Thailand

Thailand's first and largest national park tops Traveloka’s Q3 2026 interest growth ranking

BANGKOK: Khao Yai ranked first for growth in domestic destination interest among Traveloka users in Thailand in the third quarter of 2026, according to the company's South-East Asia (SEA) Index. Searches for accommodation and travel to Koh Chang also increased by more than 40 per cent compared with the same period last year.

China

Brazilian diplomats explore Macao's role in China-Brazil ties

MACAO: A delegation of young Brazilian diplomats got a firsthand look at how China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) connects China with Portuguese-speaking countries during a four-day visit that ended Sunday (Oct 19).

Singapore

Most of YouTrip services restored in Singapore, Thailand after major outage

The majority of e-wallet platform YouTrip's services in Singapore and Thailand have been restored in the afternoon on Oct 19.

Entertainment

Indian actor Tiger Shroff escapes unhurt after three unidentified men open fire at him

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Nation

Perak activates state disaster control centre amid floods, storms

TANJONG MALIM: The Perak government activated its State Disaster Control Centre (SDCC) on Sunday (Oct 19)following floods and storms that hit several districts, including Larut, Matang and Selama (LMS), as well as Manjung.

India

India Cockroach leaders remain in custody as release delayed

NEW DELHI: India's Cockroach Janta Party raised concerns over what it described as "systematic delays and procedural obstruction" by Delhi Police and other authorities in securing the release of two of its leaders who have now spent five days in custody.

Japan

Japan deputy mayor crushed to death during festival

TOKYO: A deputy mayor in western Japan died after being crushed under a giant float during a local parade, officials said Monday (Oct 19), a week after two others were reportedly killed at separate traditional festivals.

China

‘Outrageous’: Taiwan Mandopop band member allegedly assaulted by South Korean diver underwater

BEIJING: Palau authorities are investigating an alleged underwater attack by a South Korean divemaster on Taiwanese musician Devon Song and his Bangladeshi divemaster.

Sabah & Sarawak

Mustapha calls for thorough probe into fatal Sepanggar container incident

KOTA KINABALU: Police and all relevant authorities must be given the space to carry out an investigation into the incident where a father and daughter were crushed to death after a shipping container fell on their car along Jalan Sepanggar.

AseanPlus News

Australia's new Ghost Shark submarines grow some 'teeth'

SYDNEY: Australia is boosting its undersea warfare capability by equipping its Ghost Shark autonomous submarine with "swarms" of aerial drones and sea mines, its defence ministry said Monday (Oct 19).

Nation

Court acquits Papagomo for second time in Israel seditious remarks case

KUALA LUMPUR: The Klang Sessions Court has acquitted blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris for the second time on a charge of making seditious remarks by linking the government to Israel and the West.

Nation

Forest fires: Malaysia offers assets, personnel to assist Indonesia, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has offered a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft, three helicopters and 50 personnel to help Indonesia put out forest and land fires, but deployment is pending official approval from Indonesia.

Japan

Japanese PM sends monetary offering to war-linked Yasukuni Shrine

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a monetary offering to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine on Monday (Oct 19), local media reported.

Nation

Dr M tries to resume office routine, thanks well-wishers for their support

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been trying to resume his office routine as he gradually regains his strength following his wife's passing.

South Korea

South Korea’s Dongguk University to launch college exclusively for international students in 2028

SEOUL: South Korea's Dongguk University will launch a standalone college exclusively for international students in March 2028, offering six majors and considering an initial intake of roughly 30 to 50 students per major, the university told The Korea Herald on Oct 19.

Technology

China moves to curb tech exports, including AI, citing national security risks

China on Oct 16 said it plans to restrict or ban exports of 40 technologies that span artificial intelligence, chips and solar power as its technology race with countries intensifies.

Nation

Anwar sings Doris Day classic when asked about upcoming haze meeting

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim broke into song when asked what would be discussed at a special meeting on the haze scheduled for Monday (Oct 19).

Cybersecurity

The crypto devices built to foil hackers came with spies inside

Malaysian retailer CryptoBilis, a reseller of hardware crypto wallets, has become a focal point of an investigation into thefts from devices meant to secure digital assets offline.

Brunei

Brunei royal joins community run to support second chances for former inmates

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah participated in the five-kilometre women's open category of Run for H.O.P.E. 2026 at BIBD Connects, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas Sunday (Oct 18), which carried a message of hope, rehabilitation and second chances.

Cambodia

Youths key to shaping future China-Asean ties, says Cambodian scholar

PHNOM PENH: Youths play a crucial role in shaping the future of China-Asean relations and driving regional cooperation, acting as a vital bridge for sustaining long-term stability and economic partnership, a Cambodian scholar said on Sunday (Oct 18).