Japan says rare earth found in sediment retrieved on deep-sea mission

Sediment containing rare earth was retrieved from ocean depths of 6,000m.

Goodbye dollar dominance, hello global financial anarchy

A week ago I wrote about the possibility that the world would pull its money out of the United States of America. I noted the rise in the price of gold as a sign that the world might be entering a time of international financial anarchy: A lot of people asked me whether gold’s

South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace signs US$922 million deal with Norway to supply rocket launchers

Hanwha plans to build a guided rocket production facility in Poland by 2030, boosting its European presence.

JB-Singapore RTS Link to feature 100 immigration e-gates at Bukit Chagar complex

The rail operator said it benchmarked its approach against international standards.

Tighter curbs at major Western education hubs may steer more students to South Korea: Study

South Korea has stepped up efforts to attract more international students.

K-pop concerts face renewed uncertainty in Greater China

Nationality issues appear unlikely to have been the primary cause in the cancellations.

Japan election: AI-doctored video of campaign broadcast goes viral

The video, which has been deleted, had been viewed more than 1.6 million times.

Modi takes aim at Trump’s tariffs with a budget to shield India

For the Prime Minister, the focus is now on steering the economy through uncertain times.

Japanese PM Takaichi’s party poised for landslide victory, poll shows

A strong showing in the Feb 8 election would solidify Ms Sanae Takaichi’s grip on her party.

Japan PM Takaichi's party poised for landslide victory, Asahi poll shows

TOKYO, Feb 2 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's party is likely to score a landslide victory in next week's lower house election, a survey by the Asahi newspaper showed.

Fatal accidents shake Thailand’s faith in once-dominant builder

The accidents also highlighted broader public concern about Thailand’s highly concentrated economy.

Thailand Election 2026: Youth-linked orange wave propelled a party to win last poll – will history repeat itself?

As Thailand heads into a fragmented and unpredictable election on Sunday (Feb 8), reform has become harder to sell, analysts say. But even without the street protests of the recent past, youth politics continues to shape the electoral race and the ways parties are campaigning.

Pro-Beijing newspaper blasts Panama’s ruling against CK Hutchison’s ports concession

The ruling shows Panama’s lack of judicial independence, says a commentary published in Ta Kung Pao.

KPop Demon Hunters' Golden becomes first K-pop song to win Grammy

The Cure, Yungblud and FKA Twigs are the first British winners on the night in Los Angeles.

Bollywood milks India nationalism for box-office success

A wave of Bollywood war films and spy thrillers have hit screens in recent years.

In Iran, don’t expect a Libya scenario

The Trump administration has fundamentally changed direction on Iran. US NATO Ambassador Matt Whitaker says the US will not try and force regime change in Iran. “We don’t want another Libya scenario,” he says. Whitaker says, “We’re not asking for much, just stop killing your

India budget pledges record infrastructure and defence boost

The budget outlines US$133 billion to fund infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities while India receives billions in investments from tech giants.

Russian drone strike kills 15 miners in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk, officials say

KYIV, Feb 1 - Fifteen people were killed and seven wounded after a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, energy firm DTEK and government officials said on Sunday.

Pakistan seeks out perpetrators after deadly separatist attacks

Voters in Japan less likely to support female politicians wearing masks: Survey

The findings underscored the differences in how the public perceived politicians after the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘I have absolutely no connection whatsoever’: Malaysian PM Anwar on e-mail involving Epstein

A screenshot of the e-mail has gone viral, showing an exchange on Feb 21, 2012.

Trump’s theology of trophy-hunting as applied to Iran

Every country’s foreign policy, said a wise Asian leader many years ago, combines elements of theology with practical diplomacy. However, in today’s unpredictable world it can be hard to tell the difference between practical actions and theological gestures. Perhaps Iran is

Pakistan forces kill 145 militants in two-day battle after wave of attacks

QUETTA, Feb 1 - Pakistani security forces killed 145 militants in a 40-hour battle launched as a series of coordinated gun and bomb attacks across Balochistan left nearly 50 people dead, the province's chief minister said on Sunday.

Japan’s ruling LDP extends lead ahead of Feb 8 election: Kyodo poll

The election outlook remains uncertain, with 27.2 per cent still undecided in constituencies.

Shoigu says Russia supports China's position on Taiwan

MOSCOW, Feb 1 - Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow continues to support Beijing over Taiwan, state news agency TASS reported on Sunday.

China tells Russia’s security chief bilateral relations could ‘break new ground’ in 2026

China will work with Russia to “deepen strategic coordination and push relations to break new ground", says its foreign minister.

Ukraine talks set for next week as cold sweeps country

KYIV, Feb 1 - U.S.-backed trilateral talks involving Ukraine and Russia will take place next week in Abu Dhabi, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday, as Ukrainians faced uncertainty over the fate of an energy ceasefire with Russia amid plunging temperatures.

Malaysia police probe ex‑Free Malaysia Today journalist, Chinese daily under Sedition Act

The case involving Mr Tan comes after a public lecture held on Jan 12.

Over 7,000 cannabis shops in Thailand close due to stricter regulations and new law

A raft of new rules is suffocating a once promising, albeit offbeat, industry.

Over 7,000 cannabis shops close due to stricter regulations and new law

A raft of new rules is suffocating a once promising, albeit offbeat, industry.

Deadly gun and bomb attacks hit Pakistan's Balochistan province

The Pakistani military says 31 civilians and 17 security forces were killed and its response killed 145 attackers.

Pakistan forces kill 145 militants after attacks in Balochistan

KARACHI, Feb 1 - Pakistan's security forces killed 145 militants over 40 hours after coordinated attacks across Balochistan, the chief minister of the southwestern province said on Sunday, as the authorities battle one of the deadliest flare-ups in years.

India faces hotter, drier February, threatening winter crops

Crops such as wheat and barley could suffer yield losses.

Pakistan forces kill 145 militants after attacks Balochistan

KARACHI, Feb 1 - Pakistan's security forces killed 145 militants over 40 hours after coordinated attacks across Balochistan, the chief minister of the southwestern province said on Sunday, as the authorities battle one of the deadliest flare-ups in years.

Myanmar junta calls coup-protesting civil servants back to work

After the 2021 military coup, tens of thousands of public workers, including doctors and government administrators, left their posts in a surge of civil disobedience.

Rare earths and data centres: India pushes local industry as global tensions rise

India's budget focuses on infrastructure and defence spending and tax breaks for data-centre investments.

Indonesia lets Elon Musk's Grok resume, lifting ban over sexualised images

The resumption of access is being processed on "a conditional basis and under strict supervision", according to a government statement.

Australian snowboarder dies after ski lift accident in central Japan

The buckle on her backpack belt got caught in the chair, pulling her with it as she tried to disembark.

Half of 20 major Japanese cities face shrinking population

An estimate for 2050 shows that the number of those cities that will see a population decline will expand to 18.

Pakistan’s stray animals have found friends and protectors in Karachi’s young residents

Over 10 years, Karachi has witnessed massive population growth, of both the human and animal kind.

Suspended cop ‘Inspector Sheila’ nabbed for disturbing peace at Thaipusum event in Malaysia

He said the arrest followed an altercation between the woman and several traders near the temple at around 4am.

Russia's Shoigu, China's Wang Yi to discuss security issues

MOSCOW, Feb 1 - Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in China on Sunday where he will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss security issues, Russian media outlets reported on Sunday citing the Russian Security Council.

Young South Koreans show renewed interest in marriage: Survey

The rise in people intending to get married coincides with an uptick in actual marriages.

South Korea’s viral dessert ‘Dubai chewy cookies’ reach namesake city

The dessert is known for its chewy exterior and dense centre.

China targets ‘rats’ stealing military funds after launch of high-profile probe into top generals

Priority should be given to cases where “political and commercial issues are intertwined”, according to a commentary.

India budget makes fresh bet on manufacturing as it seeks to sustain growth

The focus is on structural reforms, particularly in manufacturing, building a robust financial sector and stepping up investments in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday (Feb 1).

Indonesia permits Elon Musk’s Grok to resume service after ban

Mr Musk’s X provided assurances to the government following its ban for producing sexualised content.

India budget makes bet on manufacturing; transaction tax hike spooks markets

The Indian economy is seen growing at 7.4 per cent in the current financial year.

Sea of colour as Malaysia’s Hindus mark Thaipusam with piercings and prayer

The festival is also celebrated in India, Singapore and other areas with large Hindu Tamil communities.