Japan and US university researchers identify gene key to mating of yellow fever mosquitoes

The discovery could lead to new strategies to control the insect's reproduction.

Hello Kitty maker Sanrio cuts ties with TV spy show after China backlash

TOKYO, Oct 29 - Hello Kitty maker Sanrio has cancelled a collaboration with a Japanese TV spy show after a backlash in China, the second incident in days to highlight the tightrope foreign firms and celebrities must walk in the lucrative market.

Hello Kitty owner Sanrio axes tie-up with Japanese drama Vivant after China furore

It ended its Vivant tie-up after Chinese criticism over the drama’s wartime history portrayal.

Chinese AI model carries out complex cyberattacks in controlled tests, researchers say

The findings underscore concerns that AI models are lowering the technical barriers to sophisticated cyberattacks.

North Korea fires around 10 ballistic missiles towards sea off east coast, Seoul says

South Korea is strengthening surveillance and maintaining readiness in case of more launches.

Vietnam sets 65% state ownership floor for major banks, to retain control of strategic groups

It is part of a broader programme to restructure state capital in major enterprises and banks.

2 Singaporean men among 5 arrested in Thailand for alleged involvement in prostitution ring

Police reported seizing items with a combined value exceeding 350,000 baht (S$13,000).

Asian shares fall as Alphabet earnings miss drags Wall St futures lower

Hello Kitty maker cuts ties with Japanese spy drama after China backlash

Sanrio has apologised after its merchandise line with Japanese TV series Vivant drew criticism.

'Like cutting up a Picasso': AI microdrama edit of Neighbours worries actors and crew

A micro-drama will use AI-assisted technology to edit old episodes of the Australian TV soap to focus on Margot Robbie's character.

China’s Lao Gan Ma denies mass layoffs linked to AI amid public backlash

The iconic chilli oil maker faced online criticism after an executive reportedly said AI-powered technology had drastically reduced staffing on a production line.

Seoul court dismisses lawsuit by Tesla owners seeking refunds for ‘Full Self-Driving’ tech

The Seoul Central District Court ruled against the 88 plaintiffs.

US bans imports from 3 Chinese genomics companies, citing ties to forced labour in Xinjiang

The US government believes BGI Group tests genetic material of people from the Xinjiang region.

Bangladesh presses India before Ganges water treaty expires

Expiration of the deal threatens tens of millions of livelihoods.

Australian defence chief says China military buildup creating 'pressure' in Southeast Asia

"Now is a time to double down on friends and to double down on neighbours and to be working more closely together to provide for our collective security," said Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Taiwan flags ‘obvious’ threat from 50 Chinese vessels in wide sweep of waters

Taiwan warned the moves could hurt peace in the Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan flags 'obvious' threat from 50 Chinese vessels in wide sweep of waters

TAIPEI, Oct 29 - China has more than 50 navy and other official vessels operating in a wide swathe of sea stretching from southern Japan down to Taiwan and off the Philippines, a senior Taiwan official said, calling the threat level \"obvious\".

Uniqlo scraps price rise on $2.35 socks after Japan shopper outcry

It underscores the challenge Japanese retailers face as persistent inflation squeezes household budgets.

Australian defence chief says China military buildup creating ‘pressure’ in South-east Asia

Richard Marles urged allies and partners to deepen cooperation.

China’s former vice-premier Liu Yandong dies, aged 81

She became a state councillor in 2008 and served as vice-premier of the State Council from 2013 to 2018.

Moscow, Pyongyang back network sending workers to Russian factories, report says

Some workers were sent to factories that turn out items Moscow uses in the Ukraine war.

Progressive newcomer shakes up New Zealand politics, evoking Jacinda Ardern

Recent polls show Qiulae Wong may claim Opportunity’s first-ever parliamentary seats in the Nov 7 election.

US and Japan agree to establish missile-production facility

Japan and the US have agreed to set up a Japanese facility to jointly produce advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles used in F-35 fighter jets.

Couple detained at Johor checkpoint after trying to enter S’pore with $944,360 in undeclared cash

The suspects were heading towards Woodlands when they were flagged down for inspection.

China leverages Taiwan’s reverence for Sun Yat-sen to promote ‘reunification’

Shared history fosters cross-strait kinship, but analysts say China’s framing sways only those already pro-Beijing.

5.5-magnitude quake hits Japan’s Chiba prefecture

The quake, measured lower 5 on Japan’s seismic scale, had a depth of about 52km and there was no tsunami threat.

Libya's eastern administration bars entry to Iranians, Afghans

TRIPOLI, Oct 28 - Libya’s eastern-based government banned the entry of Iranian and Afghan nationals through all land, sea and air ports, the government said late on Wednesday.

Election polls in New Zealand continue to show no clear outcome

New Zealand uses a mixed member proportional system, which tends to favour coalition governments.

Costa Rica drops bid to join Pacific trade pact, sacks trade minister

SAN JOSE, Oct 28 - Costa Rica's government has withdrawn its bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major trans-Pacific trade pact, and dismissed its foreign trade minister, president Laura Fernandez said on Wednesday.

Will Israeli opposition parties join forces to eject Netanyahu?

Israel’s opposition parties appeared to have secured enough Knesset seats in Tuesday’s elections to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power and end a four-year reign marked by genocidal war in Gaza and escalating terror and dispossession against Palestinians in the

Myanmar diplomat breaks down as he urges world to 'end our suffering'

Kyaw Moe Tun - Myanmar's representative to the UN - makes an emotional appeal after saying the international community had failed the country's people.

Did Takaichi make a bad bet on Donald Trump?

Of all the leaders of America’s allies, from Europe to Asia, no one has invested more in seeking the favor of Donald Trump than Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. She has met Trump three times in person during her first year in office and offered up tens of billions in

South Korean families demand removal of alleged Itaewon disaster footage in Call Of Duty game

The controversial three-second clip shows paramedics performing CPR on an injured person.

The Mecca pact goes to Tehran. Can it keep the region out of another war?

On Monday, the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement did something a defense treaty is not usually built to do. Its members went to Tehran to talk. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkey’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın met

Germany weighs role in GCAP fighter jet programme, says Merz on Japan visit

TOKYO, Oct 28 - Germany is examining whether it could play a role in the GCAP fighter jet programme led by Japan, Italy and Britain, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Tokyo on Wednesday, after a rival Franco-German initiative collapsed earlier this year.

Over 370kg in pangolin scales seized in Negeri Sembilan raid

The total value of all items seized was estimated at RM401,700 (S$126,390).

US sanctions North Korean network accused of defrauding businesses

Oct 28 - The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday to target what the Treasury Department said were North Korean government-run schemes that use IT workers to defraud US businesses and generate revenue for Pyongyang's weapons programs.

Thousands of protesters rally in Jakarta against haze, rising living costs

The largely peaceful protest included participants from various universities and civil society groups.

Singapore, Indonesia committed at highest level to resolving bilateral issues: Vivian Balakrishnan

Both sides grappling with issues such as gas cuts, power exports and haze.

Singapore, Indonesia to move quickly on joint haze task force, says Vivian Balakrishnan

The task force would facilitate information-sharing and help authorities in their work.

Iranians cut essentials and put dreams on hold as war-hit economy bites

DUBAI, Oct 28 - Iranian families are cutting back on food, housing and education as the eight-month-old war with the United States fuels one of the country's worst inflation surges in decades, eroding incomes and pushing households to the brink.

Early winter chill grips South Korea

In Seoul, the morning low fell to 4 deg C.

Indonesian students protest rising prices, government’s handling of forest fires

Protesters flocked to two of Jakarta’s busiest thoroughfares, carrying banners critical of President Prabowo Subianto’s policies.

Could humanoid robots soon replace soldiers on the battlefield?

Battlefield robots were once thought of as the stuff of science fiction. But the Ukraine war has put paid to that view, with uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) – or ground robots – taking on an increasingly visible role. In September 2026, Mykhailo Fedorov, the former defense

Hundreds residing on cruise ship forced to disembark in Cambodia due to high fuel prices

The operator of the Villa Vie Odyssey said high fuel prices had made operations prohibitively expensive.

Thailand vows to seize over $1.28 billion from accused scam money launderers

Confiscated assets will go towards compensating scam victims, says anti-money laundering official.

Analysis: As Iran war drags on, airlines pull back on fuel hedges and warn on fares

Airlines that hedge at current elevated prices risk being locked into expensive fuel if geopolitical tensions ease and prices retreat.

Haze in Malaysia: All schools in Selangor to open on Oct 29; use of face masks encouraged

Parents concerned about their children’s health can choose not to send them to school.