China warns Japan against ‘external forces’ in talks with Tokyo’s new top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya

Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomes ‘new atmosphere’, during 45-minute call with newly appointed Japanese counterpart Iwaya.

India to build 2 nuclear submarines, buy MQ-9B drones from US to counter China

The domestically built vessels would bolster the country’s ability to monitor the vast waters of the Indian Ocean region.

Malaysia court commutes death sentence of Najib’s bodyguard for Mongolian model’s murder

The country’s apex court reduced Azilah Hadri’s sentence to 40 years in prison after the victim’s father pleased for clemency.

China sets out ambitious timeline for comprehensive data-sharing system by 2030

‘Strategic resource’ will be used to improve services while protecting national security, according to policymakers.

China property: Hangzhou scraps price caps, cuts down payments in bid to stabilise market

Zhejiang province’s capital lifts price restrictions for homes built on newly acquired land and cuts initial payments for new and used homes.

AI compact proves there’s hope for multilateralism yet

As demand for artificial intelligence increases, the UN and its partners can work to ensure that no one is left behind.

Hong Kong employees receive lowest pay rise of 3.2% since pandemic: human resources expert

But workers can expect better compensation next year with a human resources body predicting a 3.6 per cent pay rise.

Hong Kong’s Perfit gym reopens another branch previously run by scandal-hit Physical

About 30 people seen at Mong Kok gym reopened by Perface, the medical beauty firm in talks with owner of now-closed fitness giant Physical.

Singapore luxury mansion on sale for record US$236 million

The Nassim Road property owned by Hong Fok Corp’s Cheong Pin Chuan was previously up for sale at a price tag of S$175 million in 2019.

TikTok owner ByteDance launches US$170 earbuds in China in push into AI wearables

The Ola Friend earphones are linked to ByteDance’s self-developed chatbot, Doubao, currently China’s most popular GenAI app.