‘Force for peace’: China’s defence minister makes case for stronger Chinese military

Chinese defence minister Dong Jun opened the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Thursday, attended by 1,800 delegates from nearly 100 countries.

Huawei bypasses Nvidia AI chips in computing breakthrough for China

US-sanctioned Huawei is playing a leading role in finding solutions that can empower China’s AI ambitions without relying on foreign tech.

End of empathy: Kirk, Zarutska deaths a social media wake-up call

The tragic deaths of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska are not isolated events. They are stark indicators of a nation in moral decline where freedom is under attack, empathy is eroding and digital platforms are amplifying both threats. This crisis is not solely of our own making.

Controversial church leader denies bribing ex-South Korea first lady

The church is accused of bribing former first lady Kim Keon Hee with Chanel bags and a diamond necklace.

Markets sleeping on US-China trade breakthrough

Surprisingly, investors around the world have largely overlooked the positive mood music emerging from US–China trade negotiations. Markets everywhere have yet to price in the upside. This complacency is striking as the two largest economies inch toward a trade settlement that

Australia vows to cut emissions by 62% to 70% by 2035

Australia’s goals are above those of Canada and neighbouring New Zealand, but below Britain.

Air India crash victims' families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell

They accuse the manufacturers of doing "nothing" despite being aware of the plane's risks.

Why heirs of South Korea’s conglomerates are choosing longer military service

A growing number of sons of the country’s powerful family-run conglomerates are choosing longer military service.

Asian markets mixed after US Fed rate cut

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point and indicated it will steadily lower borrowing costs for the rest of this year.

Indonesia court finds no procedural flaws with law expanding military's role

This comes amid wider concerns of an expansion of the military's involvement in civilian affairs under President Prabowo Subianto.

China’s defence minister urges greater unity to avoid ‘law of the jungle’

Most Western nations have sent relatively low-level diplomatic representatives to the forum.

China's defence minister urges greater unity to avoid 'law of the jungle'

BEIJING - China's defence minister on Thursday urged greater efforts for global unity, warning against an increasingly divided world \"defined by the rule of the jungle\".

Fury over corruption and 'nepo babies' as floods paralyse Philippines

An unusually fierce monsoon has derailed daily life more than ever in the South East Asian nation.

Why are some Southeast Asian states buying Turkish warships, jets and missiles?

Turkish arms deals and deployment by Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have made the news recently, putting the spotlight on this non-traditional source of weapons.

Boeing, Honeywell sued by Air India crash victim families

The June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 killed 260 people.

Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan sign mutual defence pact

DUBAI/ISLAMABAD - Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a formal mutual defense pact on Wednesday, in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions.

Taliban announces ban on internet in northern Afghanistan

KABUL - The Taliban administration on Wednesday announced an internet ban across a swathe of northern Afghanistan, \"to prevent immoral activities\", provincial government statements said.

Taliban announces ban on Internet in Northern Afghanistan

It is first such internet ban since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021.

Kyiv’s attacks on Russian energy could force Kremlin to negotiate

Is Russia heading the way of the Soviet Union in 1991? This would indeed be ironic as Vladimir Putin loathes Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsyn, blaming them for the biggest geopolitical disaster of the twentieth century: the collapse of the country for which the current

Thai security forces clash with Cambodian protesters at disputed border

Tear gas and rubber bullets threatens a fragile truce reached in July.

Pacific leaders agree on big issues – but unity remains elusive

The Pacific Islands Forum wrapped up its annual leaders meeting last week with some significant agreements, including the launch of the region’s own climate financing facility, the endorsement of the Ocean of Peace declaration and policies on partnerships and broader

Air defence missiles in first US weapons supplies under new mechanism, Zelenskiy says

KYIV - The first weapons supplies under a new programme agreed by the U.S. and Ukraine's European allies will include highly valuable missiles for NASAMS and Patriot air defence systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday.

In Hong Kong’s latest policy blueprint, ‘one country’ trumps ‘two systems’

The mainland is the source of the city’s biggest opportunities in a changing world, said Chief Exec John Lee.

South Korean Chief Justice denies collusion claims over guilty verdict for then presidential-race front runner Lee Jae Myung

This came amid political pressure urging the Chief Justice to resign from the post.

Best fossil of a dome-headed dinosaur is unearthed in Mongolia

Pachycephalosaurs, two-legged plant eaters known for their bony dome-shaped skulls, are among the quirkiest dinosaurs known, and also among the least understood. A fossil found peeking out of a cliffside in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia - the oldest and most complete of any

More Australians working into their 70s in retirement rethink

A quarter of all men are still working at age 70, up from one in 10 men some two decades ago, an analysis showed.

Taliban extend crackdown on internet access in Afghanistan

Taliban officials say the ban is a campaign against “vice”.

Singaporeans can use QR code to clear immigration at Johor land checkpoints from Sept 22

The MyNIISe app will reduce congestion at the two Johor checkpoints, where more than 300,000 people cross daily.

Chan Chun Sing meets top Chinese general Zhang Youxia in Beijing, reaffirms defence ties

Both leaders also reiterated their commitment to continuing frequent military-to-military interactions.

Kyrgyzstan court jails two journalists for undermining public order

BISHKEK - A court in Kyrgyzstan sentenced two former video editors of the independent outlet Kloop, Zhoomart Duulatov and Alexander Alexandrov, to five years in prison on Wednesday on charges of spreading false information and undermining public order.

Hong Kong to ‘fast-track’ mega-project near border

The new hub would aim to house businesses and 2.5 million people between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Thai police fire tear gas at Cambodian protesters at a disputed border village

EU Commission proposes suspending free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods

BRUSSELS - The European Commission on Wednesday proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting about 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza war, although the measure does not currently have enough support among EU nations to pass.

EU eyes deeper India alliance despite concern over Moscow ties

BRUSSELS - The European Commission set out plans on Wednesday to deepen cooperation with India in fields such as defence, technology and trade, despite tensions over New Delhi's close ties to Moscow.

Thai police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at Cambodian protesters at disputed border village

At least 23 Cambodians were injured in the incident.

Manila to hold its ground at Scarborough Shoal even as Beijing cranks up pressure

The Philippines will keep up patrols in the area despite China’s nature reserve claim over the disputed reef.

Taiwan shows off first missile to be jointly made with US firm

Taiwan is racing to bolster its armed forces to counter China's military threat.

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli ground operation in Gaza City ‘in strongest terms’

DUBAI - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday condemned \"in the strongest terms\" the Israeli ground operation in Gaza City, a day after Israel unleashed a long-threatened ground assault on the enclave.

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli ground operation in Gaza City 'in strongest terms'

DUBAI - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday condemned \"in the strongest terms\" the Israeli ground operation in Gaza City, a day after Israel unleashed a long-threatened ground assault on the enclave.

China youth unemployment hits record high since method revised

Factory output and retail sales rose last month at their slowest pace in around a year.

Nvidia boss 'disappointed' by reported China chip ban

Jensen Huang said the US needs "to make sure that that people can access this technology from all over the world".

Hong Kong leader plans to fast-track border mega-project

EU eyes deeper India partnership despite concerns over Moscow ties

BRUSSELS - The European Commission set out plans on Wednesday to deepen cooperation with India in fields such as defence, technology and trade despite tensions over New Delhi's closer ties to Moscow.

East Timor lawmakers agree to scrap lawmaker pension allowances that sparked student protests

DILI - East Timor's lawmakers have agreed to scrap plans to provide lifetime pension allowances for themselves, they said on Wednesday, bowing to pressure from thousands of students who have staged demonstrations against the plans since Monday.

Surging temperatures hit Bangladesh health and economy

Indonesia’s US$1b economic stimulus: The smallest package of 2025, but will it pack the biggest punch?

The latest stimulus package contains measures specifically aimed at job creation and addressing inequality, unlike the ones in January and June, observers note.

Timor-Leste scraps plan to buy MPs free cars after protests

Demonstrators had burned tyres and set a government vehicle alight, while police responded with tear gas.

Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints 2 ministers as protest by gig workers fizzles out

The rally on Wednesday (Sep 17) had been billed as the first major demonstration since Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto reshuffled his Cabinet last week.

Indonesian court finds no procedural flaws with law expanding military’s role

One petitioner said he would file another complaint challenging the substance of the laws.