Japan

Japan's election: What you need to know

TOKYO: Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is seeking to secure her grip on power in a national election on Sunday (Feb 8), with polls suggesting a big win for her conservative party.

Nation

Over 100 reports lodged against ‘illegal’ houses of worship rally, say KL cops

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 police reports were lodged over the proposed rally against "illegal" houses of worship on Saturday, say police.

Indonesia

Cyclone Senyar triggered 330 landslides in North Sumatra's South Tapanuli, survey finds

JAKARTA: An independent survey found 330 landslides upstream of the Garoga and Siondop rivers after the rare tropical cyclone Senyar struck South Tapanuli regency in North Sumatra in late November.

Technology

New app helps you sit up straight while at your computer

Try this new app if you want a nudge to help you sit up straight while you are using your computer.

Living

Why is there a Martini on every menu right now?

Walk into a New York City bar or restaurant, and there's one drink you are guaranteed to see on the menu: a martini.

Cambodia

Cambodia, Vietnam Laos leaders promote regional peace, stability

PHNOM PENH: The heads of government of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos have emphasised the importance of relations and cooperation between them both for development and to maintain peace and stability in the region, during a Friday (Feb 6) trilateral prime ministers' meeting, held in Phnom Penh.

World

North Korea to convene 9th Congress in late February, KCNA reports

SEOUL, Feb ‌8 (Reuters) - North Korea will convene ‌the 9th Congress in late ‌February in Pyongyang, state media KCNA reported on Sunday, without elaborating on the date.

World

Australia's opposition coalition reunites after split over hate laws

SYDNEY, Feb 8 (Reuters) - ‌Australia's conservative opposition coalition reunited on Sunday after ‌the junior partner National Party severed ties last ‌month with the Liberal Party over its decision to back government hate speech laws drafted in the wake of the Bondi ‍massacre.

World

Thailand votes in three-way race as risk of instability looms

BANGKOK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Voters in Thailand came ‌out in numbers on Sunday for a general election defined by a three-way battle between conservative, progressive and populist camps, with no single party expected to secure a ‌clear majority and prolonging the spectre of political instability.

India

Building collapse in Kota, India: Two dead, 13 injured after under-construction structure crashes

NEW DELHI: A quiet day in Kota turned tragic when a building under construction suddenly collapsed leaving families shocked and rescue teams racing against time. What began as routine construction work ended in loss, injuries, and urgent questions about safety.

Nation

Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival enters Malaysia Book of Records

JOHOR BARU: The Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival has made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) after receiving participation from 56 countries across the globe.

China

North China factory explosion kills eight

BEIJING: An explosion at a biotech factory in northern China has killed eight people, Chinese state media reported Sunday (Feb 8), increasing the total number of fatalities by one.

Singapore

Water activities at Singapore's Sentosa beaches allowed to resume, a week after crocodile sighting

SINGAPORE: Water activities at Sentosa's three beaches can resume from Sunday (Feb 8), one week after a crocodile was spotted in the waters off the enclave.

Technology

Dispose of CDs, DVDs while protecting your data and the environment

Many of us are streaming these days but often we still have a couple of favourite CDs and DVDs at home.

Asia & Oceania

Don't just eat in Thailand, learn how to cook Thai food, too

Cookery schools are booming in northern Thailand, where tourists can learn to prepare classic dishes. 

South Korea

Soaring gold prices reshape Korea’s rituals

From baby rings to wedding bands, Koreans scale back as gold prices jump fivefold in a decade

Nation

Sales executive cheated of RM50,750 in fake tender scam

KUALA TERENGGANU: A sales executive lost RM50,750 after falling victim to a fake tender scam.

AseanPlus News

‘It’s not going to be me’: Despite risks of shark attacks, Sydney beachgoers still catch the waves

SYDNEY, (Australia): On a sun-drenched day in Sydney, it is no surprise to see crowds heading breezily into the water at Coogee Beach, one of the city's most popular beaches

Nation

Two small explosions detected during Muar peat fire ops, say Johor cops

MUAR: Two small explosions were detected during operations to extinguish a peatland fire at a plantation here.

Philippines

Filipino-American who shot ex-partner in front of children found guilty of murder

DALY CITY, California (US): Nearly three years after Frances Lucero was shot and killed at her parents' home here, a jury found her ex-partner guilty of all charges in the ensuing two-week murder trial.