WAKAYAMA -- Two new amphipod species with black-and-white coloring patterns like a giant panda have been found in the town of Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Crystal chandeliers, mirror-polished tables, and uniformed staff project an image of luxury at wedding and banquet halls in Ho Chi Minh City. A Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper exposé, however, found a far less glamorous reality behind the polished façade.

TOKYO -- The Japanese government will step up support for the overseas expansion of content industries such as games and anime, while also investing further in related human resources development.

Natural disaster losses worldwide dropped sharply to $224 billion in 2025, reinsurer Munich Re said Tuesday, but warned of a still “alarming” picture of extreme weather events likely driven by climate change.

The Asian Financial Services Research Council (ASFRC) on Monday presented its policy recommendations on regulating digital assets in Vietnam at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

A delegation of 18 travel companies from Malaysia’s Sabah state arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday to explore cooperation opportunities and introduce new tourism products to Vietnamese travelers.

Ho Chi Minh City’s recent launch of a dedicated bicycle lane along Mai Chi Tho Boulevard has drawn significant public attention.

Authorities in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam have urged residents to temporarily stop using pork-based products made by Ha Long Canned Food JSC, a long-running company, as investigations continue into a major food safety scandal involving diseased pork used at the firm.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has officially released the latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) report for the fourth quarter of 2025, recording its highest level in seven years and marking a decisive shift in European business sentiment.

The Zeekr 009 is scheduled to enter the Vietnamese market in late 2026 through local distributor Tasco Auto, with the flagship Zeekr 009 Grand drawing particular attention.

Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Riding down Mai Chi Tho Boulevard now means sharing parts of the road with bicycles. Red lanes have been installed – the first of their kind in the city – and they have received a very mixed reaction from commuters and the local community.

Vietnam’s under-23 team drew praise from Asian football officials and regional media after completing a perfect group stage at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with commentators highlighting the team’s discipline, tactical maturity, and growing competitiveness at continental level.

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have detained and launched criminal proceedings against a married couple for allegedly producing and selling large quantities of fresh noodles containing prohibited chemicals, posing serious risks to public health.

FUNABASHI, CHIBA PREF. -- A record 15 countries took part in a New Year's jump training simulating island defense that was conducted at a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force facility in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sunday.

Can Tho City in southern Vietnam will stage fireworks displays at three locations on Lunar New Year’s Eve, alongside flower streets and a large spring flower market, offering residents and visitors a series of festive cultural activities to welcome the Year of the Horse, authorities announced on Monday.

Italy's property market could outpace other European countries in 2026 as political stability and a regulatory clean-up after a Milan building permits scandal boost investor confidence - even as supply constraints loom.

Global smartphone shipments rose 2% year-on-year in 2025, lifted by stronger demand and economic momentum in emerging markets, Counterpoint Research said on Monday.

Lunar New Year is a time of reunion and renewal, and also the perfect moment to embrace a refined escape with loved ones. Set in the heart of the coastal city, InterContinental Nha Trang and InterContinental Residences Nha Trang present two distinctive yet complementary ways to celebrate Tet in effortless style.

Hundreds of barges have been anchored for days along a nearly-two-kilometer stretch of the Mekong River at Vietnam’s border with Cambodia, where companies are waiting to receive sand shipped from Cambodia for construction projects, local authorities said.

Vietnam consumed 4.6 billion liters of beer in 2024, placing it eighth worldwide, according to Kirin Holdings, one of Japan’s and the world’s leading beverage groups.

A Vietnamese-born academic has been recognized as Australia’s most influential researcher in organic chemistry, drawing praise from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and highlighting the growing global impact of Vietnamese intellectuals in international science.

Green and Smart Mobility JSC (GSM), a taxi and electric vehicle rental company owned by Vietnam’s richest man Pham Nhat Vuong, has announced the completion of a capital increase, raising its charter capital from VND25 trillion (US$951 million) to VND35.5 trillion ($1.35 billion), representing a 42-percent growth rate.

MELBOURNE -- Australia will prioritise antimony, gallium and rare earth elements as part of its A$1.2 billion ($802 million) strategic reserve, it said on Monday, as its Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to join a G7 meeting to discuss critical minerals.

The Rach Chiec national sports complex project, which is poised to become a landmark for Ho Chi Minh City, will get off the ground on January 15, with a total capital of over VND145 trillion (US$5.5 billion).

Vietnam’s Lo Thi Phung won a gold medal at the 2026 Asian MMA Championship in China on Sunday after submitting Iran’s Akbaridastgerdi Mobin 50 seconds into the women’s 49 kg final.

Hanoi is speeding up work on its southern axis road, a major infrastructure project stretching more than 41 kilometers and carrying a price tag of over VND6 trillion (US$228 million).

Vietnam’s under-23 team will face hosts Saudi Arabia at 11:30 pm (Vietnam time) on Monday in the final Group A match of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, with both sides needing a win to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.

Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that their fun creations infused with generative artificial intelligence don't turn naughty.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern economic hub, is launching initiatives to help U.S. semiconductor leader Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) establish a research and development (R&D) center at the Saigon High-Tech Park.

The An Giang Province Tourism Association has proposed establishing a dedicated tourist police force in Phu Quoc Special Zone, a popular island destination in southern Vietnam, to strengthen security, curb harassment and overcharging, and enhance the overall experience of both domestic and international visitors.

JAKARTA - An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck off the coast of Indonesia's Talaud Islands on Saturday, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

BISHOFTU, Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airlines on Saturday officially started a $12.5 billion construction project for what officials say will be Africa's biggest airport when completed in 2030 in the Ethiopian town of Bishoftu.

China’s Pacific Construction Group (PCG), ranked among the world’s top 500 companies, has proposed investing in Ho Chi Minh City’s infrastructure, including metro line Nos. 2 and 6 and a coastal road project, according to local authorities.

Grab will begin piloting a pet-friendly car service in Ho Chi Minh City on January 14, allowing passengers to travel with dogs and cats for an additional fee, the ride-hailing company said, as demand grows among urban pet owners facing limited transport options.