Tom Yum perfume anyone? 7 rising Thai fragrance brands you should know about

These fragrance brands from Thailand are upping the perfume game with their olfactory creativity – from classic sophistication to fresh novelty.

6.1-magnitude quake hits Indonesia’s Central Papua: USGS

The quake’s epicentre was located 28km south of the town of Nabire.

Second chances or glorifying crime? Ex-con influencers go viral in China amid controversy

The rise of ex-convict influencers has drawn scrutiny in China, with state media outlets accusing some of “glorifying” crimes to gain clicks.

Commentary: India is learning its place with the US

India does not quite have the leverage many presume it has with the United States, says former foreign correspondent Nirmal Ghosh.

Commentary: How can US partners like ASEAN navigate the new reality of trade ‘deals’?

For ASEAN countries, the immediate question is not whether United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs are legal but how to get greater clarity about trade agreements, says SMU law professor Locknie Hsu.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees drone testing, KCNA says

SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the testing of unnamed drones on Thursday and ordered their capabilities be strengthened through artificial intelligence, state media KCNA said on Friday.

Trump's dream of retaking Bagram might end up looking like an Afghan re-invasion, sources say

WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of re-occupying Bagram air base in Afghanistan might end up looking like a re-invasion of the country, requiring more than 10,000 troops as well as deployment of advanced air defenses, current and former U.S. officials say.

Hooking a menace: Anglers target aquatic invaders threatening Malaysia’s native freshwater species

Invasive species breed rapidly, driving native fish towards extinction and increasing flood risks.

Cockatoos and kangaroos: Canberra, Australia’s capital, is no elitist enclave but a city in nature

Australia’s national capital is green, spacious and unhurried. It is unlike any other city in the nation.

A Chinese international student and activist goes missing during a trip home

Zhang “Tara” Yadi disappeared on July 30. Rights groups fear she will face national security charges on Tibet.

US vetoes UN demand for ceasefire, aid access in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS - The United States vetoed on Thursday a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel lift all restrictions on aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave.

UN sanctions on Iran to be reimposed, France's Macron says

PARIS - European powers will likely reimpose international sanctions on Iran by the end of the month after their latest round of talks with Tehran aimed at preventing them were deemed not serious, France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.

Drone launched from Yemen crashes in Israel's Eilat

The Israeli military said that a drone \"launched from the east\" crashed in the southern city of Eilat after air raid sirens sounded in the area.

Building up defence capabilities must go with reassuring other countries: Chan Chun Sing

Enhancing a country’s security should not result in making others feel less secure, he noted.

S’pore-Japan forum urges collective action to build resilience against global uncertainty

More cooperation – not less – is critical in such a climate, panellists at the 18th annual Japan-Singapore Symposium said.

Putin, Netanyahu, Trump lead outpouring of wishes on Indian PM Modi’s 75th birthday

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

HANOI - Investors in Vietnam in energy, telecommunications, construction and other sectors, will need police approval for projects, under a major reform meant to boost security and ensure the \"absolute leadership\" of the ruling Communist Party, a draft decree says.

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.