Islamist extremists behead one of three foreigners they took from a high-end resort in the strife-torn southern Philippine island group of Mindanao last September, carrying out their threat to execute their hostages if they were not paid 900 million pesos (S$26 million) in ransom.

At least 23 people are dead after eating contaminated sweets in central Pakistan, police say.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein expresses growing concern about the military’s deepening role in Thailand’s civilian administration, as well as tight curbs on dissent, as the Kingdom prepares to vote on a final draft Constitution.

Casino junket operator Kim Wong returns another $4.34 million to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which was believed to be part of the alleged $81-million stolen funds from the Bangladesh’s central bank.

Japan yesterday enlisted US help to airlift supplies to some of the 100,000 people made homeless by earthquakes in the country's south, as rescuers struggled to find those still missing in a massive landslide.

A priceless diamond that is part of Queen Elizabeth's crown was given to Britain and not stolen, the Center today told the Supreme Court, which is hearing a suit seeking its return.

Scores of people were feared buried alive Saturday after two powerful quakes hit southern Japan a day apart, killing at least 35 people, as a forecast storm threatened more devastating landslides.

A powerful earthquake has struck near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto, a day after a tremor there killed at least nine people. The magnitude-7.1 quake at a depth of 10km (6 miles) hit at 01:25 on Saturday (16:25 GMT on Friday). A second - smaller - quake hit later. A tsunami warning was issued, but has now been lifted.

Rescuers scramble to find survivors after a powerful earthquake in southern Japan that left at least nine people dead and hundreds injured, sparking fires and buckling roads. Tens of thousands of people flee their homes after the 6.5-magnitude quake struck the southwestern island of Kyushu.

At least 18 people are killed by a crane which collapsed in high winds in China's Guangdong province.

The ruling party in South Korea has lost its majority in parliament after elections aimed at boosting its position, exit polls suggest.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeks more Chinese investment for Bangladesh’s various sectors to accelerate the country's development efforts.

The authorities in Taiwan have accused Kenya of using guns and tear gas to force 37 Taiwanese on to a plane bound for mainland China.

South Korea yesterday said a North Korean colonel in charge of spy operations had defected to the South, along with a diplomat and three

Nearly a third of the business of the law firm at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal came from its offices in Hong Kong and China, reports said yesterday.

Rescuers in eastern China have performed a dramatic televised rescue of a three-year-old boy who fell about 10 meters (33 feet) into a narrow well.

Chinese hackers are possibly behind one of the world's biggest cyber heists, the theft of $81 million from the Bangladesh central bank, a senator in the Philippines says.

China says it is restricting trade with North Korea, announcing bans on gold and some coal imports and jet fuel exports, in line with UN sanctions.

South Korea conducted a large-scale live fire exercise yesterday on the East Sea, where North Korea has been upping tensions with a

Japan is witnessing a record number of compensation claims related to death from overwork, or "karoshi", a phenomenon previously associated with the long-suffering "salary man" that is increasingly afflicting young and female employees.