Fire in nursing home kills 16 in Indonesia

The incident took place at night, when many elderly residents were likely resting in their rooms.

Japan reaching for a bigger, richer stake in Central Asia

The first summit meeting of the Central Asia Plus Japan Dialogue was held in Tokyo on December 20, 2025, bringing together the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Leaders discussed economic

No New Year fireworks in Indonesia as the nation mourns Sumatra flood victims

Floods and landslides in Sumatra have killed over 1,100 people, with around 400,000 still displaced.

Bondi Beach attack hero says wanted to protect ‘innocent people’

Ahmed al Ahmed was at the beach buying a cup of coffee when the shooting occurred.

No New Year fireworks in Indonesia as nation mourns Sumatra flood victims

JAKARTA, Dec 29 - Indonesia's central government will support the plans of several regions to forgo fireworks while celebrating New Year this week in solidarity with the victims of recent floods on the island of Sumatra, an official in the president's office said on Monday.

Kolkata’s iconic trams face final stop as modernisation rolls in

The West Bengal government plans to shut down the 152-year-old system, keeping only a short heritage route.

Iran’s nuclear reset shows airstrikes may not end ambitions

Iran’s nuclear reset suggests that while US and Israeli strikes may have shattered facilities, they have not extinguished its ambition to rebuild a survivable nuclear deterrent—possibly with help from North Korea. This month, the Italian Institute for International Political

Indonesia nursing home fire kills 16: Official

Indonesia fire kills 16 people in retirement home

Bondi hero says he wanted to stop gunman killing innocent people

Authorities say the actions of Ahmed al Ahmed, a shop owner, saved countless lives.

Kolkata's iconic trams face final stop as modernization rolls in

NEW DELHI, Dec 29 - For more than a century, trams have rumbled past Kolkata's crumbling colonial facades, with their chiming bells contributing to the city's soundtrack as they ferried generations of commuters.

Perlis political upheaval: Ruler calls on parties to reunite ‘for the good of the state’

Bersatu Perlis chief Abu Bakar Hamzah was appointed the state’s new chief minister after his predecessor – PAS’ Mohd Shukri Ramli – stepped down from his post on Christmas Day.

Five-year-old boy dies after getting caught in Japan ski travelator

Officials spent 40 minutes dismantling the travelator to free him, but he was later pronounced dead.

Myanmar pro-military party ‘winning’ first phase of junta-run election: Source

Two more phases are scheduled for Jan 11 and Jan 25.

Seven Turkish police wounded in clash with Islamic State militants, media says

ISTANBUL, Dec 29 - Seven Turkish police officers were wounded during a clash with suspected Islamic State militants in Yalova province in northwest Turkey on Monday, state broadcaster TRT Haber reported.

Stocks mostly rise, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade

Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade

Thailand orders tighter New Year controls on fireworks, floating lanterns and gunfire

District chiefs and administrative officers have been instructed to take firm action.

China holds military drills around Taiwan as warning to 'separatist forces'

The drills come days after the US announced the sale of one of its largest weapons packages to Taiwan.

Jakarta’s minimum wage bump faces disappointed labourers

While Jakarta has the highest basic living expenses in the country, its minimum wage is below its neighbouring cities.

South Korea’s ex-first lady Kim received bribes and meddled in state affairs, prosecutor says

Kim Keon Hee has denied any wrongdoing.

South Korea's ex-First Lady Kim received bribes and meddled in state affairs, prosecutor says

SEOUL, Dec 29 - The wife of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in state affairs in return for expensive valuables and money, a special prosecutor said on Monday.

Nepal’s former rapper to run for PM in key vote after Gen Z protests

KATHMANDU, Dec 29 - Two popular leaders have formed an alliance ahead of March parliamentary elections in Nepal that will challenge the older parties which have dominated the Himalayan nation's politics for over three decades, party officials and analysts said on Monday.

Former rapper to run for Nepal PM in key election after Gen Z-led protests

Two popular leaders have formed an alliance ahead of March parliamentary election in Nepal.

China blames military drills for reef damage around disputed shoal

BEIJING, Dec 29 - China said without naming any country that military activities such as bomb-dropping training in the waters around Scarborough Shoal have damaged the coral reefs there, state broadcaster CCTV said on Monday citing an ecological report.

China blames military drills for reef damage around disputed Scarborough Shoal

China did not name any country.

In a triumph over tariffs, the world is trading more than ever

Global trade booms on tech and AI, but geopolitical tensions and slower growth cloud the outlook.

Australia says Bondi review to check if terror attack could have been averted

SYDNEY, Dec 29 - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday an independent review into law enforcement agencies set up after the Bondi mass shooting will assess whether authorities could have taken additional steps to prevent the terror attack.

South Korean president vows to reveal truth on anniversary of Jeju Air crash

Relatives of the victims have demanded answers about the accident ⁠after investigators delayed releasing a report on what went wrong in the 2024 Jeju Air crash.

South Korean President vows to reveal truth on anniversary of Jeju Air crash

Relatives of the victims have demanded answers about the accident.

Coupang announces $1.5 billion compensation to South Korean users for data leak

Coupang said users will get vouchers of $44 each for its various services.

Hidden gem in the Straits of Johor: Seahorses found in Malaysia’s largest seagrass meadow

The country currently leads Asia in field research and citizen science participation for seahorse conservation.

Why everyone loves Japan

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Winter holiday season is here, and for an increasing number of Americans, that means traveling abroad. Europe and Mexico are still hot destinations, but in recent years, Japan has skyrocketed to the top. In many places, Tokyo is the

Is Russian technology behind North Korea’s new nuclear submarine?

Analysts in Seoul say suspicions of Russian assistance are difficult to dismiss.

China’s beautiful biotech chaos vs West’s elegant paralysis

Recent analyses have documented what many in the pharmaceutical industry quietly suspected: China’s drug discovery output has achieved parity with the United States, tripling from roughly 30 new medicines in 2013 to over 400 a decade later. This is remarkable not merely as an

China hiding missiles on merchant ships for a Taiwan war

China appears to be experimenting with missile-armed merchant ships, probing whether commercial hulls packed with concealed firepower can deliver surprise salvos and tilt the naval balance in a Taiwan or US-China clash. This month, multiple media sources reported that China

China launches war games around Taiwan as island vows to defend democracy

The drills, which would continue on Tuesday, involve live firing, simulated strikes on land and maritime targets, and exercises to blockade the island's main ports and encircle it.

China launches military drills around Taiwan amid tensions with Japan

BEIJING, Dec 29 - China's military moved army, naval, air force and rocket force units around Taiwan on Monday for its \"Just Mission 2025\" drills, aimed at testing combat readiness and delivering a \"stern warning\" against moves toward Taiwanese independence.

Toxic air, broken roads and unpicked rubbish - why India's big cities are becoming unliveable

Many Indian cities rank at the bottom of liveability indexes despite big government spending on infrastructure.

Catching the hunters trapping rare songbirds in China

The BBC catches a man trapping songbirds - selling them is a profitable business because many keep them as pets.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile launches

This comes as the country races to wrap up its current “five-year plan” of development.

Big ambitions meet uneven reality as Qianhai returns to China’s opening-up spotlight

Established in 2010 on reclaimed land in Shenzhen, Qianhai is meant to showcase China’s next phase of opening up but converting policy vision into global traction remains a challenge, say analysts.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile launching drill

SEOUL, Dec 29 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill on Sunday, state media KCNA said on Monday.

Putin and Trump do not support European-Ukrainian temporary ceasefire idea, the Kremlin says

MOSCOW, Dec 28 - The Kremlin said on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump do not support a European-Ukrainian push for a temporary ceasefire ahead of a settlement, and that Moscow thinks Kyiv needs to make a decision on Donbas.

Bangladesh’s student-led party allies with Islamists ahead of election

Some figures deemed the alliance as a pragmatic step in a fragmented political landscape.