "Arrange that." less than 20 seconds after the offer.

Kites and victory cries fill Lahore skies as festival returns after long ban

LAHORE, Feb 6 - Extravagantly coloured kites dueled above Lahore and cries of victory rang out from rooftops on Friday, as the city celebrated the lifting of an 18-year ban on a spectacular three-day traditional Punjabi kite-flying festival.

Cambodia reveals damage to UNESCO-listed temple after Thailand clashes

Thailand Election 2026: Major parties make final push in Bangkok as Feb 8 vote looms

The three major parties hoping to lead Thailand’s next government made their final pitches to large crowds of supporters in Bangkok on Friday (Feb 6), as the country prepares to head to the polls this weekend.

Over 480,000 summonses issued to foreign drivers in Malaysia over last three years

The summonses amounted to RM25.3 million (S$8.15 million).

More than 30 killed in blast at Pakistan mosque, officials say

The attack, which took place during Friday prayers in the capital Islamabad, injured almost 170 people.

Many Chinese choosing S-E Asia over Japan for Chinese New Year holiday as bilateral spat hits flights

Beijing cancelled flights on 49 air routes to Japan after PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan angered it.

Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono summoned by police over Netflix show

Police said he had been summoned but did not name him as a suspect in any offence.

Coin portrait of late Queen draws criticism in Australia

The Royal Australian Mint has defended the design of the coins, which mark 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II's birth.

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi’ite mosque in Pakistan’s capital, officials say

The blasts wounded almost 170 other people.

Suicide bomber kills 31 in Shi'ite mosque in Pakistan's capital, officials say

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - A suicide bomber killed at least 31 people and wounded almost 170 others during Friday prayers in a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, police and government officials said.

A bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad's outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores

Bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad's outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores

During Friday prayers, a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque in Pakistan where 31 people were killed.

ASEAN chair says no change to stance on Myanmar, even as questions persist

The cessation of violence is "the most basic thing" that the grouping will look at, said the Philippines.

Suicide bomber kills 12 at mosque in Pakistan's capital, police say

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - A suicide bomber killed at least 12 people during Friday prayers in a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, two police officials said.

Several killed in Islamabad mosque explosion, say police

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 - An explosion ripped through a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad on Friday killing several worshippers, police said.

UN Security Council to exempt sanctions on humanitarian aid for North Korea, source says

SEOUL, Feb 6 - A United Nations committee has approved exemptions from wide-reaching sanctions against North Korea to allow fresh humanitarian aid to reach the country, a diplomatic source said on Friday, amid a push by Seoul and Washington to engage Pyongyang.