Straits Times Asia

Johor govt steps up preparations to safeguard water supply ahead of super El Nino

Among the moves are activating pontoons and transfer pumps as well as cloud seeding operations.

South Korea reopens military service alternative for AI talent

The plan sets aside 240 positions for master’s-level AI researchers in 2027.

Bangkok MRT track fire prompts evacuation from station building, causes 60-minute delay

Officials are investigating the cause of fire.

S-E Asia confronts a new wave of leaderless youth extremism: How parents, schools can spot it early

The authorities are rethinking how to spot and stop young people being drawn towards violence.

North Korea fires ballistic missile off east coast, Japan says

SEOUL/TOKYO, Sept 20 - North Korea launched what appeared to be a ballistic missile into the sea to the east of the…

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles off east coast in three hours

Pyongyang last week condemned a US-led naval drill which included South Korea and Japan.

Philippine tribe in limbo over US-led tech hub

About 1,000 people have already received letters regarding possible displacement.

Heavy rain disrupts trains in Japan as tropical storm approaches

The storm is forecast to come closest to Japan on Sept 21.

Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first leader under Chinese rule, laid to rest

Tung died on Sept 8 at the age of 89.

World leaders return to UN amid wars in Middle East and Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 - World leaders gather in New York this week for the UN General Assembly, bracing for President…

Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib remains in prison pending $15.6m payment

He and his legal team are studying the conditions attached to his conditional pardon.

Shark sighting leads to crowds at Busan port in South Korea

The shark, more than 3m long, was first spotted on Sept 18 and again on Sept 19.

Bear gets on fishing boat, dozes off before falling into sea in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture

Three crew members who were on the boat took refuge in a locked room and were unharmed.

Campus shooter who killed 3 in southern Philippines had planned attack, warned classmates: Mayor

The revelations raised questions about whether warning signs had been missed before the attack.

Australian PM seeks big tech backing for internet safety, AI rules

Anthony Albanese made the remarks after meeting former Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Japan to give up to $3.5 million in grants for Solomon Islands elections

It is looking to strengthen ties with Pacific island countries where China has been increasing its clout.

How to catch a baddie: Inside China’s booming police tech industry

Robotics and embodied AI are strategic priorities in the government’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

A decade after Indonesia’s worst fires, the haze is back. Why does the problem still persist?

A decade of reforms has curbed Indonesia's fires, but cheap burning and patchy enforcement remain.

Indonesia’s wildfires and haze in Kalimantan cost billions: Families pay the price

One farmer’s losses show how Indonesia’s haze crisis hits households far beyond the smoke.

Turkey says it could help meet Saudi military needs under defence pact

ANKARA, Sept 19 - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia may have military needs due…

ASEAN to roll out upgraded trade pact ahead of schedule: Gan Kim Yong

The agreement was due to take effect mid-2027, but the grouping is now moving to bring forward its implementation.

Indonesia extends search for dozens still missing in ferry accident

Search-and-rescue operations typically last for seven days in Indonesia.

Jalan Jim Quee, near Johor Bahru checkpoint, will close to private vehicles in 2027

The move aims to ensure smoother traffic flow when the RTS Link begins operations.

Camera drone crashes into Nagoya city building during Asian Games light show

The drone was operated by an organisation whose secretariat is run by the local governments.

Canada optimistic about concluding trade talks with India by year-end, minister says

MUMBAI, Sept 19 - Canada is optimistic about concluding negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement…

Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke to resign over house arrest granted to ex-PM Najib

Other DAP ministers stay in the Cabinet to prevent further destabilisation of Anwar Ibrahim’s government.

Anthony Loke to resign as Malaysia’s Transport Minister after ex-PM Najib granted house arrest

Japan weather agency warns of landslides, floods as typhoon draws near

Typhoon Dujuan is forecast to make landfall east of Tokyo on Sept 21 with winds of up to 162kmh.

Malaysian Prisons Department to issue SOPs for Najib’s house arrest, says attorney-general

Najib, 73, has been serving his prison sentence at Kajang Prison since Aug 23, 2022.

Malaysian angling group claims second red-bellied piranha found in river in Pahang

The group could not confirm if the discovery indicated that the species had begun breeding in Sungai Klau.

Croatian climber fined $7.8k for illegal entry into Mount Kinabalu, apologises to local community

He was injured after falling from the slopes of Mount Kinabalu.

China investigates Meituan and Alibaba units for suspected antitrust violations

China has been cracking down on monopolistic behaviour as Beijing struggles to bolster consumption.

Indonesia accepts Malaysia’s help to tackle Kalimantan wildfires

Indonesia has been battling wildfires for weeks in Borneo and Sumatra.

China state TV affiliate flags Anthropic data and privacy risks

Anthropic has revised its privacy policy 13 times since 2023.

Cloud seeding set for Klang Valley to combat worsening haze in Malaysia

The operations will be led by the National Disaster Management Agency.

Drone owners rush to offload devices ahead of Beijing ban

The new rules – sparked by airspace safety fears – also ban the possession or storage of drones.