Tropical cyclone Murasu: Track the cyclone’s path

See the likely path, wind extent and arrival times for Murasu.

Trump’s Republicans brace for a midterm shellacking

WASHINGTON, D.C.— US President Donald Trump’s Republicans enter Tuesday’s midterm elections facing a potentially punishing voter verdict. His approval rating stands at just 32% in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, while Democrats lead the national congressional ballot by more than

South Korean army sergeant dies at frontline unit with external injuries

The death comes amid heightened tensions along the border after three South Korean soldiers were wounded in landmine explosions south of the Military Demarcation Line in September.

ExxonMobil urged to rethink Papua New Guinea gas project

An environmental advocacy group said it poses a risk to one of the world’s biodiversity hot spots.

HSBC to open Hong Kong AI Institute following Singapore launch

The AI unit will work with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as its anchor academic partner, although the bank's CEO Georges Elhedery did not disclose headcount details.

India evacuates thousands ahead of second cyclone in a week

Cyclone Murasu is expected to be less intense than last week's Cyclone Arnab, where six people were killed and dozens of houses and crops were destroyed.

Bangladesh garment factories reopen as wage protests keep industry on edge

DHAKA, Nov 2 - Bangladesh's garment factories reopened on Monday after widespread closures and production disruptions a day earlier, but manufacturers remain concerned about further unrest over workers' demands for higher wages.

Japan weighs $600 billion defence spending plan, say sources

The figure could still change as the government compiles the budget.

Oman proposes preferential trade, investment deal with China

BEIJING/DUBAI, Nov 2 - China and Oman lauded a new starting point in bilateral relations on Monday, with the Sultan of Oman proposing to Chinese President Xi Jinping a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement.

Where’s the outrage when US leaders spew Islamophobia?

The Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate coming from the highest levels of our government are absolutely outrageous. From President Donald Trump to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to members of Congress, including Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Nancy Mace, we are hearing

South Korea’s president vows to make bold AI investment in record budget push

South Korea’s economy has been heavily boosted by demand for advanced chips used in AI, lifting exports and the earnings of memory chip makers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

South Korean army sergeant dies at front-line unit with external injuries

The death comes after three South Korean soldiers were wounded in landmine explosions on Sept 21.

Japan urges US to tighten discipline after another US Marine arrested in Okinawa

The US Marine was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol during curfew hours.

How the US-Israeli war on Iran ends

The war that Israel and the United States launched against Iran on February 28 is in a lull, not at an end. Major combat has paused, diplomacy has stalled, and both sides are preparing for the next round. To understand why the fighting will soon resume, we need to understand

China state broadcaster pulls La Liga matches following Mbappé joke

China Media Group, which acknowledged Mbappé's apology, has not said how long the blackout will last.

Binance sees outflows stabilising as exchange returns online after US$6.3 billion heist

The world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange has moved to reassure crypto investors and said withdrawals were stabilising after an initial spike.

Nearly 100 employees of Media Mulia, publisher of Utusan Malaysia, Kosmo!, put on paid leave

The company said it will continue publication of its print newspapers.

New Zealand early voting surges ahead of November 7 election

Nov 2 - Nearly 1 million ballots have been cast in the first week of early voting for the New Zealand general election, the country's electoral commission said on Monday.

Police with assault rifles begin Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack

The new Armed Response Command is composed of 250 police officers armed with combat assault rifles.

North Korea says US-South Korea nuclear drill shows need for stronger nuclear deterrent

Pyongyang said the exercise showed the US remained unchanged in its ambition to stifle North Korea.

On All Saints’ Day, Philippine mountain town honours dead with fire

The Panag-aapoy (“to light a fire”) ceremony in Sagada has marked All Saints’ Day for 122 years.

Hong Kong teen jailed for 8 years over acid attack on Singaporean tourist

Anson Kew said he committed the offence in return for a HK$10,000 (S$1,600) payment.

Japan launches disaster management agency to boost response, reduce damage

The agency will establish regional hubs to enhance coordination with local governments to deal with disasters.

South Korea to double spending on AI and chips in 2027

President Lee Jae Myung flagged the $20.5 billion investment in his budget speech.

North Korea touts BBQ restaurant boom, but sceptics dismiss it as propaganda

North Korea touts barbecue restaurant boom, but sceptics dismiss it as propaganda

More than two out of every five North Koreans were undernourished, according to the UN food body's latest report.

Erdogan says South Korea could partner in Turkey's Sinop nuclear project, Yonhap reports

SEOUL, Nov 2 - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said South Korea could become a partner in developing Turkey's planned Sinop nuclear power station, according to an interview with Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday.

Australian far-right party regains poll lead as government slips

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted the worst rating of minus-23.

Malaysia to ease work restrictions on expats' spouses, but will it make a difference?

For some expatriate families, a spouse's inability to find work can be a deal-breaker.

Deadly blazes in Sabah’s wooden water villages expose massive hurdles to building safer housing

The fires expose safety risks in Sabah’s water villages, prompting calls for reform.

Armed police start patrols in Sydney after Bondi Beach attack

The new police unit is a security measure in response to last year's deadly shooting attack at a Hanukkah festival.

New Zealand’s two-speed economy poses election dilemma for ruling National Party

Polls show no clear path back to government after the election for any potential coalition.

New Zealand's two-speed economy poses election dilemma for ruling National party

LOWER HUTT, New Zealand, Nov 2 - The campaign for New Zealand's general election on November 7 comes down to the price of everyday life for 70-year-old Liz Hartley, a part-time bus driver.

North Korea-linked hacking group likely behind GMO cyberattack: Sources

The company appears to have already reported the matter to the Government.

German, Slovak die in suspected electrocution at hotel pool in India

NEW DELHI, Nov 1 - A German flight crew member and a Slovak business manager died as a result of an accident in a luxury hotel swimming pool in Bengaluru, which Indian media reported on Saturday was suspected to have been caused by an electric current in the pool.

Iran, Qatari mediators hold third day of talks to end US-Iran war

Nov 1 - Iranian negotiators were in Doha on Sunday for a third consecutive day of talks with Qatari mediators aimed at pushing for a deal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran, an official briefed on the discussions told Reuters.

China’s Communist Party demands loyalty, vows to tighten discipline

The resolution was adopted during a key party leadership gathering this week.

China's Communist Party demands loyalty, vows to tighten discipline

BEIJING, Nov 1 - China's ruling Communist Party put the demand for loyalty front and centre in an official resolution on toughening internal discipline, and vowed to keep waging its high-pressure anti-corruption campaign to cleanse the party of \"impurities and viruses\".

Democratic wins would shift Congress' trade debate but fall short of US tariff rollbacks

WASHINGTON, Nov 1 - President Donald Trump's trade agenda will face a new source of friction if Democrats win control of Congress on Tuesday, with a cascade of oversight hearings and symbolic tariff rollback votes likely next year, but Trump will remain undeterred in his zeal

Johor now popular destination for Indonesian tourists, with 1.5 million visits in 2025

Of the 11 passenger ferry connections between Indonesia and Malaysia, eight are located in Johor.

Thousands build Buddhist monuments for Bhutan’s ‘mindfulness’ city

Bhutan hopes the city will boost its economy and persuade more young people to stay.

Five killed in fresh ethnic violence in India’s Manipur state

The predominantly Christian Kuki and Naga tribes have a long history of conflict over claims to ethnic homelands.