World

French justice opens Epstein-linked probe against former culture minister

PARIS, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The French National ‌Financial Prosecutor's Office said on Saturday it had opened an investigation into former ‌Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline Lang on suspicion of 'aggravated tax ‌fraud laundering', a move linked to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Other Sports

Olympics-Snowboard-Australian James keeps plans under wraps as he chases first gold

LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb ‌7 (Reuters) - Australia snowboarder Scotty James is keeping details of his halfpipe plans ‌to himself at the Milano Cortina Games as he chases the gold ‌medal that has eluded him in four Olympics.

Nation

Public service to go paper-free on Feb 9, says govt chief sec

BANGI: The public service will begin implementing a paperless approach for simple administrative matters starting Monday (Feb 9), in line with efforts to accelerate digitalisation in government administration, says Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Other Sports

Olympics-Alpine skiing-Swiss upstart Von Allmen stuns Odermatt to win downhill gold

BORMIO, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Swiss young gun Franjo ‌von Allmen produced a stunning descent of the fearsome Stelvio slope to win the Olympic Alpine skiing men's downhill on Saturday as illustrious ‌teammate and race favourite Marco Odermatt missed the podium.

Nation

Scoring of 14 ministries that failed to meet targets set for March 2026

BANGI: The process of assigning scores to 14 ministries identified as having failed to meet targets in implementing physical development projects will be carried out next month, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Japan

Takaichi talks tough on immigration on eve of vote

TOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged Saturday (Feb 7) to make Japan "more prosperous and safer", including through tougher immigration screening, in a final appeal to voters on the eve of snap elections.

Other Sports

Olympics-Cross-country-Karlsson leads Sweden 1-2 in women's skiathlon

TESERO, ‌Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Sweden dominated the women's skiathlon in the first cross-country skiing race ‌of the Milano Cortina Games, as Frida Karlsson took gold and compatriot Ebba Andersson ‌clinched the silver medal on Saturday.

Other Sports

Olympics-Biathlon-Don't underestimate Norway, says Dale-Skjevdal on eve of biathlon relay

ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌Norway's Johannes Dale-Skjevdal says the team's rivals should not underestimate the traditional superpower when the ‌Olympic biathlon competitions get under way on Sunday, despite fans and media talking up the ‌chances of France, Italy and Sweden.

Thailand

Thailand is wracked by floods and quakes. But what’s holding it back is far harder to tackle

Rural voters express frustration, seeking effective policy implementation and technological advancements, while southern Thailand becomes a key election battleground.

Nation

Zamri Vinoth arrested, say cops

PETALING JAYA: Police confirm that controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth has been arrested.

Indonesia

Riau Police probe decapitation of critically endangered Sumatran elephant

JAKARTA: Riau Police have launched an investigation into the death of a Sumatran elephant found decapitated inside a pulp company's forest concession in Riau.

Other Sports

Olympics-Curling-Rock-solid Britain beat Canada to edge closer to playoffs

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb ‌7 (Reuters) - Britain's Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat continued their impressive start to the curling ‌mixed doubles competition at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Saturday, securing a 7-5 win ‌over Canada's Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman.

Other Sports

Olympics-New IOC chief meets Vance ahead of 2028 L.A. Games

MILAN, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌The International Olympic Committee described the presence of U.S. Vice ‌President JD Vance at Italy's Winter Games as a great sign ‌of U.S. commitment to the Olympic movement, noting that Vance had met the IOC's new boss for the first time.

South Korea

Soaring gold prices reshape South Korea’s rituals

SEOUL: Gold has long been woven into the fabric of South Korean life. The precious metal has traditionally marked key rites of passage, from births and marriages to other major milestones.

Football

Soccer-Barcelona formally quit moribund Super League project

BARCELONA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Barcelona ‌have officially withdrawn from the European Super League project, the club ‌announced on Saturday, leaving Real Madrid as the sole remaining ‌advocate for a competition that once threatened briefly to rival UEFA's Champions League.

Nation

Rollout of workers' cross-border protection scheme by end 2026, says Ramanan

PETALING JAYA: The cross-border worker protection scheme is expected to be ready by end-2026, with a feasibility study completed by March, says Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

Other Sports

Olympics-Alpine skiing-Italy's Brignone still unsure about Sunday downhill

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, ‌Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Italy's ‌Federica Brignone said she ‌would decide later on Saturday whether to compete in the downhill ‍race in Cortina d'Ampezzo ‍on Sunday, ‌in the first women's alpine ‍skiing event ​at the Milano Cortina Olympics. 

Indonesia

5.9 magnitude earthquake strikes of Indonesia's Tanimbar islands

ISTANBUL: A strong 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Tanimbar Islands in Maluku province early Saturday (Feb 7), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

World

Suspected arson hits Italian rail network near Bologna, police say

ROME, Feb 7 (Reuters) - ‌Italian police said on Saturday they suspected ‌arsonists had struck rail infrastructure near the northern ‌city of Bologna, triggering major disruptions to train traffic on the first full day of the Winter Olympic Games.

Philippines

House to review use of billions in Philippines' travel tax funds

MANILA: The House of Representatives is set to review how travel tax collections averaging about P4 billion to P5 billion annually have been spent, amid questions on whether the funds reached areas most in need of tourism development.