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Akira Ogawa speaks to her supporters in Maebashi, Japan’s Gunma prefecture, on Monday after her re-election as mayor. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Japan’s ‘love hotel’ mayor stages comeback, shattering political taboos

Akira Ogawa’s return suggests voters are finally judging women in Japanese politics by the same imperfect standards as men.

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Thailand

Suspected scam boss linked to South Korean student’s death arrested in Thailand

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Malaysia

‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

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Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako targeted in viral Grok AI deepfakes trend

Images of the princess in a blue dress during a recent event were used to generate deepfakes, including of her naked and covered in tattoos.

Princess Kako (left) and her brother Prince Hisahito attend the traditional New Year’s greeting ceremony by Japan’s royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
Princess Kako (left) and her brother Prince Hisahito attend the traditional New Year’s greeting ceremony by Japan’s royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
Australia

Australian Labor MPs apologise over ‘disgusting’ rating game at festival

The three Labor MPs were overheard playing the game about male politicians at a festival, triggering a complaint.

Malaysia

Fast and furious: Malaysian streetwear boss suspended after road rage video

The Stoned & Co co-founder, seen on camera tailgating and blocking a car after being honked at, has apologised for his ‘poor judgment’.

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Japan

Fatal Tokyo fist-fight leads to rare duelling arrest under 19th-century law

A 26-year-old man was arrested under an 1889 law after police said a prearranged fight in Kabukicho left the other man dead weeks later.

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A night-time street scene in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s most notorious nightlife district, where police say the altercation occurred. Photo: Getty Images
A night-time street scene in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s most notorious nightlife district, where police say the altercation occurred. Photo: Getty Images
Japan

‘Easier targets’: is Japan safe for foreigners if disaster strikes?

Rising xenophobia, ‘vigilante’ patrols and memories of 1923 have rights advocates concerned that history could repeat itself.

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Malaysia

Malaysian man posing as security guard robbed couple, abused woman: police

The suspect took the couple’s identity cards and forced the 19-year-old woman to perform an indecent act with him, police said.

The Philippines

Philippine tourism chief’s magazine cover draws backlash as visitor numbers slip

Christina Frasco’s cover appearance has drawn accusations from critics that self-promotion is being prioritised over strategy and results.

Christina Frasco, secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism. Photo: Handout
India

Next appointment, 2027: US visa squeeze hits India’s tech talent

With H-1B renewals stalled, a new generation of Indian professionals is questioning whether to pursue their American dreams.

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Immigrants prepare to become American citizens at a naturalisation service in New Jersey in 2018. Indians dominate the H-1B scheme, accounting for more than 70 per cent of approved visas in recent years. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Immigrants prepare to become American citizens at a naturalisation service in New Jersey in 2018. Indians dominate the H-1B scheme, accounting for more than 70 per cent of approved visas in recent years. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
The Philippines

Philippine police arrest teenager over alleged online baby sale as cases rise

Police said the teenager had posted the offer online and intended to use the money to cover her tuition.

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Malaysia

Malaysian football body risks Fifa’s takeover amid forgery scandal

Some sports fans claim that the reinstatement of FAM’s chief is ‘almost staged’ as concerns over Fifa’s next step mount.

Malaysia

Malaysian football body reinstates ‘only negligent’ chief over forgery scandal

Fifa has punished FAM further over the use of fake documents to let 7 foreign-born players represent Malaysia by nullifying 3 matches.

Malaysia’s players pose before the start of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F football match between Malaysia and Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur on June 10 last year. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Uniform justice? Why Philippine military expelled a lawmaker but not VP Duterte

Sources said legal ambiguity and political risk shaped how the armed forces handled two high-profile reservist cases.

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Then Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is donned with the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command during a ceremony at Davao City Hall in February 2018. Photo: Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines
Then Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is donned with the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command during a ceremony at Davao City Hall in February 2018. Photo: Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines
Malaysia

Nearly 94% of Malaysians who renounced citizenship chose Singapore, data shows

More than 61,000 Malaysians gave up their citizenship over the last five years, with officials citing jobs and family ties as key reasons.

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Indonesia

Is 12 too young? Rare matricide case tests Indonesia’s juvenile justice system

The girl, often threatened with a knife by her mother, was inspired to use one after playing online games and watching anime, police say.

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Japan

Never send, never pay: NGO sounds alarm on sextortion scourge in Japan

Paps reported 2,200 consultations linked to sextortion as of November for the 2025 financial year, with most victims male and aged under 18.

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A Tokyo-based NGO reported a more than a fourfold increase in consultations linked to sextortion as of late November for the 2025 financial year, compared with 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
A Tokyo-based NGO reported a more than a fourfold increase in consultations linked to sextortion as of late November for the 2025 financial year, compared with 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee defies scandals to release Lunar New Year single

Namewee is still helping police in an investigation over the death of a Taiwanese influencer and faces a drug possession charge.

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Indonesia

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Police say there is enough preliminary evidence to investigate Richard Lee for possible violations under health and consumer laws.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Mahathir, 100, fell when he was walking from the balcony to his living room in his home in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad leaves a protest event against Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur last July. Photo: AFP
Singapore

How a photo reignited debate on neutrality of Singapore’s NMP scheme

Haresh Singaraju, a newly nominated member of parliament, was spotted in a shirt with the logo of the ruling PAP at an activity in 2023.

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Parliament House in Singapore. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the city state’s NMP scheme. Photo: Xinhua
Parliament House in Singapore. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the city state’s NMP scheme. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Malaysians mock military base ‘parties’ with nuggets, fries memes amid probe

An inquiry has been launched after social media clips purport to show women drinking and socialising with personnel inside military camps.

Thailand

Thailand’s ‘orange wave’ is back. Can it finally end conservative rule?

The Senate can no longer pick the prime minister, opening a path to victory for the reformist People’s Party in the election on February 8.

North Korea

Why North Korea’s Kim is hailing ‘invincible’ Russia ties in new year message

Kim praised North Korean troops fighting in the Ukraine war for their unwavering bravery for the sake of ‘the brotherly Russian people’.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waving during an art performance celebrating the new year at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday. Photo: EPA/KCNA
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