5 rising Filipino perfume brands putting the Philippines on the map

Discover five Filipino perfume brands redefining fine fragrance with scents inspired by sampaguita, pandan, ube and the rich culture of the Philippines.

Nepal floods aftermath through the lens of Reuters photographers

Sept 9 - The photos tell a story of lives, interrupted.

Inside Thailand's school shooter drills following recent attacks

Police say they hope the drill will help prepare students, as concern grows over the increase in school shootings in South East Asia.

American football is coming to Australia - can it succeed?

The LA Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers in the first regular season American football game to be played Down Under.

North Korea’s Kim thanks troops on overseas operations on founding anniversary

North Korea has sent an estimated 15,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces since late 2024.

North Korea's Kim thanks troops on overseas operations on founding anniversary

SEOUL, Sept 10 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used celebrations marking the 78th anniversary of the country's founding to praise troops engaged in \"overseas military operations\", state media KCNA said.

Commentary: US ‘transshipment scam’ narrative raises troubling prospect of a purity test for Southeast Asia

If the US sees all trade as a potential scam, trading partners would do well to prepare for more tariffs, says Hinrich Foundation’s Deborah Elms.

Are we seeing the end of South Korea relying on the US?

The South Korea-United States alliance has been one of the principal foundations of the East Asian security architecture for more than seven decades. Established in the aftermath of the Korean War, the alliance provided South Korea with an extended security framework that

Battle for Tambun: Anwar faces high-stakes fight to hold his seat

Malay unity and a disillusioned non-Malay base test PM Anwar’s hold on Tambun despite his clout.

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s daughter resigns as WHO regional head after fraud allegations

Saima Wazed was placed on unpaid administrative leave late in 2025.

Nepal puts climate justice at centre of global pitch for flood aid

KATHMANDU, Sept 9 - Flood-hit Nepal will ask wealthier countries and global agencies for financial help this week, arguing they should contribute to the $5 billion needed for initial rebuilding as the disaster shows how climate change has hit poor countries that did little to

Pakistan warns Iran to rein in Houthis as Riyadh strikes back

ANKARA, Sept 9 - Pakistan has delivered a Saudi warning to Iran to rein in its Yemeni Houthi allies after they stepped up attacks on the kingdom, in a coordinated effort to prevent the crisis from spiralling, Saudi, Pakistani and Iranian sources said.

Philippine ferry fire kills 5, dozens missing

The ship’s manifest had listed 134 passengers and crew.

China says US accusations of AI theft are ‘groundless’

Trump is under pressure to respond to the increasing success of Chinese AI models.

Nepal turns to drones to deliver flood relief

DEVIGHAT, Nepal, Sept 9 - With roads and bridges destroyed and helicopters busy with search and rescue operations after last month's devastating floods, Nepal’s army is turning to drones to deliver relief to displaced people.

Johor police bust gangs linked to 17 car break-ins, including 4 Singapore vehicles at Desaru resorts

Johor police said the suspects targeted vehicles parked in open areas and along quiet roads.

DBS sued for US$1 billion in 1MDB-linked claim

DBS rejected the claim and said it would fight it vigorously, adding that the company has made no provision for the lawsuit.

Bangladesh measles crisis kills more than 1,000 children

This year's measles outbreak is Bangladesh's deadliest in decades, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

Ajinomoto to hike prices for mayonnaise, other products by 6-10%

The increase reflects higher wheat prices, a weak yen and higher transportation costs amid the Iran war.

Philippine defence chief slams 'bullying' China after note at forum

"We urge certain individuals in the Philippines to stop grandstanding and stirring up trouble, and to cease undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea," said China's foreign ministry.

Japan’s main opposition party collapses after eight months

Some members of the Centrists are expected to return to their old parties or form new ones.

China’s WeChat makes fix after US firm shows AI hack risk

The US company, Calif, describes itself as a team of hackers aiming to “make the internet safer for everybody”.

N Korea has built two-storey uranium enrichment facility, says watchdog

The International Atomic Energy Agency's says the facility is cause for "serious concern".

India steps up space ambitions, eyes crewed missions and space station

Only three countries – the United States, Russia and China – have independently sent people into orbit using their own rockets and spacecraft. India wants to become the fourth.

North Korea nears completion of bridge with China, analytics firm says

SEOUL, Sept 9 - North Korea is completing work on its section of the long-stalled New Yalu River bridge with China, suggesting an imminent opening after more than a decade of delays, a South Korean analytics firm said on Wednesday.

Pardons Board to discuss former Malaysia PM Najib’s clemency bid on Sep 11: Reports

Najib Razak’s pardon application as well as house arrest bid could be on the agenda, according to news reports.

From beauty salons to restaurants: Chinese businesses expand across Malaysia, putting pressure on local firms

The rapid growth of such businesses has unsettled some local businesses, who say foreign entrants are undercutting prevailing market prices.

Iran signaling it has incentive to escalate the war

Iran’s threat to target American warships with an enhanced ballistic missile appears to mark a new and potentially more dangerous phase of the Middle East conflict, six months in. Tehran says its solid-fuel Qassem Basir missile enables it to “take action against any threat,

Silicon Valley-backed Covenant unveils low-cost, mass-producible cruise missile

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 - Defense startup Covenant on Wednesday unveiled a heavy-payload, long-range cruise missile it says can be quickly mass-produced at a relatively low cost, in the latest challenge to major U.S. weapons makers from some of Silicon Valley's biggest investors.

Landslide hits Japan’s Mount Fuji after heavy rain

Two climbers were found unconscious on trails on Mount Fuji early on Sept 9.

What Iran’s resilience tells China, Russia about US power

When the US-Israeli war against Iran began, few in Beijing or Moscow likely expected Tehran to withstand military pressure from two of the world’s most capable powers. In the early days, US and Israeli air, intelligence and technological superiority were striking, and Iran

Another pilot nabbed in Malaysian police probe of international drug trafficking ring

A total of seven people have been arrested so far in connection to the case.

Indonesian wildfire emissions surge to world's highest, data shows

From Sep 1 to Sep 7, fire emission intensity exceeded 1,500kg per sq km, more than 10 times the Russian level, with the highest concentrations in Kalimantan in Indonesia's part of Borneo and eastern parts of Sumatra.

Tycoon to pay ex-wife $1.87bn in record South Korea divorce settlement

The billion dollar payout marks the largest divorce settlement in the country's history.

Nepal seeks survivors two weeks after deadly floods

In Nepal, 1,358 bodies have been recovered and 5,326 people are missing.

Protesters urge South Korea to stay out of Iran war

The protest came after the authorities announced a fact-finding mission in Hormuz.

Malaysia PM's coalition says graft convicts should serve full terms amid reports of Najib clemency bid

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 - Malaysia's ruling coalition on Wednesday said people convicted in high-profile graft cases should serve their sentences in full, amid media reports that jailed former premier Najib Razak has made another bid for a royal pardon.

Brent crude rises above $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict escalates

SINGAPORE, Sept 9 - Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose past $100 a barrel on Wednesday, breaching the symbolic barrier for the first time since July 24 as intensifying conflict in the Middle East fuelled growing concern about oil flows from the region.

Baby orangutans found in Indian forest spark trafficking inquiry

The critically endangered apes were found far from their natural habitat in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

South Korea video game tycoon to pay record US$1.5 billion in divorce

This is the largest asset division ever awarded in South Korea.

Policeman kills wife at Thai school; no children injured, say officials

The police has surrounded the house where the gunman is in and are negotiating his surrender.

Policeman kills teacher wife at Thai school, kids safe: Officials

Ex-chair of Malaysian pilgrimage fund charged with abuse of position, influencing RM193.5m investment

Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Bangladesh fights world’s worst measles outbreak as vaccination gaps fuel spread

Hospitals are struggling with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick children.

Bangladesh fights world's worst measles outbreak as vaccination gaps fuel spread

DHAKA, Sept 9 - Bangladesh, which once came close to eliminating measles, is facing its worst outbreak on record, with 999 suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths reported since March as hospitals struggle with overcrowding, shortages and a continuing influx of sick

Thailand investigates after Briton dies from penis enlargement

Officials on Sept 7 visited the central Bangkok clinic where Igho Ubiribo was treated.

‘People came here dreaming of riches’: Inside the Nanning condo said to be part of a pyramid scheme

Recruiters use familiar faces and food to draw Singaporeans into the illegal scheme in China's Guangxi region.