Hired to draw, told to prompt: How AI is changing creative work in Malaysia

Generative AI is reshaping Malaysia’s creative industries, reducing traditional jobs while new opportunities emerge.

Hong Kong’s Buildings Department files 259 charges over repair works at fire-hit Wang Fuk Court

Two companies and four individuals were charged with permitting the use of defective materials in building works, and failing to properly supervise repair works.

HK principal fired over SAFRA Jurong swearing incident seeks over $154,000 in unfair dismissal claim

The trial is scheduled to start on Dec 1.

Iceland to propose whaling ban, leaving Norway and Japan isolated

COPENHAGEN, Sept 10 - Iceland's government will submit a bill in February to ban whaling, a move that would leave Norway and Japan as the only two countries in the world to continue commercial whaling.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter believed to have younger sibling: Seoul

Seoul’s spy agency has previously said Kim is believed to have three children.

The questions China won’t answer about the Tibet-Nepal flood disaster

For years, analysts and observers have warned about the dangers of China’s relentless infrastructure push in Tibet, particularly its dam-building ambitions on the Brahmaputra River, known in China as the Yarlung Tsangpo. Beijing has repeatedly waved away such concerns,

Chinese auto supplier compensates 107 graduates fired barely a month into jobs, punishes managers

Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting Systems said management erred in its assessment and acted “hastily” without fully considering that the graduates had only recently joined the company.

Hong Kong court convicts Wall Street Journal publisher for blocking ex-reporter from union role

But Dow Jones is cleared of second charge of unlawfully firing her, with sentencing at a later date.

South Korea leader rules out term extension

President Lee Jae Myung's remarks ruling out seeking a term extension come as his approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he took office.

Life sentence upheld for leader of South Korea’s largest online sex crime ring

The court described his crimes as “inhumane”.

The rock guitarist whose killing shocked India's north-east

A renowned Manipuri guitarist's killing has sparked anger - and an outpouring of memories about his life and music.

India open to stricter red warnings on food packs in latest setback for companies

NEW DELHI, Sept 10 - India's government on Thursday told the Supreme Court it was open to tougher red warnings on food packaging after health activists said its earlier proposal was too easy on companies, in a potential blow to the $100 billion food industry.

Suspected gunman in Thailand kindergarten shooting surrenders after 18-hour standoff

Authorities said the gunman fled to his home after the shooting.

Indonesia’s bold bid to set the world’s critical mineral prices

In the global supply chain, Indonesia sits at the epicenter of the market for nickel and other critical minerals. Yet the value of that natural wealth is still set on distant trading floors and market exchanges in places like London and Singapore. Indonesia holds the largest

Chinese student sentenced to 18 months’ jail in S. Korea for creating 1,100 deepfakes of colleagues

He used AI to superimpose the victims’ faces onto sexually explicit images and videos.

Sarawak helicopter crash: Preliminary report expected in early October

The crash on Sept 8 killed all five people on board.

Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture to introduce helicopter rescue fees in Mount Fuji’s off-season

Multiple incidents have been reported as a result of reckless climbing practices.

How a billion-dollar sanctions dodge kept Chinese goods flowing to Iran

PARIS, Sept 10 - Iran has used a barter-like arrangement to bypass sanctions on its oil sales and buy billions of dollars’ worth of goods from China, including military gear, two senior Iranian sources and three other people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Syed Saddiq invites Ong Ye Kung to Oct 10 wedding with Bella Astillah

Singaporeans jokingly asked the health minister to take them to the highly anticipated event.

Mount Fuji ends hiking season with landslide, two rescues

Four Chinese nationals claim trial over kidnapping of Singaporean man in Penang

If convicted, the offence carries an imprisonment term of between 30 and 40 years, as well as whipping.

Floods expose fragility of Nepal’s bid to reduce trade dependence on India through China

Deadly floods have destroyed Nepal’s main overland trade route with China, highlighting the challenge Kathmandu faces as it tries to reduce its heavy economic dependence on India.

25 years of war was the exact wrong response to 9/11

The lesson of 9/11 should be that war is not the answer to any of the problems facing the United States. After inflicting violence and chaos on country after country for 25 years in a “global war on terror” that has evolved into a Zionist genocide and a revived Cold War against

There’s a history to what Trump’s up to regarding troops in Korea

US President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce US participation in military exercises with South Korea raised eyebrows in the face of North Korea’s ongoing belligerence, and the potential impact on the US-South Korean relationship – but Trump in this instance fits into an

Five dead and 86 missing as 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry

The fire broke out as the vessel nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in Palawan.

Xi's India visit to help diplomatic thaw, but business ties bound by suspicion

NEW DELHI/BEIJING, Sept 10 - Chinese President Xi Jinping's much-anticipated visit to New Delhi this week, his first to India in seven years, should further the diplomatic thaw between the giant neighbours, but there are few signs as yet that their business ties will improve.

They grew up South Korean – then found out they may not be citizens

A little-known dual nationality rule has left some people from transnational families facing life as foreigners in the country they call home.

Will – and can – the Iranian people revolt over the costs of war?

Asia Times editors’ note: Context for the following article is provided by new reporting from investigative reporter Seymour Hersh saying that the US Operation Economic Outcast targets not Iran’s ayatollahs – as Hersh thought Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was suggesting when

Wildfires continue to rage across Indonesia, 139 arrested for arson

Questions are mounting over whether the crackdown will deter those truly responsible.

Search expands after Philippine ferry fire kills five and leaves dozens missing

MANILA, Sept 10 - A large-scale search and rescue operation was underway off the western Philippine island of Palawan on Thursday after a passenger ferry caught fire, killing five people and leaving dozens of passengers missing.

Watch: Crews race to rescue passengers from burning ferry in Philippines

Emergency teams were still searching for at least 86 missing people in the waters off the coast of Coron, in the Philippines.

Calls to halt Flying Doctor Service following fatal helicopter crash in Sarawak

The Health Ministry announced that Flying Doctor Service operations would proceed despite the crash.

Philippine ferry fire kills 5, dozens missing

The fire aboard the M/V June Aster broke out on Wednesday (Sep 9) evening about 2.2km offshore, the coast guard said.

After outrunning Usain Bolt, China’s robot champion races towards real-world work

The aim is "to turn high performance into high reliability and high usability".

5 rising Filipino perfume brands putting the Philippines on the map

Discover five Filipino perfume brands redefining fine fragrance with scents inspired by sampaguita, pandan, ube and the rich culture of the Philippines.

Nepal floods aftermath through the lens of Reuters photographers

Sept 9 - The photos tell a story of lives, interrupted.

Inside Thailand's school shooter drills following recent attacks

Police say they hope the drill will help prepare students, as concern grows over the increase in school shootings in South East Asia.

American football is coming to Australia - can it succeed?

The LA Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers in the first regular season American football game to be played Down Under.

North Korea’s Kim thanks troops on overseas operations on founding anniversary

North Korea has sent an estimated 15,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces since late 2024.

North Korea's Kim thanks troops on overseas operations on founding anniversary

SEOUL, Sept 10 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used celebrations marking the 78th anniversary of the country's founding to praise troops engaged in \"overseas military operations\", state media KCNA said.

Commentary: US ‘transshipment scam’ narrative raises troubling prospect of a purity test for Southeast Asia

If the US sees all trade as a potential scam, trading partners would do well to prepare for more tariffs, says Hinrich Foundation’s Deborah Elms.

Are we seeing the end of South Korea relying on the US?

The South Korea-United States alliance has been one of the principal foundations of the East Asian security architecture for more than seven decades. Established in the aftermath of the Korean War, the alliance provided South Korea with an extended security framework that

Battle for Tambun: Anwar faces high-stakes fight to hold his seat

Malay unity and a disillusioned non-Malay base test PM Anwar’s hold on Tambun despite his clout.

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s daughter resigns as WHO regional head after fraud allegations

Saima Wazed was placed on unpaid administrative leave late in 2025.

Nepal puts climate justice at centre of global pitch for flood aid

KATHMANDU, Sept 9 - Flood-hit Nepal will ask wealthier countries and global agencies for financial help this week, arguing they should contribute to the $5 billion needed for initial rebuilding as the disaster shows how climate change has hit poor countries that did little to

Pakistan warns Iran to rein in Houthis as Riyadh strikes back

ANKARA, Sept 9 - Pakistan has delivered a Saudi warning to Iran to rein in its Yemeni Houthi allies after they stepped up attacks on the kingdom, in a coordinated effort to prevent the crisis from spiralling, Saudi, Pakistani and Iranian sources said.

87 missing, 5 dead in Philippine ferry fire: Coast guard

The ship’s manifest had listed 134 passengers and crew.

China says US accusations of AI theft are ‘groundless’

Trump is under pressure to respond to the increasing success of Chinese AI models.

Nepal turns to drones to deliver flood relief

Drones are already making an impact for affected communities in dire need of aid.