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.

Investment

Creador Foundation, Censuria make strategic investments in local cafe chain Hock Kee Kopitiam

KUALA LUMPUR: Creador Foundation, the philanthropic arm of private equity firm Creador, and Censuria Capital have emerged as strategic investors in cafe chain Hock Kee Kopitiam.

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.

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.

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.

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 saboteurs hit Italian rail network near Bologna, police say

ROME, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Saboteurs ‌damaged rail infrastructure near the northern Italian city of Bologna ‌on Saturday morning, disrupting train journeys on the first full day ‌of the Winter Olympic Games, the Transport Ministry said.

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.

Other Sports

Olympics-Alpine skiing-Switzerland's Von Allmen wins downhill gold

BORMIO, Italy, ‌Feb 7 (Reuters) - Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen produced a ‌stunning run on Stelvio to win the Olympic Alpine ‌skiing men's downhill on Saturday as illustrious team mate and race favourite Marco Odermatt missed the podium.

Nation

UM students reminded to prioritise personal safety, academics ahead of planned march

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) students have been reminded to prioritise personal safety and academic responsibilities before taking part in any off-campus activities.

Asia & Oceania

Win a free cruise when you spend using TNG eWallet in Singapore

From now until March 31, stand a chance to win a Royal Caribbean cruise for two.

Wellness

Reset your brain with a nap

A study shows that the rest enables the connections between brain cells to be reorganised and ready for new information.