Philippines’ Mayon Volcano erupts, sends ash plume 3,000m high
The eruption lasted nearly six minutes.
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US plans to ban Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers
WASHINGTON, Oct 29 - The United States plans to soon ban Chinese telecom firms from direct access to US phone numbers on national security grounds — a measure designed to prevent scam-related robocalls.
Bhutan glacial lake outburst triggers flood, no injuries reported
The historic Punakha Dzong has been closed until further notice "in the interest of public safety".
Muhyiddin says agreement to support Anwar on key parliamentary votes unrelated to Melaka polls
Six Bersatu lawmakers signed the agreement committing to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, where PH is the largest coalition, through to the end of the current parliamentary term.
ASEAN envoy meets Myanmar minister, discusses civil war and aid access
Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma Teresa Lazaro met Myanmar counterpart Tin Maung Swe in the capital Naypyitaw on Thursday (Oct 29).
Trump planning a major Iran escalation soon after midterms
US Senator Chris Murphy disclosed on October 28 that he was among the members of Congress recently briefed behind closed doors on the Trump administration’s discussions of a possible post-midterm assault on Iran, and he came away with a startling assessment: “Their plan is
Melaka voters weigh their options ahead of state election
With nomination day on Oct 31, shifting alliances complicate an already crowded contest.
North Korea denounces South Korea-US air defence drills, KCNA reports
SEOUL, Oct 30 - North Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement published by state media KCNA on Friday that the South Korea-US Freedom Flag air defence drills were increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea to respond firmly to North Korean breaches of border, security aide says
Tensions have spiked since a September landmine blast inside the DMZ border seriously wounded several S. Korean soldiers.
Nvidia's Huang says dealings with firm in US spy probe were 'normal': Report
He said Nvidia's relationship with Singapore-based Megaspeed International officials was proper and the company had checked that Megaspeed did not illegally divert Nvidia artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China.
China trade accord with Swiss bucks wider trend towards protectionism
ZURICH, Oct 30 - When Chinese President Xi Jinping meets his Swiss counterpart, Guy Parmelin, on Friday, the two will be marking one of the most favourable trade deals Beijing has granted a European country, bucking a broader global shift towards protectionism.
South Korea seeks criminal charges, 3-year exam ban for cheating with AI glasses
Authorities are stepping up efforts to tackle cheating involving the devices following a series of incidents this year.
Major Japanese business magazine Diamond Weekly to end print edition and focus on digital platform
The publisher's print sales in 2025 fell to one-eighth of their peak in the 1990s.
Indonesia minister accuses Singapore of reselling LNG amid calls to ease bilateral tensions
Other senior Indonesian figures urge calm as disputes over energy supplies and haze test bilateral ties.
AI love story of Monkey King and Lin Daiyu catches attention of Chinese authorities
The concocted romance between the characters of two classic Chinese novels have delighted netizens.
North Korea displays drones, missiles as Kim urges AI weapons push
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military detected "around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Wonsan area of North Korea towards the East Sea", also known as the Sea of Japan.
Crypto giant Binance hit by hack suspected to be largest in history
Two analytics firms have attributed the incident to a North Korean hacking unit called TraderTraitor.
Japan’s beleaguered shoppers are a worry for convenience stores and the economy
Consumers are visiting convenience stories less because of rising costs of living.
Australian mushroom murderer Erin Patterson loses appeal bid
SYDNEY, Oct 30 - An Australian woman convicted of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives with a meal laced with deadly mushrooms lost an attempt on Friday to appeal her conviction, with a court also quashing her chances of parole.
Australian mushroom killer loses appeal, has sentence extended
Patterson was found guilty in 2025 of murdering her husband’s parents and elderly aunt.
U.S. to China after demolition report: ‘End interference in Tibetan religious life’
Demolition of monks’ quarters aimed at reducing their population and making assimilation easier, sources tell RFA.
China made Mbappé apologise - but many don't know exactly what he said
His comment about Chinese leader Mao sparked anger but censorship left many wondering what exactly happened.
The rise of the nuclear hexagon and the future of Asian stability
Originally published by Pacific Forum, this article is republished with permission. A central problem in US nuclear thinking is that it is fragmented. Washington is laser-focused on the “three-body problem”: It considers the US-Russia-China triangle fundamental, and when it
Kim Jong Un urges drone dominance as North Korea fires missiles, rockets
SEOUL, Oct 30 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for his country to seize \"absolute superiority\" in drone technology, speaking at an unmanned aeronautical technology exhibition and weapons demonstration, state media KCNA reported on Friday.
Melaka polls talks expose fault lines in Malaysia's shifting political alliances
Seat negotiations for the Melaka polls have exposed tensions within the BN-PN and PH-Bersatu partnerships, raising questions about their durability ahead of the next general election.
Commentary: Rubio’s visits are not enough to reset India-US relations
Structural ties endure, but US President Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on energy policy has done lasting damage to Washington’s relationship with New Delhi, says Chietigj Bajpaee from the Chatham House think tank.
Pre-APEC US ban on Chinese genomic giant widens biotech decoupling
Beijing has vowed to defend its firms after Washington blocked imports from China’s leading genomics group, extending the two countries’ trade war into biotechnology weeks before their leaders are due to meet in Shenzhen. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on
Step away from the malls to find the soul of KL’s historic city centre
A walk through old KL reveals the histories, businesses and people behind its weathered buildings.
Why Samsung’s record profits weren’t enough for investors
Samsung Electronics reported the most profitable quarter in its history on Thursday, with operating profit of 107.4 trillion won on revenue of 195.3 trillion won, and still watched its shares close more than 4% lower. At one point they were down 6.6%. The KOSPI, which had
ASEAN envoy ends Myanmar trip with no public Suu Kyi meeting
Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro wrapped up a two-day visit to Myanmar on Oct 29.
UK police to refer allegations about Duchess Meghan's father to overseas agencies
LONDON, Oct 29 - British police said on Thursday they would refer allegations about the father of Meghan, Prince Harry's wife, to overseas law enforcement agencies, after a review found the claims had not been passed to other authorities when they were first received.
Johor government rejects claims linking state investment arm JCorp to Indonesian fires
Menteri Besar says JCorp and its subsidiaries do not operate plantations outside Malaysia.
Beijing gave Kim Jong Un the cold shoulder and here’s why
Recent reports indicate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attempted to visit China to orchestrate a dramatic diplomatic scene akin to his June 2019 summit with US President Donald Trump at Panmunjom – but Beijing politely turned him down. Kim’s primary motive for seeking a
Bangladesh court sentences senior Sheikh Hasina ally to death over uprising killings
The four men, members of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, were convicted of the murders of six people in western Kushtia district during the unrest, which led to the former premier's ouster.
Former factory worker is crowned China’s richest woman, again
Lens Technology founder Zhou Qunfei reclaimed the title on the back of her foray into high-end manufacturing.
China's Communist Party conclave on toughening discipline sees record expulsions, absences
BEIJING, Oct 29 - A Chinese Communist Party conclave on toughening internal discipline this week formally expelled a record number of senior officials and logged the highest absence rate in its modern history as purges thinned its leadership ranks.
Esports is now geopolitics by other means
The competitive gaming industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades, transforming from a niche subculture into a global phenomenon watched by millions of spectators worldwide. More than 3 million fans attended the 2025 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia alone, according
Philippine police obtain warrant to search Thomas Markle's devices
Images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to Meghan's father had reportedly been found in his former home in the Philippines.
China’s Communist Party pledges tighter discipline ahead of 2027 congress
The party adopted a resolution on self-governance and called for steps to root out corruption.
Pakistan court jails prominent rights couple for 10 years, family says
LAHORE, Oct 29 - A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday sentenced prominent human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to 10 years in prison in a security breach case, her family said.
China cries foul as tensions with Manila flare at ASEAN defence talks
Beijing hit at a “self-serving” politician it accused of obstructing its participation.
Indonesia names 20 companies as forest fire suspects in crackdown on haze culprits
Four are foreign-owned, with investors from Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.
Record number of purges as Xi emphasises 'party discipline' at China political gathering
Xi's anti-corruption campaign has become "an effort to consolidate and maintain authority", observers say.
Bangladesh sentences Hasina-era minister to death
He was sentenced in absentia for his role in the killings of six people during the 2024 uprising.