All flights grounded at Malaysia’s Subang Airport following helicopter fire

This comes after a Kamov Ka-32S helicopter was involved in a fire incident there on Aug 15.

Myanmar says over 300,000 Rohingya refugees verified for repatriation as exodus enters ninth year

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have been living in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar in 2017 following a military crackdown.

At PKR congress, Anwar vows wider graft crackdown and cites king’s backing

On the back of three consecutive dismal state election results, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim maintains that he will continue to do the “right thing” even at the expense of political cost.

Modi maps India’s growth push as he reaches out to students

The speech comes weeks after widespread student protests over exam irregularities put Modi’s government on the back foot.

French family rescued after 16 hours adrift off Thai island

The family's jet ski had capsized off Thailand’s Koh Samui island.

Funeral held for Australian indigenous girl whose death sparked outback riots

A 47-year-old man has been charged with the girl’s murder and two other offences.

Funeral held for Australian Indigenous girl whose death sparked outback riots

SYDNEY, Aug 15 - Mourners gathered in Australia's Northern Territory capital Alice Springs on Saturday to bid farewell to a five-year-old Indigenous girl whose death in April shocked the nation and sparked violent clashes in the outback town.

India PM Modi woos youth with free coaching, AI training

Speaking weeks after massive youth-led protests forced the education minister to resign, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the initiative was aimed at easing the financial burden on millions of families.

South Korea president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War

"Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Saturday (Aug 15).

7 killed in tunnel collapse at Indian hydropower project

A rescue operation was launched after a sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in India's Uttarakhand state.

Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead

TOKYO, Aug 15 - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited a shrine to the nation's war dead on Saturday, prompting rebukes from China and South Korea, which consider it a symbol of Tokyo's wartime aggression.

Japan defence minister visits Yasukuni war shrine, PM Takaichi stays away

There had been speculation that Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor before becoming Japan's prime minister in October 2025, might visit the shrine like then-premier Shinzo Abe had done in 2013.

South Korea's Lee urges talks with North Korea to replace armistice with peace

SEOUL, Aug 15 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Saturday for talks with North Korea to pursue peaceful coexistence, saying Seoul would seek safeguards to prevent conflict and noting the need to replace the peninsula's armistice with a \"peace regime\".

South Korea president proposes talks with North Korea to formally end Korean War

The two Koreas remain technically at war because their 1950-1953 conflict.

Chinese drone maker DJI gets fresh chance to escape Pentagon's blacklist

DJI is one of a growing number of Chinese companies challenging their placement on the Pentagon's list, which bars the US Defense Department from contracting with the designated firms.

Taiwan passes annual budget after long delay, including drone spending

TAIPEI, Aug 15 - Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament approved this year's government budget late on Friday after a record delay, including spending on a key drone programme to bolster the island's defences, as the president called for a return to reason.

US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China

"Signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not merely a membership subscription, but a commitment," the draft letter says, referring to the United States-led AI coalition launched last year.

Japan PM Takaichi sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine on World War II anniversary

The shrine is viewed as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism by China and South Korea.

Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz a US territory

In yet another remark that triggered alarm around the world, President Donald Trump said Friday that he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz – which Iran has blockaded for much of the past five months over his and Israel’s illegal war – a US territory. Just two days after

Powerful earthquake strikes off coast of Indonesia, tsunami warning issued

The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning in Indonesia and prompted hundreds to evacuate.

Powerful earthquake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake off Flores island in eastern Indonesia triggered a tsunami warning - later lifted - and prompted hundreds to evacuate.

Powerful earthquake off Indonesia kills 20, sparks mass evacuations

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake off Flores island in eastern Indonesia triggered a tsunami warning - later lifted - and sent thousands of people fleeing.

How is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries?

In one of the world's fastest aging countries, older people are finding creative ways to stay healthy.

Indonesia quake death toll jumps to 20: Emergency official

The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of just 10km

Putin says Russia, North Korea coordinating on regional security, KCNA reports

SEOUL, Aug 15 - Russian President Vladimir Putin told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Moscow and Pyongyang were actively cooperating across all areas and coordinating efforts to ensure regional security and stability, North Korean state media KCNA said on Saturday.

Commentary: Has Malaysia exorcised the 1MDB ghost? The markets say yes but that’s only half the story

A successful US$1.5 billion global sukuk is being read as proof that Malaysia has outrun the 1MDB scandal. But that is only half the story – and the less important half, writes CNA’s Leslie Lopez.

UN urges support for Afghan women amid tightening Taliban curbs

Aug 14 - The United Nations appealed to donors on Friday not to cut funding for women's programs in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, saying this would add to suffering in a country where conditions for women are already the worst in the world.

Afghan women tell the BBC their lives are unrecognisable after five years of Taliban rule

Women across the country speak of public floggings, losing their jobs, and barriers to healthcare that endanger lives.

NEA aware that construction waste allegedly from Singapore disposed of in Pontian

Five years on, Taliban has territory but not sovereignty

Kabul’s dispute with Islamabad over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan sanctuaries is not a border quarrel. It is the clearest evidence yet that five years after seizing power, the Taliban has mastered control of Afghan territory without accepting what control is supposed to mean:

Five years after the Taliban swept to power, does the West have any influence?

Five years after the Taliban swept to power, many are asking whether the West has any bargaining chips left

The West studies China’s power — but not its civilization

At their Beijing summit on May 14, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked US President Donald Trump whether China and the United States could avoid the “Thucydides Trap,” in which rivalry between a rising power and an established one ends in war. During the talks, Xi also

US anti-satellite push revs up space arms race with China, Russia

US Space Command is putting offensive satellite-killing weapons at the top of its future requirements as China and Russia expand their ability to threaten satellites in orbit. This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that US Space Command (SPACECOM) Commander General Stephen

Vietnam launches homegrown anti-sub frigate to check China

Vietnam’s first domestically designed anti-submarine frigate marks an ambitious attempt to leverage limited naval resources to achieve asymmetric deterrence while accelerating the country’s shift toward a more self-reliant and diversified defense-industrial base. This month,

Gas leak at Bangladesh shipbreaking yard kills eight

Toxic gas had leaked from a vessel at the Ferdous Steel Shipbreaking Yard and Recycling Factory.

Taiwan lawmakers pass 2026 budget after record delay

This comes days before the government plans to announce its 2027 expenditure plan.

Indonesia to close more than 750 state-owned enterprises

So far, 290 have been closed, said President Prabowo Subianto.

Chinese malls hold quirky contests to draw shoppers as footfall slows

Just having goods to sell is no longer enough for brick-and-mortar stores as online shopping grows

Winless run against Thailand will not ‘own’ Lions, says Gavin Lee ahead of ASEAN Championship semis

It has been about 14 years since Singapore last beat Thailand.

Prabowo proposes US$230 billion budget for 2027; targets deficit at 2.4% of GDP

President Prabowo Subianto also announced that the government was planning to revise its citizenship law to allow some Indonesians to hold dual nationality for the first time.

Volcanic alert level raised for Mount Aso in Japan’s Kumamoto; no links to July quake

Japan’s weather agency called for entry restrictions to the mountain.

Marcos sees ‘distinct possibility’ of joint oil and gas deal with China, but offers no timetable

On his succession, he confirmed that he will back someone in the 2028 presidential polls but has not named anyone yet.

Chinese paranormal influencer Jiang Xiaorou dies in car crash, a year after smashing religious statue

Jiang was best known for her ghost-hunting content, in which she investigated alleged paranormal activity.

China's Z.ai says new model nears Anthropic's Mythos 5 in cyber-defence tests

Indonesia to introduce ‘limited’ dual citizenship, President Prabowo says

Indonesian law does not currently recognise dual citizenship for adults.

Habagat rains in the Philippines disrupt classes for 8.4 million learners across eight regions

The adverse weather has affected 12,477 public schools in 73 divisions.

Mudslide in eastern China kills one, more heavy rain expected

Indonesia President Prabowo pledges strong growth in 2027 with 2.4% budget deficit

Indonesia is also targeting economic growth of 6 per cent for 2027, similar to the outlook set for 2026.

Attacks on healthcare in conflict zones averaging more than four a day in 2026, World Health Organization says

GENEVA, Aug 14 - Attacks on healthcare facilities, workers and patients in conflict zones including Ukraine and Gaza have continued to rise in 2026, reaching an average of more than four per day, the World Health Organization said on Friday.