Japanese Emperor Akihito has started a day of ceremonies in the Imperial Palace as he prepares to step down from the throne on Tuesday.
It'll make him the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years.
His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne the next day.
Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in 2016 due to his age and declining health.
Iran halting indirect talks with US over Israel's Lebanon incursion
Iran is halting indirect negotiations with the US after Israel ordered troops to push deeper into Lebanon to battle Tehran-backed Hezbollah, the Iranian news agency Tasnim said on Monday, complicating diplomatic efforts to end three months of war.
Trump says Iran really wants to make a deal with the US
President Donald Trump on Monday said that Iran really wanted to make a deal with the US and that it would be a good one for Washington and its allies.
Israel's Netanyahu orders attacks in Beirut's southern suburbs
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, signalling further escalation of a war that has complicated mediation towards resolving the US-Iran conflict.
Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media
Malaysia has begun barring those aged under 16 from registering accounts on social media platforms, its communications regulator said on Monday, as it boosts efforts to protect minors from exposure to harmful content online.
Kuwaiti forces deal with missile, drone attacks on Monday
Kuwait's Chief of the General Army Staff announced its air defence forces intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks early on Monday.
