Pardons Board to discuss former Malaysia PM Najib’s clemency bid on Sep 11: Reports

Najib Razak’s pardon application as well as house arrest bid could be on the agenda, according to news reports.

From beauty salons to restaurants: Chinese businesses expand across Malaysia, putting pressure on local firms

The rapid growth of such businesses has unsettled some local businesses, who say foreign entrants are undercutting prevailing market prices.

Iran signaling it has incentive to escalate the war

Iran’s threat to target American warships with an enhanced ballistic missile appears to mark a new and potentially more dangerous phase of the Middle East conflict, six months in. Tehran says its solid-fuel Qassem Basir missile enables it to “take action against any threat,

Silicon Valley-backed Covenant unveils low-cost, mass-producible cruise missile

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 - Defense startup Covenant on Wednesday unveiled a heavy-payload, long-range cruise missile it says can be quickly mass-produced at a relatively low cost, in the latest challenge to major U.S. weapons makers from some of Silicon Valley's biggest investors.

Landslide hits Japan’s Mount Fuji after heavy rain

Two climbers were found unconscious on trails on Mount Fuji early on Sept 9.

What Iran’s resilience tells China, Russia about US power

When the US-Israeli war against Iran began, few in Beijing or Moscow likely expected Tehran to withstand military pressure from two of the world’s most capable powers. In the early days, US and Israeli air, intelligence and technological superiority were striking, and Iran

Another pilot nabbed in Malaysian police probe of international drug trafficking ring

A total of seven people have been arrested so far in connection to the case.

Indonesian wildfire emissions surge to world's highest, data shows

From Sep 1 to Sep 7, fire emission intensity exceeded 1,500kg per sq km, more than 10 times the Russian level, with the highest concentrations in Kalimantan in Indonesia's part of Borneo and eastern parts of Sumatra.

Tycoon to pay ex-wife $1.87bn in record South Korea divorce settlement

The billion dollar payout marks the largest divorce settlement in the country's history.

Nepal seeks survivors two weeks after deadly floods

In Nepal, 1,358 bodies have been recovered and 5,326 people are missing.

Protesters urge South Korea to stay out of Iran war

The protest came after the authorities announced a fact-finding mission in Hormuz.

Malaysia PM's coalition says graft convicts should serve full terms amid reports of Najib clemency bid

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 - Malaysia's ruling coalition on Wednesday said people convicted in high-profile graft cases should serve their sentences in full, amid media reports that jailed former premier Najib Razak has made another bid for a royal pardon.

Brent crude rises above $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict escalates

SINGAPORE, Sept 9 - Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel on Wednesday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fuelled growing concern about oil flows from the region.

Baby orangutans found in Indian forest spark trafficking inquiry

The critically endangered apes were found far from their natural habitat in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

South Korea video game tycoon to pay record US$1.5 billion in divorce

This is the largest asset division ever awarded in South Korea.

Policeman kills wife at Thai school; no children injured, say officials

The police has surrounded the house where the gunman is in and are negotiating his surrender.

Policeman kills teacher wife at Thai school, kids safe: Officials

Ex-chair of Malaysian pilgrimage fund charged with abuse of position, influencing RM193.5m investment

Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Bangladesh fights world’s worst measles outbreak as vaccination gaps fuel spread

Hospitals are struggling with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick children.

Bangladesh fights world's worst measles outbreak as vaccination gaps fuel spread

DHAKA, Sept 9 - Bangladesh, which once came close to eliminating measles, is facing its worst outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March as hospitals struggle with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick

Thailand investigates after Briton dies from penis enlargement

Officials on Sept 7 visited the central Bangkok clinic where Igho Ubiribo was treated.

‘People came here dreaming of riches’: Inside the Nanning condo said to be part of a pyramid scheme

Recruiters use familiar faces and food to draw Singaporeans into the illegal scheme in China's Guangxi region.

New Zealand opposition leader says Labour focused on tackling cost of living woes

Labour is pitching innovation, technology and renewable energy as sources of skilled jobs that can help revive urban economies.

At least three people suspected of involvement in South Korea freezer death: Report

The cafe owner was arrested on Sept 4 in connection to the woman's death.

New Zealand public servants walk off job over pay offer

WELLINGTON, Sept 9 - Nearly 10,000 New Zealand public servants walked off the job for several hours on Wednesday, adding to pressure on a government confronting a weak urban economy and middle-income households strained by high living costs ahead of an election in about two

North Korea builds new Yongbyon uranium enrichment facility, IAEA says

SEOUL, Sept 9 - North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex that could house up to 28 centrifuge cascades, and started operating an expanded annex at its Kangson enrichment site, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

When weddings become battlefields, the laws of war begin to fail

On September 1, a US airstrike hit a family compound in Kuhestak, southern Iran, as women and children gathered for a wedding celebration. At least five people were killed and dozens more injured. Associated Press reporters who visited the town documented extensive damage and

‘Have some shame’: Philippines slams China after memo mishap

The bizarre incident was captured on video at the Seoul Defence Dialogue on Sept 8.

How Asia is redefining what BRICS really means

Washington will watch this week’s BRICS summit through the lens of China, Russia and de-dollarization — and miss the more consequential story: Asian priorities on development, technology, energy and connectivity are quietly reshaping what BRICS has become. India has long argued

Mao, Cultural Revolution cast long shadow over China 50 years on

BEIJING, Sept 9 - China on Wednesday marked half a century since the death of Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic, who brought roughly a quarter of the world's population under Communist Party rule and whose spectre still haunts China's future.

Mao Zedong, Cultural Revolution cast long shadow over China 50 years on

Mao's death on Sept 9, 1976 was mourned by many and welcomed by some who suffered under his nearly three-decade rule.

Descendants Of The Sun to get Indonesian film remake starring Dian Sastrowardoyo in 2027

The Indonesian remake of the iconic K-drama will star renowned actors Dian Sastrowardoyo and Reza Rahadian.

Singaporean man pleads guilty in US to massive crypto heist

Malone Lam and his associates used the proceeds of their crimes to fund a luxurious lifestyle, US authorities said.

Kang Kon destroyer flexes North Korea’s blue-water ambitions

North Korea’s commissioning of the Kang Kon signals that its naval modernization is moving beyond fleet renewal toward a broader effort to reshape deterrence and strategic competition in Northeast Asian waters. On September 6, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commissioned the

Search ongoing for Singaporean missing after diving incident in Palau: MFA

The ministry is offering consular assistance to the missing person's family.

Australia sees no threat to US ties after White House criticism of social media reforms

SYDNEY, Sept 9 - Australia said on Wednesday it sees no risk to its relationship with the United States after reports that the Trump administration criticised Canberra's plans to target social media algorithms, which critics say would curtail free speech.

Hong Kong's first leader after British handover dies

The tenure of Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first leader after Britain handed over the city to China, was marked by crises and protests.

The algorithms powering our social feeds: Amusing or addictive?

Australia could soon give citizens the choice to opt out of them under new legislation.

Helicopter crash in Sarawak kills pilot and 4 medical staff on ‘flying doctor’ service

Malaysia's government will provide assistance and support to families of the victims in Tuesday's (Sep 8) crash, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

America undependable? That’s not the problem

Last week I was in England at a symposium with many Europeans and others from around the world. The main takeaway? Nonstop gratuitous insults of Donald Trump, America, and Americans – underpinned by complaints that America is “undependable” and “unpredictable” and can no

Conflict over Taiwan would be disastrous, de facto US ambassador says

TAIPEI, Sept 9 - Any conflict across the Taiwan Strait would have a bigger impact on the global economy than World War Two, and the upcoming U.S.-China summit is an opportunity to avoid miscalculations, the top U.S. diplomat in Taipei said on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's first post-colonial leader Tung Chee-hwa dies aged 89

Hand-picked by Beijing to run Hong Kong after the 1997 handover, the former shipping tycoon oversaw a rocky tenure until he stepped down in 2005.

Malaysia’s Pardons Board to meet on Sept 11, Najib’s early release on agenda

The Board will decide on Najib Razak's release even as UMNO holds national congress.

Search resumes for missing Indonesian journalists on volcano mission

The journalists were on a mission to capture photos of the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.

South Korea says monitoring North Korea border incursions, maintains readiness

SEOUL, Sept 9 - South Korea's military said on Wednesday it was closely monitoring North Korean activity, including incursions across the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas, and maintaining a firm state of military readiness.