“The price to Japan was just too much for a short girls’ weekend over the Spring Festival break,” said Ms Li, a Shanghai-based office worker. Many are instead choosing to travel to South-east Asian countries, given the cheaper air tickets, with Thailand replacing Japan as the top travel destination this coming holiday. Following Ms Takaichi’s remarks, Beijing launched retaliatory measures, including the cancellation of flights on 49 air routes from China to Japan. Ms Li said she had enjoyed her trip to Osaka in November 2025, which was why she wanted to go to Tokyo this holiday break. When asked about the popularity of Japan as a travel destination for the upcoming holiday, top Chinese travel platforms CTrip and Tongcheng Travel did not respond.

Arsenal's Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in Londo. - AFP picLONDON: Arsenal sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland on the back of a Viktor Gyokeres double to extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to nine points on Saturday, turning up the pressure on Manchester City ahead of their trip to Liverpool. Sunderland's well-drilled defence frustrated Arsenal for the majority of the first half until Martin Zubimendi's low drive from outside the box crept inside the near post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break. After a nervy start to the second half, Arsenal's sustained pressure paid off as they won the ball back high up the pitch and substitute Gyokeres swept home following a well-worked move six minutes after coming on to make it 2-0. Sunderland had picked up 16 points from losing positions this season butthere was no comeback this time as Gyokeres finished off a counter-attack in added time to seal the three points that dropped the visitors to ninth in the standings.

ROME: Winger Louis Lynagh scored one try and made another as Italy edged Scotland 18-15 in their Six Nations Championship opener at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, a match played in torrential rain that limited the ability of both sides to attack. Centre Tommaso Menoncello also crossed for Italy, who were dominant in the scrum and picked off several Scotland lineouts as they completed only their second win over their opponents in the last 16 meetings. It took a full 20 minutes for Scotland to click into gear, but when they did they advanced into the Italy 22 and Dempsey crossed from close range. YELLOW CARDScotland were down to 14 players when replacement hooker George Turner received a yellow card for a dangerous entry into the ruck. The visitors hung in the contest despite their retreating set-piece and scored a second try through Horne.

MANCHESTER: Under-pressure Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said captain Cristian Romero has apologised to his team-mates for a first-half red card in his side's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. Romero had unleashed an outburst towards the club's hierarchy earlier in the week by describing the threadbare squad Frank has been left to deal with during an injury crisis as "disgraceful." Romero lunged in on Casemiro after losing possession just outside the Tottenham box to leave his side a man down for the final hour. Two wins in the last 16 (league games) is not acceptable for this football club," said goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. "Just focus on the next game," said Frank when asked about his future.

PETALING JAYA: G25 Malaysia has expressed grave concern over a planned rally over claims of “illegal” houses of worship, warning that oversimplifying the issue could inflame racial and religious tensions. The group added that confrontational messages linked to the rally could heighten public anxiety and shift attention away from lawful and inclusive solutions. Given the proximity of the planned gathering and heightened sensitivities, G25 urged authorities to take necessary precautionary measures to ensure public safety and order. G25 also called on organisers, political leaders and the public to act responsibly and exercise restraint, stressing that discussions involving places of worship must be conducted with sensitivity in Malaysia’s plural society. “Malaysia’s strength lies in its diversity, and it must be preserved through peaceful, respectful engagement that promotes understanding,” it added.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes hailed the impact Michael Carrick has made in transforming the mood around Old Trafford with four consecutive wins since taking charge. Fernandes scored as the Red Devils beat 10-man Tottenham 2-0 on Saturday to solidify their place in the Premier League's top four. Carrick is yet to lose in seven games during two spells as interim United boss. "Carrick came in with the right ideas, giving the players the responsibility and freedom on the pitch," Fernandes told TNT Sports. United move five points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool, who host title-chasing Manchester City on Sunday.

STAR Media Group Berhad, which publishes The Star print products and online portal, refers to a site misusing The Star's brand identity. It has come to the group's attention that a fake news article misusing The Star's logo has been circulating about Hong Leong Group Malaysia's co-founder Quek Leng Chan. Star Media Group wishes to clarify that the articles bearing The Star logo offering fake investment opportunities is not affiliated with The Star in any way. Please do not interact with these articles, social media pages or suspicious ads seen on social media. Should you come across fake news articles, social media advertisements or suspicious social media pages posing as The Star or any other brands, please file a report with Facebook.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the bombing at a mosque in Islamabad during Friday (Feb 6) prayers, describing it as an affront to basic humanity and extending Malaysia’s condolences to the victims and their families. In a Facebook post on Saturday (Feb 7), Anwar said he was profoundly saddened by the loss of life caused by the attack. Anwar said Malaysia stood in solidarity with the people of Pakistan during this period of mourning and distress. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and express our solidarity with all those affected by this attack,” he added. According to news reports on Friday (Feb 6), at least 31 people were killed and 169 were wounded in the bombing.

A Hong Kong court will sentence former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and his associates on Monday for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in violation of the national security law. Three High Court judges who oversaw Lai’s high-profile trial are expected to hand down penalties on the 78-year-old defendant at 10am, according to the judiciary website. By the time of the sentencing, Lai will have spent nearly five years and two months behind bars. Lai was convicted of two conspiracy counts of collusion with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious articles, an offence under colonial-era legislation. Six former Apple Daily employees pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces in November 2022.

Finally, in a decisive move on Wednesday, Malaysia imposed an immediate and total ban on the importation of electronic waste. - NSTP file picFINALLY, in a decisive move on Wednesday, Malaysia imposed an immediate and total ban on the importation of electronic waste. A big applause to Putrajaya for telling trash exporters that Malaysia isn't their electronic wasteland. While most experts have welcomed the total ban, a few still argue that such toxic waste imports should be licensed. E-waste isn't just trash, but a very toxic one at that, being made up of lead, cadmium, mercury and other poisonous heavy metals.

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring their first goal with Manchester United's Amad Diallo and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo. United moved to 44 points from 25 games, four points ahead of Chelsea in fifth having played a game more. ROMERO RED CARD SECOND OF SEASONUnited are unbeaten in their last seven league games and have won all four since Carrick returned as manager. Romero could have few complaints about his red card and, as it was his second this season, will miss Spurs' next four games. "He is disappointed because he knows this red card could have been avoided," Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Press secretaries and corporate communications head are bridges between the government and the people. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, as communications frontliners, their responsibility was not merely to convey information, but to ensure that every national policy and agenda is translated "clearly, accurately and with integrity to the people". "The government and the people must always be brought closer together, like a sturdy bridge, so that the government can continue to function effectively for the benefit of the people. "In this context, they play a vital role as the primary link between the administration and the community," he said in a Facebook post. Anwar said this after attending the a retreat for press secretaries and heads of corporate communications.

BUTTERWORTH: Police say that a woman found dead in her home at the Sri Murni Flats in Sungai Dua was likely murdered due to jealousy. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said investigations are ongoing, with three men, including a foreign national, arrested over the case. The three suspects, aged from 38 to 45, are self-employed labourers and have been remanded until Feb 11 under Section 302 of the Penal Code, he added. According to earlier reports, the 41-year-old victim, a school van driver and single mother, was found lying in a bed in her apartment with slash wounds to her neck. The door to the apartment was open but the grille gate was locked.

THE government’s base medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) plan, covering hospitalisation, surgery, medicines and select critical illnesses, has faced criticism from health experts who argue that the priority should be strengthening the public healthcare sector, as around 80% of Malaysians lack medical insurance. Late last month, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Finance and Health Ministries released a White Paper outlining the base MHIT plan. This is an insurance and takaful product that increases access to private healthcare at a more affordable cost, including lower premiums for those who accept higher co-payments and seek greater coverage limits.

South Johor Baru police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said authorities had detected the clip circulating on social media, but no official police report had been lodged so far. - NSTP file picJOHOR BARU: Police are investigating a viral video showing an alleged bullying incident involving a group of children, reportedly at Jalan Mewah, Kampung Melayu Majidee here yesterday. Raub urged victims, their families, or anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. Earlier, a 23-second closed-circuit television (CCTV) recording circulated online, showing the incident at around 12.39am yesterday. The video drew widespread criticism from social media users, who called on authorities to take immediate legal action against those involved.