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Indonesia

'I feel like crying': First rains bring relief to haze-hit Sumatra and Kalimantan as rainy season nears

JAKARTA: When heavy rain finally swept across parts of Palembang on the afternoon of Oct 24, many residents of the South Sumatran capital did not run for cover. They reached for their phones.

Singapore

Singapore's Megan Khung case: Woman who took videos of abuse, helped dispose of body convicted

SINGAPORE: A mother on Oct 26 pleaded guilty to charges related to the abuse of her friend's four-year-old daughter, Megan Khung, admitting her role in the girl's misery.

Thailand

Thailand's investment pledges jump 28% in first nine months

BANGKOK: Applications for investment promotion in Thailand rose 28 per cent from a year earlier in the first nine months of 2026, led by the digital and electronics industries, the country's Board of Investment (BOI) said on Monday (Oct 26).

Indonesia

Indonesia defends gas export cuts; says existing contracts have not been breached

JAKARTA: Indonesia has defended its gas export cuts amid concerns raised by Singapore, saying it would not be lectured on honouring contracts and that the reductions do not breach existing agreements.

Myanmar

Myanmar woman asks Denmark to investigate alleged war crimes

COPENHAGEN: A Myanmar citizen residing in Denmark on Monday (Oct 26) filed a complaint with Danish authorities against Myanmar's ruling military junta for alleged war crimes committed against minorities.

Cybersecurity

Japan PM vows swift response to wave of cyberattacks

Japan will draft an emergency cybersecurity policy package in response to a sudden recent wave of hacking incidents, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Oct 26.

Entertainment

30m robots, fire and water effects: What to expect at Jay Chou’s concerts in January

He is performing in Singapore and Malaysia come 2027.

Thailand

Trump’s return puts Asean’s balancing act to the test

BANGKOK: President Donald Trump is coming to the region, amid expectations that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will choose a side without saying so outright.

Nation

Defence Ministry nearing decision on missile options for Navy, says Mohamed Khaled

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is in the final stages of evaluating three Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) options proposed by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in relation to the replacement of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

Nation

CEO nabbed over alleged RM1.65mil fraud in purported durian orchard purchase

KUALA LUMPUR: A chief executive officer of a fruit and vegetable wholesaling, import and export company has been detained over an alleged RM1.65mil fraud involving the purported purchase of a durian orchard.

Technology

Apple says it will replace iPhone Duo units showing screen problems

SAN ⁠FRANCISCO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Days after launching its first folding iPhone, Apple acknowledged on ⁠Monday that some of the devices exhibit display problems and said it will ‌replace them.

Japan

Nonagenarian helps police ensnare suspected scammer

A 93-year-old woman outsmarted a suspected scammer by pretending to fall for the scheme and helping police arrest him at her home, an officer said.

Thailand

Flash floods sweep across island of Phuket

Flash floods inundated several areas of the island of Phuket, following heavy rainfall overnight, officials said.

India

Thousands evacuated as Cyclone Arnab nears

Two states along the eastern coast were preparing to evacuate thousands of people ahead of Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall tomorrow, as one of them said it would close schools in some districts for two days.

Nation

Rain offers hope for traders

JOHOR BARU: Deepavali bazaar traders are hoping recent rain will help clear the haze and draw more shoppers as the festival approaches.

Nation

Flood response teams on alert as monsoon season begins

PETALING JAYA: With 3,682 flood-prone locations recorded nationwide last year, disaster response agencies are stepping up preparations ahead of the Northeast Monsoon, which is expected to begin today.

Nation

Visit Johor 2026 campaign set to be extended to next year

JOHOR BARU: The extension of the Visit Johor 2026 campaign to next year is expected to be announced in detail by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi next month, says a state executive councillor.

Nation

Drug mule faces RM2.7mil fine

KUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese national detained at Hong Kong International Airport, believed to be carrying 2kg of cocaine from Penang last week, was allegedly promised about RM1,200 to transport the drugs.

Japan

Former prime minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at age 90

Former 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.

North Korea

Pyongyang says explosion ‘fabricated’

Pyongyang sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council accusing Seoul of fabricating a landmine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers, its state media reported.