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The great 'banchan' break-up: Are South Koreans about to pay for their favourite freebie?

SEOUL, Feb. 8 -- A fierce debate is bubbling across South Korea's dining scene as restaurateurs weigh a once-unthinkable move: charging for banchan refills. The country's free-flowing side dishes - f... Read More


Gundam's big twist? A 39-year-old Guns N' Roses anthem suddenly climbing the charts in Japan (VIDEO)

TOKYO, Feb. 8 -- When Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe hit Japanese cinemas on January 30, audiences expected cutting-edge mecha spectacle - not a blast of late-'80s American ro... Read More


Johor Bahru police seek witnesses after video of alleged child bullying in Kampung Melayu Majidee goes viral

JOHOR BAHRU, Feb. 8 -- Johor police are investigating a viral video showing an alleged bullying incident involving a group of children at Jalan Mewah, Kampung Melayu Majidee in the state capital yeste... Read More


Aussie couple arrested after CCTV catches them spray-painting 400-year-old Chiang Mai temple

CHIANG MAI, Feb. 8 -- An Australian couple has been arrested for defacing a centuries-old Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, after CCTV captured them spray-painting graffiti across its outer wall in the e... Read More


Passenger safety vs privacy: Transport minister warns against knee-jerk rules on e-hailing dashcams

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 8 -- Transport Minister Anthony Loke has cautioned against rushing into mandating dashcams with audio recording in e-hailing vehicles and taxis. The push for dashcams in Malaysia c... Read More


How much is too much? Seoul conveyor-belt sushi joint says 30 plates - and the internet has thoughts

SEOUL, Feb. 8 -- South Korea's social media has been on a full-blown sushi roll this week, thanks to a Seoul conveyor-belt joint that banned a family for polishing off 30 plates of just two types of f... Read More


How much is too much? Seoul sushi bar says 30 plates - and the internet has thoughts

SEOUL, Feb. 8 -- South Korea's social media has been on a full-blown sushi roll this week, thanks to a Seoul conveyor-belt joint that banned a family for polishing off 30 plates of just two types of f... Read More


Johor peatland fire in Air Itam plantation triggers two explosions, police say area closed for safety

MUAR, Feb. 8 -- Two small explosions were detected during efforts to extinguish a peatland fire at a Johor State Farmers' Organisation (PPNJ) plantation at Batu 13/14, Air Itam, yesterday, Harian Metr... Read More


Tony Jaa's private fight: Source says Thai action star is healing after gallbladder cancer surgery

BANGKOK, Feb. 8 -- Thai action hero Tony Jaa is privately recovering after battling gallbladder cancer, according to a report by The Straits Times. The 50-year-old martial arts icon - beloved for his... Read More


Cosplay crackdown: China events ban 'Detective Conan' gear, merch after controversial 'My Hero Academia' anniversary crossover

SHANGHAI, Feb. 8 -- Cosplayers in China just hit an unexpected plot twist worthy of a Detective Conan cliffhanger. According to Kyodo News, several major anime events in Beijing, Chongqing and Lanzho... Read More