Pan Pacific CEO upbeat on Southeast Asian tourism as regional travel demand rebounds
Pan Pacific is pressing ahead with its expansion plans, betting on shorter-haul travel and demand from affluent Asian tourists despite geopolitical disruptions.
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Philippines hits onion cartel with record fine for price surge
The price of onions were more expensive than meat in 2022.
How non-state alliances are reshaping the global order
Yemen’s civil war reignited in early October, as Saudi Arabia brought in Turkish and Pakistani military support to fight the Houthi rebels, who have governed much of northern Yemen as a de facto authority and waged a guerrilla war in the country since 2004. Having spent more
US banks on bunker-busting Tomahawks to crack China’s missile wall
The US Navy’s bunker-busting Tomahawk push reflects growing recognition from the Iran war that striking deeply buried missile sites protected by robust air defenses requires long-range standoff weapons. But the missile faces serious operational, logistical and escalation
Man sentenced to 12 years’ jail for raiding ancient tombs in China as court issues stern warning
Raiding ancient tombs, which is a crime, is on the rise in the country.
Shorter, warmer cool season expected in Thailand, with lows of 19 deg C in Bangkok
Upper Thailand will enter the cool season in the third week of October and last until mid-February 2027.
Indonesia disaster chief's brother among five suspects in alleged corruption case
One of the suspects in an alleged corruption case involving the misuse of emergency funds at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency is Bima Setyawan, the younger brother of agency chief Suharyanto.
Indonesia appoints new disaster agency head in President Prabowo's third reshuffle in a month
The latest reshuffle follows one on Oct 1 that saw the appointment of new foreign and industry ministers and eight other senior leaders of agencies and the police force.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan asked to leave India after participating in protest, media says
Authorities said he breached immigration laws after joining a protest against the election commission chief.
Pakistan school roof collapse kills 28; more deaths feared
A rescue official said the ceiling came down on the students after the roof of a higher floor collapsed, crumpling the two storeys.
Schools in KL, Selangor to operate on Oct 16, but outdoor activities suspended due to haze
Students attending school are encouraged to wear face masks as a precaution amid the current haze.
Indonesia to use dry ice to clear haze from forest fires
The trial in South Sumatra is aimed at clearing smoke and increasing visibility in haze-affected areas.
Pakistan school roof collapse kills 27 students, one teacher
Most students were below the age of 13.
Taiwan president calls for Micron, workers to negotiate 'sincerely' ahead of possible strike
TAICHUNG, Taiwan Oct 15 - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called on Thursday for US memory chipmaker Micron Technology and its workers to negotiate \"sincerely\" ahead of a possible strike by the company's union in Taiwan.
Tokyo govt boosts support for marriage seekers in bid to raise birth rate
Measures include matchmaking events, subsidising housing and childcare.
'Very dangerous': Timor-Leste shuts schools over Indonesia haze
The fires have burned through hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest and plantations in Indonesia, and caused air pollution to surge locally, as well as in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
Indonesia blames peatland degradation for raging fires, vows restoration
Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra are now the worst affected areas because of peatland fires.
Australians cut fuel purchases as Iran war drives prices higher
Consumers react to the spike in fuel prices by driving less and switching to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Germany's Klingbeil says support for Ukraine comes with reform expectations
BANGKOK, Oct 15 - German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Thursday his country's support for Ukraine was clear but came with expectations for political reforms.
Taiwan President calls for Micron workers to negotiate ‘sincerely’ ahead of possible strike
The strike is over a dispute concerning Micron’s bonus scheme.
Batam blackout may have been caused by lightning, bat interference: Minister
The widespread power outage is estimated to have caused economic losses of around 233.5 billion rupiah (US$13 million), according to economic experts.
Japan PM Takaichi taps Arata Takebe as new farm minister
Arata Takebe will take up the role after Kazuo Yana stepped down Oct 14.
‘Very dangerous’: Timor-Leste shuts schools over Indonesia haze
Residents welcomed the decision, although they said the pollution had been even worse earlier in the week.
Hong Kong bus operators seek fare increases, citing increased fuel prices due to Middle East war
Hong Kong franchised bus operator Citybus sought the highest increase at 17.7 per cent, followed by Kowloon Motor Bus Company at 16 per cent.
Prolonged war, renewed disruptions pose biggest risk to Middle East region: IMF
The global lender is forecasting a 1.3% contraction in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.
UNDP chief sounds alarm on growing poverty after succession of crises
People in South and East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are at particular risk.
Indonesia swops out electricity chief after 16-hour Batam blackout
Darmawan Prasodjo, who had been PLN's CEO since December 2021, will be replaced by Suroso Isnandar.
Japan denies spying after Russia arrests journalist
The journalist was accused by Russia of “conducting espionage activities on Russian territory”.
Police say Chicago suburb suspect in alleged mass shooting plot had white supremacy manifesto
Oct 14 - A man arrested in a Chicago suburb had shared a document expressing white supremacist views and outlined an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship, police said on Wednesday.
Teenager charged with murder of 16-year-old girl at Johor school
The offence carries the death penalty, or up to 40 years’ jail with at least 12 strokes of the cane.
EU leaders to tackle China exports, energy prices, budget at summit
BRUSSELS, Oct 15 - European Union leaders began a packed summit on Thursday to debate how to curb surging exports from China blamed by industry groups for factory closures, tackle high energy prices and bridge wide differences over the future EU budget.
Desperate to clear toxic haze, Indonesia douses its skies with dry ice
Authorities in South East Asia have turned to weather modification as fires blanket the region in smog.
Indonesia rescues starved orangutan from fires: Officials
Indonesia has rescued 232 wild animals as of Oct 8, including 76 proboscis monkeys and 71 orangutans.
Australia says it won’t let big tech have ‘unfettered’ access to kids
In 2025, Australia barred children under the age of 16 from accessing a number of social media apps.
'Nowhere to escape' - Indonesians share footage of orange haze blanketing towns
Thick orange smog descended on the Indonesian city of Palangka Raya as wildfires continue raging nearby.
Boy, 16, charged with murder of classmate in Johor
He is accused of killing Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, 16, at the secondary school SMK Dato' Seth in Yong Peng between 2.30pm and 4pm on Oct 3.
South Korea official says shifting goalposts could block wartime command transfer from US
South Korean media have reported that Seoul favours 2028 as the target year for the transfer.
Mobile clinics battle Mongolia’s childhood dental ‘disaster’
Around nine of 10 children across Mongolia have tooth decay.
Prabowo replaces Indonesia disaster chief a day after brother’s graft arrest
The replacement of disaster management chief Surhayanto with Lieutenant General Kristomei Sianturi aims to restore trust in the Indonesian government's handling of the haze crisis.
Slain Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi called ‘birthing machine’ by ex-father-in-law, court hears
Her partner said he found Choi’s former in-laws were unconcerned over her disappearance.
North Korea and China open new bridge after 12-year delay
China is the North's largest trading partner and a lifeline against the sanctions Pyongyang faces.
New four-lane bridge opens between China, North Korea
The opening signals progress in bilateral relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
South Korean father detained after allegedly beating two-month-old daughter to death
He allegedly struck his daughter repeatedly after losing his temper when she refused to sleep.
Malaysia raises the threshold for haze-related school closures
Schools will now close in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 200, while outdoor activities will be suspended when the readings reach 100 or above.
Japan to set up expert panel on GPS tracking stalkers
Stalking is in the spotlight in Japan after a woman was stabbed to death by her former boyfriend.
‘I committed the crime to attract attention’: Man who stabbed eight people at Incheon mall
He was previously convicted of attempting to murder his former wife and was released in 2019.
Why Chinese culture lands so fluently and freely in Vietnam
A recent ISEAS Fulcrum commentary by Hoang Thi Ha and Pham Thi Phuong Thao offers a useful mapping of how Chinese culture and economic opportunity are drawing in young Vietnamese. The authors are right that this bottom-up attraction is unfolding alongside renewed official
Fiji asks New Zealand spies to review intelligence service
Fiji will reform its national intelligence to strengthen information sharing and assessment of security threats.