Thailand plans early retirement programme to reduce civil servants

Thailand is planning to reduce government spending by cutting down on the civil servant workforce.

Indian capital braces for second day of protests against poll chief

Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel continued to be deployed across New Delhi on Sunday (Oct 11) although metro stations reopened and mobile internet services were back up.

Malaysian low-cost carrier Firefly cancels all flights between Subang, Seletar airports due to haze

All flights between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang and Singapore’s Seletar Airport have been cancelled through Monday (Oct 12).

Indonesia releases eight orangutans rescued from fires to protected forest

Local authorities have rescued 46 orangutans from threats of fires between August and Oct 9.

New Zealand ex-PM Jacinda Ardern breaks political silence to support opposition

She pledged her support for Labour leader Chris Hipkins and urged voters to donate to his campaign.

South Korea completes Arctic-Europe commercial voyage, eyes regular service despite risks

South Korean President President Lee Jae Myung has made Arctic shipping a priority, and officials hope to launch regular services by 2030.

Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok

The global economy is also further strained by the looming super El Nino effect.

Camera traps installed at Fraser’s Hill after tiger spotted in the area

The Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department hopes to gather more information about the the tiger.

Malaysia Budget 2027: More tourism spending, investment perks and plans to ease Johor congestion

From tourism to the JS-SEZ, how Malaysia’s budget could reshape Singaporeans’ travel and business ties.

Nepal urges villagers to evacuate after flood triggered by landslide

Authorities said several houses and two suspension bridges had been swept away, and a hydroelectric project was damaged by the flood.

‘Everyone is angry’: Okinawans fearful and frustrated after killing linked to US Marine

A US Marine was arrested for the alleged murder and robbery of a 39-year-old woman in Naha on Oct 3.

South Korea’s jailed ex-president Yoon and wife received $2 million in inmate funds

The Democratic Party said Yoon withdrew nearly 1.94 billion won in 586 transactions.

WHO unsure what caused pneumonia that killed plague-lab worker in Russia

The lab worker fell ill and died in undisclosed circumstances on Oct 2, prompting authorities to quarantine about 200 people and causing public health fears on social media.

Johor extends school closure to Oct 16 as haze worsens

The decision was based on weather conditions, air pollution levels and potential health risks.

Thai PM Anutin steps up flood response as Bangkok prepares for IMF-World Bank meetings

About 200,000 guests are expected to attend the annual meetings from Oct 12 to 18.

Japanese football players work in apple orchards to broaden career options

It has taught them about apple growing, and farm bosses hope their publicity will help local agriculture.

'Everyone is angry': Okinawans fearful and frustrated after alleged killing by US Marine

According to police, a US marine stationed on Okinawa was arrested on suspicion of killing a 39-year-old woman at a hotel in Naha and stealing her wallet.

Johor extends school closures to Oct 16 as haze worsens

The southern Malaysian state of Johor first began closing its schools on Oct 8.

School closures in Malaysia due to haze leave parents scrambling for childcare

Some parents struggled to adjust their work schedules the next day.

Inside the room: What it was like to be with Blackpink's Lisa as race scandal erupted

Film-maker Sue Kim talks about having unprecedented access to K-Pop idol Lisa Manobal at her most candid.

Young men live in fear of being snatched off the streets and sold to Myanmar's army

A desperate junta is in a war of attrition against ethnic militias and and civilian resistance.

Following a deadly train crash, Indonesia steps up safety reforms as experts push for long-term improvements

Authorities have begun addressing communication, signalling and other safety gaps exposed by the deadly April train crash, but experts say Indonesia needs broader reforms to prevent similar accidents elsewhere.

India detains thousands, locks down Delhi to foil election chief protest

Rubio pledges US cooperation in Okinawa murder case

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday vowed to cooperate with Japanese authorities investigating allegations that a US Marine murdered a woman in Okinawa, a case that sparked protests and prompted a US military curfew and mandatory training in

Rubio offers Japan FM condolences over murder of woman linked to US Marine

The killing has triggered outrage in Japan, where crimes involving US forces have been a thorn in relations.

Why have hundreds of 'cockroach' protesters been detained in Delhi

Thousands of security personnel were deployed in Delhi ahead of the Gen-Z led Cockroach Janta Party protest on Saturday calling for electoral reforms.

Headmaster detained after BBC investigation into alleged sexual abuse of students

Former students launched their own investigation, spending years collecting evidence and testimonies from others who say they were abused by the headteacher.

China proposes stricter car design, testing rules, including ban on fully hidden door handles

Some manufacturers had rushed out new models without enough validation, which raised safety and environmental risks.

Indonesia welcomes Singapore, Malaysia offers to help tackle haze

Indonesian official says ground crews would be more useful than helicopters in low visibility.

'Beyond the uniform': Singapore, Brunei officers share stories of lasting friendships as defence ties turn 50

Three pairs of officers tell CNA how football, food and shared experiences brought them together.

Amelia Earhart expedition heads to Pacific atoll hoping to find her plane

LOS ANGELES, Oct 10 - A US-based team of marine archaeologists has set sail for a tiny island in the far western Pacific seeking to examine the latest tantalizing clue to one of the 20th century's great unsolved mysteries: the 1937 disappearance of famed aviator Amelia Earhart.

In the final lap, Malaysia’s PM Anwar returns to base with reformist budget

Anwar revives his reform agenda while courting middle-class and bumiputera voters ahead of GE16.

China says ‘escalation’ of disputes can be avoided after EU trade talks

Moderating exports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to the European Union was among the topics discussed.

India slams Vance for ‘offensive’ remarks on foreign workers

Vance used a term associated with a colonial-era system in which workers were forced into labour overseas.

Supermarket ceiling collapses in South Korea, 38 injured in Daegu incident

The collapse occurred on the second floor of the four-story building.

Bangkok targets common rail ticketing with a $1.71 fare cap by 2027

Thailand also aims to connect bus and boat services with rail under the common ticketing system.

Should young Americans study in China? Xi’s invitation reignites debate over risks and rewards

Some US-China watchers question whether the benefits of being in China outweigh the risks students could face.

From ‘cockroach’ to protest leader: India’s Abhijeet Dipke tests Modi government

NEW DELHI, Oct 10 - Indian police detained on Saturday Abhijit Dipke, the political strategist who turned a \"cockroach\" jibe at unemployed youth into a nationwide protest movement that helped force the resignation of a federal minister.