Elderly Thai man jailed for 'royal insult' graffiti
An elderly Thai man was jailed by a military court for scrawling graffiti in a shopping mall toilet critical of the country's junta leaders and its revered king.
Former Australian leader Malcolm Fraser dead at 84
Former conservative prime minister Malcolm Fraser died after a short illness at the age of 84.
Wheelchair on the runway at Tokyo Fashion Week
A Japanese designer is challenging accepted ideals of beauty, with an easy-to-wear collection unveiled on the catwalk by models who are disabled.
Australia PM under fire for 'Dr Goebbels' jibe
Australian Prime Minister was blasted after referring to the opposition leader as the "Dr Goebbels of economic policy" in a rowdy parliamentary question time.
Thai former PM Yingluck to face trial over rice scheme
Thailand's former premier Yingluck Shinawatra was ordered to stand trial on charges of negligence over a bungled rice subsidy scheme.
Tokyo subway attacks: Japan still baffled 20 years on
As Japan prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of a fatal nerve gas attack on Tokyo's subway, experts say the horrifying case still leaves more questions than answers.
'Crisis' in girls education: Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama spoke of a "crisis" gripping the world as she launched an initiative to help get girls into education, on the second day of her trip to Japan.
UN chief condemns 'deplorable' Tunis attack
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he called the "deplorable" attack on Tunisia's national museum that left at least 17 tourists dead.
US first lady arrives in Japan for first time
Michelle Obama arrived in Japan on Wednesday afternoon on her first visit to the country, as part of a trip to highlight the importance of girls' education.
Japanese clothes but few Japanese models at Tokyo Fashion Week
Tokyo Fashion Week has long been a platform for edgy Japanese designers -- but perhaps more remarkable is just how few Japanese models grace its catwalks.
AirAsia families accept 'sad reality' as search ends
An Indonesian whose daughter-in-law is among 56 people unaccounted for following the December crash of an AirAsia plane said his family had accepted the "sad reality".
Milky Way may host billions of planets in 'habitable' zones: study
The Milky Way galaxy may be home to billions of planets orbiting their host stars in a "habitable zone" where life could theoretically exist.
Israel's Likud, Zionist Union neck-and-neck: exit polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightwing Likud party was neck-and-neck with the centre-left Zionist Union in general election.
Condition of Singapore's founding leader Lee worsens: PM
The health of Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew has worsened due to an infection after nearly six weeks in hospital, the government said.
Hong Kong leader forced to speak on daughter's health
Hong Kong's leader Leung Chun-ying was forced to make an official statement about his daughter's health she posted a number of alarming messages on her Facebook page.
Traditional Nepal cheese is a hit overseas -- as dog snack
A chewy cheese made by generations of yak herders in Nepal has become an unexpected hit overseas.
Israeli voting polls open for general election: AFP
AFP correspondents said, for elections to determine whether Israelis still want incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu as leader, or will seek change after six years.
Tokyo Fashion Week opens with petal-strewn labyrinth runway
Tokyo Fashion Week opened on a floral, fairy tale-inspired note, as a popular brand from Thailand turned the catwalk into a labyrinth strewn with petals.
26 dead in Syria regime air raids near Damascus: monitor
At least 26 people including seven children were killed and more than 100 wounded in Syrian government air strikes near the capital Damascus.
UN disaster meeting opens in tsunami-hit Japan
Policymakers gathered with hopes high that the conference in tsunami-hit Japan might provide a springboard for real efforts to tackle natural disastersю