Pan Pacific Hotels Group has 10 new-build and renovation projects planned across Southeast Asia in 2027

Among the new properties being developed are Pan Pacific Phnom Penh and Parkroyal Siem Reap.

Inside India's forest villages, where a dangerous mix of crises led to 32 child deaths

At least 32 children have died in India's Balaghat district since May amid outbreaks of measles and malaria.

China has cracked down on AI relationships. Is it ahead of the game?

Beijing has cracked down on AI chatbots that can replicate human relationships. Experts are asking if this is the right thing to do.

Japan hikes residency fees for foreign nationals

The cost of permanent residency jumps 20-fold to 200,000 yen (S$1,623).

Trekkers helicoptered off mountains as more deadly landslides hit Nepal

A month after mass catastrophic flooding, around 30 people have died in landslides and heavy rain.

Global calls to slow AI advancement are growing. India faces a different calculation

Fears that increasingly powerful artificial intelligence could pose an existential threat have fuelled calls for a slowdown. India, however, is not yet pushing the AI frontier, making wider adoption - and managing its consequences - a more immediate concern, say analysts.

Commentary: Why do Trump and Xi keep meeting if the hard issues remain unresolved?

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's personal ties are doing real work, more than the modest outcomes suggest, says former SCMP editor-in-chief Wang Xiangwei.

Trump unveils US$200 billion South Korean investment in US; Seoul hedges on Alaska pipeline

Seoul confirmed most elements of US President Donald Trump's announcement, but quickly suggested that its commitment to a US$54 billion LNG pipeline in Alaska was not yet set in stone.

Anwar-ordered UiTM Holdings review widens scrutiny of Malaysia’s bumiputera institutions

Malaysian PM’s scrutiny of Malay-linked institutions raises political questions ahead of next GE.

US bipartisan congressional delegation meets Dalai Lama during India trip

Delegation expressed hope for freedom, slammed China for transnational repression.

China funding UK research and sending it to Beijing's spies, MI5 warns

British universities are being urged to sever ties with China General Technology Research Institute which is linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS).

Rising rents narrow housing choices for Seoul’s foreign residents

Foreign tenants also face challenges like language barriers and limited rental contract knowledge.

China extends probes into US trade barriers until December

The investigations into US practices were due to conclude on Sept 27.

Indonesian authorities demolish luxury prison 'villas' where whisky, TVs seized

Officers emptied several "villas" of furniture, bottles of alcohol and at least one big-screen TV, before taking an excavator to 10 of the units and smashing them to the ground.

‘Luxury villas’ demolished at Indonesian prison as probe finds ‘abuse of authority’

This comes amid allegations that selected inmates received special treatment.

Thai floods disrupt factories, capital still at risk, PM says

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Bangkok, its metropolitan area and Thailand's central region were still at risk from floodwaters flowing in from the north.

What does it mean to win the AI race?

When Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Washington last week, artificial intelligence was among the issues dividing their countries. Days earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides had agreed to establish a formal AI dialogue, including an incident line,

Four Singaporeans hurt after car crashes into drain on Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai road

Perak Fire and Rescue Department said the victims were three men aged 19, 20 and 21, and a 21-year-old woman.

China's Xi talks economy, Taiwan at reception marking National Day

BEIJING, Sept 30 - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for efforts to achieve full-year economic targets while reiterating firm opposition to Taiwan independence and external interference, according to a speech he delivered at a reception marking the 77th

Indian opposition parties to launch protests over alleged manipulation of voter lists

NEW DELHI, Sept 30 - An alliance of India's opposition parties said on Wednesday it would launch protests to \"save democracy\" after a newspaper report said the Election Commission pushed large-scale voter list changes despite two commissioners questioning the process.

Republican committee chair calls for scrutiny of Seoul's China ties

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 - The Republican chair of the congressional committee focused on China is calling on the Trump administration to scrutinize US ally South Korea's warming ties with China, which he said pose \"significant risks\" to the United States.

Watch: Couple describe relief at rescue after whale destroys their yacht

Jeremy and Jemma Cooper were 500 miles off the coast of New Zealand when their yacht, the Tai Tam, collided with a sperm whale.

Fincantieri shipyard accident kills worker, critically injures another

ROME, Sept 30 - A man died and another was seriously injured after an accident at a shipyard operated by Italy's Fincantieri in the port city of Ancona, the shipbuilder and police said on Wednesday.

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to visit Malaysia in October, report says

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 - Myanmar's junta chief-turned-President Min Aung Hlaing will visit Malaysia in October, Malaysia's state news agency reported on Wednesday, as the two countries continue talks on returning refugees and people displaced by conflict.

Watch: Luxury prison in Indonesia demolished after public outcry

Indonesian lawmakers on Wednesday ordered the demolition of a controversial luxury compound inside a penitentiary near the capital.

Ex-husband, in-laws accused of murdering Hong Kong model Abby Choi appear in court

The three defendants face life in prison if found guilty.

Why millions of Filipinos remain vulnerable to hefty medical bills

Three in five Filipinos lack private health insurance, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, leaving many exposed to high medical bills despite universal state health coverage.

Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Sadikin hopes to be first South-east Asian chief at WHO

Budi says talks with more than 70 health ministers have shaped his ideas for reforming WHO.

Several areas in JB hit by flash floods

The Fire and Rescue Department said it received a distress call regarding flash floods at 3.20pm.

We are capitalists: US Democrats push back against communist label ahead of midterms

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 - Democrats in competitive midterm races are increasingly declaring themselves proud capitalists, worried that Republican accusations of socialism and communism could sway critical swing voters this November, interviews with candidates and a review of

‘We just want more rest’: China workers lament extra workdays ahead of Golden Week holiday break

Chinese social media users are venting about “make-up” workdays around the Golden Week holiday break, saying work arrangements are leaving them with little extra time to rest.

79-year-old arrested after separate shootings in Japan’s Kobe leave one dead

The man was arrested for his alleged involvement in one shooting, but he also hinted at his involvement in the other.

Sir Jackie Stewart brings his race against dementia to Japan

Two races were held at Fuji Speedway last weekend: the six-hour FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Race Against Dementia led by champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, who returned to Japan 60 years after winning the Fuji 200 race to campaign for his charitable

Singapore launches matchmaking service for government workers

The launch of FirstDate comes as the ageing nation wrestles with a record-low fertility rate.

Bond markets aren’t buying the inflation-is-tamed fairy tale

TOKYO — Anyone betting that inflation risks are fading should look at the US Treasury market. The sharp selloff in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) suggests the world’s biggest bond market is growing less convinced that price pressures are contained. Investors are

Sri Lanka ex-minister ordered to publish apology for taking disaster response truck

He had reportedly kept the vehicle for his personal use for about five years, and used four other state-owned luxury SUVs.

Indonesian governor orders halt on data-centre project by Singapore’s BDx due to lack of permits

Governor Dedi Mulyadi said he supported investment in West Java, provided projects were environmentally friendly.

UN refugee agency concerned by Malaysia returns to Myanmar

Malaysia deported around 1,500 Myanmar nationals, including children, on Sep 29 as part of a refugee repatriation programme, despite objections from the United Nations and dozens ‌of human rights groups.

'He will never walk free': Indian judge's letter promises child sex abuse survivor

In the emotional letter, the judge describes the survivor as "the bravest little girl this court has ever seen".

Trump-Xi summit’s real test will come in the months ahead

For years, relations between Washington and Beijing seemed stuck on an escalation treadmill. Every quarter brought new semiconductor restrictions, naval jockeying in the South China Sea or retaliatory tariffs, locking the world’s two preeminent powers in an apparently

Japan court rules human voice is protected in TikTok AI case

Anime voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda took TikTok to court over videos he says feature an AI clone of his "deep" and "lustrous" voice.

Most equities rise after oil price plunge, US data in focus

Near misses at Sydney airport 20% above national average, accident investigator finds

SYDNEY, Sept 30 - Sydney Airport has the highest rate of near misses in Australia, with incidents about 20% above the national average, the country's air accident investigator has found.

Thai PM Anutin launches flood war room with daily briefings, defends cash handouts

Anutin warned that provinces in the path of flood water remained at risk, particularly Bangkok.

Delhi’s ‘chonkiest’ dogs battle for hearts and a crown

An Instagram contest puts beloved street dogs in the spotlight, and raises questions about their care.

Airbnb searches surge 160% ahead of Sepang race weekend

Singapore was among the markets showing the strongest overseas interest.

Nagoya mayor says sorry for Asian Games 'inconveniences'

Asia travel demand stays resilient despite Middle East conflict, volatile airfares: Skyscanner CEO

Artificial intelligence is changing how travellers plan their trips and challenging traditional travel search platforms, Skyscanner CEO Bryan Batista tells CNA’s Elizabeth Neo.