India PM’s birthday goes viral; Putin, Netanyahu, Trump lead #MyModiStory greetings

The outpouring of greetings from world leaders could just be what he needs to shore up his image at home and overseas.

Unwinding India’s failed economic zone in Bangladesh

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dhaka in June 2015, he sought to pave the way for an economic zone specifically for Indian investors in Bangladesh. Then-Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed with the proposal and signed a joint declaration. Initially, Dhaka

Maldives journalists to seek repeal of new media law

COLOMBO - Journalists in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation of the Maldives will appeal to the country's Supreme Court to repeal a new law that they say seeks to stifle the media and impose steep fines on violators, a journalists' association said on Thursday.

Ukrainian military in counteroffensive on eastern front, Zelenskiy says

KYIV - Ukrainian troops are carrying out a counteroffensive against Russian forces on the eastern front, where Kyiv has reclaimed seven settlements, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday after visiting the Donetsk region.

US revokes visas for Indian business executives over fentanyl links

The statement from the embassy did not name the people affected.

Perak housewife wins $1.83 million after using spam caller’s numbers in lottery bet

On a whim, she took down eight digits from an unknown caller and wagered RM2.

Tiger carcass in car boot sparks outrage in Malaysia

The tiger had been snared and shot six times in the head.

U.S. may ease India tariffs, India's chief economic adviser says

MUMBAI - The U.S. may soon scrap the penal import tariff on Indian goods and also cut reciprocal tariff to 10-15% from the existing 25%, India's Chief Economist Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said on Thursday.

Seoul launches task force to fix US visa system after mass detention

South Korean companies view the insufficient visa issuance as a major obstacle to their US investments.

Indonesian Parliament set to approve bigger 2026 budget for Prabowo

The figure is 56.2 trillion rupiah higher than what was stated in his August proposal.

Saudi-Pakistan defense pact more symbolism than substance

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), which, according to a joint statement, “aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.” The agreement goes on to

QRIS transforms digital payments in Indonesia, challenging Western financial dominance

From street vendors to upscale shopping malls, businesses across the country are increasingly embracing QRIS for digital payments.

Cambodian PM accuses Thai forces of evicting civilians on border

The Thai army said the Cambodian residents had “illegally occupied” Thai territory.

‘Keep it on’: Shirtless joggers are frowned upon in South Korea, but some push back

One trainer from Seoul told The Korea Herald that running shirtless is a form of self-motivation.

Surge in deadly 'brain-eating' amoeba cases causes alarm in India's Kerala state

Stock markets fluctuate after Fed rate cut

Seoul’s first water bus takes off, drawing mixed reviews

The service drew praise and criticism over its effectiveness as a commuting option.

South Korea prosecutors seek arrest of Unification Church leader

The church has long been the subject of controversy with its mass weddings and a cult-like culture.

Foreigners can use QR code to clear Malaysia immigration at Johor land checkpoints from Sep 22

This simplified clearance at the country’s borders will be facilitated under a trial run for the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe).

Over 4,000 teens treated for gambling addiction in South Korea in 2024, tripling 2020’s figure

A total of 4,144 teenagers were treated at the Korea Problem Gambling Agency in 2024.

Surge in deadly ‘brain-eating’ amoeba cases causes alarm in India’s Kerala state

Three of the deaths occurred in the past month, including that of a three-month old infant.

Japan's fiscal dove Takaichi joins race for leadership of ruling party

TOKYO - Japan's veteran lawmaker and fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi said on Thursday she would run in the ruling party's leadership ballot on October 4 to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Fiscal dove Takaichi joins race for leadership of Japan’s ruling party

Ms Takaichi hopes to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Singaporean firms see growing opportunities in India’s semiconductor sector

The Modi government has declared that India will begin commercial chip operations later this year.

‘Historic opportunity’ for great powers to lead, win world over amid fraying global order: Chan Chun Sing

Mr Chan, on his first visit to China as defence minister, was speaking at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing. Small countries like Singapore also have the opportunity to contribute to global stability by “taking the side of principles, and not power”, he said.

Singapore must never be a mouthpiece for other countries: Chan Chun Sing

Doing so risks its credibility and its value proposition, he said at Xiangshan Forum in Beijing.

Cocaine seizures in South Korea surge 200 times over two years, sparking concern

Customs authorities seized 2,302kg of the drug between January and August.

Investors in Vietnam to face strict police screening under planned reform

The draft decree could increase compliance costs for business in the South-east Asian nation.

Record 1.2 million phishing cases reported in Japan in 1st half of 2025

In Japan, there has been a steady increase in complaints about e-mails that direct people to fraudulent websites.

Delicate balance: Fed gambles rate cut won’t stoke inflation

The Federal Reserve on September 17, 2025, cut its target interest rate as it shifts focus from fighting inflation to supporting the choppy labor market. As financial markets expected, the Fed lowered rates a quarter point to a range of 4% to 4.25%, its first cut since December

Taiwan’s spending bonanza draws more foreign firms to its largest arms show

The Taipei Aerospace and Defence Technology Exhibition features 490 exhibitors at 1,500 booths.

Taiwan's spending bonanza draws more foreign firms to its largest arms show

TAIPEI - Taiwan opened its largest arms fair on Thursday, with about double its previous number of exhibitors, as firms flock for a slice of the island's increased defence spending at a time when it is looking to expand international military cooperation.

Australia announces higher emissions cuts by 2035

The country is one of the world's biggest carbon emitters per capita.

‘Force for peace’: China’s defence minister makes case for stronger Chinese military

Chinese defence minister Dong Jun opened the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Thursday (Sep 18), attended by 1,800 delegates from nearly 100 countries.

Huawei bypasses Nvidia AI chips in computing breakthrough for China

US-sanctioned Huawei is playing a leading role in finding solutions that can empower China’s AI ambitions without relying on foreign tech.

Kidnapping attempts on the rise in South Korea with over nine every week, shows police data

There were 237 cases of kidnapping, abduction and human trafficking in the first eight months of 2025.

End of empathy: Kirk, Zarutska deaths a social media wake-up call

The tragic deaths of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska are not isolated events. They are stark indicators of a nation in moral decline where freedom is under attack, empathy is eroding and digital platforms are amplifying both threats. This crisis is not solely of our own making.

Sex abuse charges against top Australian radio host downgraded

He faces 27 charges which allege that he indecently assaulted or groped nine men from 2001 to 2019.

Japan veteran lawmaker Takaichi says she will run in LDP leadership race

TOKYO - Sanae Takaichi, a veteran Japanese lawmaker and fiscal dove, said on Thursday she would run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race on October 4 to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi, who hopes to become Japan's first female

Japan’s popular tourist spot Okinawa to levy accommodation tax

This will be the first such tax of its kind at the prefectural level.

Beetle that threatens Australia’s grains industry found in imported nappies

The government is working with the importer and retailer of the nappies to trace and treat affected nappies.

Controversial church leader denies bribing ex-South Korea first lady

The church is accused of bribing former first lady Kim Keon Hee with Chanel bags and a diamond necklace.

Markets sleeping on US-China trade breakthrough

Surprisingly, investors around the world have largely overlooked the positive mood music emerging from US–China trade negotiations. Markets everywhere have yet to price in the upside. This complacency is striking as the two largest economies inch toward a trade settlement that

Australia vows to cut emissions by 62 to 70% by 2035

Australia’s goals are above those of Canada and neighbouring New Zealand, but below Britain.

Air India crash victims' families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell

They accuse the manufacturers of doing "nothing" despite being aware of the plane's risks.

Why heirs of South Korea’s conglomerates are choosing longer military service

The longer, officer route helps them project the kind of leader image expected of future heads, say industry insiders.

Asian markets mixed after US Fed rate cut

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point and indicated it will steadily lower borrowing costs for the rest of this year.