Jeju Air crash victims could have all survived without concrete barrier: South Korean lawmaker

A report said the aircraft could have breached a fence with only minor injuries.

Malaysia DPM Zahid seeks full acquittal after prosecutors end corruption case over lack of evidence

Malaysia’s Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) announced on Thursday (Jan 8) that no further action will be taken on 47 charges previously brought against Zahid after a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) was granted in September 2023.

At Hanoi's popular railway cafe street, trains may stop running under safety and urban renewal plans

The transport authorities warned of travel delays and detours if the route is cut, raising costs for daily passengers and affecting businesses as well as the draw to tourist sites.

Cutlery, trays and coins: Rising silver prices send Malaysians hunting for ‘poor man’s gold’

By the first week of 2026, the price of silver had climbed over 150% compared with early 2025.

Landfill collapse kills 1 and leaves at least 27 missing, Philippine police say

It was unclear if anyone besides workers at the landfill was among those affected by a huge mound of garbage and debris collapsing in Cebu City.

The rise and fall of accused Cambodian scam kingpin Chen Zhi

US prosecutors allege that at least 10 scam compounds were built in Cambodia.

Jeju Air crash victims could have all survived without concrete barrier, lawmaker says

SEOUL, Jan 9 - A South Korean government-commissioned report found the Jeju Air plane crash in December 2024 that killed 179 people might not have been deadly if there had not been a concrete mound at the end of the runway, an opposition lawmaker said.

Iran's rulers face legitimacy crisis amid spreading unrest

DUBAI, Jan 9 - With Iran's anti-government unrest evolving rapidly and foreign pressure mounting, the clerical establishment appears unable, for now, to tackle what has become a crisis of legitimacy at the heart of the Islamic Republic.

China touts its governance model as Trump tests global norms

A party official from China said socialism is increasingly favoured over capitalism.

China urges Nestle to work quickly on baby formula recall

The country is the world’s largest infant formula market.

Indonesia’s plan to expand military role in counter-terrorism draws flak

Civil society groups warn the move can undermine hard-won reforms and threaten civil liberties.

One dead, 38 missing after massive landfill collapses in Philippines

Rescuers have pulled 12 injured sanitation workers from debris at the private landfill in Cebu City.

Cebu landfill landslide: Search continues for survivors

At least 12 employees have been pulled from the garbage and hospitalised.

Fire near Osaka’s popular tourist attraction Tsutenkaku Tower

The fire was reported at 10.35am local time.

China praises Indonesia on first ever panda cub’s birth

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been told of the birth and he is very proud of the feat.

More than 57,000 Malaysians renounced their citizenship for Singapore’s over last 5 years: Report

On average, 10,000 people apply to renounce their Malaysian citizenship a year.

Japan calls for 'smooth' trade after reports of China snags

Devotees in Philippines join massive ‘Black Nazarene’ procession

Around 439,000 people had joined the procession by 8am on the morning of Jan 9.

Devotees in Philippines join massive 'Black Nazarene' procession

MANILA, Jan 9 - Hundreds of thousands of Philippine devotees joined an annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ on Friday, one of the world's largest displays of Catholic faith that this year served as a platform to criticise corrupt officials in the

Italian PM Meloni to visit South Korea for summit with President Lee

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit is the first by an Italian leader to S. Korea in 19 years.

Three people missing as bushfires destroy homes in Australia's southeast

SYDNEY, Jan 9 - Three people are unaccounted for as out-of-control bushfires rage in the Australian state of Victoria, destroying homes and burning through vast swathes of bushland, authorities said on Friday.

Hopes rise for Hallyu thaw following South Korea President’s China visit

China is the world’s fifth-largest music market, ranking two places above South Korea.

Six whales die after mass stranding on remote NZ beach

Volunteers at Farewell Spit are racing against time to get 15 live whales back into sea.

Malaysia government urged to cane scammers to curb misuse of bank accounts

A broader response is needed, with scam crimes becoming more complex and technologically driven.

South Korea’s President Lee to visit Japan for a summit with PM Takaichi

The leaders will hold the summit in Nara City on Jan 13, followed by a dinner.

3 people missing as firefighters warn of ‘hectic’ Australian bush fires

People in rural hamlets were urged to evacuate while they still could.

South Korea's President Lee to visit Japan for a summit with PM Takaichi

SEOUL, Jan 9 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan on January 13 and 14 for a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee's office said in a statement on Friday.

Australians brace for 'property loss or worse' as bushfires destroy homes

All regions in Victoria are facing 'catastrophic' or 'extreme' fire warnings

North Korea’s Kim pledges to ‘unconditionally support’ Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he felt “true comradely relations” with Russian president Putin.

Why Cambodia handed over Chen Zhi, accused of billion-dollar crypto scam, to China

It is a sign that Cambodia is starting to yield to pressure from China to take action against cyberscammers.

China, Ethiopia pledge closer cooperation in areas from infrastructure to AI

BEIJING, Jan 8 - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday and called for greater cooperation with Africa's fastest growing economy, including in infrastructure, green industry, and the digital economy.

Trump says Venezuela does not give China a Taiwan precedent, but 'it's up to' Xi

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump said \"it’s up to\" Chinese President Xi Jinping what China does on Taiwan, but that he would be \"very unhappy\" with a change in the status quo, according to an interview the New York Times published on Thursday.

9 chic Malaysian fashion brands to shop in Kuala Lumpur that blend style with value

These Malaysian fashion labels offer variety, quality, and affordability in equal measure.

Beijing moves to cut losses in Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

China has drawn up plans to minimize losses in Venezuela and fine-tune its broader overseas investment strategy after the United States captured the Latin American country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, on January 3. Since the US military operation in Venezuela, the Chinese

Some whales restrand at New Zealand's Farewell Spit, six die

AUCKLAND, Jan 9 - Fifteen whales restranded and six have died after a mass stranding at Farewell Spit on the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, conservation group Project Jonah said on Friday, as volunteers prepared to attempt to refloat them.

Several whales restrand at New Zealand’s Farewell Spit, six die

A day earlier, 55 whales were stranded in two locations in Farewell Spit.

Commentary: A PAS-UMNO partnership looks attractive but will not work

Perikatan Nasional is one of the longest-lasting coalitions for PAS, but the cracks are starting to show, says political analyst James Chai.

China built houses fast for decades. Why is 'good housing' now the new priority?

As China pursues a rethink of its housing policy, analysts warn that entrenched practices and misaligned incentives could undermine the push.

The Paris Accord means Ukraine War will continue

​The Paris Accord, signed on Tuesday by members of a “coalition of the willing” and aimed at providing security and economic guarantees for Ukraine, is a strange agreement. If it is taken seriously, it will convince the Russians to change their strategy in Ukraine, meaning the

From TikTok to trophies: Malaysia’s science influencers, robotics contests nudge students towards STEM

As Malaysian students rack up wins at global robotics contests, Malay-language science influencers are bringing STEM to life online.

'If it expires, it expires,' Trump tells NYT about US-Russia nuclear treaty

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to suggest he would allow the last arms control treaty with Russia to expire and not accept an offer from Moscow to voluntarily extend the deal, according to remarks released on Thursday.

Between US and China, Japan finds itself friendless

TOKYO — The year is off to a dreadful start for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Asia’s No. 2 economy. Though it’s not the first blow, news on Tuesday that China is imposing curbs on more than 40% of the goods Japan Inc. exports to Xi Jinping’s economy is quite

Smiles all around at South Korea-China summit

While the world’s eyes were on Venezuela, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung traveled to Beijing to open a new era of cooperation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lee also reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the One China policy. Lee led a delegation that included about

Chief Trump ideologue Miller, an unabashed meanie from the get-go

During a recent interview with CNN host Jake Tapper, the White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, laid out what appears to be the core of the new ideology driving US foreign policy: the notion that might is right. Or, as he put it: “We’re a superpower. And under

Cambodia extradites alleged scam-center conglomerate head to China

The sanctioned head of Cambodia’s Prince Group — which the United States has dubbed a “transnational criminal organization” — has been extradited to China, officials said in a statement today. Prince Group Chairman Chen Zhi was arrested on January 6 along with two other people,

China accuses Japan of rising nuclear ambitions under its right-leaning government

It has also rolled out export bans and a trade probe, piling pressure on Japan amid rising tensions.

Landslide at Cebu landfill leaves one dead, several injured

Three of seven individuals rescued remain in critical condition.

Residents urged to evacuate in central Japan as wildfire continues

The police and local fire department have received no reports of injuries or damage to nearby houses.

Ex-SDF member Gonoi to settle with state, ex-colleague over sexual assault

The case drew widespread attention as Gonoi made the rare move of coming forward to expose her ordeal.