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Indonesia

South-East Asia haze risk rises as Indonesia’s fire hotspots jump

JAKARTA: The number of fire hotspots across Indonesia has surged to the highest level in more than a decade, raising the prospect of severe wildfires and choking haze as El Niño leads to drier conditions in the region.

Japan

Malaysian plane bound for Kuala Lumpur aborts takeoff at Narita Airport

CHIBA: A Malaysia Airlines plane bound for Kuala Lumpur aborted takeoff Thursday (Aug 19) morning at Narita airport near Tokyo due to a problem with the aircraft. Kyodo News reported the transport ministry said.

Singapore

Man in Singapore jailed 21 months for stomping on 72-year-old father’s chest, fracturing his ribs

SINGAPORE: Angered that his father did not share their tenant's rent money with him, a man hit his 72-year-old father multiple times with a remote control and stomped on his chest.

Robotics

Unitree founder sees robots reaching ‘mass market’ within decade

Humanoid robots will reach "mass market" popularity within a decade, after manufacturers solve problems that hold back their current usefulness, the founder of China's Unitree Robotics said.

Laos

Laos pushes for better inclusive education

VIENTIANE: The Lao Ministry of Education and Sports has launched a research study on inclusive education for students with disabilities, aiming to improve teachers' capacity and the quality of education for people with disabilities.

Thailand

Thailand declares disaster zone in northern province amid flooding

BANGKOK: Thailand has declared a disaster zone in Nan and put two other northern provinces on alert as heavy rain and flash flooding cut off roads and forced evacuations, the government said on Wednesday (Aug 19).

Nation

Immigration raid sees 78 nabbed in Pengerang

KOTA TINGGI: A total of 78 foreigners were nabbed in a joint operation targeting undocumented migrant workers in Pengerang near here on Wednesday (Aug 18).

Cambodia

Monovithya ‘special envoy for investment relations, border affairs’, Cambodian PM welcomes feedback

PHNOM PENH: More details have emerged about the remit of newly announced special envoy to the prime minister Kem Monovithya. She has been appointed to work on investment relations for Cambodia and border affairs, due to her extensive international connections, Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified, Wednesday (Aug 19).

Economy

Malaysia affected by Strait of Hormuz issue, but not as severely as countries without oil & gas, says Johari

IPOH: Malaysia has also been affected by the crisis and disruptions to the energy sector related to the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, however, the impact will not be as severe as in countries that have no oil and gas resources.  

Philippines

Tougher law sought against careless gun owners in Philippines

MANILA: Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday (Aug 19) urged Congress to repeal a 1997 law to make careless gun owners more accountable, in the wake of the Aug 18 school shooting incident in Zamboanga City

Nation

Anwar wants e-commerce regulations expedited to help young entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants regulations governing e-commerce expedited, saying it will make it easier for Malaysians, particularly young entrepreneurs, to do business.

Pakistan

US India ambassador's Kashmir remarks rile Pakistan; envoy summoned

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned Washington's top envoy in Islamabad and "strongly condemned" remarks by the US ambassador to New Delhi calling disputed Kashmir "an important part of India".

Auto

Chinese automakers building more factories overseas

CHINESE automakers are accelerating their global expansion by integrating their entire industry chains into local economies, providing safe, eco-friendly and smart mobility solutions that boost local employment and economic growth worldwide.

Indonesia

Ten foreigners arrested, Rp7.79bil seized as Indonesian police raid Batam casino

JAKARTA: Police raided a clandestine casino operating at an entertainment establishment in the Nagoya area of Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday (Aug 15) evening and arrested 197 people, including 10 foreigners, as well as confiscating Rp 7.79 billion (US$435,715) in cash.

China

China jails Evergrande founder for life, fines firm more than US$2bil

BEIJING: China on Thursday (Aug 20) sentenced the founder of embattled property giant Evergrande to life in prison and fined the company and an affiliate more than US$2 billion after a high-profile default five years ago.

Football

Soccer-Japan's Miura, 59, becomes oldest scorer in Emperor's Cup history

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Former ⁠Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura became the oldest ⁠scorer in Emperor's Cup history on Wednesday when ‌the 59-year-old netted two penalties in Fukushima United's 7-0 victory over amateur side Oyama Soccer Club.

Economy

MyCEB steps up efforts to attract Indonesian business events to Malaysia

JAKARTA: The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is stepping up efforts to attract more business events from Indonesia to Malaysia through its Indonesia Roadshow 2026 in Surabaya and Jakarta, as part of efforts supporting Visit Malaysia 2026.

Entertainment

Thai actress Lingling Kwong named the 'Most Beautiful Woman Alive 2026', with over 22 million fan votes

The popular Thai actress has made waves internationally after The Netizens Choice Magazine officially announced its 2026 rankings.

AseanPlus News

Australia says relations with Israel 'difficult' after aid worker death

SYDNEY: Australia's top diplomat Penny Wong on Thursday (Aug 20) said relations with Israel were "difficult" after it dropped a probe into the killing of aid worker Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom and her colleagues in Gaza.

Vietnam

Vietnam proposes ending death penalty for six offences

HANOI: Vietnam's government has proposed abolishing the death penalty for six offences, including drug trafficking and the rape of minors, as part of a revision of the country's criminal code presented to parliament on Thursday (Aug 20) state media reported.