Turkey's president says a full withdrawal of its forces from divided Cyprus is "out of the question" unless Greece also agrees to pull out troops. Hopes of reunification have been raised after talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots in Geneva this week.

Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong has been questioned at the prosecutor's office in Seoul as a suspect in South Korea's biggest political corruption scandal. The firm is accused of giving donations to several non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of President Park Geun-hye.

Security forces in the Philippines have captured 40 of the 158 inmates who escaped from a prison in the country's south, in a brazen jailbreak blamed on Muslim rebels.

China has launched a direct rail freight service to London, as part of its drive to develop trade and investment ties with Europe.

China Railway already runs services between China and other European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg.

The daughter of the woman at the centre of a presidential scandal in South Korea has been arrested in Denmark, say South Korean police. Chung Yoo-ra, 20, is accused of staying in the country illegally, they said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been quoted as saying in a New Year's message that his country's development of banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) is in "final stages".

At least 23 people have been killed and 17 others wounded when a ferry caught fire near the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, an official said.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has denied allegations that she conspired with a longtime friend to extort money and favours from companies, accusing her opponents of framing her.

A typhoon packing gusts of wind up to 255km/h (158mph) has made landfall in the eastern Philippines.

South Korean authorities have culled more than 22.5 million poultry this winter, according to an official, as part of intense efforts to contain its worst bird flu epidemic in recent history that has affected farms across the country.

Taliban militants in Afghanistan have shot dead a woman who divorced her husband and remarried, officials say.

The killing took place in north-western Badghis province. There are some reports that the woman's husband had authorised the separation from abroad.

Japan's parliament has passed a long-awaited law to legalise casinos.

The move paves the way for casino resort developments that also include hotels and shopping centres.

South Korea's parliament has voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye over a corruption scandal.

Tens of thousands of Indonesians have rallied in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, calling for tolerance and unity after massive protests were held against the city's Christian governor.

The crowds on Sunday filled a major traffic circle in Jakarta and sprawled into its main thoroughfares, waving "We Are Indonesia" signs and a giant red-and-white national flag was held aloft.

The rally was held in response to protests against Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy.

Jakarta has been rocked in the past months by major protests against Purnama, who is accused of insulting Islam by criticising opponents who used Quranic references to attack him ahead of an election in February.

Protesters took to the streets on Friday in the latest rally targeting him, demanding Punama be jailed on blasphemy charges. A similar rally was held on November 4, both attracting tens of thousands of people.

Purnama is a long-term al

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is set to be proclaimed Thailand's new king, 50 days after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The head of the National Legislative assembly is expected to publicly announce the prince's acceptance of the throne later on Thursday.