Australian stocks opened higher, extending gains in the previous session. Futures show, Japan stocks to open higher. Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China markets are closed for Lunar New Year holidays.

Economists polled by Reuters expect Australia's inflation to rise 2.5% in the 12 months to the December quarter, from 2.8% in the previous year.

Beneath the fertile farmlands of Victoria in southeast Australia lie deposits of mineral sands that miners and politicians are keen to tap for rare-earth elements, ingredients in everything from EV batteries to wind turbines to advanced weapons.

Dozens of refugees who arrived in Australia by boat a decade ago and expected to resettle in the United States have been affected by the Trump Administration's freeze on refugee programs, an Australian official told Reuters.

Israel urged Australia to do more to halt an "epidemic of antisemitism" in the country as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government was doing all it could to combat attacks that he says include domestic terrorism.

654/6 declared by Australia is the highest total for them in Tests in Asia, surpassing 617 against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1980, their only other 600+ total in these shores. It is also the second highest by a visiting team in Sri Lanaka behind India's 707 at Colombo SSC in 2010.

Could US rules limiting high-end chip sales to China have fuelled the development of superior AI? Investors say the Chinese start-up should be closely watched.

Have you tried bathing in coriander broth? How about throwing mandarins to flowing body of water? These are a few of Asia's unique Lunar New Year traditions.

Denmark-based sales agency LevelK has acquired Asia and Australia-New Zealand rights to Second World War thriller Nr. 24, after the film’s successful run at the Norwegian box office.

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Jan 30, (AP): Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest-ever total in Asia - 654-6 declared - on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.

The kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has led to a wave of trip cancellations among Chinese tourists planning to visit the country during the Chinese New Year. Chinese tourists are cancelling trips to Thailand en masse amidst growing safety concerns following the kidnapping of well-known actor Wang Xing.