Pakistan bans Islamist party after deadly clashes

Five people died in recent clashes between Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan members and police.

Canada is hoping for a Carney-Xi meeting in Asia next week, says Canadian official

OTTAWA - Canada hopes that Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in South Korea next week, a senior Canadian government official told reporters on Thursday.

US FDA won’t tell you if a contaminated factory made your pills

This article was originally published by ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. They were the sort of disturbing discoveries that anyone taking generic medication would want to know. At one Indian factory manufacturing drugs for the United States, pigeons

ICC judges reject jurisdiction challenge by Philippines ex-president Duterte

Duterte and his lawyers have said his arrest in March 2025 over his war on drugs in the Philippines was unlawful.

China must gird up for ‘high winds and rough waves’, says top-level party conclave

Its latest five-year plan emphasises high-quality development, self-reliance in science and technology, strengthening national security

Putin says Russia will never bow to U.S. pressure

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would never bow to pressure from the United States or any other country, and cautioned that the response to any strikes deep into Russia would be very serious and overwhelming.

Despite Trump’s words, China and others set higher climate goals

In the Marshall Islands, where the land averages only 7 feet (2 meters) above sea level, people are acutely aware of climate change. Their ancestors have lived on this string of Pacific islands for thousands of years. But as sea level rises, storms more easily flood communities

Pakistan bans violent Islamist party for second time in four years

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan banned a violent Islamist party under the country's anti-terrorism law on Thursday, the government said, days after the group clashed with police in an anti-Israel rally and five people were killed.

Vietnam Communist Party sets Jan 19-25 as dates for 5-yearly congress

HANOI - Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has set January 19-25 as the dates for its five-yearly congress to define the country's main strategies and policies, state media reported on Thursday.

Xi shows firm grip as party plenum ends with minimal reshuffle

Rumours of a coup fizzle as Xi presides over the party’s Fourth Plenum with little change at the top.

China state oil majors suspend Russian oil buys due to sanctions, sources say

India and China are expected to turn to other supplies.

Pakistan-Afghanistan border closures push up prices of essentials such as tomatoes

KABUL - Border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan have pushed up prices of essential goods in both nations, with tomatoes now costing five times more in Pakistan since fighting broke out between the two South Asian neighbours this month.

Body of Thai migrant held in Gaza returns home

Mr Sonthaya Oakkharasri, 30, worked at the Beeri kibbutz when he was killed in the 2023 attack.

Protests planned in KL against Trump's presence at ASEAN Summit unlikely to derail Anwar's agenda, say analysts

While the demonstrations may draw public attention, both Washington and Putrajaya understand the difference between street sentiment and state policy, observers say.

China names new second highest-ranking general after military purge

Zhang Shengmin heads anti-corruption efforts in the army and is seen as a trusted loyalist of President Xi.

Explainer-Russia, at war, faces double trouble: Trump ultimatum and a hit to oil sales to India

MOSCOW - Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, is weighing how to respond to U.S. sanctions on top oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil and the prospect of lower sales to its biggest buyer, India.

Jakarta gambles on embracing North Korea

When Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono landed in Pyongyang in October 2025, the first such visit in more than a decade, it raised eyebrows across Asia’s diplomatic circles. In a world fractured by sanctions and rivalry, Jakarta’s decision to reopen dialogue with one of the

Suspect in disappearance of toddler in Australia identified in 55-year quest for justice

An Australian politician used parliamentary privilege to name the man, but the media is prohibited from publishing it.

Bank Indonesia losing sight of its guardian role

Bank Indonesia (BI) reported that banking credit growth reached 7.56% year-over-year as of August 2025, a seemingly robust clip. However, compared with the pre-pandemic average of around 10% to 12%, it is clear that Indonesia’s financial intermediation engine hasn’t returned to

German foreign minister to press China on semiconductors on Beijing trip

BERLIN - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will urge China to relax export restrictions on rare earths and semiconductors, emphasizing fair trade as a cornerstone of successful relations during his visit to Beijing starting Sunday, he told Reuters.

Brazil's Lula says he will seek re-election in 2026

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he will run for re-election next year, seeking a fourth term in office.

China outlines priorities for next five-year plan, adds defence capability to long-term goals

Communist Party leaders outlined priorities of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 to 2030) in a communique released at the conclusion of its Fourth Plenum on Thursday (Oct 23).

A clarion call to end ‘superintelligence’ research

I have worked in AI for more than three decades, including with pioneers such as John McCarthy, who coined the term “artificial intelligence” in 1955. In the past few years, scientific breakthroughs have produced AI tools that promise unprecedented advances in medicine,

Nearly 700 people flee to Thailand after Myanmar scam centre raid

BANGKOK - Nearly 700 foreigners have fled Myanmar and crossed into Thailand, the Thai army said on Thursday, following a military operation against the Chinese-backed KK Park, a notorious cybercrime compound.

Can America’s soft power be saved?

The United States has long been regarded as the world’s leading soft power. During the Cold War, the global appeal of American popular culture served as powerful tools of influence and propaganda. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, American democracy and capitalism emerged

China names new Central Military Commission vice chair amid ruling elite’s biggest shake-up in 8 years

Zhang Shengmin, the newly-appointed vice chair of the Central Military Commission, has been a key figure in enforcing President Xi Jinping’s sweeping clean-up of the military.

Bangladesh court to deliver verdict against ousted PM Hasina on Nov 13

British surfer and friend who tried to save him both drown during storm in Australia

A detective inspector said the surfer was inexperienced and became distressed after his surfboard broke.

Will Malaysia roll the red carpet for Trump in the Asean Summit?

Fresh off tabling Budget 2026, Malaysia is set to host world’s superpowers during the Asean Summit in KL starting Oct 26.

Malaysia PM Anwar says trade deal with US is ‘99.9% resolved’

Malaysia and the US aim to conclude negotiations when Mr Trump visits KL for the Asean summit.

Kazakhstan says it is tightening control of airspace after drone explodes over its territory

ALMATY - Kazakhstan's defence ministry said on Thursday that it was tightening control of the country's airspace after a drone of \"unknown origin\" exploded in the country's west, close to the border with Russia.

Japan needs foreign workers, not Takaichi’s hyper-nationalism

Sanae Takaichi has made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. However, this was hardly a win for feminist or progressive politics. Takaichi is a right-wing ultraconservative whose policy positions derive from traditionalist perspectives on the role of women,

Seven people injured, including two newborns, in knife attack at Vietnam hospital

All the injured were given first aid and transferred to another hospital, where surgery was successful.

Chinese Communist Party elite body replaces 11 members at key meeting

It is the highest personnel turnover since 2017 amid an ongoing military anti-corruption purge.

S. Korea’s ex-first lady embroiled in new scandal: She sat on throne at Gyeongbokgung Palace

The Korea Heritage Service confirmed that no past president had ever sat on the throne.

China says it opposes new US sanctions on Russian oil over Ukraine war

Beijing said dialogue and negotiations are the only feasible way out of the Ukraine crisis.

Medvedev says Trump's actions are like an act of war against Russia

MOSCOW - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday it was now absolutely clear that the United States was Russia's adversary and that U.S. President Donald Trump's recent steps on Ukraine amounted to an act of war against Russia.

Corroded sewer pipe, soil instability caused KL sinkhole tragedy

A tourist from India fell into the sinkhole in August 2024 and her body was never found.

South Korea’s wage gap hits record as more seniors take low-paid part-time jobs

The age profile of South Korea’s non-regular workforce continues to shift as the country ages.

Trump sanctions Russian oil majors, prompting oil price rise and India jitters

MOSCOW - U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions in his latest sharp policy shift on Moscow's war in Ukraine, prompting global oil prices to rise by 3% on Thursday and India to consider cutting Russian imports.

Schools to enforce spot checks to curb mobile phone use: Malaysia’s Education Minister

Students are not allowed to use mobile phones in Malaysia's schools.

Malaysia identified as main recipient of imported electronic waste from US: Report

Each month, around 2,000 shipping containers that may be filled with discarded electronics waste are leaving US ports.

Timor-Leste’s Asean membership a win for Asia’s youngest nation

Analysts say the membership is a win politically, although the economic benefits remain to be seen.

East Timor's ASEAN membership a win for Asia's youngest nation

JAKARTA - Asia's youngest nation East Timor is set to achieve a decades-long dream when it becomes the 11th member of ASEAN this weekend, which analysts say is a win politically although the economic benefits remain to be seen.

Britain, Vietnam to upgrade ties as Communist leader visits London

The upgrade will entail more frequent meetings and closer ties in areas of common interest.