Across Japan, travel agencies specialising in the Chinese market have reported cancellations of group tours.

Michael Wishnu Wardana, the boss of Terra Drone Indonesia, has been named a suspect. Meanwhile, experts say new skill sets are needed to tackle the fire risk posed by lithium and car batteries.

Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar had earlier stressed for the public to adhere to the official dress code when visiting police premises, citing a 2020 circular.

The on-screen charm of Gary De'Snake, a vivid blue reptile featured in the hit Hollywood animation, has slithered beyond cinemas as fans seek out real-life counterparts to keep as pets, prompting warnings about safety and legality.

Checks by CNA showed that train tickets for services between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur have been selling fast, with only a handful left for the first three days it is operating between Friday (Dec 12) and Sunday.

RMJDT aims to enhance the ringgit’s international use in cross-border trade settlements and act as a catalyst for attracting foreign direct investment into Malaysia.

US President Donald Trump said he expected to speak on Thursday with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to demand a halt to their renewed clashes.

Senario members Azlee Jaafar, Abdul Wahid, Lan Pet Pet, Illya Buang, Saiful Apek and Yassin Yahya will stage a concert in Malaysia next year as part of the group's 30th anniversary.

Two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers flew from the Sea of Japan to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers in the East China Sea, then conducted a joint flight around the country, Tokyo said.

President Lee Jae Myung has called for tough investigations into suspected improper links between religious groups and politicians.

Beijing has two priorities that require opposite approaches to managing the economy, says Enodo Economics’ Diana Choyleva.

"Due to the occurrence of this earthquake, it is believed that the relative likelihood of a new large-scale earthquake has increased compared to normal times" in the area, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Around 80 employees of Terra Drone Indonesia were in the building at the time of the incident which coincided with lunch hour. All 22 fatalities were employees of the firm.

Lower energy prices and cheaper Chinese goods are helping households in the region pull ahead of rising costs for the first time in years, Mastercard’s Asia Pacific chief economist David Mann told CNA.

A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office rejected Taipei’s justification that the ban on the Chinese lifestyle app was needed to curb online fraud.