Singapore and Qatar renew energy pact to strengthen LNG cooperation, move towards strategic partnership
The two countries also agreed to work towards elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with the Qatari Emir's future state visit to Singapore seen as an opportunity to launch it.
Malaysia’s BN to announce candidates for Melaka polls on Oct 28: State chairman
Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka’s caretaker chief minister, said the candidates would carry the responsibility of continuing the coalition’s mandate and securing victory at the polls.
India's 'cockroach' movement founder released a day after detention
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, rose to prominence this year when a weeks-long sit-in contributed to India's education minister resigning.
North Korea says tested AI-assisted torpedo system
The announcement came days after Pyongyang said it had test-fired two types of cruise missiles from a submarine after weeks of friction with Seoul over a landmine explosion along their border.
The opening of the new bridge signals further progress in bilateral relations between Beijing and Pyongyang, weeks after North Korea opened its first road bridge with Russia.
Malaysia to raise transboundary haze issue at ASEAN meeting, says existing disaster mechanisms do not cover it
“We already have an ASEAN mechanism for natural disasters but haze is not included or classified as a natural disaster,” says Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.
China announces sanctions on Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties
The measures against Paraguay's Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca include the freezing of their property and assets in China, visa denials and the banning of organisations in China from doing business with them.
Okinawa governor wants discipline for US military in Japan after murder linked to Marine
"Okinawa has requested preventive measures every time similar crimes were repeated in past, and now we have this case again," said its governor Genta Koja.
South Korea weighs cuts to military exemptions for athletes, artists following Asian Games controversy
South Korea’s men’s football Asiad triumph was quickly overshadowed by controversy after some players appeared to celebrate securing military service exemptions.
US forces face curfew, alcohol ban in Japan's Okinawa after murder case
The presence of US forces has repeatedly stirred resentment among residents in Okinawa over issues such as noise, aircraft crashes and the conduct of its troops.
Activist Kokila Annamalai contests charge of allegedly defying POFMA order in first such trial
After she received the correction direction, Kokila Annamalai put up an article titled, "I Defy: Why I am not complying with my POFMA Correction Direction".
Indonesia's Constitutional Court dismisses petition to disqualify VP Gibran over education credentials
Indonesia's election law requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to have completed senior high school or hold an equivalent qualification.
8 public officers referred to police after review of 191 property transactions near unannounced MRT stations
Further checks are continuing and the government will study what the review shows about gaps in existing safeguards, says Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing.
Singapore to table law reinforcing deterrent sentences for scam offenders, including youths: Shanmugam
A High Court ruling in September had given several young money mule offenders probation and community sentences. "This is not the time to go soft," says Senior Minister K Shanmugam.
China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea aircraft encounter
China accused a Philippine military aircraft of illegally entering airspace over the disputed area in the South China Sea, while Manila said a Chinese fighter jet interfered with its routine patrol by repeatedly flying in close proximity.
Two Singapore chefs are putting homegrown flavours on the menu in Hong Kong
At Michelin-starred Whey, Barry Quek and new head chef Keith Teo are drawing on hawker favourites, Indonesian influences and shared food memories to shape the restaurant’s next chapter.
North Korea says its nuclear status is ‘irreversible’ after UN atomic agency rebuke
Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of double standards after it adopted a resolution criticising Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme.
Former Malaysia PM Najib to serve remaining jail term at home — if he pays US$12.26 million fine
A Pardons Board meeting chaired by the Malaysian king on Friday (Sep 18) reached this decision after an appeal by Najib Razak, who's serving a six-year jail sentence till Aug 23, 2028.
Government reviewing study alleging civil servants 'disproportionately' bought homes near unannounced MRT stations
The Public Service Division says it is reviewing the data and methodology of the working paper by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research and will refer the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau if necessary.
Trump says 'very negative forces' raising exaggerated concerns over AI
The public debate about AI has heated up in the US after two Anthropic researchers issued warnings that the rapidly progressing technology could lead to the extinction of the human race in the not-too-distant future.
Modi and Xi 'expressed commitment' to resolving border issue: India
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both countries should “stay committed” to resolving the boundary question and “maintain peace and tranquility in border areas”.
PM Wong warns economic frustrations can deepen social, racial divisions in Singapore
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says Singapore is not immune to such pressures, pointing to racist comments online and divisions between foreigners and Singaporeans.
Xi Jinping heads to India for BRICS summit overshadowed by war
Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with global trade turbulence and energy security, are expected to dominate the two-day meeting of the 11-nation bloc.
Former Malaysia PM Najib to remain in jail as pardons board defers application
The Federal Territories Pardons Board met on Friday (Sep 11) but deferred Najib’s application for a pardon to a future meeting. Najib is currently in Kajang Prison and scheduled to complete his current jail term on Aug 23, 2028.
Xi Jinping urges new Middle East security framework during Egypt visit
Countries in the Middle East region should be "masters of their own destiny" and explore a new regional "security architecture", says the Chinese president.
North Korea defence minister dismissed: State media
No Kwang Chol was not only dismissed as defence minister but also demoted in the ruling party leadership to "first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department", KCNA said.
Singapore urges Israel to halt planned West Bank settlements
The proposed construction in the E1 area would "further fragment the West Bank and severely undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution", says a spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Japan defence minister says US, South Korea cooperation 'critical' for security
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's comments came after US President Donald Trump downsized military drills with South Korea, praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and lashed out at Seoul for not helping Washington fight Iran.
Iran threatens to go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails
"Within the short period of a few weeks set by Iran, all the agreement's provisions must be implemented by the US. This is a precondition for further negotiations with the US," an Iranian official said.
South Korea president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War
"Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Saturday (Aug 15).