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Indonesia

Indonesia's fire hotspots fall by more than half to 147

JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesia recorded a sharp decline in forest and land fire hotspots on Sunday (Oct 25), with the nationwide tally falling by more than half to 147 as rainfall brought some relief to firefighting operations.

Laos

Lao Govt flags revenue, roads, public security as top priorities

VIENTIANE: The government is stepping up efforts to tackle crime, boost revenue collection, improve roads and strengthen agricultural production in November, while pushing ahead with plans for digital transformation, environmental protection and cleaner transport.

AseanPlus News

Australia police chief says angry debate adds risks for lawmakers

CANBERRA: Acrimonious political debate in Australia is escalating risks to legislators, one of the country's most senior police officers said after a lawmaker suffered serious injuries following an alleged attack.

Nation

Pahang Palace denies viral TikTok claims about crown prince

KUANTAN: The Pahang Palace has strongly denied claims made in a fabricated TikTok video concerning a purported recent visit to Indonesia by the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.

Nation

Select committee on separating AG and Public Prosecutor roles to meet next week, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: A parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) examining the proposed separation of the Attorney General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP) roles will meet again next week after receiving legal feedback from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

India

Rahul Gandhi’s convoy involved in accident on Purvanchal Expressway, several injured

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy was involved in a collision involving five vehicles and an ambulance on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Monday (Oct 26). Several people were reportedly injured in the accident near the 91-km milestone in Haliyapur, around 100km from Lucknow.

Brunei

Comedians face off in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Laughter filled The Black Box Theatre at Jerudong International School on Friday evening (Oct 23) as almost 300 people were entertained by local comedic talents during BruHaha FaceOff: Team GKK vs Team FestiLOL, a live comedy event organised by BruHaha Comedy Productions (pic).

Fashion

South Korea’s winter style gets a colourful twist with brighter puffer jackets

Once dominated by black, South Korea's winter puffer jackets are getting a colourful makeover, fuelled by shifting trends and growing demand.

Nation

Reassess Cameron Highlands bypass road project to prevent disasters, says NGO

IPOH: A comprehensive and transparent reassessment must be undertaken on the proposed bypass road project in Cameron Highlands, says an environmental non-governmental organisation.

Singapore

Man to be charged after allegedly injuring two men with a knife in Prinsep Street, Singapore

SINGAPORE: A 24-year-old man is set to be charged on Tuesday (Oct 27) after he allegedly injured two men with a knife in Prinsep Street before fleeing the scene.

South Korea

South Korea's Lee says unlikely to join Pacific trade pact within his term

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday (Oct 26) that the country would not be able to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) during his term.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah CM orders immediate aid for Tawau amid three-week water crisis

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has ordered assistance for Tawau residents facing water supply disruptions caused by a dry spell over the past month.

Japan

Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's first second-generation prime minister, dies at 90, Nikkei reports

TOKYO: Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (pic), who used his brief period in office to seek closer ties with Asian neighbours, particularly China, has died at the age of 90, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday (Oct 26).

Nation

Court of Appeal grants GISB more time to file records of appeal

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal on Monday (Oct 26) granted GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) more time to file the records of appeal in its appeal against the Selangor state fatwa.

Cambodia

ADB approves US$72mil package to boost Cambodia's rural farming resilience

PHNOM PENH: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$72-million financing package to help Cambodia strengthen rural farming and increase women's participation in agriculture, according to its press release on Monday (Oct 26).

Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos appoints new head of scandal-hit Public Works department

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named a new head of the scandal-hit Department of Public Works and Highways, as his administration contends with lingering effects of corruption allegations that have slowed economic growth.

Nation

Former Court of Appeal judge Mahadev Shankar dies at 94

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, renowned for his legal acumen, language mastery, and enduring contributions to Malaysian jurisprudence, died at Shah Alam Hospital at 2am Monday (Oct 26). He was 94.

Indonesia

Across boundaries: how Riau’s communities are joining forces against fire

JAKARTA: The fire report came in just after the Eid al-Adha prayer in 2019, and Zulkatab did not wait for the sermon.

Nation

Govt defends Tabung Haji’s RM15,000 savings rule, denies institution acting like a bank

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) is not acting like a bank, but is merely fulfilling its mandate to help prospective pilgrims plan and save early for the haj, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Thailand

Thailand warns 14 southern provinces of heavy rain and floods

BANGKOK: Thailand's water authorities have warned 14 southern provinces to prepare for heavy rain, flash floods, runoff and river overflows from October 26-29 as the monsoon trough strengthens over the region.