AseanPlus News

China-Asean Expo in Nanning debuts AI marketplace to boost digital cooperation

The 23rd China-Asean Expo, now underway in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has unveiled a first-of-its-kind AI marketplace.

World

Iran seals French language centre in Tehran, accuses it of illegal activities

DUBAI, Sept ⁠20 (Reuters) - Iranian authorities ⁠have sealed a ‌French language centre affiliated with the French embassy in ​Tehran following ⁠a judicial order, ⁠the Tehran prosecutor's office ⁠said ‌on Sunday according to ⁠the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Sabah & Sarawak

Jalan Buli Sim-Sim, hiking trail temporarily closed due to landslide

SANDAKAN: Jalan Buli Sim-Sim from the temple towards Taman Grandview here has been temporarily closed from Sunday (Sept 20) to next Saturday due to a 150m landslide in the Bukit Sim-Sim area on Saturday.

Singapore

Wushu exponent Zeanne Law wins Singapore’s first medal at the Asian Games; Brunei's Basma makes history

National wushu exponent Zeanne Law clinched Singapore's first medal at the 2026 Asian Games on Sept 20, winning a joint bronze in the women's taijijian-taijiquan event.

Nation

King has full discretion to decide on pardon, says Anwar

SHAH ALAM: The final decision on a pardon rests with the Ruler of a state or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

AseanPlus News

How will the Okinawa governor’s race result reshape China’s local messaging?

Analysts say the election is a reality check for Beijing, which has sought to leverage local opposition to US-Japan military ties

Children

Spouted food pouches not ideal for babies

The foods in this form of packaging are frequently unsuitable for the age group they are targetting.

Philippines

Asean adopts voluntary early application of upgraded Atiga

Any member state of the Asean may now voluntarily implement the upgraded AseanTrade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) ahead of its entry into force in June 2027,

Japan

'Where's the bus? ' South Korea in a huff after their team missed practice before the men's basketball final due to vehicle no-show 

The South Korean men's basketball team missed a light practice session on Sunday, hours before they take on hosts Japan in the Asian Games final, after their shuttle bus did not show up

Nation

G25 calls for transparency over Najib's house arrest order

KUALA LUMPUR: Full transparency is needed over the Pardons Board's decision to grant former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a conditional pardon, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, says G25 Malaysia.

World

Chile's Bachelet withdraws from race to lead UN

GENEVA, Sept 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet announced on Saturday ⁠that she is withdrawing her candidacy to become ‌the next secretary-general of the United Nations, ending a bid that had struggled to gain traction among Security Council members.

AseanPlus News

Chinese man sentenced to 15 years' prison for 2024 Switzerland knife attack on children

A Chinese man who in 2024 knifed a group of children on their way to a daycare centre in Switzerland, wounding three of them, was on Friday sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Nation

Amirudin to lead any possible talks on Pakatan-Bersatu cooperation, says Anwar

SHAH ALAM: Any discussion about possible political cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu will be handled by Pakatan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

AseanPlus News

Dong Jun takes softer line on US at Xiangshan Forum as Xi prepares for Trump summit

Retired PLA colonel says defence minister's speech signals growing confidence and lower tension with US

Nation

MetMalaysia issues thunderstorm, heavy rain warning for KL, Labuan, nine states

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has warned of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and nine states until 9pm on Sunday (Sept 20) evening.

Other Sports

Games-Olympic dreams flicker as teqball awards first Asian Games medals

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept 20 (Reuters) - With Spanish soccer ⁠great Carles Puyol on board and a growing fan base in Asia, teqball's ambitious global federation is confident that the sport's quirky hybrid of ⁠soccer and table tennis will one day muscle its way on to the Olympic programme.

AseanPlus News

ByteDance spin-off Anew Labs raises US$290m as AI drug developers enjoy fundraising boom

As AI's role in drug design advances rapidly, Chinese start-ups are ramping up fundraising efforts

World

Iraqi court opens trial of six French Islamic State suspects

BAGHDAD, Sept 20 - An Iraqi ⁠court on Sunday opened the trial of six French nationals accused of ⁠belonging to Islamic State, with a member of the Supreme Judicial ‌Council telling the court that the suspects could face the death penalty if convicted of crimes committed against Iraq and the Iraqi people.

Fashion

Garden party: Why luxury fashion’s latest bags are blooming with nature

From floral motifs to whimsical insects and sculptural accessories, luxury fashion is turning the garden into its latest source of inspiration.

AseanPlus News

China publicly names officials in ‘unprecedented’ hidden-debt crackdown. Can it work?

The escalating campaign comes as officially identified hidden debt shrinks, even as broader estimates of local financing vehicle liabilities remain far larger