Johor firefighters battle spreading Pengerang peat fire as haze hits Singapore

The fire is in Pengerang, Johor, about 30km across the strait, east of Singapore.

Myanmar nationalists protest Rohingya genocide case at UN court

Myanmar is defending itself from allegations its crackdown on the Rohingya minority breached the UN’s genocide convention.

Honduras' Asfura to take office after razor-thin election

TEGUCIGALPA, Jan 27 - Conservative politician and businessman Nasry Asfura will be sworn in as president of Honduras on Tuesday after a closely fought election marred by allegations of fraud and political tension fueled by U.S. interference.

Australia PM Albanese visits East Timor to discuss security, gas

SYDNEY, Jan 27 - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will flag Australia's desire for deeper security and energy ties when he addresses East Timor's parliament on Wednesday, in his first visit to the northern neighbour as leader.

China vows 'support' for Cuba after US threats

US President Donald Trump has told Cuba to "make a deal" or pay a price similar to Venezuela.

North Korea fires missiles into sea amid talks on US military role

SEOUL, Jan 27 - North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea on Tuesday that were likely short-range projectiles, South Korea and Japan said, as Washington and Seoul hold talks on transforming their defence posture against Pyongyang.

Malaysia scraps proposed test for six-year-olds enrolling in Year One, but Anwar defends policy

The government had proposed the test to assess the readiness of children for Year One after it lowered the age of enrolment in primary schools by a year, from seven years old to six.

Starmer’s China trip shows UK won’t bow in a multipolar world

Keir Starmer has arrived in Beijing this week with a message designed to unsettle Washington and intrigue global capital: Britain will not choose between the US and China. Investors should read that line as a declaration of strategy. Britain is attempting to monetize the coming

No room for Taipei? Washington’s exit from world bodies a worry for Taiwan’s diplomacy

The US’ support has served as Taiwan’s primary way to gain visibility at global institutions.

China vows ‘support’ for Cuba after US threats

US President Donald Trump has told Havana to “make a deal” or pay a price similar to Venezuela.

Alex Honnold's daring Taipei 101 skyscraper climb inspires risky copycat attempts

Online reactions to the copycat attempts were mixed, with some users making jokes while others highlighted the risks and warned of potentially fatal consequences.

China cancels flights on 49 routes to Japan amid renewed travel warnings

This includes 113 affected flights between Beijing and Osaka, as well as 13 flights between Shenzhen and Hokkaido.

Indian tourist state of Goa weighs social media ban for children

The state is considering an Australia-like social media ban for children.

Japan govt settles case over sex assault of ex-soldier

The state will pay $13,120 to the soldier, who was sexually assaulted while serving in the military.

‘Lisa effect’ draws crowds to Thailand’s Red Lotus Sea, 120,000 visitors expected this season

The region has seen an increase in foreign visitors following the campaign.

Beyond a reset: US-Pakistan ties exemplify new era of pragmatism

If 2025 is remembered in Islamabad and Washington as a year of renewed engagement, it will not be because old alliances were revived or decades of mistrust suddenly disappeared. Rather, it is likely to be recalled as a moment when realism took hold and shifting global

Japan-US alliance would crumble if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis, PM Takaichi says

Japan's pacifist constitution prohibits direct military action but allows it to exercise the right of collective self-defence, or defending a friendly country that comes under attack.

North Korea fires missiles into sea amid talks of limiting US military role

SEOUL, Jan 27 - North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea on Tuesday that were likely short-range projectiles, South Korea and Japan said, as Washington and Seoul hold talks on transforming their defence posture against Pyongyang.

Thailand screens 1,700 passengers for Nipah virus; three hospitals put on standby

Thailand has not detected any Nipah cases, said Public Health Minister Phatthana Phromphat.

Cambodia scam crackdown sheds light on Indonesia’s employment gaps

Weaknesses in employment and economic security have lured vulnerable Indonesians into scam work, some said.

North Korea fires ballistic missiles towards Sea of Japan

Nothing for India to fear in Bangladesh-Turkey arms deals

On January 13, 2026, a large Turkish delegation, including officials from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), arrived in Dhaka to hold consultations with Bangladesh Air Force officials. Afterward, Bangladeshi officials reportedly confirmed the acquisition of six

China to seek deeper cooperation with UK, Chinese ministries say

BEIJING, Jan 27 - China is ready to enhance mutual trust with Britain and deepen practical cooperation with the Group of Seven nation as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the world's second-largest economy this week, according to the Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday.

China to seek deeper cooperation with Britain, Chinese ministries say

British PM Keir Starmer is expected to visit China from Jan 28 to 31.

Nipah virus outbreak in India triggers Asia airport screenings

Airports in Thailand and Nepal have begun screening passengers from West Bengal.

Ringgit hits 7-year high against US dollar; Anwar says rally shows confidence in Malaysia

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday (Jan 27) that the recent strengthening of the ringgit has had positive effects on the country's economy, even as he acknowledged potential concerns.

Azerbaijan arrests three men for planning embassy attack at behest of Islamic State offshoot

BAKU, Jan 27 - Authorities in Azerbaijan said on Tuesday they had arrested three individuals planning an attack on a foreign embassy in the capital Baku at the instructions of Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan offshoot of Islamic State.

North Korea fires ballistic missile towards Sea of Japan

The test is Pyongyang’s second of the month.

Firefighters battle 'emergency level' blazes in Australia heatwave

Firefighters in Victoria are battling at least six major fires amid a record-breaking heatwave.

Philippines' Duterte fit to face ICC proceedings, judges say

The 80-year-old is accused of crimes of humanity over his bloody war on drugs that left thousands killed.

India, EU finalise landmark trade deal, PM Modi says

NEW DELHI, Jan 27 - India and the European Union have finalised a long pending landmark trade deal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to hedge against fickle ties with the U.S.

Voters air adulation, anger at PM Takaichi as Japan election officially starts

Ms Sanae Takaichi called the snap election amid high poll ratings for her months-old government.

New centrist opposition a wild card in Japan Prime Minister’s election gambit

Its success hinges on whether it can counter criticism that it is a marriage of convenience.

Xi says China, Finland should uphold international system, advance multipolar order

BEIJING, Jan 27 - China's President Xi Jinping told Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday that Beijing was ready to work with Helsinki to uphold a U.N.-centred international system and advance a multipolar world based on economic globalisation, according to state

India and EU announce landmark trade deal

The long-awaited deal comes as both Delhi and Brussels contend with economic and geopolitical pressure from the US.

Hong Kong constitutional and mainland affairs minister Erick Tsang resigns, reveals he has cancer

Beijing made the announcement on Tuesday (Jan 27), ending days of speculation about the departure of the 62-year-old from the cabinet.

23 soldiers died in Indonesia’s West Java landslide, official says

The 23 marines were caught in the landslide during training exercises on Jan 24.

Israel to seek new security deal with the US, FT reports

Jan 27 - Israel is preparing for talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security deal, seeking to extend U.S. military support even as Israeli leaders signal they are planning for a future with reduced American cash grants, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Leader of sex worker scouting syndicate arrested in Japan after a year-long manhunt

Police allege he illegally paid a yakuza gang member for access to operate in an area of Tokyo.

US links security guarantees for Ukraine to peace deal ceding Donbas, FT reports

Jan 27 - The Trump administration has signalled to Ukraine that U.S. security guarantees depend on Kyiv agreeing to a peace deal likely requiring it to cede the Donbas region to Russia, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing eight people familiar with the talks.

Twenty-three soldiers died in Indonesia's West Java landslides, official says

JAKARTA, Jan 27 - Twenty-three soldiers trapped by landslides in Indonesia's West Java have been confirmed dead, a navy spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Davos made clear Trump offers scant hope for Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said a security agreement with the United States has been finalized following his most recent meeting with Donald Trump. Taken at face value, Zelensky’s repeated assertions that the document is ready to sign look like a major win for

India, EU strike ‘mother of all deals’ free trade agreement and defence pact in the age of Trump

The trade pact is expected to open up new opportunities in areas like automobiles.

India, EU reach landmark trade deal, tariffs to be slashed on most goods

The trade deal is expected to be implemented within a year, said an Indian government official.

Japan's beloved last pandas leave for China as ties fray

The distinctive black-and-white animals, loaned out as part of China's "panda diplomacy", have symbolised friendship between Beijing and Tokyo since they normalised diplomatic ties in 1972.

Man charged with throwing ‘explosive device’ into Australia Day rally

The man was charged with an attempt to cause harm and with making or possessing explosives.

Who really holds all the cards: Trump or the bond market?

When a Danish pension fund recently announced it would sell its US$100 million holding of US government bonds, the move was tiny in financial terms – just a drop in a $30 trillion ocean. But it touched on a much bigger issue. Foreign investors now hold around one-third of all

Mahathir enjoys quick coffee outing in KL in first public appearance since hip fracture

The former Malaysian premier fractured his hip on Jan 6 in his home.