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Stabbings in the heart of city a violent jolt to Taiwanese sense of safety

This picture taken and released by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on December 19, 2025 shows one of the entrances to Taipei Main Station being cordoned off as it is temporarily closed after an attack at the station. Attacks at metro stations in Taipei on December 19 involving smoke bombs and stabbing killed at least two people, a fire department official told AFP, adding that the suspect was also dead. (Photo by CHENG CHING-YUAN / CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT - China OUT / HONG KONG OUT
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / CNA Photo" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Japan drone school developing AI bear detection system

The new system will be able to detect bears hidden from view in mountainous or urban areas, and share their locations via smartphones.

Man in South Korea stabs friend after believing he abused his dog

These animals have become replacements for human children, contributing to plummeting birthrates.

Taipei attacker acted alone, motive under probe: Police

The man was wanted for suspected evasion of Taiwan's compulsory military service.

Crowds line up at Japan’s Ueno zoo on first weekend since panda departure announced

Pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei have lived at Ueno zoo in Tokyo, Japan since they were born in 2021.

Taiwan President vows full inquiry into deadly subway attack

Taiwan officials called the Dec 19 Taipei subway attack a “deliberate act” but said the suspect's motive was not immediately clear.

Japan’s nuclear odyssey comes full circle 15 years after Fukushima with restart of world’s largest plant

Employees at work inside Unit 6 of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan's Niigata Prefecture. The plant is slated for restart in January 2026 after receiving the green-light from Niigata authorities.

Letter From Hong Kong

How a 1920s fable can help us understand what went wrong in the Tai Po fire

mfletter22 - As the sun sets and the lights come on in Hong Kong on Dec 17, 2025, the dark outlines of the charred towers of Wang Fuk Court look particularly stark, brutal even, against the Tai Po skyline, as if determined to remind every passer-by of the city’s recent sorrow.
ST PHOTO: MAGDALENE FUNG

Knife-wielding attacker kills three in Taipei, dies during police chase

Police stand guard outside Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store near Zhongshan station on Dec 19.

Upstart gangsters shake Japan’s yakuza

Former gangster Yoshiro Nishino (right) discussing management with residents of his group home for ex-offenders in Chiba Prefecture on Nov 7.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.