World desk
Asia
East, South-East and South Asia.
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Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay: 5 facts about 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Justice Pillay has been a judge on several international courts, including the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
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Russian strikes across Ukraine kill 3 people as Kyiv struggles to counter escalating attacks
One man was killed, and five people were wounded in Russian strikes on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region in the morning hours, said Mykhailo Semikin, the head of the regional military administratio
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Talks with Iran can only succeed without threats, President says
Diplomatic efforts to end the seven-month conflict, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, have been at an impasse since the summer
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Navi Pillay: A life dedicated to justice and human rights | Timeline
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Japan protests Russia’s extradition requests for ICC president Tomoko Akane and eight other court staff
Japan has criticized Russia’s request for the extradition of the International Criminal Court’s president and eight other tribunal officials from the Netherlands, where the court is based
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Pakistan says ‘substantial’ forces, resources already in Saudi Arabia under defence deal
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks at his weekly press briefing in response to a question on the growing threat posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to Saudi Arabia
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Saudi authorities say three killed in Houthi-claimed attacks on Riyadh airport
The attacks on October 8 were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighbouring Yemen launched a major military offensive against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels last weekend
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‘Navi’ Pillay dedicates Nobel Prize to ‘survivors of international crimes’
The former UN human rights chief noted increasing attacks on the international justice system and called for accountability for crimes against humanity
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Omani Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Israeli airport, UAE says
An Omani Flydubai co-pilot had intended to seize a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport on September 30 in a suicide attack before he was thwarted by the captain, the UAE attorney general said…
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Government slams Vance’s remarks on Indian IT professionals as ‘deeply offensive’
Government reminds Trump administration that Indian professionals are “skilled contributors” to U.S. economy after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance calls foreign workers “indentured servants”
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Almost 75% of buildings in Gaza damaged or destroyed since October 7, 2023: An Analysis
Using satellite data, researchers at Oregon State University find around 75% of the all buildings in Gaza are either damaged or destroyed since October 7, 2023.
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ICC rejects U.S. sanctions, says 'history will judge this moment'
The sanctions are "an assault on the rule of law and on the very foundations of the international legal order which strikes at the simple principle that no one stands above the law", said the court in a statement
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US slaps sanctions on ICC, hours after ex-judge wins Nobel
US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court on Friday, hours after one of its former judges won the Nobel Peace Prize, putting Washington on a diplomatic collision course with European…
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Hong Kong lawmakers back 5-year plan as firms urged to align with blueprint
Hong Kong’s legislature has passed motions supporting the city’s first five-year plan and thanking Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for his latest policy address, while Beijing’s top representative in the city urged mainland Chinese…
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Developer of One Stanley pledges 6-year warranty and checks amid steel bar probe
The developer of One Stanley has offered flat owners a six-year structural warranty and free independent property inspections amid an investigation into suspected steel reinforcement deficiencies at the seaside luxury residential…
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Sri Lanka says no immediate plan to help Iranian ships near its waters with depleting food, fuel
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said Sri Lanka will put its national interest first before considering any help
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Travel agencies tout Huanggang Port tours, but security chief urges later visits
Hong Kong travel agencies are offering tours featuring “five-minute clearance” at the revamped Huanggang Port when it opens on Monday, but the security chief has urged those who do not need to use the crossing immediately to delay their…
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Judy Shelton, Trump’s Former Fed Pick, Joins Treasury as Scott Bessent’s Adviser
Judy Shelton previously led the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the National Endowment for Democracy
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Anthropic claims Chinese AI firms secretly use Claude. Is it true?
Did Chinese AI companies secretly tap US models to close the technology gap? That is the central question hanging over China’s tech sector following a wave of allegations from Washington and American AI lab Anthropic. According to a joint…
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Sri Lanka appeals to Saudi Arabia to overturn migrant worker’s death penalty
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China’s Pacific ties not part of ‘geopolitical rivalry’, Wang Yi tells island leaders
China’s cooperation with the Pacific islands is not part of a geopolitical competition, top diplomat Wang Yi told a delegation of politicians from the region on Friday. The comments come as Beijing and Washington vie for influence in the…
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Malaysia budget 2027: Five things you need to know
Despite tabling a higher budget, the government expects Malaysia’s fiscal deficit to decline to 3.3 per cent in 2027, progressing toward the target of 3 per cent by 2028.
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Why a ‘confrontational posture’ won’t help China in the Arctic
China should avoid taking a “confrontational posture” over a new security pact between the United States, Denmark and Greenland as it might end up being excluded from engagement on the emerging Arctic order. That was the warning from…
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US lawmakers push green card bill for Hongkongers, but observers doubt success
Two US lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would allow Hongkongers in the country to apply for permanent residency, but authorities and observers have dismissed it as a political move unlikely to succeed. Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon…
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With war project, US tech ecosystem is beginning to look a lot like China’s
The world’s wealthiest man has just been appointed to a Pentagon commission that will help decide what the future of warfare looks like. Elon Musk, alongside Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House speaker Newt…
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Elon Musk’s Starlink row in India exposes Asia’s deeper battle over satellite power
Elon Musk’s accusation that powerful Indian business interests are blocking Starlink’s entry into India has sparked a political row, but analysts say the dispute also highlights security concerns, regulatory hurdles and strategic…
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‘You’re not ugly’: Chinese driver’s kindness to blind passenger wins millions of hearts online
A video of a ride-hailing driver in southwestern China reassuring a blind passenger about his appearance has gone viral, touching hearts across mainland social media. The driver, surnamed Wang, recently picked up a visually impaired…
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Chinese researchers make Arctic-to-Antarctic call using rival to Musk’s Starlink
Polar researchers have used a would-be Chinese rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink to make a satellite video call between the Arctic and Antarctic – the first publicly reported test of the Guowang constellation. The call highlights the growing…
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China agrees to slash EU hybrid car exports in half, putting brake on trade war
The European Union and China have “reached an understanding” that will cut Chinese hybrid car shipments to the bloc by “more than a half”, in a temporary salve to trade tensions that have threatened to boil over into a full-blown trade…
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17 key takeaways from Malaysia’s 2027 budget - ‘live with dignity’
Malaysia plans to spend 460 billion ringgit (US$112.6 billion) under its 2027 budget, expanding welfare assistance and tax relief while retaining fuel subsidies as households contend with higher living costs. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim…
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Girl filmed carrying beer bags to be placed in temporary care with siblings
A 10-year-old Hong Kong girl filmed carrying heavy bags of beer will be placed in temporary care with her two siblings after welfare assessments found it would “not be suitable” for them to return home following the arrest of their…
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‘Navi’ Pillay, South African jurist of Tamil descent, wins 2026 Peace Nobel
Ms. Pillay has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court
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France students plan fresh protests as UN flags concern over violence
The students have complained of absent teachers, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings that cannot cope with rising temperatures
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UK’s ex-prince Andrew gets US$399,000 compensation on his mansion lease
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of Britain’s King Charles, has benefited from £302,000 (US$399,000) in compensation after he was forced to end his mansion lease early over revelations about his ties to the late sex…
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News commentator denies unlawfully revealing police meeting details online
A Hong Kong news commentator accused of violating the national security law has denied exposing police intelligence operations, telling a court that details of his meeting with officers were already public knowledge before he posted them…
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Navi Pillay | Enabler of justice
The Indian-origin head of the U.N. Independent Inquiry Commission on Palestine has had an illustrious career in humanitarian law
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EU removes Panama from tax haven blacklist
The EU removed Panama from its tax havens blacklist on Friday after the country made progress on sharing tax information and reformed a “harmful” regime of exemptions for foreign-source income. Vietnam was also removed after undertaking a…
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Malaysia's Myanmar outreach reflects shift in regional engagement but shouldn't come at expense of compliance: Analysts
As more ASEAN member states engage Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing, analysts say the growing contact is raising questions about the bloc's unity and the future of the Five-Point Consensus.
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Nobel Prize 2026: When will the awards be announced, date and timings in IST
Nobel Prizes are among the world’s most prestigious awards and are highly anticipated each year. The prize in physiology or medicine to be announced on October 5
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Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?
The Philippines is developing a national road map to combat child labour as part of a broader push across Southeast Asia, where poverty and insecure livelihoods continue to drive children into work despite government efforts to stamp out…
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China’s Xpeng targets overseas robotaxi trials next year, wider rollout in 2 to 3 years
Xpeng is also ramping up production of its humanoid robot, Iron, with plans to put it to work in stores before offering it to external customers, vice-chairman and president Brian Gu tells CNA’s Julie Yoo in an interview.
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Malaysia to raise minimum wages, expand tax relief in spending boost for 2027 budget
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Oct 9) pledged to implement reforms that he said would allow the country's strong economic growth to trickle-down to ordinary Malaysians.
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Saudi Arabia says 3 killed at Riyadh airport as Yemen war expands
Saudi Arabia said on Friday that three people were killed including a pilot, in attacks on Riyadh’s international airport, after Yemen’s Houthis claimed a series of attacks targeting the facility. The conflict between the Houthis and…
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Hong Kong outlines new liquidity reforms as US market rally pulls funds away
Hong Kong’s securities watchdog is renewing its push to boost market liquidity, setting out further reforms as emerging markets grapple with capital outflow pressure amid a rally in US equities and a strengthening dollar. Speaking at a…
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China’s hotel room rates disappoint during ‘golden week’ despite tourism boom
Hotel room rates across mainland China fell short of expectations during the National Day “golden week” holiday despite a tourism boom, as company officials and analysts called for stronger asset and revenue management to ease pricing…
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Doing more with fewer people: How AI is changing Chinese companies
CNA looks at how artificial intelligence is changing businesses in China – from the rise of solo entrepreneurs and the networks forming around them to its impact on larger organisations.
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China Golden Week spending per trip hits four-year low amid overseas travel jump
Average spending per domestic trip during the seven-day holiday fell 1.9 per cent to 893.92 yuan (US$133.51), the lowest since 2022.
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Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
Former UN human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The South Africa-born jurist was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement was made by the Norwegian…
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China rejects yuan complaints, ‘golden week’ travel, Canton Fair
China’s central bank rejected claims that the yuan is undervalued, rebutting a key European argument amid crunch negotiations ahead of a possible trade war. “China has no need or intent to gain competitive advantages through currency…
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DFI Retail Group says it will continue to invest in Hong Kong supermarkets
Hong Kong-headquartered DFI Retail Group, which owns and operates the city’s largest supermarket network, says it will continue to invest in new stores even though consumers remain cautious. Darren Chan, the group’s managing director for…
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Russia lifts plague lab-related measures. Should China – and the world – be relieved?
While Russian authorities have denied the death of a woman who worked in a laboratory at an anti-plague institute in Siberia was connected with the pathogen, the incident has sparked global concern – including in China – over a potential…
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Poland’s ‘Bloody Friday’ school threats prompt big police operation
Thousands of Polish police officers visited schools nationwide on Friday in an effort to reassure pupils after two teenage stabbing sprees in as many days sparked rumours of a “Bloody Friday” of attacks. Social media in Poland has been…
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Walking through flames: Orangutans rescued in Indonesia fires
Wildfires have piled pressure on already endangered orangutans, forcing local groups and authorities to carry out high-stakes rescues of animals suffering smoke inhalation and burns.
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China state funds double down on Hua Hong in legacy chip push
Chinese state funds are ramping up support for the country’s second-largest contract chipmaker, pouring billions of yuan into the parent of Hua Hong Grace Semiconductor and a new manufacturing facility to fuel Beijing’s drive for…
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US-Japan-Poland strategic triangle can encourage a ‘peaceful war’
As Russian President Vladimir Putin watched the final stage of the massive Tsentr-2026 military exercise in the Urals recently, Chinese troops were training alongside forces from Russia, Belarus and other countries. More than 47,000…
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Why Asian parents are trapped in a private tuition arms race
Grace often hears other Singapore mothers debating how much private tuition their children need. Some rush to enrol their offspring in multiple classes before they turn five, while others try to resist the pressure to add lessons outside…
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Israel to honour Capt. Smit Machchhar with civilian heroism award
On September 30, pilot Smit Machchhar helped save the lives of 172 passengers and his fellow crew members aboard flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv
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Pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia? What we know so far
An employee at a plague research institute in Siberia, Darya Shipilova, employed at a plague research institute in Siberia fell ill and died in undisclosed circumstances. Unconfirmed reports in Russia blamed the woman’s death on pneumonic…
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Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro and HCL among IT firms suspended from U.S. green card programme
The Department of Labour is also suspending Microsoft and Adobe from the PERM programme
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After speculation over political appointees, government to send senior career officer to Kathmandu
MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela’s name forwarded, reflects change of thinking in South Block