Japan stocks surge to record, bonds slide with yen on Takaichi's landslide election win

Sanae Takaichi’s win paves the way for promised tax relief and big fiscal spending that have spooked markets since she came to power last year.

Trump congratulates Japan's Takaichi on election win

Feb 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her coalition's election win, wishing her \"great success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda\" in a social media post.

Trump and other world leaders congratulates Japan’s Takaichi on election win

He had endorsed her leadership just days earlier.

Takaichi triumphs with Japan’s biggest post-war election victory

The LDP secured a two-thirds super majority in the 465-seat lower house by itself, NHK said.

Pro-Palestine protest planned in Sydney against Israeli President Herzog's visit

SYDNEY, Feb 9 - Pro-Palestine demonstrators plan to rally in Sydney on Monday to protest the visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as authorities declared his visit a major event and deployed thousands of police to manage the crowds.

Israeli President Herzog begins Australia trip at site of Bondi Beach attack

While seeking to console Australia’s Jewish community, his trip has also sparked calls for protests.

After years-long legal battle, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrives at day of sentencing

HONG KONG, Feb 9 - Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is set to be sentenced on Monday in the financial hub's most high-profile national security case, amid growing calls to free the longstanding critic of the Chinese Communist Party whose health is frail.

Commentary: South Korea’s dependence on US may give it little room to navigate renewed tariff threats

South Korea is highly dependent on the US for security and exports, says Pusan National University’s Robert Kelly.

A different side of JB: 5 things to do after dark you might not have expected

As many Singaporeans head north and the light rail link to Johor Bahru nears completion, the city’s after-hours scene is also evolving. The programme On The Red Dot explores the nocturnal experiences across the Causeway.

How traditional Chinese medicine in Malaysia is winning over more Malays

Tung Shin Hospital in KL said that more than 20% of those seeking TCM treatment there are non-Chinese.

As HK opens new TCM hospital to take Chinese medicine global, Singapore watches keenly

S'pore is among the countries looking to learn from HK’s experience in integrating TCM into its public healthcare.

US Treasury chief hails 'big victory' for Japan PM Takaichi in election

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi vows sustainable finance, faster tax cut talks

She said said a tax Bill would be submitted to Parliament if agreement is reached.

Christchurch shooter seeks to overturn guilty plea

Brenton Tarrant is serving a life sentence after murdering 51 people in the March 2019 attack on two mosques in New Zealand.

Bangladesh seeks UN help to probe killing of uprising leader

Building collapse in Lebanon kills at least six people, local official says

BEIRUT, Feb 8 - At least six people were killed and seven others were injured when two adjoining buildings collapsed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli on Sunday, with more trapped under the rubble, the head of the municipal council said.

Anutin’s landslide shifts Thailand decisively to the right

BANGKOK – Thailand’s snap elections delivered a decisive rightward turn on Sunday, with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party securing a sweep while upending the progressive People’s Party, whose predecessor won on an anti-establishment ticket in 2023. Bhumjaithai won an estimated

Thai PM Anutin consolidates power with dominating election win

His victory raised the prospect that a more stable coalition may now succeed in ending a prolonged political instability.

Thailand’s PM Anutin staked his election on nationalism — and won

The Bhumjaithai Party leader will become the first Thai prime minister to be voted back to office in two decades.

Thailand's PM Anutin staked his election on nationalism — and won

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Anutin Charnvirakul stood at a rally in Thailand's capital Bangkok last month and declared that his Bhumjaithai Party should be the automatic choice for any patriotic Thai in Sunday's general election.

‘Clear signal’: Thai PM Anutin says Bhumjaithai won most seats in election, open to working with other parties

“Our victory is a victory of all people,” says Anutin Charnvirakul as his party pips its fierce rivals in Sunday’s (Feb 8) election.

Thailand PM's party takes wide lead in three-way election race

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's party was far ahead in Sunday's general election, leading a three-way race with a commanding margin that could make it easier to form a coalition and reduce the risk of further political instability.

New Zealand to hear Christchurch mosque shooter's appeal against sentence

New Zealand mosque shooter tells court mental health forced him to plead guilty

Thailand election: Anutin’s Bhumjaithai declares victory as People’s Party concedes

According to projections, Bhumjaithai had won 177 constituency seats, followed by People’s Party with 81.

Colour and caution as banned kite-flying festival returns to Pakistan

Punjab authorities banned the kite-flying festival Basant in 2007 due to a series of fatal accidents.

Thailand PM's party takes early lead in three-way election race

BANGKOK, Feb 8 - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party took an early lead in Sunday's general election, though the three-way battle is unlikely to give any single party a clear majority, potentially prolonging the spectre of political instability.

Japan's 'Iron Lady' Takaichi forges stunning election win

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's win paves the way for her tax cuts that have spooked financial markets and military spending aimed at countering China.

Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ Takaichi forges stunning election win

Her Liberal Democratic Party is set to secure a big majority in Japan’s Lower House.

Child opens car door, causes accident involving six vehicles in Kuala Lumpur

It is believed that the child safety lock feature was not activated.

Four Indian students injured in knife attack in Russia, embassy says

MOSCOW, Feb 8 - Four Indian students were injured in a knife attack at a medical university in Russia's Bashkortostan region on Saturday, the Indian embassy in Moscow and Russian investigators said.

Thai PM claims election victory with conservatives well ahead of rivals

The ruling conservatives defied opinion polls predicting a win for the reformist People's Party.

As it happened: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's ruling coalition wins super majority in lower house

The snap vote was closely watched as a test of support for Japan's first female prime minister and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Cooling rooms, more green spaces: Bangkok launches heat management plan for 2026 with 379 risk zones

The plan is to help the city shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in dealing with the heat.

Man arrested after allegedly chasing university student in Melaka mall with knife

Police described the incident as a random attack on a shopper.

Thai security officials warn of renewed conflict with Cambodia, citing border military build-up

The border has been officially designated a critical security vulnerability.

Thailand election: PM Anutin's party in the lead with counting underway

An outright majority for any of the three main parties is unlikely, so an alliance is almost certain to be required to form a government.

Highlights: Thai PM Anutin's party takes wide lead in three-way election race

The result could make it easier for the Bhumjaithai party to forge a coalition to form the government.

Six injured, including two police officers, after snow-related car collisions in Tokyo

The accident involved seven cars at Tsukiji Ohashi bridge.

Japanese anime Detective Conan cosplays banned at China events

The bans were set for recent events in Beijing, Chongqing and Lanzhou.

Heavy snowfall hits northern and western Japan, Tokyo also blanketed by snow

Japan’s weather agency expects extremely unstable atmospheric conditions.

Hunger not driving bears to populated areas in western Japan: Study

Japan’s recent rise in bear intrusions is partly attributed to food scarcity in their natural habitats.

Malaysia, India deepen trade ties as Anwar and Modi vow to grow friendship rooted in trust

The leaders also discuss Gaza and Ukraine, with Anwar praising Modi’s unequivocal peace commitment.

Factory explosion in North China kills 8

The explosion occurred at Jiapeng biotech company, located in Shanyin County, about 400km west of Beijing.

India, Malaysia renew pledges to boost trade, collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 - India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed pledges on Sunday to bolster trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defence and other fields.

‘Better economy, fewer scammers’: Hopes high among Thais voting in snap election

With Thailand having cycled through three different prime ministers over the last three years, voters CNA spoke to on Sunday (Feb 8) expressed hopes that the polls would bring about more unity and stability.

Iran rope-a-doping US in Oman

Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff no doubt talked to President Trump about the US-Iran meeting in Oman. We don’t have a special wiretap on his call to Trump, but it is a sure bet Witkoff told the president things were going well and another meeting is planned. If Trump’s idea is