Japan PM in Hawaii: Abe pays respects at memorials before historic Pearl Harbor visit
Shinzo Abe is set to visit Pearl Harbor along with US President Barack Obama.
400 bodies remain unidentified in Thailand, 12 years after the massive Asia tsunami
More than 200,000 people were killed when a 9.15 magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004.
Isis-linked militants in Indonesia planned machete attack on New Year's Eve, say police
Two among four suspected militants were shot dead while two are in police custody.
Russia Tu-154 plane crash: Massive search continues for bodies in Black Sea
As many as 3,000 people, submersibles, planes, drones and helicopters are involved in the search operation.
China's first 'combat-ready' aircraft carrier conducts fighter drills, may head to South China Sea
Exercises were carried out by the Liaoning carrier group in the Yellow Sea, Beijing's defence ministry said.
Netanyahu rejects 'shameful' UN vote, accuses Security Council of 'disgracefully' opposing Israel
The 15-member UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an end to illegal Israeli settlements.
China secretly aims to deploy more surface-to-air missiles in disputed South China Sea islands – report
A close-in and a long-range missile system are anticipated to be deployed in the Spratly islands.
Syria: 2 children among 6 killed as shelling, air strikes hit Aleppo again
About 10 shells fell in Aleppo's southwestern al-Hamdaniya district, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Japan Emperor Akihito thanks people for response to his abdication wish as he turns 83
In August, the emperor had indicated his wish to abdicate citing age and health concerns.
North Korea calls UN chief 'chameleon in human mask' and his presidential ambition a 'silly dream'
During his final press conference as UN chief, Ban Ki-moon had hinted he might consider running for South Korea's presidency.
China's state media slams Donald Trump's choice of Peter Navarro as his trade adviser
The official China Daily said Peter Navarro's nomination is another sign of the Trump team's 'confrontational approach'.
China launches daily civilian charter flights to Paracel islands in disputed South China Sea
The first flight took off from Haikou to Woody Island on 21 December.
President Duterte orders to close all online gambling in Philippines
The government has no mechanism to regulate the industry in the country, Duterte said.
Birth rate in Japan likely to drop below a million for first time in 2016 - report
Much of the decline is attributed to the shrinking population of women in their twenties and thirties.
Sino-American ties likely to face fresh 'uncertainties' under Trump, China foreign minister says
Wang Yi says only mutual respect for each other's core interests will ensure stable relations.
Indonesian police shoot dead 3 suspected militants in foiled terror plot
The militants were reportedly planning to launch a suicide attack during Christmas Day or New Year's Eve.
102-year-old wins battle to continue working at Australian university as oldest scientist
Edith Cowan University in Perth feared Dr David Goodall's presence was a safety risk due to his age.
Pakistan: Baloch gunmen fire shots at convoy of Arab royals hunting Houbara bustards
Wealthy Arab sheikhs hunt the Houbara bird every year as its meat is considered to be an aphrodisiac.
China will not change its position on Nobel Peace Prize, foreign ministry says
China is against awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to people it considers criminals.
15,000 flee into China as Myanmar army fights ethnic rebels along border states, UN says
The UN body said an additional 2,400 people are internally displaced in northeast Myanmar.
Gunshots heard in Kinshasa as Congolese protesters demand President Kabila to step down
Demonstrators in Kalamu, Matete and Lingwala districts blew whistles to signal to Kabila that it was time to leave.
Indian writer charged with sedition for 'insulting' national anthem through Facebook post
The Supreme Court of India recently ruled that the anthem must be played prior to the screening of films in all cinemas.
78% of Filipinos worry about extrajudicial killings, but majority still support Duterte's war on drugs
According to the SWS survey, 88% of the respondents believe Duterte has brought down the drug problems in the country.
Russian aircraft with 39 people on board crashes in Siberia
Russia's defence ministry says all the people on board survived the crash.
China 'will not exercise restraint' if Trump continues to attack Beijing, state-run paper warns
The Global Times editorial criticised Trump saying he has no idea 'how to lead a superpower'.
Outgoing UN chief Ban Ki-moon hints he could run for South Korean presidency
Ban is concluding his second five-year term as the UN secretary-general on 31 December.
China to resolve seizure of 'unidentified' US drone issue 'smoothly', state-run paper says
China said it had taken the US underwater drone to be checked to prevent any navigational safety issues.
Five female security staff of Kandahar airport shot dead, Afghan official says
No arrests have been made and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Poland: Police resort to use of force as protesters block parliament over press freedom
A new government proposal restricts the number of journalists allowed to cover parliamentary proceedings.
Trump vows to build 'safe zones' in Syria, but Obama says the idea is too good to put into practice
Trump said he would get the Gulf states to pay for the safe zones to help civilians trapped in the Syrian conflict.
