Sabah faces political uncertainty after death of divisive leader Bung Moktar

Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Bung Moktar Radin kept his state seat of Lamag just days before his death.

Is Trump’s foreign policy really ‘America First’?

When Donald Trump promised to put “America First” in his 2016 campaign, and again in 2024, it resonated with Americans tired of costly military interventions and asymmetric alliances. The slogan suggested a foreign policy rooted in realism—one that would prioritize concrete

Armenian archbishop arrested on drug-related charges amid crackdown on clerics

TBILISI, Dec 5 - A senior figure in the Armenian Church was placed in pre-trial detention for two months on Friday on charges of planting drugs on protesters seven years ago, his lawyer said, amid a widening church-state rift that has seen several clerics arrested this year.

India withdraws pilot rest policy after IndiGo chaos

IndiGo has apologised for “the immense inconvenience and distress” caused to travellers.

Iran holds drills in Gulf, firing ballistic, cruise missiles at simulated targets

Dec 5 - Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy fired ballistic and cruise missiles at simulated targets in the Gulf on Friday during a two-day military exercise aimed at countering foreign threats, state media reported.

Record 230 people attacked by bears in Japan from April to November

There were 66 victims in Akita prefecture.

Passengers, cabbies welcome change to drop-off rules for cross-border taxis

It was announced on Friday (Dec 5) that Singapore and Malaysia will allow door-to-door cross-border taxi trips under new rules.

Taiwan says China deploys warships in 'military operations'

AirAsia to offer hijab option to female flight attendants from 2026

The move is meant to promote inclusivity and ensure crew members feel confident when working.

Sri Lanka faces long road to recovery as floodwaters recede; WFP warns of ‘catastrophic’ devastation

The United Nations food agency says the disaster could trigger rising hunger unless livelihoods are restored.

Xi’s big chance to take the yuan fully global in 2026

TOKYO — As 2025 closes and 2026 approaches, one of the biggest global economic and financial questions is the future trajectory of the Chinese yuan. More to the point, what might President Xi Jinping be willing to do to increase the currency’s global popularity? In the

Complete smoking ban across Hong Kong’s construction sites under discussion after deadly fire

Residents of Wang Fuk Court have repeatedly seen workers smoke at the site during the renovation.

China's three major airlines extend refunds and Japan flight changes to March 2026: Report

The existing policy was set to expire at the end of 2025.

Bangkok committed to Cambodia peace deal, but Phnom Penh must ‘take responsibility’ for new landmines: Thai foreign minister

Speaking to CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut, Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Thailand remains committed to the peace agreement but must also address public anger over the landmine incidents.

Putin says Russia ready to continue 'uninterrupted' fuel shipments to India

US in decline; Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is worrying Asia

Our guest expert explains the Americas-focused doctrine, inspired by the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine’s hemispheric stance.

More ‘shadow fleet’ vessels carrying sanctioned cargo spotted in waters off Singapore, raising safety concerns

These ships move restricted cargo such as oil in defiance of global rules, often using stolen identities to evade sanctions and scrutiny.

Indonesian military steps up relief efforts for flood-hit Sumatra; death toll above 860

JAKARTA, Dec 5 - Indonesia's military stepped up its relief efforts in three provinces on Sumatra island that have been devastated by deadly floods and landslides, and the country's vice president apologised for shortcomings in the response to last week's disaster.

France's Macron: unity between Europe and U.S on Ukraine is "essential"

PARIS, Dec 5 - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that unity between Europe and the United States was key in the support of Ukraine, adding there is \"no mistrust\".

India weighs greater phone-location surveillance; Apple, Google and Samsung protest

The firms have protested against the move over privacy concerns.

Sabah’s locally grown avocados gain attention as potential major export

Avocados from the Borneo island stand out for their size and texture, and are prized for their creamy and buttery flavour.

Amid grief, Tai Po FC return to league action after deadly Hong Kong fire

Players from both sides wore black armbands, and the stadium observed a minute of silence in honour of those affected by the fire.

‘Superbugs’ surge to record levels in South Korea, with infections near 45,000

The health authorities say the surge shows how the fight against infectious disease has fundamentally shifted.

India travel chaos worsens as IndiGo cancels hundreds of flights

IndiGo, India's largest carrier, has said operations will return to full normalcy only by 10 February.

US embassy in Seoul launches fast-track visa service for major South Korean firms and partners

The working group was created after September's mass detention of 317 South Korean workers in the US.

Dangerous levels of toxic chemicals found in blood of Indonesia’s waste workers

Many of the chemicals are linked to hormonal disruption, metabolic disorders and reproductive health problems.

Survivors pick up pieces in flood-hit Indonesia as more rain predicted

Floods across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have killed more than 1,600 people, with Indonesia bearing the brunt of the human loss.

Trial durian plantation in Yunnan raises hopes for China’s plans to grow popular S-E Asian fruit

China is the world’s largest consumer and importer of fresh durian.

Deadly cyclone dents Sri Lanka’s peak tourism season

The cyclone also hit roads, power lines and telecoms networks, and caused losses to agriculture.

Deadly cyclone dents Sri Lanka's peak tourism season

KANDY, Sri Lanka, Dec 5 - November to January are usually the busiest season for Herath Gedara Rohan Anil Kumara’s three-bedroom homestay in Sri Lanka’s hill country, famed for its tea plantations, historic sites and quaint villages.

Indian air travel crippled as IndiGo hit with 'operational crisis'

Putin and Modi discuss trade, peace in New Delhi summit

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began summit talks in New Delhi on Friday, as New Delhi rolled out the red carpet for the Russian leader and Modi told him India supported peace efforts in Ukraine.

Taiwan opposition says ban of China's Xiaohongshu app is censorship

The island's Interior Ministry cited security risks as a reason for banning the social media app.

Taiwan opposition says ban of China's Rednote app is censorship

TAIPEI, Dec 5 - Taiwan's opposition leader decried as censorship on Friday a government plan to suspend access for a year to Chinese social media platform Rednote, while the island's presidential office backed the plan.

TikTok to comply with ‘upsetting’ Australian under-16 ban

TikTok urged parents to “have conversations” with their teens to ensure they are truthful about their age.

Trump’s energy power play imperils Russia-Turkey ties

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last month that Ukraine will import American liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Greece via the “Vertical Gas Corridor” pipeline. The project complements Poland’s joint LNG plans with the US and to a lesser extent, Croatia’s to lay the basis

Xi woos Macron with sightseeing trip, but little in the way of deals

BEIJING, Dec 5 - Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.

China eyes Olympic glory and global sporting power status with sweeping basketball reforms

After the NBA’s blockbuster return to Macau, China is going all in - calling for foreign investment, boosting homegrown basketball talent, and setting its sights on the 2028 Olympics.

Hong Kong faces low election turnout as residents mourn deadly fire

Hong Kong's national security office urged residents to actively participate in voting.

Bali ponders Airbnb ban in latest effort to curb tourism mess

Bali is now grappling with the fallout from a post-Covid tourism boom.

Passengers flying out of Thailand set to pay more airport tax from 2026

The charge will rise from 730 baht (S$29.63) per person to 1,120 baht (S$45.47) per person.

Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides

Taiwan, Japan voice concern over Chinese military movements

November and December are traditionally a busy season for Chinese military exercises.

Coupang leak outrage morphs into anti-Chinese hatred

Security specialists stress that focusing on nationality distracts from the need for accountability and reform.

IndiGo cancels Dec 5 domestic flights from New Delhi airport

Earlier on Dec 4, the country’s largest airline cancelled more than 300 departures.

Why MAGA needs you to hate one group or another

In the 2010s, a bunch of right-wing types suddenly became big fans of Martin Luther King Jr’s views on race. If you saw someone on Twitter quote MLK’s nostrum that people should “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”, it was almost