Japanese police rush to retrieve toy guns capable of firing live ammunition

Possessing or selling the product past a deadline may violate the law.

Russia says there are no misunderstandings with the U.S. over Ukraine any more

MOSCOW, Dec 11 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that all \"misunderstandings\" with the United States over Ukraine ‍had ​been resolved following a meeting earlier ‍this month between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

One dead, two missing, after collapse at South Korea library construction site

The collapse occurred while concrete was being poured at the construction site.

Pakistan’s ex-spy chief jailed for 14 years in rare military rebuke

The charges ‍included ⁠misuse of authority and resources and causing wrongful loss to individuals.

Pakistan's ex-spy chief jailed for 14 years in rare military rebuke

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 - A military court in Pakistan jailed former spy chief Faiz Hamid for 14 years on four charges including interference in politics, the army said on Thursday, in a rare ‍conviction ​of a once-powerful general in the South Asian nation.

Mexico's Senate approves tariff hikes on Chinese, other Asian imports

Japan’s tourism sector braces for fallout from diplomatic spat with China, but diverse markets offer cushion

Across Japan, travel agencies specialising in the Chinese market have reported cancellations of group tours.

Fatal Jakarta fire: Company boss arrested, experts call for tighter safety standards as details of lapses emerge

Michael Wishnu Wardana, the boss of Terra Drone Indonesia, has been named a suspect. Meanwhile, experts say new skill sets are needed to tackle the fire risk posed by lithium and car batteries.

UNESCO adds 6 items from Japan to pre-inscribed intangible heritage list

The latest six items were treated as “extensions” of existing heritage-listed categories.

Malaysia eases dress code rules after woman denied entry to Melaka police station for ‘inappropriate’ attire

Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar had earlier stressed for the public to adhere to the official dress code when visiting police premises, citing a 2020 circular.

21 injured as car ploughs into students, teacher at North Jakarta elementary school

The vehicle reportedly lost control and rammed through the school’s gate, which was closed.

Box office bite: Zootopia 2’s runaway success in China sends fans shopping for venomous snakes

The on-screen charm of Gary De'Snake, a vivid blue reptile featured in the hit Hollywood animation, has slithered beyond cinemas as fans seek out real-life counterparts to keep as pets, prompting warnings about safety and legality.

Vietnam urges factories to cut output as Hanoi chokes on smog

First climate migrants arrive in Australia from sinking Tuvalu in South Pacific

More than one-third of Tuvalu’s 11,000 population applied for a climate visa to migrate to Australia.

Four French men accused of A$10m Australia jewellery heist

One of the allegedly stolen items was a Richard Mille watch with a gold smiley face, worth A$5m

Cambodian contingent returns safely after pulling out of SEA Games in Thailand

Cambodia said it had already fulfilled its responsibilities as a committed ASEAN member.

More than 30 dead after Myanmar military air strike hits hospital

The junta has stepped up bombardments by air in an attempt to reclaim territory from ethnic armies.

In Thai ruling party stronghold near Cambodian border, tedium and nationalism reign

Resumption of hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia has forced more than half a million people to flee their homes.

Completion of ‘modern’ Electric Train Service line to Johor Bahru key to Malaysia’s development: PM Anwar

Checks by CNA showed that train tickets for services between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur have been selling fast, with only a handful left for the first three days it is operating between Friday (Dec 12) and Sunday.

At least 30 killed in Myanmar after junta airstrike hits hospital, witnesses report

Dec 11 - At least 30 people were killed, including patients, after an airstrike by the country's ruling junta hit a major hospital in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, according to a rebel group, an aid worker and a witness said on Thursday.

Bangladesh election: Main parties and issues

DHAKA, Dec 11 - Bangladesh is set to hold a national election in February, its first since a student-led uprising toppled long-time leader Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Her Awami League, the South Asian nation’s largest party, has been barred from ‍contesting.

Goa nightclub owners held in Thailand over deadly fire

Brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra fled to Phuket, shortly after the incident last week.

Taiwan’s deputy foreign minister made secret trip to Israel, sources say

Mr Wu is one of Taipei’s most prominent promoters on the international stage.

Australian content creators feel sting of losing young fans to social media ban

Follower counts primarily on Instagram have dropped, creators told Reuters.

Taiwan's deputy foreign minister made secret trip to Israel, sources say

TAIPEI/JERUSALEM, Dec 11 - Taiwan's high-profile Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu made a previously unpublicised visit to Israel recently, three sources familiar with the trip told Reuters, at a time when Taiwan is looking to the country for defence cooperation.

Trial of Chinese crime gangs in Italian fashion stalls amid sabotage fears

PRATO, Italy, Dec 11 - A landmark trial in Italy of Chinese crime gangs has suffered so many mishaps - from the disappearance of documents to the resignation of interpreters - that a senior prosecutor suspects it's being sabotaged to protect the criminals' grip on Europe's

Skydiver survives plane-tail dangling incident in Australia

A video showed the jumper’s reserve parachute being activated after its handle snagged the wing flap of the plane.

Malaysian police must accept reports without conditions, says Home Minister

This comes after two women were stopped from entering a police station due to their attire.

Bangladesh to announce national election date on December 11

DHAKA, Dec 11 - Bangladesh's Election Commission will announce on Thursday the date of parliamentary elections scheduled for February, a commission official said, after a student-led ‍uprising ​toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Hundreds in Japan get car driving licences suspended for drink cycling

The drunk cyclists were deemed by police as likely to pose a "significant danger" as car drivers.

Jail term for South Korea sex abuse ring boss upped to 47 years

Cho Ju-bin ran a group that blackmailed women and girls, including minors, into filming and sending sexual content.

Asian traders cheer US rate cut but gains tempered by outlook

Myanmar junta air strike on hospital kills 31: On-site aid worker

Johor Regent Tunku Ismail launches ringgit-backed stablecoin RMJDT

RMJDT aims to enhance the ringgit’s international use in cross-border trade settlements and act as a catalyst for attracting foreign direct investment into Malaysia.

China’s ZTE may pay more than $1.3b to the US over foreign bribery allegations

The Justice Department is investigating ZTE for allegedly violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Mexico approves up to 50% tariffs on China and other countries

The levies are set to take effect on 1 January and will apply to goods like cars, clothing and appliances.

Over 30 sanctioned ships in Venezuela at risk after US tanker seizure

HOUSTON/LONDON, Dec 10 - More than 30 U.S.-sanctioned oil vessels doing business in Venezuela could face punishment by Washington after the Coast Guard seized a supertanker carrying Venezuelan crude for export, according to shipping data.

Racing towards great white sharks in Australia

Every day, workers lay 305 satellite-linked buoys in waters along the New South Wales coastline.

Japanese chess player calls out association's pregnancy bias

A prominent shogi player says current rules force players to choose between their children and careers.

Cambodia takes Thailand border conflict issue to UN Security Council, seeks urgent intervention

Cambodia accused Thailand of violating the ceasefire agreement and the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord.

Philippine ‘dinosaur egg’ salt gets UNESCO protection

Nicknamed the “dinosaur egg”, it is considered one of the rarest salt varieties in the world.

Myanmar junta air strike on hospital kills 31, says on-site aid worker

The junta has increased air strikes year-on-year since the start of Myanmar’s civil war.

Vietnam amends law to ban exports of raw rare earth minerals

Vietnam has reserves of 3.5 million tonnes of rare earth minerals, ranking it sixth globally.

Deadly Asian storms in November ‘supercharged’ by climate change, researchers say

Tropical Cyclone Senyar devastated large parts of South-east Asia after forming in the Malacca Strait, killing nearly 1,200.

Proposed Russia-China pipeline needs 'tremendous work,' CNPC researcher says

BEIJING, Dec 11 - A proposed pipeline to carry gas from Siberia in Russia to China requires \"tremendous work, jobs and negotiations,\" a senior Chinese researcher said on Thursday.

Indonesia’s trade deal with US ‘still on’ despite reported rift

Jakarta reportedly backtracked on several commitments, “reneging” on what the two had agreed.

UNESCO urges urgent protection of cultural heritage Preah Vihear Temple amid Cambodia-Thailand conflict

The temple has long been a flashpoint during periods of bilateral tension.