South Korea

Foreign visitors file more than 6,400 complaints over taxi overcharging in Seoul

SEOUL: Only 3.1 per cent of foreign visitors' complaints alleging taxi fare overcharging in Seoul resulted in administrative penalties between 2021 and August this year, a lawmaker revealed on Sunday.

Badminton

Zi Yu overtakes China's Yifan as youngest girls' doubles champion at worlds

PETALING JAYA: Two years after falling short in the girls' doubles final, Low Zi Yu finally got her gold by becoming the youngest world junior champion in the event alongside Genevie Lim in Cairo on Saturday.

Nation

Melaka polls: PH yet to finalise cooperation with other parties, Fuziah says

KUANTAN: Pakatan Harapan has not reached any concrete agreement on possible political cooperation with other parties for the Nov 14 Melaka state election.

Philippines

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

BANGA, South Cotabato: Several graves at the Banga Public Cemetery remain submerged in floodwaters on Sunday following several days of rain, posing a challenge to families preparing to clean and tidy the burial sites of their loved ones ahead of Undas.

Thailand

Thaksin’s amnesty petition moves to screening subcommittee

BANGKOK: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's petition seeking amnesty under the Peaceful Society Promotion Act 2026 has moved to a screening subcommittee for an initial review, setting the stage for a decision on whether his past convictions qualify for relief under the law.

Brunei

Brunei steps up regional efforts to combat human trafficking

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN; Brunei Darussalam's whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approach to combating trafficking in persons was highlighted by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Haji Azree bin Haji Abd Manaf, chairman of the Working Committee on Trafficking in Persons, who delivered the country's statement at the country presentation session of the 4th Regional Meeting of Southeast Asian National Anti-Trafficking Committees in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, the Philippines, from Oct 12 to 16, 2026.

Indonesia

Southeast Asia’s AI boom puts data centre sustainability to the test

JAKARTA: The artificial intelligence boom is driving rapid expansion of digital infrastructure across Southeast Asia, raising questions about how to meet demand without increasing energy use and exacerbating environmental costs.

Nation

Haze: KL schools to remain open on Monday, outdoor activities suspended

KUALA LUMPUR: All schools and educational institutions under the Education Ministry in Kuala Lumpur will operate as usual on Monday (Oct 19) despite the current haze situation.

Indonesia

Four killed while fighting wildfire in Indonesia’s Mount Bromo National Park

SURABAYA: Four firefighters and volunteers died on Thursday while battling wildfires in Mount Bromo National Park in East Java, bringing the reported death toll from wildfire-fighting operations across the country this year to at least eight people.

Nation

All schools in Selangor to operate as usual on Oct 19, outdoor activities suspended

SHAH ALAM: All educational institutions under the Selangor State Education Department will operate as usual on Monday (Oct 19).

Forex

Ringgit expected to trade in tight range against US dollar next week

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to trade within a tight range with an upward bias next week, between RM4.07 and RM4.09, following Malaysia's higher-than-expected advance estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the third quarter of 2026 (3Q 2026).

Nation

Nepal seeks legal amendments to expedite death certs for 54 M'sians, says Mohamad Hasan

MELAKA: The Nepalese government is seeking to amend the country's laws to expedite the issuance of death certificates for 54 Malaysians who remain uncontactable following floods and landslides that hit the country in August.

Economy

Malaysia’s diversified economy, fiscal buffers to cushion external shocks

BANGKOK: Malaysia's diversified economy, resilient export markets and stronger fiscal buffers will help cushion external shocks and support its growth outlook for 2027, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Nation

N. Sembilan crisis will not derail BN's Melaka polls preparations, says Tok Mat

MELAKA: The crisis in Negeri Sembilan is not expected to affect Barisan Nasional's preparations for the Melaka state election next month, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.

Singapore

Haze in Singapore: PSI in west hits seasonal high, air quality remains unhealthy elsewhere

SINGAPORE: Air quality across the island remained poor on Oct 18, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) in the west hitting a seasonal high of 230 at 10am before dipping slightly to 227 at noon.

Nation

Malaysians advised to postpone non-essential travel to France amid demonstrations

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians planning to visit France are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel following ongoing demonstrations in major cities across the country.

World

Vietnam signs free-trade pact with European countries including Norway, Switzerland

Oct 18 (Reuters) - Norway, ⁠Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein have ⁠signed a free-trade agreement with Vietnam, ‌the governments of Norway and Vietnam announced on Sunday.

AseanPlus News

Dozens of orangutans saved from Indonesia blazes

Dozens of critically endangered orangutans have been rescued in recent weeks from rampant wildfires burning across Indonesia, conservation groups said.

AseanPlus News

Western brands under pressure as 'pre-owned' luxury booms in China

With China's economy still struggling to recover from the pandemic, even global fashion icons are beginning to feel the pinch as consumers turn instead to the second-hand market or buy upstart new homegrown brands.

AseanPlus News

Hong Kong renews TV station licences with push for ‘telling good stories’

Licences will run until 2039 for HK Television Entertainment and TVB, and until 2040 for i-Cable Hoy