Straits Times Asia

DMZ dispute exposes deeper fault lines in US-South Korea alliance

USFK chief warns against rushing wartime operational control transfer amid evolving N. Korean threats, as Seoul pushes…

Prabowo vows Indonesia will not be ‘frightened’ by MSCI amid proposed market downgrade

MSCI’s warning triggered a sharp, two-day stock sell-off in Indonesian stocks.

Japan sends senior diplomat to Russia over detained journalist

Yuki Imai from the Hokkaido Shimbun faces accusations of “conducting espionage activities on Russian territory”.

Turkey plans mandate to send military personnel to Saudi Arabia, ruling party official says

ANKARA, Oct 21 - Turkey will submit to parliament a mandate allowing for military personnel to be deployed to Saudi…

Malaysia bans Waze for civil servants amid mounting fears over foreign digital surveillance

Malaysia urges citizens to switch to local navigation apps like TuJu over security fears.

Stranded shark Bukang-i returns to sea after a month

The authorities launched the third attempt to lead her out of the canal on the morning of Oct 21.

For Flavio Bolsonaro, runoff vote tests Brazilians' appetite for family's political brand

SAO PAULO, Oct 21 - For right-wing Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, his biggest strength is also his…

National Geographic names Penang among world’s best places to visit

K9 units to be deployed at Malaysia’s KL International Airport from Oct 26

The deployment will cover the departure and arrival halls and baggage sorting areas.

Data breach threatens to expose 125,000 staff records across Japan’s police forces

The potentially exposed data include the names of officers at 20 prefectural police forces.

Tokyo, Osaka break record for latest day in the year of temperatures above 30 deg C

Warm, humid air from the south swept across Japan, sending temperatures unusually high for late October.

Taiwan regulator blocks Grab’s purchase of Foodpanda delivery business in Taiwan

The Fair Trade Commission cited competition concerns.

Kim Jong Un is ‘dead’ again: Why rumours about North Korean leaders never die

Photographs released by Pyongyang have left the latest death rumours without a credible foundation.

Philippines defends jet-setter Gen Z’s appointment as head of agency managing poverty issues

Zofia Canlas, 27, drew criticism over her “lavish” trips abroad and alleged lack of relevant experience.

Malaysia to step up efforts to boost foreign tourists at Kelantan homestays

From January to August, the Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme recorded 7,208 tourist arrivals in Kelantan.

Taiwan indicts 5 for attack on comedian who satirised China’s Xi

Comedian Huang Yi-hao was hit and injured by a car in September after a Chinese individual paid another man to make…

Starbucks China will require purchases to sit in its cafes

The chain has come under stiff competition with cheaper local rivals such as Luckin Coffee.

5 years on, South Korea’s anti-stalking law confronts the violence it was meant to stop

Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of South Korea’s anti-stalking law and its victim-protection system.

Malaysia bans civil servants from using mapping app Waze, citing links to Israel

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recommended the use of TuJu, a domestic mapping app, as an alternative.

From dance to clean-air shelters: How South-east Asians are turning haze anger into action

The region’s frustration over Indonesia’s fires has become memes, art and community projects.

North Korea tells border troops to take 'resolute action' if South threatens their safety

SEOUL, Oct 21 - North Korea has told its border troops to take \"prompt and resolute action\" if South Korean forces…

North Korea says ‘new firepower units’ in place, loudspeakers to return

It came a day after Seoul warned of a “firm” response to further North Korean provocations.

Some parties may try to form a ‘new’ Perikatan coalition, says PN secretary-general Takiyuddin

Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies deregistered Perikatan on Oct 20.

Malaysia, Indonesia explore proposed MOU to tackle transboundary haze

Cooperation would focus on sharing hotspot monitoring data and managing high-risk areas.

Transboundary haze law possible but enforcement a challenge, Malaysia Parliament told

Getting enough evidence to identify those responsible for fires remains a major challenge.

Starbucks Hong Kong staff labels South Korean customer ‘Kim’ as ‘Kimchi’

Starbucks Hong Kong said it would strengthen internal training to prevent similar incidents.

Indonesia stock exchange chief defends MSCI after ex-minister alleges Singapore interference

MSCI considering downgrading Indonesia from “emerging market” to “standalone market” status in 2027.

Malaysia’s Bersatu suspends party membership of Perlis Menteri Besar

He can still appeal to the party’s Appeals Board within 14 days of the notice being issued.

APEC finance ministers agree to boost policy coordination, China's Lan says

HONG KONG, Oct 21 - Finance ministers from member economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum have…

Indonesia haze threatens tiny bugs that power palm oil output

The threat of reduced pollination adds more risk to an already grim supply outlook for the palm market.

Abby Choi murder trial: Former father-in-law allegedly bought meat mincer weeks before her death

Choi's former chauffeur also testified that the late socialite faced cash flow problems in 2022.

Indonesian government responds to viral Greenpeace banners criticising its haze response

Students plan national demonstration in Jakarta on Oct 28, Youth Pledge Day.

Cyberattack hits India’s largest bank, exposes nearly 3,900 customer records

Hackers stole customers’ names, mobile numbers, loan records and other personal data.

Hong Kong fire report to put government accountability in focus

A redacted version of the report could be released as early as next week.

Foreign arrivals in China surge in third quarter, fuelled by visa-free policy

Singapore is among the top 10 countries of origin for foreign arrivals.

Bangladesh yet to receive Saudi response on execution of two nationals

DHAKA, Oct 21 - Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to Dhaka's queries about the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals,…