Malaysia begins deportations, but hostility towards Rohingya refugees not stopping any time soon

Myanmar refugees in Malaysia fearful ahead of the first round of repatriations on Sept 29.

Indonesian police question trio over fake S$10,000 notes used at RWS casino

Those convicted of using forged or counterfeit banknotes in Singapore may be jailed for up to 20 years.

China's Wang tells ex-Japan minister bilateral ties need to be normalised

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi urged Japan to “correct the erroneous words” of its leader on the Taiwan issue as soon as possible.

Stuck between superpowers: How Australia navigates the China-US rivalry

Australia is increasingly concerned about China's military might - but Beijing is also its biggest trade partner.

Women protest in the streets of Delhi after string of sexual assaults

BBC correspondent Azadeh Moshiri reports from Delhi, where hundreds of women are protesting.

Anthropic, OpenAI will not attend Australian senate AI hearing on October 1

Sept 28 - Anthropic will not appear before an Australian senate committee hearing on AI on October 1, a source familiar with the matter said, days after a disclosure that an agent from OpenAI gained unauthorized access to the country's health system database.

Seoul summons Ukraine envoy over North Korean prisoner-of-war row

Last week Zelensky revealed Ukraine had sent two captured North Koreans to South Korea - which Seoul says was meant to be a secret.

Indonesia probes alleged luxury facilities for inmates at West Java prison

Inmates at Cibinong prison in Bogor, West Java, were given access to apartment-style rooms as well as a gym and a golf simulator, according to findings by the Indonesian Ombudsman.

India poll chief Gyanesh Kumar under pressure over alleged manipulation of electoral rolls

NEW DELHI, Sept 28 - Opposition groups are demanding the resignation of India's election chief Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of widespread voter-list manipulation during the verification of the country's one billion voters.

New Delhi to ban construction for six weeks to tackle air pollution

The construction ban will run from Dec 10 to Jan 20, 2027.

Explainer-Why has the drive to verify India's billion voters put poll body under scrutiny

NEW DELHI, Sept 28 - India's drive to verify the eligibility of roughly a billion voters has put the Election Commission of India (ECI) under severe public scrutiny, with opposition parties alleging the manipulation of voter rolls and exclusion of millions.

In kayaks or waist-deep in floodwater, shoppers return to Bangkok markets

Roadside stalls and indoor markets are reopening even though parts of the Thai capital remain submerged.

At least 33 people killed in western Myanmar airstrike, rebel group and aid worker say

Sept 28 - Dozens of people were killed in a Myanmar military airstrike on Monday near a market in the country's war-torn Rakhine state, which borders Bangladesh, according to a rebel group that controls the area and a local aid worker.

At least 33 people killed in western Myanmar air strike, say rebel group and aid worker

At least 36 people were also injured in the air strike in the town of Kyauktaw in Rakhine state.

JB police investigating S’pore-registered car caught on video ramming into food stall

The police said efforts to track down the suspect are ongoing.

South Korea summons Ukraine envoy in protest over North Korean POW transfer

SEOUL, Sept 28 - South Korea's foreign ministry summoned Ukraine's acting ambassador on Monday to protest against Kyiv's disclosure of the transfer of captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea, and demanded an official explanation and apology.

Erdogan playing East and West, winning room to maneuver

Less than two months after his government hosted the NATO summit — which was framed as proof of Turkey’s pivotal role in transatlantic security — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed full Turkish membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, an entity that has

Indonesia suspends five prison officials over inmates’ ‘villa homes’

It included villa-like residences, luxury cars, a gym and a golf simulator under construction.

Trump-Xi summit bade farewell to ‘China plus one’

President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, greeting him in person at Joint Base Andrews, a rare gesture for an American president. Critics in both parties warned that the pageantry would reward a rival.

Thai court dismisses petition challenging legality of 2026 election

The ruling averts the possibility of an election re-run.

So where’s the ‘intelligence explosion?’

One of my fundamental beliefs about the world is that Ramez Naam ought to blog more. Ramez is one of the world’s greatest futurists — he predicted the solar and battery revolutions long before these were widely understood. If you were reading Ramez in 2011, you were able to

No typhoon hit South Korea this summer, but experts says it’s not all good news

With fewer typhoons stirring the ocean, warmer waters can fuel stronger subsequent storms.

5 things to know about the late Siti Hasmah, wife of ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad

Siti Hasmah was one of the first Malay woman doctors in then Malaya.

Trump-Xi summit: What wasn't said might matter the most

The most revealing thing about the summit in Washington may be what the two leaders did not say - and what we still don't know.

What comes next for North Korea soldiers transferred from Ukraine to South Korea?

The North Korean soldiers are expected to undergo questioning and security checks before South Korean authorities decide whether to grant them protection and resettle them.

India’s top court calls for accountability over recent rape cases: Media reports

Sexual violence is a major problem across the country, with over 80 rapes reported to police every day.

India's top court says need to fix accountability over Delhi rape cases, media reports

NEW DELHI, Sept 28 - The Supreme Court of India on Monday pushed for accountability over a recent spate of rape cases in the national capital and neighbouring districts, saying they reflected a \"failure of law enforcement\", local media reported.

Explainer: What comes next for North Korea soldiers transferred from Ukraine to South Korea?

Seoul’s Unification Ministry said their cases would be reviewed under relevant laws and past practices.

Explainer-What comes next for North Korea soldiers transferred from Ukraine to South Korea?

SEOUL, Sept 28 - Two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia against Ukraine are now in South Korea, raising questions over how they will be investigated, protected and resettled, and the legal basis for their transfer.

400kg crocodile moved from flooded Prachinburi temple in Thailand

The crocodile was taken to a temporary holding facility in another subdistrict about 20km away.

Malaysians pay tribute to ex-PM Mahathir’s wife Siti Hasmah on social media

Many shared their heartfelt condolences and fond memories of Siti Hasmah.

Trump family-tied drone maker woos Pakistan at India’s expense

Powerus, a US defense company with ties to President Donald Trump’s sons, drew scrutiny after signing a memorandum of understanding this month with the Pakistani Army and offering Islamabad access to Ukrainian drone technology, sparking debate over the deal’s potential impact

Record high support for New Zealand Greens boosts chance of centre-left coalition, poll shows

Sept 28 - Support rose to 16% for New Zealand's Green Party a poll published on Monday showed, its highest ever recorded, as National and Labour fell to 28% each ahead of a general election set for November 7.

Eight dead in Thailand floods since mid-September

Nothing to seal here: New Zealand police help stranded pup home

The police and Department of Conservation officials helped the seal return to the water unharmed.

India’s top court rebukes government over timeline for food warning labels

The court said it would soon issue a final order on the matter.

Thousands huddle in Bangkok shelters as economic damage from Thailand floods rises

Bangkok is among 41 provinces across Thailand hit by floods since Sept 16

Thousands huddle in Bangkok shelters as Thai flood damages seen at $320 million

BANGKOK, Sept 28 - Thousands sheltered on Monday in evacuation centres in the Thai capital, parts of it still flooded after havoc brought by intense weekend rain, while swelling reservoirs in an eastern province triggered orders for more to leave their homes.

South Myanmar floods, landslides kill at least 8, says rescue worker

Myanmar’s southernmost Tanintharyi region has been hit by heavy rains since the night of Sept 25.

White House releases list of products US, China could tax less

Survivors ‘still traumatised’ after Indonesia quake

More than 46,000 houses were damaged by the seismic shock, and nearly 28,000 people were still displaced as at Sept 24.

Ex-Yokohama mayor to run for comeback after resigning over abuse of power

Yamanaka was found to have abused his authority on multiple occasions, such as calling his subordinates “human scum".

Two dead, 14 missing after avalanche on Nepal’s Himlung peak

The avalanche swept through the base camp of the 7,126m peak early on Sept 27.

Round-the-clock security at Najib’s residence to remain, says KL top cop

The security detail will remain active until further instructions are received.

US nuclear pact puts Saudi Arabia on path to the bomb

A contentious civilian nuclear agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia has ignited a sharp debate over Middle Eastern security, laying bare the escalating friction between American nonproliferation objectives and the kingdom’s strategic ambitions. This month, The Washington

Cheonjiyeon Falls on South Korea’s Jeju Island to be closed at night after fatal fall

Cheonjiyeon Falls is about 22m high, with the pool below reaching a depth of about 20m.

Indonesia ferry death toll hits 71 as search enters 16th day

Searchers recovered five bodies from inside the 4,277-ton ship on Sept 28.

Trump offered to sell arms to Xi: US ambassador to Fox News

US President Donald Trump's offer was in response to China's concern over weapons sales to Taiwan, the US ambassador to China said.

Taiwan must deepen drone cooperation with democratic partners, president says

CHIAYI, Taiwan, Sept 28 - Taiwan must deepen cooperation with its democratic partners on developing drones which are crucial to fighting modern warfare, President Lai Ching-te said on Monday.