Casino, not bakery: Philippine e-payment firms urged to improve merchant vetting

South China Morning Post - Sep 17, 2026

Electronic payment providers need to be more diligent in vetting companies that use their platforms to protect people from fraud, the Philippine central bank said. The requirement came after Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas found thousands of illegal businesses on the payment platforms, including many online casinos masquerading as more ordinary companies like beauty salons and bakeries. “We want to protect consumers from online fraud, illegal activities and also from money launderers,” Deputy...

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Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight
Sep 17, 2026

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding that paralyzed traffic and forced shop closures.

Health crisis grips Indonesians enduring haze: ‘my eyes sting, my head hurts’
Sep 16, 2026

Health crisis grips Indonesians enduring haze: ‘my eyes sting, my head hurts’

Struggling to breathe through the acrid haze emanating from wildfires on Indonesia’s Borneo Island, residents said on Wednesday they feared for their health but had little to do but wait out the foul-smelling hazard. Indonesia, which shares Borneo with Malaysia and Brunei, is grappling with forest fires that have ravaged swathes of the island, partly caused by the El Nino climate phenomenon that has also affected other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond. In Pontianak, the capital of West...

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe
Sep 16, 2026

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe

China has completed drilling a key tunnel on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will create a shorter trade route to Europe and bypass Russia.

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university
Sep 16, 2026

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university

Tran Quang Vinh, an International Physics Olympiad gold medalist, was the only student to win two of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics department's academic awards this year.

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?
Sep 16, 2026

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?

This leader earns about US$1.7 million a year, more than four times what the U.S. president makes.

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming
Sep 16, 2026

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming

Singapore has been ranked the world’s most welcoming city for travelers, ahead of London and Sydney, in a global study by travel eSIM provider Holafly.

Ex-N Sembilan MB backs Tuanku Muhriz as lawmakers question legitimacy of exco statement
Sep 16, 2026

Ex-N Sembilan MB backs Tuanku Muhriz as lawmakers question legitimacy of exco statement

Aminuddin calls for solidarity, urges rakyat to defend sovereignty of the constitutional monarchy.

Thai king and queen visit Hanoi university that hosts Thai language, culture center
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king and queen visit Hanoi university that hosts Thai language, culture center

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida visited Hanoi University, meeting its staff and students on Wednesday.

Malaysia to invite Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing for Rohingya repatriation talks
Sep 16, 2026

Malaysia to invite Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing for Rohingya repatriation talks

Malaysia will formally invite Myanmar leader Minh Aung Hlaing to visit Kuala Lumpur to discuss efforts to repatriate nearly 200,000 refugees from the war-torn nation that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says have placed a heavy social and economic burden on his country. Refugees from Myanmar, particularly ethnic Rohingya, have faced worsening hostility in recent months in Malaysia, where they are accused of causing social problems and taking over small local businesses in areas where they have set...

Rembau undang: Exco cannot override N Sembilan constitution, DKU ruling on Tuanku Muhriz
Sep 16, 2026

Rembau undang: Exco cannot override N Sembilan constitution, DKU ruling on Tuanku Muhriz

UPDATED 9.37PM | Hassan says fundamental requirements were not fulfilled, rendering April 19 proclamation invalid.

Singapore's top university destroys tumors with magnetic pulses, no chemo needed
Sep 16, 2026

Singapore's top university destroys tumors with magnetic pulses, no chemo needed

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have used brief pulses of a weak magnetic field to eliminate breast tumors in 75% of the mice they tested, without any chemotherapy.

How wildfires are threatening Indonesia’s economy and carbon market
Sep 16, 2026

How wildfires are threatening Indonesia’s economy and carbon market

Forest and peatland fires raging across Indonesia are threatening to become more than an environmental emergency, with analysts warning that the thickening haze could weigh on economic activity, strain public health and test confidence in the nation’s fledgling carbon market. Indonesia is no stranger to forest and peat fires, but this year’s super El Nino has helped make it the country’s most intense wildfire season in 11 years. Toxic haze and smoke have also drifted to neighbouring countries...

SNAPSHOT | CJ: Unjust to keep crime suspects under remand for years before trial
Sep 16, 2026

SNAPSHOT | CJ: Unjust to keep crime suspects under remand for years before trial

What's going on in the news today, with updates at 2pm and 6pm

Bringing Hà Nội's heritage spaces to life
Sep 16, 2026

Bringing Hà Nội's heritage spaces to life

Hà Nội is buzzing with colour and festive energy as the second Thăng Long - Hà Nội Festival gets underway, bringing a wide range of activities to heritage sites across the capital.

Experts highlight cinema's role in developing heritage resources
Sep 16, 2026

Experts highlight cinema's role in developing heritage resources

Experts at the seminar, titled 'Cinema and Heritage – From Nurturing Talent to Developing Creative Industries', proposed the links between heritage, creative talent, film production and the development of creative industries.

N Sembilan exco says Tuanku Muhriz removal valid, recognises Tuanku Nadzaruddin as ruler
Sep 16, 2026

N Sembilan exco says Tuanku Muhriz removal valid, recognises Tuanku Nadzaruddin as ruler

Exco says MB's signature on Aug 3 completed the proclamation.

Thai king honors President Ho Chi Minh on landmark state visit to Vietnam
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king honors President Ho Chi Minh on landmark state visit to Vietnam

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi and laid a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs on Wednesday.

Thai king and queen pray for peace at Hanoi pagoda as state visit ends
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king and queen pray for peace at Hanoi pagoda as state visit ends

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida visited Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on Wednesday and attended a prayer ceremony for peace.

Govt's special meeting tomorrow on measures to mitigate impact of higher electricity bills
Sep 16, 2026

Govt's special meeting tomorrow on measures to mitigate impact of higher electricity bills

PM says matter needs to be given attention immediately.

European and Vietnamese documentaries meet at 16th film festival
Sep 16, 2026

European and Vietnamese documentaries meet at 16th film festival

Each screening will pair a Vietnamese film with a European one, a format that has defined the festival since its early days.

Rohingya: Anwar points fingers at Najib and Hadi, says solution being resolved diplomatically
Sep 16, 2026

Rohingya: Anwar points fingers at Najib and Hadi, says solution being resolved diplomatically

'I am the one being blamed, even though others brought them here.'

Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam brace for 5-day heavy rain spell
Sep 16, 2026

Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam brace for 5-day heavy rain spell

A low-pressure trough driven by northern cold air is expected to bring a five-day spell of heavy rain to Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam starting Sept. 17.

Rural markets embrace digital transformation in Vĩnh Long
Sep 16, 2026

Rural markets embrace digital transformation in Vĩnh Long

The '4.0 Market' model, which promotes cashless payments, is being introduced at traditional markets, particularly in remote areas and communities with large Khmer populations.

Northwest Tourism Fair 2026 promotes Lào Cai's tourism potential
Sep 16, 2026

Northwest Tourism Fair 2026 promotes Lào Cai's tourism potential

A wide range of cultural and tourism activities will be held, especially highlighting the connection of OCOP products with regional tourism.

Singapore court rejects 90-year-old’s spousal support claim against ex-wife, 89
Sep 16, 2026

Singapore court rejects 90-year-old’s spousal support claim against ex-wife, 89

A Singapore family court rejected a 90-year-old man’s claim for spousal maintenance from his 89-year-old wife, noting that both of them are in the twilight of their lives. The court also noted that the man would receive more than S$2 million (US$1.6 million) from the matrimonial pool, comprising the couple’s assets to be divided in the divorce, and his wife was a retiree living on a pension. The former couple were married for more than 64 years and have three children, all aged above 60, a...

Umno Penang councillor whacks DAP at AGM, says sorry in resignation letter
Sep 16, 2026

Umno Penang councillor whacks DAP at AGM, says sorry in resignation letter

Zaidi apologises for his remarks, hails state DAP leaders.

SNAPSHOT | 'Radioactive bomb' turns out to be training game; US Senate to grill envoy to M'sia nominee
Sep 16, 2026

SNAPSHOT | 'Radioactive bomb' turns out to be training game; US Senate to grill envoy to M'sia nominee

What's going on in the news today, with updates at 2pm and 6pm.

Hong Kong rated Asia’s top financial hub for fourth straight year: report
Sep 16, 2026

Hong Kong rated Asia’s top financial hub for fourth straight year: report

Hong Kong has retained its status as Asia’s top financial hub for a fourth consecutive edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), even as many of the world’s leading centres saw their scores slip slightly amid rising geopolitical headwinds. The city also ranked third globally in the 40th edition of the twice-yearly report, released on Wednesday amid a remarkably tight race at the top of global finance. Hong Kong scored 756, just one point behind London and a point ahead of Singapore....

Metro construction triggers 3-km traffic jam at HCMC airport gateway
Sep 16, 2026

Metro construction triggers 3-km traffic jam at HCMC airport gateway

Heavy traffic choked streets around Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City northwestern gateway on Wednesday morning as road closures began for the city's second metro line construction.

Malaysian councillor resigns after DAP remarks at Umno assembly
Sep 16, 2026

Malaysian councillor resigns after DAP remarks at Umno assembly

A Malaysian city councillor has resigned over remarks he made about the Democratic Action Party (DAP) at the recent Umno general assembly. Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said’s resignation as a Seberang Perai city councillor took effect on Monday, according to a letter made public by state local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye on Wednesday. In the letter, Zaidi apologised for his remarks during the assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, where he represented...

South Korean killer’s drone escape from Philippine prison foiled by test footage
Sep 16, 2026

South Korean killer’s drone escape from Philippine prison foiled by test footage

A South Korean crime lord convicted of murder in the Philippines reportedly planned to escape prison by strapping himself to a drone – until his own accomplice’s rehearsal footage gave the game away. Park Wang-yeol, 47, was sentenced in 2022 to 60 years behind bars for the killing of three South Koreans in a sugar cane field outside Bacolod City in 2016, a crime that earned him the nickname “sugar cane field killer”. The drone-assisted escape plot was planned for earlier this year, in the weeks...

Yeoh on Najib pardon bid: I spoke with nation's interest in mind
Sep 16, 2026

Yeoh on Najib pardon bid: I spoke with nation's interest in mind

Minister says any decision ultimately up to Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

A toy revival
Sep 16, 2026

A toy revival

Traditional lanterns, toys and contemporary designs inspired by old favourites are bringing the spirit of Mid-Autumn Festival to Hà Nội’s Old Quarter, where visitors can explore, learn about and make traditional toys themselves.

Vietnam's youngest female Doctor of Science leaves lasting legacy following lifelong pursuit of mathematics
Sep 16, 2026

Vietnam's youngest female Doctor of Science leaves lasting legacy following lifelong pursuit of mathematics

Achieving several milestones from a young age, Professor Le Hong Van dedicated her life to mathematics, continuing to publish research, teach and pursue new work in geometry, machine learning, and artificial intelligence until her death at 65.

Multilingualism a Malaysian asset, not barrier to unity - experts
Sep 16, 2026

Multilingualism a Malaysian asset, not barrier to unity - experts

They say it can serve as a source of cultural, social and economic strength.

Archaeological discovery sheds further light on ancient imperial palace
Sep 16, 2026

Archaeological discovery sheds further light on ancient imperial palace

The excavation has yielded a wealth of new and important evidence on the scale of Kính Thiên Palace, the construction of its building pad and column foundations, and the building materials used, as well as traces of the Long Thiên Palace pad dating from the Nguyễn Dynasty.

Great National Unity Festival to be held abroad for first time
Sep 16, 2026

Great National Unity Festival to be held abroad for first time

The festival aims to promote the traditions of the VFF, affirm the value of the great national unity bloc, and strengthen ties between Vietnamese communities abroad and the homeland. It is also intended to foster patriotism and national pride, encourage the preservation of the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and inspire overseas Vietnamese (OVs) to contribute to national development.

Tasek Bera operation turns tense as five Orang Asli arrested, officer kicks incense pot
Sep 16, 2026

Tasek Bera operation turns tense as five Orang Asli arrested, officer kicks incense pot

Video of confrontation has been circulating on social media.

Modelling competition for kids kicks off
Sep 16, 2026

Modelling competition for kids kicks off

The TV reality modelling show Model Kid Vietnam 2026 has kicked off in HCM City, offering an entertaining and meaningful playground for children with a passion for the runway and fashion.

Artists, theatres urged to mark first Vietnam Culture Day on November 24
Sep 16, 2026

Artists, theatres urged to mark first Vietnam Culture Day on November 24

Culture is now regarded as a spiritual foundation, an internal strength, a resource and a key driver of sustainable development, not merely a field to be preserved and upheld.

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