'This was preventable': Anger and unanswered questions after Hong Kong fire

Questions are mounting as to how the deadly fire spread so rapidly - and who should be held responsible.

Australia overhauls decades-old environmental laws

Previous environmental laws passed 25 years ago were widely acknowledged as no longer fit.

‘No alarm went off’: Hong Kong fire survivor recounts harrowing escape

He said most of the windows in his apartment were covered with thin foam as part of renovations to his building.

Thailand's ancient cat breeds get official national status, but will it improve animal welfare?

Five native Thai cat breeds have been crowned national pet symbols, a move celebrated by breeders but met with both optimism and caution by rescuers confronting a growing stray-cat problem.

Commentary: Southeast Asia can’t afford to sit out the ‘killer robots’ debate

How lethal autonomous weapon systems are defined could determine whether existing weapons will be regulated or prohibited, says Liu Mei Ching from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Commentary: Hong Kong high-rise fire shows how difficult it is to evacuate in an emergency

Once a fire takes hold, getting thousands of people safely down dozens of storeys becomes a race against time, say academics.

Commentary: China's UK mega-embassy plan was bulletproof after all

The London super embassy has become the biggest obstacle to the UK's hopes of a reset in relations with China, says Matthew Brooker for Bloomberg Opinion.

US-South Korea military drills aim to deter North Korea, KCNA says

KCNA said the US is threatening peace and stability and destroying the strategic security balance.

Hong Kong tower fire death toll rises to 128 as 200 remain missing, more arrests made

Only 39 of the 128 dead had been identified, Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang said.

Hong Kong nears end of search and rescue mission as tower fire toll rises to 94

By the early hours of Nov 28, firefighters had mostly contained the blaze raging for more than 24 hours.

‘Black Wave’ rolls into Sabah: Can independents turn into political kingmaker?

Analysts differ on whether the Black Wave could make an impact post-polls if no coalition wins outright.

My local eatery’s Michelin moment: Not just prestige but brighter future for owner’s family

Morning Sun Eatery’s Bib Gourmand award highlights the global recognition of Filipino food’s rich culinary heritage.

Hong Kong high-rise fire shows how hard an emergency evacuation is

The Hong Kong high-rise fire, which spread across multiple buildings in a large residential complex, has killed dozens, with hundreds reported missing. The confirmed death toll according to the latest updated report before publication is 83, with close to 300 people still

What we know about Afghan national suspected of shooting two Guardsmen near White House

-From battlefields in Afghanistan to a scenic home in the Pacific Northwest, Rahmanullah Lakanwal had followed a promising path before Wednesday, when U.S. authorities say he shot two National Guard soldiers blocks from the White House.

Grieving Hong Kong families search stark photos for fire victims

A community hall near the destroyed towers is being used as a victim identification station.

Firefighters search for hundreds still missing in devastating Hong Kong tower blocks fire

Dozens of people have died and hundreds remain unaccounted for after Wednesday's blaze.

Ruling spares Trump fate of jailbirds Thaksin, Yoon and Bolsonaro

A judge in Fulton County, Georgia, has dismissed the case against President Donald Trump and a group of alleged co-conspirators accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Judge Scott McAfee’s dismissal marks the end of the last criminal case

'Hang in there': Agonising wait for the missing after Hong Kong blaze

Families are desperate for news of loved ones, after a huge fire engulfed seven tower blocks.

Melaka police confirm jet ski accident during filming, stuntman safe

The stuntman involved has been reported to be safe and in a stable condition.

Party of Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan seeks prison visit over health concerns

ISLAMABAD - The party of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan demanded a meeting with him on Thursday, saying it was worried about his health as he has been barred from seeing his family and lawyers for over three weeks.

Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades kills at least 83, scores missing

Early Friday, authorities said the fire had been contained to four of the sprawling apartment complex's almost 2,000 units, well over 24 hours after the blaze broke out in the eight-building complex.

Hong Kong fire: Death toll rises to 94, with scores missing

At least 76 people were injured in the blaze, including 11 firefighters.

Putin says US-Ukraine text could form basis for future peace agreement

BISHKEK - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the outlines of a draft peace plan discussed by the United States and Ukraine could become the basis of future agreements to end the conflict in Ukraine but that if not then Russia would continue to fight.

Putin says U.S.-Ukraine text could form basis future peace agreement

BISHKEK - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the outlines of a draft peace plan discussed by the United States and Ukraine could become the basis of future agreements to end the conflict in Ukraine but that if not then Russia would continue to fight.

Air quality in Bangkok and its vicinity may exceed safety standards from Nov 28 to Dec 2

Some areas may reach orange-level pollution, a level that signals it is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

India’s key labour reform prompts trade union protests

Unions fear new rules weaken job security and dilute workplace protections.

Marcos’s sister backs V-P Sara Duterte as leader amid graft scandal

Senator Imee Marcos said there is a void in the nation’s leadership.

'My superhero': Girlfriend mourns loss of firefighter killed in Hong Kong blaze

Ho Wai-ho, 37, was found with burns to his face on the ground floor of a residential complex that was consumed by fire.

Ban harmful content from social media instead of us, say Australian teens

From 10 December, social media firms must ensure Australians aged under 16 cannot have accounts.

Why modern megacity Hong Kong still uses bamboo scaffolding for building

Scrutiny of the material has been growing, especially after the recent tragedy at Wang Fuk Court.

Jakarta shoots to No. 1 in world population ranking from No. 33

The huge swing is due in large part to the report’s new methodology.

Russia to close Polish consulate in Siberia in row over railway sabotage

MOSCOW/WARSAW - Russia on Thursday ordered Poland to close its consulate in the Siberian city of Irkutsk in retaliation for Warsaw's decision to close the last Russian consulate in Poland after a railway explosion that was blamed on Moscow.

S’pore ready to provide essential supplies, support Hat Yai flood relief efforts: Vivian Balakrishnan

He said he has spoken to his Thai counterpart to convey Singapore’s concern about the situation.

Afghans say last path to safety shuts as US halts visas after Washington shooting

About 200,000 Afghans had arrived in the US since 2021 through refugee and special visa programmes.

Afghans say last path to safety shuts as US halts visas after DC shooting

KABUL/ISLAMABAD - Afghans who fled the Taliban and have waited years for a U.S. resettlement decision say their last path to safety has shut since Washington froze all Afghan immigration cases following a shooting near the White House.

Around 280 missing after Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades

The death toll from a fire that tore through an apartment complex in the city has risen above 70.

Japan denies report that Trump told PM Takaichi not to provoke China on Taiwan

The report cited two Japanese officials and an American briefed on the call.

Beijing’s influence comes under scrutiny as Philippines-China Studies Center debuts in Manila

The centre aims to rebuild trust amid South China Sea tensions, but analysts warn against Beijing’s growing influence.

Tremors felt in Penang following Sumatra quake

The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at magnitude 6.6.

US suspends immigration requests for Afghans after National Guard shooting

The alleged gunman in the Washington shooting is an Afghan national who entered the US in September 2021.

'Very worried': Hong Kong fire survivors hunt for the missing

Data linked to 2 million people feared leaked in cyber attack, says beverage giant Asahi

The information includes names, gender, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Hong Kong fire poses test for China’s grip on the city

Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier urged an “all-out effort” to extinguish the fire.

Hong Kong fire poses test for China's grip on the city

HONG KONG/BEIJING - A huge fire still burning in a Hong Kong high-rise apartment complex that has killed at least 55 people with almost 300 missing poses the biggest test of Beijing's grip on the city it has transformed since the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019.

Japanese media banned from China air show as tensions flare

A representative for the event's co-organiser confirmed some accreditations had been revoked.

Russia says it advances inside Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, Kyiv says it is holding firm

MOSCOW - Russian assault units have advanced in the northern part of the embattled Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk and have taken a village to the south of the Ukrainian town of Siversk, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

Aung San Suu Kyi aide freed by junta in Myanmar pre-election amnesty

It is unclear whether all 3,085 prisoners listed will be freed as many may have additional convictions.

Jailed former Pakistani PM’s party demands clarification from govt about his health

His sisters have in recent weeks been repeatedly denied a meeting with him.