Death toll rises to 6 in a fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s Karachi

Six killed in Pakistan shopping mall fire

Parts of the huge plaza in Karachi have collapsed as firefighters battle to extinguish the blaze.

Explosion at steel plate factory in China's Inner Mongolia region kills 2, state media reports

BEIJING, Jan 18 - An explosion at a steel plate factory in north China's Inner Mongolia region killed two people and left five missing, according to local emergency management and fire rescue departments, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Thai police chase criminals, then social media engagement – by morphing into Disney princesses

Gen AI helps make announcements of routine arrests more engaging, said a police superintendent.

Australian government says firearms hit a record high in 2025

SYDNEY, Jan 18 - The number of firearms in Australia reached an all-time high of more than 4 million in 2025, the centre-left government reported on Sunday, a day after saying it would introduce a gun reform bill in parliament in response to the Bondi massacre.

Hotel cancellation uproar hits Busan ahead of BTS tour

Several fans said the same rooms later reappeared on reservation platforms at sharply higher prices.

Trump’s NATO ally tariffs could have far-reaching consequences

President Donald Trump announced that the US will impose additional 10% tariffs on those next month on NATO allies that symbolically dispatched small military units to Greenland ahead of upcoming multilateral drills there with Denmark, before scaling this to 25% on June 1. The

As Vietnam’s ruling party gears up for congress, chief To Lam looks to retain job

The new leaders of the country will be revealed at the event, which is held once every five years.

Shark mauls teenage boy in Sydney Harbour

The boy, believed to be 13, is in critical condition with serious leg injuries.

'Only Team DAP': Loke's rebuttal over alleged party factions draws pullback from UMNO chief Zahid

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke on Sunday (Jan 18) denied Zahid’s claims that a "Team B" existed within the party and refuted that he had discussed the matter with him.

Massive fire kills 6 in Karachi, destroys shopping centre

KARACHI, Jan 18 - Firefighters in Pakistan's largest city were fighting to extinguish a massive blaze on Sunday that has killed six people and reduced parts of a shopping mall to rubble in Karachi's historic downtown.

Massive fire kills 6 in Karachi and destroys shopping centre

Firefighters laboured through the night to stop the fire from spreading.

Malaysian PM Anwar given clean bill of health after routine check-up

The findings indicate that he is fit to continue with his official duties.

Japan’s ruling LDP eyeing no consumption tax on food as election looms

A new opposition force is looking to scrap the consumption tax on food permanently.

Philippine landfill death rises to 36 as authorities end search after 10 days

The last missing person was found past 5am, local time, on Jan 18.

Malaysia’s Defence Ministry launches probe into ‘yeye’ culture across all military branches

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry will not tolerate any conduct that tarnishes military values.

Indonesia finds wreckage of missing surveillance plane carrying 10, one body

There were seven crew members and three passengers on board the plane, which was chartered by Indonesia's Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to ‍conduct air surveillance on fisheries.

Indonesia finds wreckage of missing surveillance plane, one body

Nine others were on board the plane.

Indonesian authorities find wreckage of missing surveillance plane with 11 on board

JAKARTA, Jan 18 - Indonesian authorities said on Sunday they had located the wreckage of a fisheries surveillance plane that went missing in South Sulawesi province near a fog-covered mountain, but were still searching for the 11 people on board.

Scrapping direct regional elections in Indonesia shifts power to elites, analysts warn

They say such a proposal is driven by political convenience and will move corruption behind closed doors.

Latest high-tech Japanese toilets can check health via stool analysis

Users can even receive dietary advice based on analysis of their bowel movement.

Malaysian journalist released on bail following sedition arrest linked to controversial question posed at public forum

Rex Tan, who has since resigned from news outlet Free Malaysia Today, had posed a question alleged to contain racial elements at the “Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors” lecture featuring British politician George Galloway.

South Korea reports first African swine fever case in 2 months

To prevent the spread, officials culled 20,000 pigs at the affected farm.

Missing Malaysian actress Nadia Kesuma dies in Saudi Arabia

The actress's daughter said her mother died from a heart attack.

Heavy rains in eastern Australia spark flash floods, 20 rescued

SYDNEY, Jan 18 - Australian authorities on Sunday said 20 people were rescued from floodwaters in the eastern state of New South Wales after torrential rains sparked warnings for residents to move to higher ground.

Flash flooding eases in Australia’s largest city Sydney

Residents at a suburb were earlier evacuated due to rising waters sparked by torrential rains.

'Young 40s': Gen Z has found a new way to mock millennials for their style in South Korea

Even the iPhone, long considered the preserve of the youth, has been recast as a tacky trademark of Young 40s.

The Philippines’ drive to modernise public transport leaves artists caught between progress and loss

For decades, jeepney artists transformed Manila’s streets into moving canvases. Now, as modern transport options replace the traditional military vehicles, they are confronting the possible end of the craft.

‘Tiger Tiger, burning bright’: The scourge of AI-generated wildlife videos in India

In their pursuit of clicks and likes, uploaders of fake wildlife videos are causing real-world harm and panic.

‘Funny is funny’: Indonesian comedians keep calm and carry on amid police report against Netflix show

Legal experts say art forms like satire is protected under freedom of expression.

Smoke alert! Early detection cameras can prevent deadly, runaway bush fires in Australia

The AI-powered cameras work best at a range of up to 25km but can spot fires hundreds of kilometres away.

Potholes on Indian roads: Can AI help fix them?

One firm, RoadBounce, has worked for Singapore’s LTA to ensure relaid roads meet prescribed smoothness levels.