Dozens hospitalised after nitric acid leak in Indonesia, raising safety concerns

Direct inhalation of nitric acid can cause burns on the skin, eye irritation and respiratory infections.

Relations with US ‘rock solid’, Taiwan president says after Trump-Xi call

In December, the Trump administration announced a record US$11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

Relations with US 'rock solid,' Taiwan president says after Trump-Xi call

TAIPEI, Feb 5 - Relations between Taiwan and the U.S. are \"rock-solid\" and cooperation programmes will continue and not change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the democratically governed island with President Donald

Fake ‘haha’ reactions attack political opponents ahead of Bangladesh elections

The investigation found that such attacks not only mock a post, but also reduces its visibility.

US pitches plan to counter China's dominance of critical mineral supply

The event was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries, the White House said.

US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump

Wednesday's call comes in the wake of a flurry of visits by Western leaders to China in recent months.

Growing calls in India to restrict children's social media use

Some Indian states have said they are examining Australia's law curbing social media for children.

Gen Z toppled an autocrat - but old guard tipped to win Bangladesh vote

A student uprising promised a new dawn in Bangladesh but old parties are tipped to win a landmark election.

New insurance scheme to cover Malaysians working in Singapore

The scheme would ensure they remain covered even during their daily cross-border commute.

How India repositions its trade diplomacy via EU, US negotiations

Global markets barely had time to digest the announcement that India and the European Union (EU) had sealed their long-delayed free trade agreement when US President Donald Trump, in a characteristically overdone social-media flourish, proclaimed that Washington, too, was on

Trump, Xi discuss Taiwan and soybeans in call aimed at easing China, US relations

Both leaders publicly affirmed their personal stakes in strong relations after the call, their first since November.

UN chief calls New START expiration 'grave moment'

Feb 4 - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called the expiration of the New START Treaty a grave moment for international peace and security and urged Russia and the United States to negotiate a new nuclear arms control framework without delay.

Australia charges teenager over alleged death threats to Israeli President Herzog

SYDNEY, Feb 5 - An Australian teenager has been charged for allegedly making online death threats against Israeli President Isaac Herzog, ahead of his upcoming visit to Australia.

End of ‘Pax Americana’ doesn’t necessarily mean a less-safe world

America’s role in the world is changing. If this wasn’t obvious before, it should be now, following President Donald Trump’s efforts to take over Greenland and his visibly strained relations with traditional allies in Europe and elsewhere. But how much will the world change if

A global craze for Korean culture is making its humblest snacks unaffordable

Black, crispy, often flat and square, dried seaweed is growing in popularity - but also in price.

UK asks Air India to explain Boeing Dreamliner fuel-switch incident

Fuel switches were at the centre of the Air India crash that killed 260 people in 2025.

Supply chains and China’s Hormuz imperative

In the evolving landscape of 21st-century energy security, global attention often gravitates toward the maritime disputes of East Asia. However, a structural analysis of global energy flows indicates that the true center of gravity for Asian economic stability remains thousands

Thailand Election 2026: Debt worries, economic uncertainty loom large on voters’ minds

With Thai households under financial strain, economists say debt and global trade risks could hugely impact who voters pick on Sunday (Feb 8).

Elect KL mayor? Malaysian MPs trade barbs over an issue that is ‘racialised for too long’

Proponents say it is a practical way to improve governance in the capital city, but critics argue it would sideline vulnerable groups. Analysts say central to the issue is race.

Commentary: What Asia risks now that the last nuclear guardrails are gone

Discussions about the need for independent nuclear capabilities are no longer seen as fringe ideas in some parts of Asia, says Patricia M Kim from Brookings Institution.

Commentary: Chinese AI videos used to look fake. Now they are making money

Beijing-based Kuaishou has spent the past year recasting itself as an AI video contender with global ambitions and it is succeeding, says Catherine Thorbecke for Bloomberg Opinion.

Indonesia’s unlikely activists: How white-collar workers are finding their voice

Indonesia’s urban middle class has become an increasingly prominent part of the country’s civil society.

India’s Kerala state rolls out new form of identification: Protection or exclusion?

The nativity card, the first in India, is for residents seeking access to services in Kerala.

Japan’s ‘Owl’ spy satellites in orbit

Earth observation specialist Synspective has been selected as a partner company in the Satellite Constellation Project of Japan’s Ministry of Defense. A designer and operator of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, it will contribute imaging data and analytics to the

In calls with Trump and Putin, Xi sets stage for US meeting, reaffirms Russian ties

The calls, held hours apart, come as the Ukraine war anniversary and nuclear treaty expiry loom.

Germany's Merz heads to Saudi, Gulf in quest for new partners

BERLIN, Feb 4 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday aiming to forge energy and arms partnerships as Europe's biggest and richest economy sought to reduce dependence on the U.S. and China.

Trump has attacked pillars of democracy, Human Rights Watch says

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 - U.S. President Donald Trump has attacked key pillars of his country's democracy, Human Rights Watch warned on Wednesday in its annual report, citing the Republican president's immigration crackdown, threats to voting rights and other policies.

Who is the Baloch Liberation Army behind Pakistan's Balochistan attacks?

KARACHI, FEB 1 - Pakistan's banned separatist group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for coordinated gun and bomb attacks that killed dozens of civilians and security personnel and triggered one of the deadliest security operations in Balochistan in years.

Four people, including two Chinese nationals, arrested in France on suspicion of spying

PARIS, Feb 4 - Four people, including two Chinese nationals, have been arrested in France on suspicion of spying for China and have been brought before an investigative judge, the Paris public prosecutor's office said on Wednesday

China’s Xi calls for ‘mutual respect’ in Trump call and issues Taiwan warning

The Chinese leader urged the US to exercise “caution” when selling arms to Taiwan.

China's Xi and Trump talk by phone, hours after Xi spoke to Putin

BEIJING, Feb 4 - Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV said, ahead of an expected visit by Trump to China in April and hours after Xi had a virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Quick on their feed: What’s driving the ‘AI slop’ consumption surge in South Korea

South Korea recorded among surveyed countries the steepest jump in generative AI usage in 2025.

India’s competition watchdog orders probe into IndiGo after mass flight cancellations

Indigo cancelled about 4,500 flights in the first weeks of December 2025.

Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival cancelled over fears of visitors behaving badly

The festival attracts around 200,000 visitors each year.

China's Xi and Trump talk by phone, Chinese state media report

BEIJING, Feb 4 - Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported, ahead of an expected visit by Trump to China in April.

Seoul feeling the ‘BTS effect’ ahead of K-pop band’s comeback concert

Budget and midrange options are also filling fast.

UK pro-Palestinian activists not guilty of burglary over raid at Israeli firm Elbit

LONDON, Feb 4 - Six British pro-Palestinian activists were acquitted of aggravated burglary on Wednesday over a 2024 raid on Israeli defence firm Elbit's factory, with a jury unable to reach verdicts on other charges including criminal damage.

Xi, Putin hail 'stabilising' China-Russia alliance

The Xi-Putin call, which a Kremlin aide said lasted nearly 1.5 hours, came ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's military campaign this month.

UK pro-Palestinian activists not guilty of aggravated burglary at Israeli firm's factory

LONDON, Feb 4 - Six British pro-Palestinian activists were acquitted on Wednesday of aggravated burglary relating to a 2024 raid on a factory operated by Israeli defence firm Elbit, with a jury unable to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage.

Tourist arrested for brandishing knife after failing to buy cigarettes at KL convenience store

If convicted, the suspect may be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment, fined, or both.

Malaysia PM Anwar denies ceding over 5,000ha of land to Indonesia amid border compensation claims

Three North Kalimantan villages are now recorded as falling within Malaysia after joint border redemarcation work.

Xi, Putin hail ties in video call as Ukraine war nears anniversary

BEIJING, Feb 4 - China's President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin both hailed their ties during a video call on Wednesday held in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Thousands of troops hit the streets in Nepal ahead of polls

Myanmar junta plans 'super-body' to tighten grip on military, new government

Asia-Pacific airlines set for continued growth despite global headwinds: Industry body

“Air travel is a socio-economic necessity in the region. That’s why the demand is so strong," AAPA chief Subhas Menon told CNA’s Yasmin Jonkers at the Singapore Airshow.

Trump's India pact could make big dent in Russian oil revenue, say experts

Myanmar junta plans ‘super-body’ to tighten grip on military, new government

Experts say the move will allow Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing to become president while ensuring he retains control over the military.

US hosts countries for talks to weaken China's grip on critical minerals

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 - The United States will host more than 50 countries on Wednesday for talks aimed at boosting their access to critical minerals, in a bid to loosen China's grip over vital industrial inputs that has allowed it to control global supply chains.

Pope Leo urges Russia and US to renew last nuclear arms treaty

VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 - Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last nuclear arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country.