Japan's Emperor Naruhito, who took the throne earlier this year after his father Akihito abdicated, officially proclaimed his enthronement, in a sacred and elaborate ceremony. He is the first Japanese emperor born after World War Two and the first Emperor to be educated in the West, spending two years at the University of Oxford.

In ancient throne ritual, Japanese emperor vows to fulfil duty

Gold, silk, lacquer: The elaborate fittings of Japan's imperial ceremony

Philippine leader Duterte in 'unbearable pain', forced to cut short Japan trip

Japan imperial couple face heavy burden of tradition

JOKOWI'S NEW CABINET

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will retain Sri Mulyani Indrawati as his Finance Minister, during his second term in office, from 2019 to 2024. He has tasked her with focusing on creating jobs and opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises. The President, who has been interviewing candidates this month, intends to retain a third of his 34-member Cabinet. One of his new members will be Nadiem Makarim, the co-founder of ride-hailing firm Gojek. The full list is still to be announced.

Indonesian President Jokowi to retain Sri Mulyani as finance minister

Opposition leader Prabowo Subianto, Gojek CEO Nadiem Makarim to join Indonesian President Jokowi's Cabinet

Indonesian President Joko Widodo faces test of leadership in second term

FALL OF THAI ROYAL CONSORT

Less than four months after she was appointed Royal Consort by Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Ms Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi has lost her title and military ranks. A two-page announcement said she was trying to sabotage the appointment of Queen Suthida, who married the King in May this year, and had overstepped in the affairs of the royal couple. There were other complaints too.

Thai King dismisses royal consort for being 'ungrateful', trying to sabotage Queen's appointment

Thai consort stripped of title for sabotaging Queen’s appointment: Who are the 2 women?

How Thailand's new king has shown his assertive reign

Camo and crop top: Thai palace publishes consort pictures, website crashes

MALAYSIAN MILITANT LINKED TO 9/11 MAY BECOME FREE

Malaysia is to decide on releasing militant Yazid Sufaat, who once tried producing weapons of mass destruction for Al-Qaeda, our Malaysia Correspondent Nadirah H. Rodzi, reports. The 9/11 linked militant has been imprisoned three times in the past 17 years on terrorism related charges and his current detention expires in November.

Malaysian terrorist with 9/11 link could be freed from prison next month

SINGAPORE REVIEWING IF WOMEN CAN FREEZE EGGS

Singapore is reviewing whether to allow women to freeze eggs, on non-medical grounds, to give them a chance to be mothers later in life. Currently, women are allowed to do so only for medical reasons. Read more here: