Southeast Asia's most populous metropolis ranks its 2nd smartest city

VNExpress - Sep 17, 2026

Indonesia's capital Jakarta has emerged as one of Southeast Asia's leading intelligent urban centers, ranking second in the region in an assessment of cities using AI and digital technology to enhance urban life.

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Đắk R'măng market – where Mong cultural identity is upheld in Central Highlands
Sep 17, 2026

Đắk R'măng market – where Mong cultural identity is upheld in Central Highlands

For the Mông people in Tà Đùng, Đắk R'măng is not merely a weekly rendezvous, but a space preserving memories of their northwestern hometowns and cultural identity in their new land.

Ninh Bình promotes art of stilt walking
Sep 17, 2026

Ninh Bình promotes art of stilt walking

Originally a practical tool that enabled fishermen to move easily across tidal mudflats while harvesting aquatic resources, stilts gradually evolved into a distinctive cultural tradition, reflecting the creativity, diligence and resilience of the region's coastal people.

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt
Sep 17, 2026

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

Tourists seek out riverine landscapes, discover a different Đồng Tháp
Sep 17, 2026

Tourists seek out riverine landscapes, discover a different Đồng Tháp

From winding canals and lush orchards to traditional villages and wetland ecosystems, Đồng Tháp is drawing increasing numbers of visitors with tourism experiences that bring them closer to nature, local life and the province’s rich cultural heritage.

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand
Sep 17, 2026

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

The number of foreigners entering South Korea for study and training surpassed a record 500,000 in 2025, marking more than a sixfold increase since 2021, driven by the global expansion of Korean pop culture.

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students
Sep 17, 2026

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

This comes amid friction with Umno, Borneo support needed for stability.

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King
Sep 17, 2026

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong
Sep 17, 2026

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding
Sep 17, 2026

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding, with some schools switching to online classes.

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.

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 caused widespread flooding, paralyzing traffic and forcing businesses and schools to close.

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...

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