8 budget-friendly Malaysian handbag brands that deliver luxe style for less

These eight Malaysian handbag brands deliver style, quality and versatility – with prices starting from S$17.

North Korea’s Kim says could ‘get along’ with US but shuns South Korea

He excluded any discussion with South Korea.

Why Asian firms are not cheering Trump tariff ruling

The US Supreme Court's decision to block a pillar of US trade policy has caused yet more uncertainty.

North Korea's Kim says relations with US depend on US attitude, military parade held

SEOUL, Feb 26 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said prospects of North Korea-U.S. relations depend entirely on the attitude of the United States, while excluding any discussion with South Korea, state media KCNA said on Thursday.

Two charged over alleged murder of Sydney grandfather kidnapped by mistake

Police say the 85-year-old, taken from his home almost two weeks ago, was not the intended target.

Southeast Asia caught between relief and new risks after US court strikes down Trump tariffs

Southeast Asian countries could benefit from a temporary lowering of tariffs, but analysts warn there are other means United States President Donald Trump can use to keep his trade agenda alive.

Commentary: My aunties now debate Trump’s tariffs on Indonesia. Here’s what they miss

A good tariff deal means little if permits crawl and customs stumble, says a strategic communicator.

Commentary: China’s gold rush comes to Xi's tariff-free paradise

Sales have soared in duty-free shopping hub Hainan, but the Chinese middle class isn’t actually consuming, says Shuli Ren for Bloomberg Opinion.

Attacking refugee problems with the old UNHCR setup won’t work

Sir, It would be preposterous of me to present to you my congratulations for your recent election to head the UN Refugee Agency. Conversely, having served 20 years with your organization I would like to share with you some observations, whatever their relevance. You have been

Scam centres ‘destroying’ Cambodia’s economy, PM tells AFP

A clampdown has resulted in thousands of arrests, but critics have questioned its authenticity.

Cambodia wants ‘de-escalation’ in conflict with Thailand, PM tells AFP

Clashes in 2025 killed dozens of people and displaced more than a million.

Top Dems reportedly work to sabotage bill to stop Trump Iran war

Top US Democrats are reportedly working behind the scenes to stop a vote that would force them to go on the record about whether they support a Trump administration attack on Iran. As the president amasses an armada in the Middle East in apparent preparation for an unauthorized

India’s Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount

India stands with Israel “with full conviction", Mr Modi told Israel's Parliament.

Shen Yun in the news again: target of an Australian bomb threat

A Tuesday night evacuation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese from his Canberra official residence, the Lodge, has been linked to the Chinese dance troupe Shen Yun. In a bomb threat emailed to the group, the sender said explosives would be detonated if Australian performances

Kyoto mulls over higher bus fares for visitors, up to double those for locals

If confirmed, it would be the first such tiered pricing in Japan that favours local residents.

US tariff rate to hit 15% or more for some nations, USTR says

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 - The U.S. tariff rate for some countries will rise to 15% or higher from the newly imposed 10%, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, without naming any specific trading partners or giving further details.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-intelligence chief over 2019 Easter bombings

COLOMBO, Feb 25 - Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department arrested on Wednesday the country's former intelligence chief in connection with the Easter bombings of 2019 that killed 279 people.

Iran sees 'good outlook' for talks with US as negotiating team heads to Geneva

DUBAI, Feb 25 - Iran sees the chance of a good outcome from a third round of talks with the United States, its President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday, as a delegation left for Geneva for negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.

Record 129 journalists and media workers killed in 2025, mostly by Israel, says CPJ

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 - A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed in the course of their work last year, two-thirds of them killed by Israel, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday.

Hungary's Orban says Ukraine planning steps to disrupt energy system

BUDAPEST, Feb 25 - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday accused Ukraine of planning to disrupt the Hungarian energy system and ordered the deployment of soldiers and equipment to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Hong Kong’s Budget is back in the black – but not without sacrifice

The odds have finally tipped in city’s favour. Can it last?

Thailand election body confirms win by PM Anutin's party

Australia tells families of diplomats to leave Israel, Lebanon

JERUSALEM, Feb 25 - The Australian government has told dependants of Australian diplomats in Israel and Lebanon to leave the two Middle East countries, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, amid rising fears of military conflict between the United States and Iran.

China warns US it will respond if trade probe spurs new tariffs

China’s Commerce Ministry was responding to comments by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

‘I thought I was safe’: What’s behind Malaysia’s rising TB cases

Transmission of tuberculosis typically requires prolonged, close exposure to an infectious individual.

Mostaqur Rahman appointed Bangladesh cenbank head, government says

DHAKA, Feb 25 - Bangladesh's new government appointed entrepreneur and financial governance specialist Mostaqur Rahman as governor of the central bank, a government notification said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian drone strike kills seven in western Russia, investigators say

MOSCOW, Feb 25 - Russian investigators said seven people were killed and at least 10 wounded on Wednesday in a Ukrainian drone attack on a chemical plant in western Russia.

Pakistan wary of militant attacks after Afghanistan air strikes

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 - Pakistan has boosted security and arrested dozens of suspects as it fears rising wave of militant attacks following its air strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan's Junior Interior Minister said on Wednesday.

China’s Spring Festival travel and spending hit record highs, but it’s not all rosy

Some 596 million domestic trips during the nine-day holiday, but Chinese consumers appeared more prudent.

US and South Korean militaries to have joint drills in March as tensions with North Korea escalate

Man wanted for alleged role in Cambodia-based human trafficking and scam ring arrested in Bali

Rifaldo Aquino Pontoh was arrested at I Gusti I Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali.

40 years after dictatorship, Philippines struggles with entrenched political dynasties

Anniversary protests alleging ongoing corruption underscore how the revolution’s promises of reform remain unfulfilled.

Google disrupts Chinese-linked hackers that attacked 53 groups globally

Feb 25 - Google disrupted a Chinese-linked hacking group that breached at least 53 organizations across 42 countries, the company said Wednesday.

Filipinos protest against corruption on anniversary of Marcos Sr’s ouster

Protestors aimed their anger at a corruption scandal under the Marcos Jr administration.

Tokyo Skytree observation deck remains closed after elevator malfunction that trapped 20 people

Inspectors are continuing to look into the cause of the accident.

Myanmar junta air strike kills at least 17: Local groups

Myanmar has been consumed by civil war since the junta snatched power in a 2021 coup.

Seoul’s water bus service to resume full operation on March 1 after being plagued by safety issues

In November, just two months into service, a vessel carrying 82 passengers ran aground.

Air pollution after Johor warehouse fire forces 1,500 pupils to switch to online learning

The fire at Jalan Air Hitam, Senai, was reported at 4.37pm on Feb 24, with firefighters still on site on Feb 25.

Flooding spreads to Sabah’s south-west; over 1,000 people remain in shelters, 27 schools close

Hundreds of villages, homes, vehicles and other properties are feared damaged.

Singapore-based Shein tried to shed its Chinese roots. Now, it has done a U-turn

Its founder touted the company's Chinese identity, as it strives to secure Beijing’s go-ahead for an IPO..

China’s fishing fleets are Beijing’s secret naval weapon

China is rapidly expanding its reach across the Indo-Pacific, deploying a shadow fleet of nominally civilian fishing vessels as a covert extension of the world’s largest naval force. By weaponizing hundreds of thousands of fishing boats alongside the Chinese Navy (PLAN) and

Women occupy larger share of South Korea’s chaebol leadership

Women account for 37 per cent of executives at family-controlled conglomerates.

Starbucks to launch Aerocano drink in South Korea on Feb 26

It is made by injecting air into iced espresso, creating a creamy texture and lighter mouthfeel.

Thai poll body certifies most election results, say source and media reports

396 constituency seats in the 500-member Lower House have been reportedly been certified.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-spy chief over 2019 Easter bombings

The former head of intelligence allegedly allowed the attacks to happen with the intention of influencing the 2019 presidential election.

South Korea’s Lee calls for tourism overhaul, targets 30 million foreign visitors

The number of inbound foreign visitors was over 18 million in 2025, up 15.7 per cent from 2024.

Anwar aide dismisses minister’s call for royal inquiry into Malaysia’s anti-graft agency

The call for a royal inquiry must not be based on hearsay, says Kamil Munim, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary in the Finance Ministry.

Can Olympic skier Eileen Gu continue to walk the US-China tightrope?

Public reactions from the two nations were strikingly different after the US-born Chinese skier won an Olympic gold.

AI robot monk in Japan helps answer humans’ sensitive questions

Buddharoid can offer a sense of presence at religious sanctuaries in addition to voice communications.