Asia

Thailand banned afternoon booze only to reverse order in less than a week

For six months starting in early December, Thai authorities will now allow the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2 PM and 5 PM as part of a pilot program that could be extended beyond mid-2026.

Indonesia adds former President Suharto to national heroes list, faces backlash

President Prabowo Subianto on Monday named his former father-in-law and late dictator Suharto as a national hero, defying an outcry from human rights and anti-graft campaigners.

Bangladesh rattled after Rajnath Singh cautions Yunus over his anti-India remarks

Bangladesh appeared to be rattled by what Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in an interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief, Rahul Joshi, about the country's Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Here's how Dhaka is reacting to Singh's interview

Indonesia: Over 50 injured in explosion at mosque inside Jakarta school during friday prayers

At least 54 people were injured after an explosion rocked a mosque during Friday prayers inside a school complex in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, police said.

Typhoon Kalmaegi brings rain & wreaks havoc in Vietnam, death toll in the Philippines nears 200

At least five people died in Vietnam after Typhoon Kalmaegi pummelled coastal regions with destructive winds and heavy rain, officials said on Friday, following the storm's deadly passage through the Philippines where it killed at least 188 people.

Philippines typhoon death toll tops 100: Why is the country so disaster-prone?

The Philippines is recovering from the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left more than 100 people dead and many still unaccounted for. With cleanup ongoing and another potential weather system developing, the disaster highlights the country’s chronic vulnerability to extreme climate events and natural hazards. It is among the world's most disaster-prone nations

7 killed, over 150 injured as 6.2 magnitude earthquake rocks Afghanistan

At least 7 people were killed and over 150 were injured after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight Sunday into Monday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

After second round of Turkey talks, Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to extend ceasefire

After the second round of talks in Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to extend the ceasefire on Thursday. Next peace talks scheduled to take place on November 6

Around Asia in 5 days: How successful was Trump's big tour?

United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping Asia tour — spanning Malaysia, Japan and South Korea was aimed at boosting Washington’s regional agenda with major deals on trade, defence, and energy. Yet, behind the high-profile meetings and tariff cuts, many questions linger over rare earth access, and US power in the Indo-Pacific

China’s VP meets Saudi crown prince MBS amid concerns over Beijing dumping cheaper goods

China's Vice President Han Zheng met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday in a bid to bolster bilateral ties between the two nations.