Straits Times Asia

South Korean prosecutors seek 27 years for JMS cult leader in sex crime case

He is already serving a 17-year jail sentence for sex crimes against three other female followers.

Australia braces itself for fire season in wake of sweltering European summer

Australia is already experiencing a strong El Nino weather event

Putin’s pen spinning briefly sparks buzz over Japanese Pentel brand

Astrum Corp, the Tokyo-based company that operates the Pentel brand, said it was not their product.

Australian state of New South Wales unwilling to bail out debt-ridden home builder Bathla

Mongolians wait hours for fuel as reliance on Russia bites

Landlocked Mongolia has historically imported more than 95 per cent of its petrol from Russia.

Woman in her 60s found dead in cafe freezer in South Korea

The cafe’s owner has been arrested and detained on suspicion of luring and killing the woman.

China hits Japan with anti-dumping measures on chip chemical

Companies importing Japanese dichlorosilane are required to provide cash deposits of up to 99.2 per cent from Sept 8.

North Korea and Russia open their first road bridge, a symbol of expanding ties

Up to 300 vehicles would be able to cross every day.

China deploys psychological aid to rescuers in flood disaster

As at Sept 3,726 personnel had been deployed to support rescue and relief operations.

How two men survived nine days in a Nepal flood tunnel

Their rescue against the odds has given hope to search teams working at the sites along the devastated valley.

UMNO weighs its next move at its assembly this week

The general assembly from Sept 9 to Sept 12 is expected to bring together 6,401 delegates.

Australia’s web of Pacific alliances set to expand to Solomons

Australia has reportedly pledged $895 million in extra funding for the Solomon Islands government.

Families of those still missing in Nepal’s hydropower tunnels want rescuers to work faster

Their hopes were buoyed when two workers were rescued 10 days after the flood.

Flights resume gradually in Indonesia after volcanic eruption

Three flights departed shortly after the airport reopened, including two commercial flights to eastern Indonesia.

Paris investigates claim women were hidden from Hindu delegation at Eiffel Tower

PARIS, Sept 7 - Female employees at the Eiffel Tower were asked to step out of sight during a visit by a Hindu…

North Korean defence minister criticizes joint military drills by US, Japan and South Korea

Sept 7 - North Korea's newly appointed defence minister, Kim Song-gi, has called joint military drills by South Korea,…

Anak Krakatau eruption: Where flights are being disrupted

Flights are disrupted for a second day on Sept 7.

Former Chinese senior finance official jailed for life for taking nearly $18 million in bribes

He amassed the funds by helping to secure benefits for parties in company listings and contracts.

Nepal rescuers focus on 900 hydropower workers, 121 could be trapped in tunnels, officials say

Four people pulled out of wreckage days after disaster give rescue workers glimmer of hope.

Indonesia volcano eruption: Schools shift online, offices largely remain open in ash-hit Jakarta

As volcano ash settles over Jakarta, schools move lessons online while office workers mask up.

Will Anak Krakatau keep disrupting Singapore-Jakarta flights? Analysts explain

Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau could disrupt Singapore-Jakarta flights even after airports reopen.

Philippine court orders arrest of president's cousin over alleged kickbacks of $118 million

MANILA, Sept 7 - A Philippine court on Monday ordered the arrest of a former House speaker and cousin of President…

Burundians try to leave Kenya ahead of crackdown on traders

NAIROBI, Sept 7 - Hundreds of Burundians flocked to their country's embassy in Kenya's capital on Monday seeking travel…

Thailand to deport French zoo owner who barred Israelis

Kevin Dimino, co-owner of Samui Exotic Park, had engaged in threatening, harassing and physically abusive behaviour.

Philippine President’s lawmaker cousin arrested over flood-control scandal

The case involves $149.5 million in bribes, budget insertions and shady project allocations.

Belgium detains Chinese man on suspicion of semiconductor espionage

BRUSSELS, Sept 7 - Prosecutors in Belgium said they have held a man with dual Chinese and Belgian nationality in…

South Korea, US agree on more than $20 billion gas plant investment in Texas, media reports

SEOUL, Sept 7 - South Korea and the United States have agreed on the size of Seoul's planned investment in a gas…

Indian health activists lodge concerns about food warning proposal in court

NEW DELHI, Sept 7 - Indian activists spearheading calls for food labelling said a government proposal to have red…

Nepal marks national mourning day after deadly flood

At least 1,380 people have been killed by the mudslide and more than 5,500 are missing.

Six killed in Delhi building collapse, rescuers search through rubble

NEW DELHI, Sept 7 - At least six people were killed and several others injured after a building housing students in…

Japan sushi giant pulls campaign with manga character Chiikawa after employee steals prizes

A large number of items that were part of the campaign appeared for resale on an online marketplace.

Indonesians board buses and trains as volcano ash from Mount Anak Krakatau halts flights

Some 150,000 passengers have been affected by the halt of over 400 flights, mostly domestic, following the eruption.

From dance floor to war: China readies humanoid robots for combat

China’s robot defence research underscores how rapidly military technologies are evolving globally.

Fire in Indonesia’s Papua kills 11, including 6 children

Tokyo’s Shinjuku to ban more than half of vacation rentals

The Shinjuku ward hosts nearly 10 per cent of Japan’s 42,000 short-term rentals.

Malaysia lifts emergency declaration in Sarawak district as haze eases, but health risks remain

An emergency was declared on Sept 4 after thick haze pushed air pollution up to hazardous levels.