Sanae Takaichi takes office as Japan's first female prime minister, but she faces immediate headwinds. Stepping up amid a sluggish economy and rising prices, she confronts a restless public tired of inflation and the high costs of living. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA's Michiyo Ishida to unpack what her win means for Japan’s future as she navigates tense foreign relations and domestic pressures. 

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From F1 to the Tomorrowland music festival, Thailand is looking to make its mark as the destination for marquee events in Asia. But challenges stand in the way. CNA correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut joins Teresa Tang to discuss the hurdles and payoffs of playing host.

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Sara Duterte. It is daughters - not sons - who appear to be carrying on their fathers' political legacies. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Lim Yun Suk, Afifah Ariffin and Saksith Saiyasombut to find out why.

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Impotent and irrelevant: That’s what US President Donald Trump calls the United Nations, accusing it of failing to live up to its mandate. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA senior editor Liling Tan and Toni Waterman about the debate surrounding the significance of the international body.  

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Along with President Prabowo Subianto, power is scattered among 961 regional leaders throughout the vast Indonesian archipelago. In a bid to maintain their popularity, some of these leaders have introduced unconventional programmes, including vasectomies for social aid. Teresa Tang sits down with CNA's Kiki Siregar to discuss the eyebrow-raising schemes. 

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Indonesia's declining birth rate and growing economy are just some reasons why more people are looking to own pets. But when these furry companions fall ill, finding medical treatment can be a challenge. Mobile vets are soon being launched in the capital to deal with the shortfall. Correspondent Nivell Raya tells Teresa Tang what impact the service could have on public health. 

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A watershed ruling has sent former leader Thaksin Shinawatra to jail for one year. The verdict comes shortly after the daughter of the once self-exiled icon was ousted from the prime minister's office. Is political stability finally on the horizon? Teresa Tang sits down with CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut to dissect the developments.

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Eighty years after the end of World War II, China commemorated the day with a grand military parade, right after hosting a high-profile regional gathering, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. With leaders from Russia, North Korea and two dozen other nations in attendance, the parade showcased China’s growing military prowess. Genevieve Woo speaks to China correspondents Olivia Siong and Tan Si Hui to decode what’s behind the pomp and pageantry of the mega-event.

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When Japan retreated from occupied lands after its surrender in World War II, a large group of Japanese citizens was painfully repatriated to a land they didn’t identify as home. They are the wansei, those who were born in Taiwan during the 50 years of colonisation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Michiyo Ishida and Victoria Jen about their quest to meet the surviving wansei and others whose lives were changed during this period of history. 

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One BTS concert has the power to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the South Korean economy. It's that star power that businesses are banking on as the K-pop sensation regroups after a military service hiatus. Teresa Tang speaks to Lim Yun Suk about the economic potential of the band's return.

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