Woman stabbed at Tokyo apartment, suspect held in Chiba

The attacker had allegedly been a customer at the salon where the victim worked.

The world wants more ube. Philippine farmers are struggling to keep up

Ube exports have quadrupled in recent years to about 200 tonnes annually.

The fashion lover’s guide to 10 standout Thai brands you should know now and where to shop

From quiet luxury to Y2K nostalgia, these are the Thai fashion brands that those in the know can’t stop buying.

K-pop band member sued for $30m after bitter record label feud

Record label Ador says it has dropped NewJeans member Danielle Marsh while the return of Minji remains uncertain.

‘Dead’ town: At Kelantan-Thailand border, Malaysia’s drug war unsettles residents, businesses

Malaysia is building both walls and bridges along its porous northern border with Thailand, determined to deter rampant smuggling while boosting economic ties. In the first of a two-part series, CNA explores how Malaysia is preventing illicit goods from reaching its shores, and

Hindu mum in Malaysia gets interfaith boost in race to find abducted daughter before she turns 18

The custody dispute should be seen as a humanitarian issue rather than a religious one, activists said.

Trump says Netanyahu pardon 'on its way'; Herzog's office disputes it

PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec 29 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had told him a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “on its way,” an assertion Herzog’s office was quick to challenge.

Nepal to scrap 'failed' Mount Everest waste deposit scheme

Under the scheme, climbers paid a $4,000 deposit that was returned if they brought 8kg of waste down the mountain.

Trump says of alleged Ukraine attack on Putin: 'I was very angry about it'

PALM BEACH, Dec 29 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said Russian President Vladimir Putin told him Ukraine tried to attack Putin's residence in northern Russia, which Kyiv has denied.

China opposes recognition of Somaliland, affirms support for Somalia

BEIJING, Dec 29 - China opposes any attempt to split territories in Somalia, the foreign ministry in Beijing said on Monday, three days after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.

China steps out of diplomatic shadows to take credit for efforts on Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

Beijing also appears eager to assert that its steadier, lower-key diplomatic approach was superior to Washington’s.

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin's residence so Moscow's negotiating stance will change

MOSCOW, Dec 29 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Ukraine had tried to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence in the Novgorod region and so Moscow's negotiating position would change, Interfax reported.

Malaysian linked to Cambodia-based scam syndicate arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint, to be charged in court

A total of 30 suspects, comprising 24 Singaporeans and six Malaysians, remain at large.

Two Ipoh fires raze six flats, four terrace houses

No casualties were reported in either incident.

Putin tells army to press on with campaign to take southern Ukrainian region

MOSCOW, Dec 29 - President Vladimir Putin on Monday told his army to press on with a campaign to take full control of the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine after a Russian commander said Moscow's forces were 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from its biggest city.

Businesses fighting for survival amid Myanmar’s political limbo hope for reset with polls

Analysts, however, expressed doubts about whether Myanmar’s economy will improve after the election.

After 17-year exile, Tarique Rahman back with a bang in Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile is essentially a stress test for a country struggling to rediscover the meaning of democratic choice. When he stepped onto Bangladeshi soil on December 25, removing his shoes and touching the ground, the gesture was

Anime festival in Hong Kong halted amid China-Japan diplomatic tensions

The event's organisers said earlier it would be held in the city in 2026, after a years-long hiatus.

Europe needs deterrence against America

One of the most notable choices in 2025 was Europe’s decision to turn the other cheek. In April, when the United States chose to impose its highest tariffs for a century on imports from the European Union, the world’s largest trading bloc would have been perfectly justified in

Europe needs deterrence against America too

One of the most notable choices in 2025 was Europe’s decision to turn the other cheek. In April, when the United States chose to impose its highest tariffs for a century on imports from the European Union, the world’s largest trading bloc would have been perfectly justified in

Rosmah denies VIP jail claims for Malaysia ex-PM Najib as 1MDB legal battles continue with appeals

She said security precautions have been taken for his safety, but there is no preferential treatment.

Chinese drills to affect more than 100,000 air passengers, Taiwan ministry says

Authorities will divert international flights away from dangerous areas.

Families demand answers a year after South Korea’s deadliest air crash

Officials have yet to release a full accounting of the Jeju Air tragedy.

Families demand answers a year after South Korea's Jeju Air crash

A year later, officials have yet to release a full accounting of the tragedy.

Thailand accuses Cambodia of breaking newly signed ceasefire deal

The ceasefire took effect at noon local time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday.

Afghan Taliban visit Bangladesh ahead of polls

Noor Ahmad Noor, director-general at Kabul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also visited several madrasahs.

Kremlin says Ukraine should withdraw troops from Donbas, and a Putin-Trump call expected soon

MOSCOW, Dec 29 - The Kremlin said on Monday that Ukraine should withdraw its troops from the part of Donbas that it still controls if it wanted peace, and that if Kyiv did not strike a deal then it would lose yet more territory.

Malaysia raids several firms as part of anti-graft probe into army procurement

India’s navy sails into history with stitched vessel on ocean voyage

Named Kaundinya, its 20m long hull is sewn together with coconut coir rope rather than nailed.

Indonesia’s free meal scheme to reach 80 million recipients by April, behind target

Since its launch in January, more than 11,000 children nationwide have been affected by food poisoning.

Myanmar's election a 'democratic charade' amid low turnout, legitimacy doubts: Analysts

The country’s first post-coup election phase has concluded, but analysts say the process is unlikely to deliver meaningful political change.

What China’s most famous ‘gaokao factory’ reveals about the limits of its exam-driven education model

The military-style Hengshui model seems to have lost its magic.

China's war games around Taiwan over the years

Dec 29 - China launched its most extensive war games around Taiwan on Monday called \"Justice Mission 2025\" to showcase Beijing's ability to cut off the island from outside support in a conflict.

Thai army accuses Cambodia of violating truce with over 250 drones

Cambodia’s foreign minister describes the incident as “a small issue”.

South Korean police probe hamster abuse allegations

The suspect is accused of abusing hamsters, guinea pigs, pygmy squirrels and Mongolian gerbils.

Indonesian officials recover body during search for drowned Spanish soccer coach and children

The boat was carrying 11 people.

Indonesian authorities recover body during search for drowned Spanish soccer coach and his children

JAKARTA, Dec 29 - Indonesian rescuers on Monday found a body during the search for Spanish soccer coach Fernando Martin and his children after their boat sank near the coast of a popular tourist spot on Friday, the country's rescue agency said.

Bangladesh’s Gen Z party faces revolt over Islamist alliance, risking its future

Analysts say the alliance could jeopardise the National Citizen Party’s future.

Japan’s Premier Takaichi moves into PM’s official residence

Sources say an initial heavy diplomatic and parliamentary schedule pushed back the relocation.

Babysitting services for foreign tourists taking off in Japan

There were 36.8 million visitors to Japan in 2024, of which about 690,000 were aged four or younger.

Malaysia’s former PM Najib files appeal against High Court’s dismissal of house arrest bid

His lawyer confirmed that the appeal was filed on Dec 24.

China says it’s ‘seriously dissatisfied’ with monument demolition in Panama

A local government tore down a monument honouring Chinese contributions to the Panama Canal.

Indonesian rescuers find a body while searching for Valencia coach and 3 children

The body of the female victim was found floating near the northern waters of Serai island, about 1km from the site of the sinking.

Indonesian rescuers find a body while searching for Spanish soccer coach and 3 children

China-Indonesia ties show progress, feel pressure in 2025

China and Indonesia did more than commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. They stress-tested what partnership means when economic ambition, geopolitical flux and domestic governance collide. The year delivered tangible bilateral progress across diplomacy, defense,

Bali sees dip in domestic tourists, pins hopes on foreign visitors

Domestic travellers are increasingly flocking to alternative and closer destinations.

Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'consolidate ceasefire' in China talks

Thailand and Cambodia's top diplomats travelled to the Chinese province of Yunnan for trilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the border situation.