BitTorrent porn downloads bring costly surprise for users in Japan

Cases involving settlement demands over alleged copyright infringement linked to adult videos have been rising.

Malaysia’s former PM Ismail Sabri seeks to challenge charge relating to failure to declare assets

The court fixed Dec 4 for next mention.

Trump’s bid to stop Ukraine’s Russia strikes a strategic disconnect

In a recent phone call, Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelensky to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Whether a request or a demand, this appears, certainly at first glance, fundamentally different from the Biden administration’s policy of restricting the use of US

Watch: Bangkok locals create floating market during floods

As sellers waded through floodwaters to sell produce like fish and vegetables from floating platforms and foam boxes, buyers walked or paddled between the makeshift stalls to buy their groceries.

Malaysia begins controversial repatriation of asylum seekers to Myanmar

Human rights groups say some 5,000 returnees could face violence, persecution and forced conscription.

Watch: Luxury units uncovered inside an Indonesian prison

A surprise inspection at the prison revealed apartment-like units appearing to house inmates, equipped with televisions, a gym and fridges stocked with alcohol.

China’s disputed satellite refueling heralds new space war era

Recent disclosures about China’s purported in-orbit servicing operations have intensified a quiet revolution in space, where the mechanics of satellite sustainment are swiftly becoming the frontline of great-power counterspace rivalry. This month, the South China Morning Post

More toddlers in South Korea start using smartphones before turning 2: Report

The report also found an association between mothers’ smartphone use and their children’s smartphone use.

Volkswagen-Gotion deal shows hard limits of China de-risking

Volkswagen has spent years trying to build a European battery business strong enough to carry its electric-car ambitions. Its latest deal pulls a Chinese partner deeper into that effort. On September 28, Germany’s Volkswagen and China’s Gotion High-Tech agreed to deepen a

Malaysia’s transport minister says his resignation to take effect when ex-PM Najib serves house arrest

Anthony Loke said he had hand-delivered his resignation letter to PM Anwar Ibrahim after meeting him on Sept 28.

Malaysian High Court sets Jan 7 to hear 1MDB’s bid to freeze Rosmah’s assets

The court would also deliver the decision on the application on the same day.

Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir’s granddaughter recalls fond memories with grandmother in touching tribute

She thanked members of the public and well-wishers for their outpouring of condolences and support.

Myanmar arrests 21 over alleged donations to opposition-linked fundraising platform

Sept 29 - Myanmar's military-backed government has arrested 21 people it said had transferred money to an online fundraising platform linked to the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

Signal faults, communication problems caused Indonesia's April deadly train collision: Investigators

The driver of the long-distance train that crashed into a commuter train had not received training in situations which require emergency braking, said a report.

Sydney data centre plan scrapped by developer after community backlash

Residents cited risks to children, lower property values, and the cost of upgrading homes to mitigate the data centre’s impact.

Bangkok floods put Thailand’s new ‘One Map’ warning system under scrutiny

The latest flooding has put particular emphasis on how warnings are communicated.

Vietnam arrests three on terrorism charges, including Norwegian and Australian citizens

The ministry said the men had admitted to being members of Viet Tan, a US-based pro-democracy group.

Malaysia begins sending home Myanmar refugees despite safety concerns

LUMUT, Malaysia, Sept 29 - Malaysia began the process of deporting around 1,500 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday as part of a refugee repatriation programme, defying objections from the United Nations and dozens of human rights groups.

Stocks drop and oil rises as Hormuz hopes fade

Japan veers from rice shortage to glut, dealing blow to farmers

Farmers face challenges such as weather extremes, rising costs for machinery and lower prices for their product.

Central Tokyo logs 34 consecutive days of rain, longest on record

It has seen precipitation since Aug 27, with approaching typhoons and a stalled autumn rain front.

Thailand expects to clear Bangkok floodwater in two to three days

Brakes activated before Vietnam Airlines 787 overran Munich runway, report finds

HANOI, Sept 29 - A Boeing 787-9 operated by flag carrier Vietnam Airlines recorded repeated brake inputs during takeoff before overrunning a runway and striking approach lighting at Munich Airport last month, according to an interim report by German investigators.

With national holidays approaching, workers in China demand a proper break

The online outcry is the latest in a series of social media flare-ups over gruelling schedules.

OpenAI apologises for Australian government website hack, pledges to rebuild trust

The incursion in June is the first known instance of an AI agent hacking a government website.

North Korea’s mines likely behind DMZ explosions, says Seoul

Two soldiers were seriously injured and one sustained minor injuries in the incident on Sept 21.

Thailand expects to clear Bangkok floodwater in two to three days, government says

BANGKOK, Sept 29 - The Thai government said on Tuesday that the standing water in Bangkok is expected to take two to three days to clear if there is no additional rainfall, with no heavy rain anticipated.

Bangkok floodwaters recede as Thai Airways battles baggage chaos

Bangkok was hit by 320mm of rain over two to three days, nearly as much as it usually gets in the month.

Thai Airways cancels flights amid baggage crisis as stranded passengers await answers

Affected flights include those between Bangkok and Singapore.

Malaysia starts sending Myanmar migrants home

Dozens of buses arrived under police escort at the Majlis Perbandaran Manjung stadium near the Lumut naval base in northwestern Malaysia. The migrants were expected to be processed before being taken to Myanmar by ship.

Haiti gang retaliation leaves at least 11 dead after security operation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 28 - At least 11 people were killed on Monday in Haiti's central Artibonite region by gang members after a deadly security operation, the local mayor said.

Nearly half a million summonses issued to foreign drivers in Malaysia since 2024

Officials said employers who hire foreign drivers must be responsible for ensuring their qualifications.

Taiwan says it is in continuous talks with US about arms sales

Taiwan media have reported that the first two F-16Vs are currently in Hawaii awaiting their delivery flight.

Lost songs from iconic Australian rockstar found in garage

Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett recorded the songs with Split Enz's Tim Finn in 1998.

Sign before praying: A new conversion law is affecting churchgoers in Indian state

A new anti-conversion law in Maharashtra is raising questions about faith, choice and freedom.

New Zealand election on knife edge as Greens surge to 16%, poll shows

The governing National Party fell to 28 per cent, which is its lowest level of support since 2021.

RAF Fairford big-scale attack try represents serious threat to US

The British Police say that the five men arrested in connection with a suspected bomb plot targeting RAF Fairford are all British nationals. Nothing has yet been said officially about who was behind the plot. The risk to US assets and personnel in the UK remains extremely high.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says North Korea prepares to deploy another 10,000 troops to Russia

SEOUL, Sept 29 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday there are more than 8,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory and preparations are underway to deploy another 10,000 troops.

In BRICS open-source AI, China and India will make a good team

At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed that China take the lead in establishing a BRICS AI open-source community. His proposal envisaged cooperation in developing and applying large language models, conducting AI training and seminars and

‘We don’t have to repeat the 30 years’: India taps Asia’s chip hubs to fast-track semiconductor ambitions

In the first of a series on India’s chipmaking ambitions, CNA speaks to industry players about what India can learn from Asia’s established chip hubs - and where it can carve out a role of its own.

Commentary: Japan could redraw the global oil map

Tokyo isn’t waiting for the end of the war to reassess its supply sources, says Javier Blas for Bloomberg Opinion.

The real loops of innovation

A note before we start. What follows works through the innovation loops of the semiconductor world, sub-sector by sub-sector, with eight diagrams along the way. They are complicated, despite a fair amount of effort to make them otherwise. Anyone who wants to skip the loops and

North Korea says US approval for South Korea’s nuclear submarine increases regional instability

The approval is also another demonstration of US nuclear proliferation through AUKUS pact, the North Korean ministry said.

North Korea says US approval for South Korea's nuclear submarine increases regional instability

SEOUL, Sept 29 - North Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement published by state media KCNA that the United States' approval for South Korea's building its first nuclear submarine is \"a dangerous development\" that added new instability to the political and military

North Korea issue dwarfed by more pressing concerns during Trump-Xi summit

Trump has said he wants to meet with Kim Jong Un again, but experts say China will not act as go-between.

UAE president discussed bilateral relations with Israel's Netanyahu, state news agency says

CAIRO, Sept 28 - UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral relations during a visit on Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Gulf country, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported on Monday.