Region
Asia
- Follow-up: Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh; over 180,000 evacuated and three airports shut
India's weather department said Cyclone Arnab, classed as a very severe cyclonic storm, began making landfall in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, Oct 28, with wind speeds of 125-135 km/h, gusts of up to 150 km/h and a possible storm surge of 1.5-2.5 metres above normal tide; the storm's centre then almost stalled near the Bay of Bengal, so landfall was expected to last several hours. Authorities said more than 180,000 people had been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, with no deaths reported so far, but there were power cuts and fallen trees, some schools closed and trains and flights were cancelled. India's civil aviation ministry said three airports in Andhra Pradesh had suspended operations, and neighbouring Nepal warned tourists not to travel to high-altitude areas.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - SK Hynix posts record Q3 operating profit of 83.3 trillion won and unveils about 100 trillion won in shareholder returns
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix reported third-quarter revenue of 104.62 trillion won on Wednesday, Oct 28, up 327.9% year on year and above 100 trillion won for the first time, and operating profit of 83.33 trillion won, up 632.1%, an operating margin of 79.7% and a record for the sixth quarter in a row. The company announced total shareholder returns of about 100 trillion won (about US$75 billion) this year, including at least 30 trillion won in cash dividends and 60 trillion won of share buybacks and cancellations. It said its HBM and DRAM chips are sold out through 2029, HBM demand is twice its supply capacity and the chip shortage could last until 2030. Its shares rose as much as 9.4% in early trading on Wednesday.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's Daishin Securities says data of 38,000 customers leaked; Bithumb and Mirae Asset also report intrusions
South Korea's Daishin Securities said on Wednesday, Oct 28, that personal and financial data of 38,490 customers had leaked, including names, email addresses, home addresses, bank account numbers and mobile numbers, after it detected signs of a hacking intrusion on Oct 17. Cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb found on Tuesday that its internal mobile office system had been breached, exposing data on 646 employees, and is investigating whether customers were affected; Mirae Asset Global Investments also confirmed outside access to some of its online systems. The presidential office held an emergency response meeting on Wednesday afternoon chaired by the third deputy director of national security, and the head of the Financial Supervisory Service warned the financial sector about the risk of AI-driven hacking attacks.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's August births jump 13%, the biggest rise in 19 years and a 26th straight monthly increase
South Korea's national statistics agency reported on Wednesday, Oct 28, that 23,703 babies were born in August, 2,720 more than a year earlier, an increase of 13%. For the month of August, both the increase in number and the growth rate were the largest in 19 years, since 2007, when births rose by 6,584, or 17.6%. Births have now risen year on year for a record 26 consecutive months. The Hankyoreh reported that the number of marriages, which had grown for 28 straight months, stopped rising in August.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Annual US-South Korea Security Consultative Meeting postponed to early next year, first such delay since 1998
Yonhap News TV reported that the annual defence-minister-level US-South Korea Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), originally scheduled for December, will be postponed to early next year. A US defence department official told South Korean media on Oct 27 local time that the two sides decided this after consultations because of scheduling conflicts between the two countries' leadership. It is the third time the SCM has slipped into the following year, and the first in 28 years, since 1998. On the transfer of wartime operational control, the US side had earlier said only that the two countries remain committed to meeting the conditions required for the handover.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Tokyo police arrest company director accused of faking credentials to get wealthy Chinese clients Japan's 'Highly Skilled Professional' status
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department on Wednesday, Oct 28, re-arrested a 39-year-old company director on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control Act and also arrested two women. Police allege his business was helping wealthy Chinese clients obtain permanent residency by forging academic records and fake employment papers so they could get 'Highly Skilled Professional' residence status and apply for permanent residency within a year; about 30-40 clients entered Japan this way, possibly paying up to US$450,000 (about 70 million yen) each. A 57-year-old Chinese woman who was arrested told police she had paid US$600,000. The director denies all charges. As of 2025, 32,953 foreigners held the status, 22,169 of them Chinese, or about 67.3%.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Japan's Koizumi and US Defense Secretary Hegseth agree in Cebu on munitions co-production; Koizumi also meets South Korean counterpart
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi met US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, Oct 28, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Cebu, the Philippines, their sixth face-to-face meeting. The US side said they confirmed close cooperation on munitions co-production and discussed a strategy of 'deterrence by denial'. With Japan revising its three security documents this year, Koizumi reportedly briefed the US on steps to strengthen defence including higher spending, and asked for measures to prevent a recurrence after a US Marine at Futenma base in Okinawa was arrested over a robbery-murder. In the afternoon Koizumi also met South Korea's defence minister, the first face-to-face meeting between the two since Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine on Aug 15.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Three months after Kumamoto earthquake, 1,073 people still live in shelters and only one house has been publicly demolished
Wednesday, Oct 28, marked three months since a strong earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 hit Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in July. Prefectural data showed that 1,073 people were still living in shelters as of Tuesday, down from more than 10,000 at the peak. The quake killed 38 people, including indirect deaths, and damaged 82,223 buildings, 11,429 of them fully or half destroyed. Publicly funded demolition of damaged homes began last month, but only one building had been demolished as of Oct 21. By last Friday 2,685 people had moved into temporary housing, and the Kumamoto Labour Bureau counted about 380 people who lost their jobs because of the quake.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Sapporo and Aomori see first snow of the season as Tokyo and Kinki get the year's first 'kogarashi' winter wind
A winter-type pressure pattern and cold air aloft brought snow to northern Japan, centred on Hokkaido, on Wednesday, Oct 28, and both Sapporo and Aomori recorded their first snowfall of the season. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced at 11am that Tokyo and the Kinki region had experienced 'Kogarashi No. 1', the first strong northerly wind of winter. The agency said winds would keep strengthening in northern Japan during the day and urged vigilance against storms, high waves and snow and ice on roads, with some transport disruption possible.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Hong Kong's Chief Executive to release final report on deadly Tai Po fire on Thursday, reportedly proposing criminal penalties for bid-rigging
The independent committee on the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po submitted its final report to Hong Kong's Chief Executive this month. The South China Morning Post, citing government sources, reported that he will hold a press conference with his ministers on Thursday, Oct 29, to release the report and announce reforms, including a proposal to introduce criminal penalties for bid-rigging, and to explain progress and a timetable on holding officials accountable. Senior officials coordinating the policy bureaus and the relevant secretaries will attend, and the government will hold further briefings on specific issues on Friday, Oct 30.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong graduate job ads fall 22% in first nine months while applications per job rise 56%
Data from job platform Jobsdb showed that job ads for fresh graduates in Hong Kong in the first nine months of this year fell 22% from the same period in 2025, while each graduate position received 56% more applications on average than a year earlier. The South China Morning Post reported that industry figures expect technological advances to further reduce entry-level jobs. In a Jobsdb survey of 298 Hong Kong companies in August and September, about 85% said they were willing to hire fresh graduates next year.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Labubu maker Pop Mart says Q3 revenue fell 45-50%, with Americas sales down over 70%; shares drop more than 6%
Chinese toy company Pop Mart, maker of the Labubu dolls, said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that third-quarter revenue fell 45-50% year on year, a steeper drop than the 30% the market had expected. Overseas declines were especially sharp: revenue fell 70-75% in the Americas, 65-70% in Asia-Pacific and 50-55% in Europe and other regions, and 25-30% in mainland China. Its shares fell more than 6% in early trading on Wednesday and are down over 30% this year. Jefferies cut its 2027 and 2028 earnings forecasts for Pop Mart by 9-12%, and expects fourth-quarter revenue to rise 3% from the previous quarter but remain 34% below a year earlier.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - China's old-age dependency ratio overtakes child dependency ratio for the first time; over 223 million aged 65+
The BBC reported that data published last week by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed the old-age dependency ratio, the ratio of people aged 65 and over to the working-age population, rose to 23% last year, overtaking the child dependency ratio of 22% for the first time. China now has more than 223 million people aged 65 and over, nearly 16% of the population, and about 213 million children aged 14 and under. The data were released without official comment. China has been preparing for an ageing population while encouraging young people to marry and have children; analysts said the demographic shift will affect families, pensions and healthcare spending.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's president tells Formosa Club European lawmakers Taiwan stands 'on the front line' on undersea cable risks and transnational repression
Taiwan's president on Wednesday, Oct 28, received a cross-national delegation of European lawmakers attending the Formosa Club's 2026 annual meeting in Taipei, whose acting chair presented the meeting's joint statement. He said Taiwan will stand firmly on the front line against challenges such as managing risks to international undersea cables and China's transnational repression, and hopes to build trusted supply chains with democratic partners in areas including AI, drones and semiconductors. The acting chair said the delegation visited Kinmen, and that the joint statement supports an undersea cable security initiative and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The club was founded in 2019 and held its annual meeting in Taiwan for the first time last October.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's foreign minister says CPTPP bid has no working group in its fifth year, mainly due to Chinese political interference
Taiwan's foreign minister told the Legislative Yuan's foreign affairs and national defence committee on Wednesday, Oct 28, that Taiwan meets the CPTPP's 'Auckland principles' for membership but its bid cannot move forward because of political interference from China. Taiwan applied in 2021 and, now in its fifth year, has still not reached the stage of an accession working group, while three economies that applied later began preparatory discussions this year. He said this year's rotating chair is busy preparing for next year's APEC and that the large number of applications has caused a 'traffic jam'; the CPTPP is studying setting up several working groups to review bids in parallel, and its commission meets next month.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Ambani's Jio Platforms debuts in Mumbai after record US$3.2 billion IPO drew US$77 billion in bids
Jio Platforms, the telecoms and digital business of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, began trading in Mumbai on Wednesday, Oct 28, after its US$3.2 billion initial public offering drew US$77 billion in bids, the most heavily subscribed IPO in India's history. Jio is valued at up to US$108.3 billion, counts Meta and Google parent Alphabet as shareholders and has more than 530 million customers. The listing is part of Ambani's plan to turn parent company Reliance Industries from a petrochemicals group into a conglomerate spanning consumer and technology businesses. People familiar with the matter said his eldest son, Jio director Akash Ambani, was expected to attend the listing ceremony.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Australia's September inflation rises to 4.3%, above expectations, ahead of RBA rate decision on Nov 3
The Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday, Oct 28, that the consumer price index rose 0.8% in September from the previous month, after 0.4% in August, lifting annual inflation from 4% to 4.3%, higher than expected. Housing was the biggest driver, up 5.2% year on year, and fuel prices rose 9.4% in September, pushing up transport costs. Trimmed mean inflation, which strips out volatile items, rose to 3.6%, with August revised to 3.5%. Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser told a Senate hearing on Wednesday the figures were 'too high'. The cash rate is 4.6%, the highest in 15 years after four hikes this year, and the RBA will announce its decision on Nov 3.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Star Entertainment fined A$260 million for anti-money laundering breaches linked to Asian junket operator
A Federal Court judge ruled on Wednesday, Oct 28, that casino operator Star Entertainment Group be fined A$260 million for repeated breaches of anti-money laundering laws. Financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC sued Star in 2022, alleging it failed to adequately deal with money laundering risks in its dealings with Asian junket operator Suncity and its financiers, continuing those dealings after reports of their criminal links. AUSTRAC had sought A$400 million, while Star said a penalty above A$100 million would push it into liquidation. The judge said the penalty weighed the need for deterrence against the company's finances. The breaches had led to suspension of Star's casino licences in New South Wales and Queensland.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - About 2.8 million deep-sea eels found gathering to spawn off Tasmania, the only known purely marine eel spawning site
A study led by Australia's CSIRO, published in Royal Society Open Science, found through marine acoustic surveys that about 2.8 million basketwork eels, weighing some 3,500 tonnes in total, gather each year on a ridge beside Patience Seamount in the Huon Marine Park off Tasmania to spawn over several months. It is the only known spawning aggregation of a purely marine eel species in the world. The eel is a top deep-sea scavenger that can grow to about 1.8 metres and is named for the criss-cross, woven-basket pattern on its skin. Researchers hope to find out where the eels come from and where the young go.
Oct 28, 2026 Afternoon - Cyclone Arnab set to hit India's east coast; nearly 50,000 evacuated in Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Arnab, which formed in the Bay of Bengal, kept strengthening from Monday, and India's weather department expected it to make landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh on the morning of Wednesday, Oct 28, with neighbouring Odisha also facing strong winds and heavy rain; some train services were cancelled. Andhra Pradesh's disaster management chief told Reuters that nearly 50,000 people had been moved to shelters by Monday night, out of about 400,000 expected to be evacuated. After landfall the storm is expected to turn north inland towards Nepal, where authorities warned of heavy rain, snowstorms and avalanches in the Himalayas from Thursday night to Saturday; flash floods in Nepal in August killed about 1,500 people.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - 13-hour fire at Guryong Village, Seoul's last shanty town in Gangnam, leaves 107 people homeless
A fire broke out at about 3:50pm local time on Tuesday, Oct 27, in a temporary building in Section 2 of Guryong Village in Seoul's Gangnam district, spreading on strong winds to parts of Sections 1, 3 and 7; firefighters declared it fully extinguished at 4:40am on Wednesday, about 13 hours later. The fire left 77 households and 107 residents without homes, and a woman in her 30s suffered a minor leg injury. Authorities briefly issued a national fire mobilisation order and deployed more than 940 firefighters, police and district staff and six firefighting helicopters; President Lee Jae Myung ordered an all-out rescue effort and Seoul's mayor cancelled his schedule to go to the scene. The village also had a major fire in January, and the cause of this one is under investigation.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - City tour bus crashes into roadside structure while descending a hill in Gyeongju, South Korea; 24 injured
A city tour bus in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, hit a pillar of a roadside structure at about 3:14pm local time on Tuesday, Oct 27, while travelling downhill between two of the city's Buddhist heritage sites. Of the 39 passengers on board, 2 were seriously injured and 22 slightly injured. Firefighters activated their mass-casualty response, set up a temporary medical station at the scene and took all the injured to hospital, while police and firefighters are questioning the driver and others about how the crash happened.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Xi Jinping's condolence message for Yasuo Fukuda urges Japan to protect the political basis of ties; Takaichi may attend Shenzhen APEC
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Oct 27, sent a message of condolence to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who died on Thursday, Oct 22, at the age of 90, calling him an upright and responsible politician, an old friend of the Chinese people who held a correct view of history, and voicing hope that Japan's leaders will earnestly safeguard the political foundation of bilateral ties. It was a rare direct reference by Xi to China-Japan relations, which fell to a low of many years after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last November that Japan could send forces if China took action against Taiwan. Japan's foreign minister told the upper house the same day that Tokyo is arranging for Takaichi to attend the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen on Nov 18-19, and that a bilateral meeting is still under consideration.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - North Korea deploys south-facing self-propelled guns about 1.4 km from South Korea's Gimpo observatory
Visitors at the Aegibong observatory in Gimpo, South Korea, said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that they were worried after seeing North Korean self-propelled guns with barrels pointed south. A Reuters reporter saw that one armoured vehicle photographed by South Korean media last Friday had grown to three by Monday, and NHK reported that they were positioned about 1.4 km from the South Korean observatory as the North fortifies its border. Tensions have been high since a landmine blast in the DMZ in September injured three South Korean soldiers; Seoul has demanded an apology while Pyongyang says the incident was fabricated. Kim Yo Jong said last Thursday that the North would deploy loudspeakers for propaganda broadcasts along the entire border within days.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Germany's chancellor meets Japan's Takaichi in Tokyo on critical minerals and chip supply chains
Germany's chancellor left Berlin on Oct 26 for a five-day trip to Singapore, Japan and South Korea, with a stop in Japan on Oct 28-29. NHK reported that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would hold talks with him on Wednesday, Oct 28, to confirm stronger supply chain resilience across a wide range of items including critical minerals and semiconductors, and closer cooperation on cybersecurity. RFI reported that the two sides might discuss German participation in the next-generation fighter jet being developed by Japan, Britain and Italy. In Singapore, the chancellor said the EU should push for more free trade agreements in the Pacific region, opposed a complete decoupling from China and called for reducing 'unhealthy one-sided dependence'.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong beautician jailed for 4 years for selling two friends to Myanmar's KK Park scam hub
Hong Kong's District Court on Tuesday, Oct 27, sentenced a 33-year-old beautician to four years in prison. In December 2024 she planned to lure two friends abroad and sold them for US$54,000 to the notorious KK Park scam compound in Myanmar, where they were forced to work, held captive and faced a ransom demand of US$500,000. The judge described her actions as 'vicious and inhumane'. The two victims, an unemployed person and a part-time model, had first been invited by her to travel abroad together.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - China plans rules to sanction foreign entities that steal trade secrets, including bans on investment and entry
RFI reported that China plans special regulations to sanction foreign entities that infringe Chinese trade secrets and harm or actually threaten national security and development interests, with possible restrictions on their trade and investment in China and on entry by related personnel. The United States last week sanctioned five Chinese entities over trade secret theft, and Beijing said at the time it would take countermeasures. Analysts said the rules, besides countering Washington, would sharply raise the cost for foreign entities of using stolen information.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Ex-head of Communist Party's International Department Liu Jianchao reportedly demoted to section level during Fifth Plenum
The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China opened in Beijing on Oct 26 for four days, with Xi Jinping delivering a work report on behalf of the Politburo and explaining a draft decision on major issues in persistently advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance. Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported that about 45 people are expected to be expelled from the Central Committee at the session, including Liu Jianchao, former head of the party's International Department. According to the report, Liu was found to have seriously violated discipline and the law and was demoted from full ministerial rank to section level.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - China's defence minister skips ASEAN defence ministers' meeting in Cebu, sending military attaché instead
China's defence ministry said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that its minister would not attend this week's ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Cebu, the Philippines, and that the defence attaché at China's embassy in the Philippines would attend instead. Japan's defence minister Koizumi had said he wanted a 'frank exchange' with his Chinese counterpart during the meeting, and said as he left for the Philippines that his ministry had not confirmed whether China's minister would come. Amid continuing China-Japan tensions, there had been interest in whether the two defence chiefs would meet.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Taiwan security official says Beijing's interference in local elections has escalated to 'military-level' intimidation
As Taiwan's nine-in-one local elections approach, China's state-run Global Times ran an article on Tuesday, Oct 27, accusing the DPP government of 'using underground betting to sway the election'. A Taiwanese national security official called it typical cognitive warfare and said Beijing is stepping up interference on multiple fronts. The official said that after a well-known TV host appeared at the opening of the campaign headquarters of the DPP's Taipei mayoral candidate, an account run by the PLA's news communication centre posted criticism warning public figures they would pay a price for 'backing Taiwan independence'. The official said the rare move by the PLA's military propaganda arm against a local election and an entertainer showed interference had risen to 'military-level' psychological intimidation.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Itaewon crush investigators find police failed to respond to 11 emergency calls warning of crush risk
The special investigation committee looking into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush in Seoul released interim findings on Tuesday, Oct 27, ahead of the fourth anniversary, saying police received 11 calls before the disaster warning that people were at risk of being crushed but responded to none of them, contradicting the police's earlier claim that officers were dispatched for four of the calls. The committee found that dispatch records were altered twice and will investigate whether senior officials ordered the changes. Of the 120 officers at the scene at 10pm that night, 49 were narcotics detectives, while riot police units responsible for crowd control were not deployed because they had been sent to a rally near the presidential office in Yongsan. The interior ministry's minister received the first report 43 minutes after the ministry learned of the situation.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - South Korea's Supreme Court extends former first lady Kim Keon-hee's detention by two months to year-end
South Korea's Supreme Court on Tuesday, Oct 27, issued an additional arrest warrant for former first lady Kim Keon-hee, citing risks of flight and destruction of evidence, extending her detention, which was due to expire on Saturday, by two months to the end of the year. Kim has two cases pending at the Supreme Court involving corruption and bribery. She was indicted and detained in August last year in the corruption case, and an appeals court sentenced her to four years in the corruption case and five years in the bribery case. Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team requested the additional warrant in the bribery case on Oct 15.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Singapore and Indonesia plan joint haze task force to share data and go after assets of firms linked to fires
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Jakarta on Tuesday, Oct 27, and held two hours of talks with his Indonesian counterpart; the two sides said they are setting up a joint working group to tackle cross-border haze from Indonesian forest fires, including information sharing, cross-border evidence gathering and even recovering assets of companies linked to the fires. Indonesia is experiencing its worst forest fires in nearly 11 years, and frustration over the haze has grown in Singapore; Indonesia's energy minister had earlier called Singapore's comments on a bilateral gas supply contract 'preachy'. Rain has brought temporary relief, but underground peat fires are still burning, and toxic haze has spread across Southeast Asia, closing schools and causing respiratory illness.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Singapore suspends caterer Deli Hub after 53 fall ill with gastroenteritis at two MOE kindergartens
Singapore's Communicable Diseases Agency, food agency and Ministry of Education said in a joint statement on Tuesday, Oct 27, that Deli Hub Catering's food business is suspended with immediate effect until further notice. As of Oct 26, 51 pupils and 2 staff at MOE Kindergarten @ Springdale in Sengkang and MOE Kindergarten @ Gongshang in Tampines had gastroenteritis symptoms after eating food supplied by the company between Oct 21 and 23. They sought medical treatment, self-medicated or recovered on their own, and none were hospitalised. The caterer was hired by KCare, which runs student care at the two kindergartens, and authorities are investigating.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Australian Federal Police received nearly 800 security complaints from federal MPs in six months
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Oct 27, that the AFP received nearly 800 security complaints from federal MPs in the first half of this year. After the attack on independent MP Helen Haines last week, the government is speeding up its review of MPs' security, and members can receive stronger protection, including wider use of emergency alarms.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - China's Unitree Robotics shares jump over 60% in under two weeks as company warns of humanoid robot risks
Shares of Chinese robot maker Unitree Robotics, listed in Shanghai, rose more than 60% in less than two weeks, closing at 672 yuan on Monday, Oct 26, up from 405.10 yuan on Oct 15. JPMorgan raised its rating on Unitree two notches from underweight to overweight and lifted its target price from 300 yuan to 995 yuan. Founder Wang Xingxing had said a major breakthrough in embodied AI could come as early as next year, against an earlier estimate of up to a decade. Unitree also reminded investors of risks to the commercial prospects of humanoid robots, which China has made a strategic priority.
Oct 28, 2026 Morning - Hackers publish a user's personal data after Japan's GMO refuses to negotiate over forex system breach
Servers of the foreign exchange business of Japan's GMO group were earlier breached by hackers, leading to unauthorised trades. The group's president said on Oct 26 that the hackers first demanded US$50 million, and NHK reported they later demanded US$1 million with a deadline of Oct 27 while threatening customers. Shortly after noon on Oct 27, the hackers posted one person's personal data online, saying GMO had refused to negotiate; GMO had told account holders to back up data, shut down and unplug their computers before noon that day.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's Q3 GDP grows 1.0% quarter-on-quarter, far above forecasts, with chips driving about half the growth
The Bank of Korea said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that third-quarter GDP grew 1.0% from the previous quarter, up from 0.6% in the second quarter and well above the 0.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and the bank's own August estimate of 0.3%. If fourth-quarter GDP holds at the third-quarter level, full-year growth would reach 3.7%, against the bank's August forecast of 3.3%. A bank official estimated that about half the growth came from semiconductors; government spending rose 1.9%, facility investment 4.1% and exports 2.3%, while domestic demand remained weak.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Tetsuya Chiba, Japanese manga artist and creator of 'Ashita no Joe', dies at 87
The Asahi Shimbun reported that manga artist Tetsuya Chiba died on Oct 22 of myelodysplastic syndrome at the age of 87, and a family funeral has been held. Born in Tokyo in 1939, he moved with his family to Manchuria in 1941, returned to Japan in 1946 and made his debut in 1956 while still in high school. His boxing manga 'Ashita no Joe', serialised from 1967 to 1973, became a social phenomenon; he was the first manga artist to receive Japan's Order of Culture and also led the Japan Cartoonists Association.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - China's September industrial profits rise 14.4% year-on-year, fastest growth since June
China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday, Oct 27, that profits at industrial firms above a designated size rose 14.4% year-on-year in September, the fastest pace since June, while profits for the first nine months grew 15.5%, slightly below the 15.7% for the previous period. CNBC reported that industrial profits fell for three straight years before a modest recovery in 2025, and turned to double-digit growth this year thanks to Beijing's curbs on price wars and soaring demand for AI-related equipment. Upstream miners, chipmakers and raw material suppliers have benefited, while downstream manufacturers face rising input costs and weak domestic demand.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Bank of Korea warns chip exports could fall US$50-100 billion short if US tech giants slow AI spending
In a written reply to a South Korean lawmaker, the Bank of Korea modelled a pessimistic scenario in which US tech giants slow AI capital spending next year and Korean chip unit prices fall 10%. In that case, semiconductor exports could come in US$50 billion to US$100 billion below forecasts, next year's GDP growth would be cut by about 0.4 percentage points, and the current account surplus would fall well short of the bank's US$430 billion forecast for 2027. Chips account for about half of South Korea's exports.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's Supreme Court upholds 3-year prison term for ex-Marine division commander over corporal's death in 2023 flood search
South Korea's Supreme Court on Oct 27 rejected the appeal of the former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division and upheld his three-year prison sentence for professional negligence causing death and injury and for violating military criminal law. He was found to have ordered an unreasonable in-water search at a flood site in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023, where a marine corporal was swept away and killed and other marines were hurt. Two other former officers in the case each received 18 months' imprisonment, and the bereaved family said through a military human rights group that the ruling fell far short of expectations.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Japan gets first consular visit to Hokkaido Shimbun reporter held in Russia on spying charges
A Hokkaido Shimbun correspondent based in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was arrested by Russia's FSB on Oct 13, the day before he was due to return to Japan, and taken to Moscow. Japan's chief cabinet secretary said on Oct 27 that embassy staff had held a consular visit with him the day before and that his health was fine, two weeks after his arrest. Russia accuses him of collecting information, including on troops mobilised for the war in Ukraine, on the instructions of Japanese intelligence, and a court ordered him held until Dec 12; Japan's prime minister has denied the allegations, and Tokyo is demanding his immediate release.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore looks to tighten haze law after issuing legal notices to 20 companies, says Grace Fu
Singapore this month issued legal notices under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 overseas companies and 10 Singapore-registered companies. Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Oct 27 that the government is studying ways to strengthen the law, or enact a new one if needed, to close enforcement gaps and improve accountability. She said the two main hurdles are gathering evidence and securing cooperation from companies outside Singapore, and that the government is prepared to use broader legal, regulatory and economic levers.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's defence chief calls Chinese state TV's satellite footage of Taipei landmarks 'cognitive warfare'
China Central Television aired footage on Oct 25 taken by high-precision satellites showing the National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Taipei Dome, saying 'every street is clearly visible'. Taiwan's defence chief said on Oct 27 that Beijing had clearly chosen the day Taiwan calls Retrocession Day to conduct cognitive warfare. He said the military will monitor closely, take appropriate early warning and response measures, and practise concealment and dispersal to keep operations secure.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong privacy watchdog probes data leaks at Hong Kong Airlines, Yoho and Broadway affecting over 1,600 people
Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data confirmed it received data breach notifications this month from Hong Kong Airlines, retailer Yoho and Broadway, involving personal data of more than 1,600 people, and has opened investigations. The Hong Kong Airlines case involves 815 passengers who departed between Sept 29 and Oct 22, with names, phone numbers and flight details exposed, while the Yoho case involves 790 customers who ordered between Sept 29 and Oct 12. The office received the Broadway notification on Oct 26 and has received 23 complaints over the three incidents.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea fines Samsung 20.1 billion won for hiding Galaxy game performance throttling
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission ruled that Samsung Electronics engaged in deceptive advertising by promoting the gaming performance of Galaxy smartphones without disclosing key limits, and fined it 20.1 billion won. Its Game Optimizing Service (GOS) locked performance at preset levels when certain high-end games ran, capping CPU speed at as little as 31% and GPU at 27% in some games, affecting 82 games on the Galaxy S21 series and 47 on the S22. Samsung let users disable the limits via a software update after the controversy erupted in March 2022.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to visit North Korea to open office in Pyongyang, then go to South Korea
KBS, citing Reuters, reported that the Swiss government said Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will leave for North Korea on Thursday, Oct 29, to attend the opening of a Swiss diplomatic office in Pyongyang, and will then meet South Korean officials. At Friday's ceremony he will discuss with North Korea the possible resumption of foreign ministry consultations and security on the Korean Peninsula. The office resumed operations on Oct 19 after Switzerland's humanitarian cooperation office closed in 2020 during the Covid pandemic; it is Switzerland's first political and diplomatic post there since ties were established in 1974.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Albanese fast-tracks review of MPs' security after attack on independent MP Helen Haines
Independent federal MP Helen Haines was seriously injured after being hit by a car last week. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Labor caucus on the morning of Tuesday, Oct 27, that the government will accelerate a review of MPs' security that was originally due to report next year, calling last week a turning point, and said options including emergency alarms are being considered. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that MPs from all parties met intelligence agencies after the attack, many complaining that security requests were processed too slowly, and that the government is weighing a large-scale upgrade of security at MPs' homes.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Tokyo's Chiyoda ward asks developers for a 5-year resale ban on a new condo project for the first time
Tokyo's Chiyoda ward on Oct 27 asked Mitsubishi Estate Residence and other companies to include a clause banning resale for five years in a planned new condominium project, to stop speculative buyers driving up prices, the first time the ward has made such a request for an individual property. The request, which also bans buying multiple units under one name, has no legal force. According to Tokyo Kantei, the resale rate of condos within five years of completion averaged 2.49% across Tokyo's 23 wards in 2025 and was highest in Chiyoda at 4.92%, with resale prices averaging 62.6% above original prices.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - JYP Entertainment shares jump 10% on reports Nexroc plans tender offer for up to half of the K-pop agency
Shares of K-pop agency JYP Entertainment rose as much as 10% on Tuesday, Oct 27, after local media reported that Nexroc Group and affiliate SVCV plan a tender offer for 25% to 50% of JYP's shares at a 30% premium; half the company is worth about 700 billion won (about US$528 million) at current market value. JYP said it had not received an offer, and Nexroc did not immediately respond. JYP's groups include TWICE, Stray Kids, ITZY and DAY6.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - Chinese brands Mengniu and Dongpeng drop Mbappé over alleged joke about Mao
Hong Kong Free Press reported that Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé was dropped by two major Chinese brands on Tuesday, Oct 27, after a video circulated in which he said the funniest meme he had seen was his face edited onto 'someone, I think a Chinese dictator', seen as a joke about the late leader Mao Zedong. Dongpeng Beverage said it has zero tolerance for anything that hurts national feelings and ended all cooperation with him, and dairy giant Mengniu also ended its partnership with immediate effect.
Oct 27, 2026 Afternoon - No. 3 alarm fire at Hong Kong's I·PARK1 waste incineration plant off Shek Kwu Chau forces evacuation of over 900 people
A fire broke out at noon on Monday, Oct 26, at I·PARK1, the first phase of the integrated waste management facility on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau, south of Lantau. The Fire Services Department received the call at 12:42pm, raised it to a No. 3 alarm at 1:24pm and had it largely extinguished at 4:45pm after about four hours. Police said more than 900 people were evacuated and one staff member felt unwell from suspected heat stroke. The HK$31.3 billion facility has suspended operations, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90; Beijing calls him 'an old friend of the Chinese people'
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party announced on Monday, Oct 26, that Yasuo Fukuda, prime minister in 2007-2008, died on Oct 22 aged 90; Kyodo, citing sources, said he died of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital. The son of a former prime minister, he became Japan's first second-generation prime minister in September 2007 and served 365 days, during which China's head of state made the first visit to Japan by a Chinese leader in a decade. He later chaired the Boao Forum for Asia from 2010 to 2018, and China's foreign ministry called him 'an old friend of the Chinese people'.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Japan hit by new data leaks: up to 51.62 million records at Yumil Link, 170,000 Shinkansen booking members, Rakuten Travel
Japanese email delivery provider Yumil Link said on Oct 26 that 49 systems of its Cuenote FC service were illegally accessed and that leaked email addresses and other data could total 51.62 million records, up sharply from about 9 million announced earlier. JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu said data of 170,000 members of the Shinkansen booking services Express Reservation and smart EX had leaked, and NHK reported unauthorised access to Rakuten Travel's overseas hotel booking site, exposing names, emails, phone numbers and partial credit card numbers. The prime minister has ordered countermeasures to be drawn up, aiming for next week.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Japanese parties resume talks on cutting 31 proportional seats in the lower house; government floats foreign agent registry
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has proposed cutting only proportional representation seats in the House of Representatives, and NHK reported that its working-level officials put forward options including a cut of 31 such seats, with ruling and opposition parties meeting again on Tuesday, Oct 27. Some parties can accept cuts to proportional seats but disagree on the size. The government also told an expert panel on strengthening intelligence capabilities that it will create a 'foreign agent' registration system to prevent improper interference by foreign governments.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Japan to give a finished coastal surveillance radar to a like-minded country under OSA for the first time; signs defence transfer pact with Finland
NHK reported that the Japanese government is arranging to provide a completed coastal surveillance radar system to a like-minded security partner through its Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework, which would be the first time the scheme supplies finished defence equipment. The Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan and Finland held defence ministers' talks the same day, signing an agreement on the transfer of defence equipment and technology and also discussing nuclear policy.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - South Korea's KOSPI falls 1.46% to 5,469, a seven-month low; October consumer sentiment slips
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI fell 80.83 points, or 1.46%, on Monday, Oct 26, to close at 5,469.47, its lowest since April 6, after opening 0.92% lower, briefly turning positive and then dropping sharply near the close. Market watchers said investors were waiting for US tech earnings and the US midterm elections. The Bank of Korea said on Oct 27 that the October consumer sentiment index fell 1.2 points to 105.4, citing the stock market correction and continuing Middle East conflict, while one-year-ahead inflation expectations held at 2.7%.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - South Korea weighs fourth delay of its crypto gains tax to 2029 over difficulty tracking trades on US platforms
CoinDesk, citing South Korea's Newsis, reported that the presidential office is inclined to delay the cryptocurrency gains tax, due to start next January, to 2029. Officials worry that because the US will only start sharing crypto transaction data in 2029, authorities cannot track Korean users' trades on US platforms, so the burden would fall mainly on investors using domestic exchanges. A delay requires the National Assembly to amend the law, a final decision is expected in early December, and it would be the fourth postponement.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong tightens traffic management at Huanggang Port after Halloween and Kai Tak concert crowds caused gridlock
Hong Kong's new Huanggang Port saw severe congestion last weekend due to Halloween events and crowds from concerts at Kai Tak Sports Park. A government spokesperson said on the evening of Monday, Oct 26, that police will further tighten road traffic control near the port, activate contingency plans depending on traffic and open vehicle holding areas as needed to speed up clearance of cross-border coaches, private cars and taxis. The Chief Secretary for Administration had already pledged to open more counters before peak periods.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Singapore woman who filmed abuse of 4-year-old Megan Khung and helped dispose of her body pleads guilty
The Straits Times reported that a 36-year-old woman pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct 26, in the case of 4-year-old Megan Khung. She filmed the girl's mother and the mother's boyfriend abusing the child. She admitted three charges, including conspiring with the two to force the girl to sleep on a balcony without clothes and not seeking medical help after a fatal punch, as well as intentionally disposing of the body and consuming methamphetamine, with three further conspiracy charges to be taken into account at sentencing.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Indonesia's Bahlil says cut of about 8% to gas exports to Singapore stays within contract limits
Indonesia began cutting natural gas exports to Singapore on Saturday, Oct 24, citing domestic needs. Indonesian minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Monday, Oct 26, that the cut is within what the contracts allow and that Indonesia will honour its obligations. Supplies are reduced by 31 million standard cubic feet a day, 15 million from Natuna and 16 million from Sumatra, to divert more gas to domestic power generation. Bahlil said the contractual minimum is about 91% to 92% of export volumes: 'We only cut about 8%; cutting 10% would be a breach.'
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - US names nuclear attack submarine USS Colorado as first to deploy to Western Australia under AUKUS
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the US has announced the nuclear-powered attack submarine Colorado will be the first submarine to rotate to Western Australia under the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the UK and the US. On the same day, Australia's federal Parliament suspended normal debate to pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines, who lost both legs after being hit by a car, putting MPs' personal safety at the centre of attention.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - South Korean Go legend Lee Chang-ho wins his 2,000th professional game, a world record
KBS, citing Yonhap and the Korea Baduk Association, reported that Lee Chang-ho won the 2,000th game of his professional career, a world record, playing black and winning in 207 moves in round 11 of the 2026 Legends League held in Wanju, North Jeolla Province. He turned professional in 1986 at age 11 and reached 1,000 wins in 2000, 1,500 in 2010, 1,800 in 2021 and 1,900 in 2024. Last December his 1,969th win made him the player with the most victories, overtaking his former teacher.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - 14 Hong Kong civil servants sue colleague for HK$28.9 million over refusal to share Mark Six jackpot
The South China Morning Post reported that 14 staff of Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have sued a 36-year-old health inspector in the High Court for HK$28.9 million, saying he refused to share Mark Six winnings. According to the writ, the group pooled HK$1,650 to buy tickets for the Sept 5 draw and won HK$33 million. The defendant allegedly told colleagues they were not entitled to a share because they had not bought the tickets themselves, and did not follow through on saying he would share the prize according to his 'conscience'.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: China's foreign ministry says US Pentagon targeting of Confucius Institutes is 'smearing and stigmatisation'
The US Defense Secretary announced on Friday, Oct 23, that over the past two months 80-plus cooperation programmes at 30 university systems had been systematically shut down, describing them as Confucius Institutes operating under other names with the same mission and a threat to US national security. The US regards campus Confucius Institutes as propaganda tools of the Chinese Communist Party and has restricted their funding since 2025. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, Oct 26, that Beijing opposes the 'targeted smearing and stigmatisation' of Confucius Institutes and that China-US educational exchanges help mutual understanding.
Oct 27, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Chinese Communist Party's Fifth Plenum opens in Beijing Oct 26-29, focused on party building and discipline
The Fifth Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party's 20th Central Committee opened in Beijing on Oct 26 and runs until Oct 29, attended by about 300 Central Committee members. Japanese media and several news agencies report that the meeting, held ahead of the 21st Party Congress, centres on party building, discipline and anti-corruption, and several provinces changed their party secretaries or governors beforehand. A communique is usually released after the meeting closes.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Interpol to hold first General Assembly in Hong Kong next month, will consider 'Silver Notice' to target criminal assets
Interpol will hold its General Assembly in Hong Kong next month, the first time the organisation's annual meeting takes place in the city. Interpol's Secretary General said in Hong Kong that the meeting will seek approval for a new 'Silver Notice' mechanism to trace criminals' assets and speed up cross-border financial investigations. Hong Kong's Commissioner of Police said financial investigations and fraud will be priority topics for discussion with overseas counterparts.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Head of Hong Kong's new drug regulator pledges an internationally trusted system, not a 'mini version' of other models
The head of Hong Kong's new Centre for Medical Products Regulation said the new drug regulator aims to build a fully capable system trusted worldwide that acts as a catalyst for medical innovation, rather than simply copying a 'mini version' of models elsewhere. He noted that mainland China, Singapore and Japan set up similar agencies long ago. The centre's remit covers approval of drugs and medical devices, market surveillance and international cooperation.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Helen Haines's first words after waking were concern for staff and thanks to bystanders; Parliament pauses for tributes
After independent MP for Indi Helen Haines was hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta last week and had both legs amputated, federal Parliament resumed on Monday, Oct 26, and suspended normal business to pay tribute to her. The independent MP for Wentworth relayed that Haines's husband said her first words after waking were to ask whether her staff were safe and to thank the bystanders and doctors who helped her. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders spoke, security in public areas of Parliament House has been tightened, and police are still investigating it as a deliberate attack.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Australian Ombudsman calls aged care assessment algorithm 'unreasonable and unfair', urges law change to allow human override
An investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman found that the algorithm the federal government uses to decide the level of care older people receive is 'unreasonable and unfair' and lacks effective human oversight, and said the 'black box' technology had not implemented the transparency recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt scheme. The Ombudsman called for the law to be changed so that automated decisions can be overridden by a human. The Labor government faces pressure to respond on transparency and accountability.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore widens haze probe, asks 10 locally registered palm oil and forestry firms for land concession records
Singapore's National Environment Agency expanded its investigation into haze from land-clearing fires, issuing notices to 10 Singapore-registered palm oil and forestry-related companies requiring documents on their overseas land concessions, firefighting and fire-prevention measures, and links with related companies. The NEA said the 24-hour PSI across the island on Oct 26 was forecast at 70 to 100, with normal PM2.5 readings and good to moderate air quality.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Singapore's geothermal potential estimated at over 60 times annual electricity use; Tan See Leng says it will drill deeper
Singapore's Energy Market Authority published results of a non-invasive geophysical survey showing high-temperature geothermal resources several kilometres underground, with estimated potential of more than 60 times the country's annual electricity consumption that could be used for power generation. Minister Tan See Leng said the government will carry out deeper drilling and assessment to judge whether geothermal is a viable option for electricity. Authorities stressed the project is still at the resource-exploration stage and there is no timetable for commercial generation.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Singapore's People's Action Party leadership renewal moves to next stage, with four spots to be filled by co-option
The Straits Times reported that leadership renewal in Singapore's ruling People's Action Party is entering its next stage, with attention on how four vacant seats will be filled by co-option. The report said the appointments affect the line-up of the next Cabinet and grassroots arrangements, and the names and timetable have not been formally announced. Analysts note that co-option has historically been used to bring in professionals and grassroots representatives.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Man killed as landslide hits two-storey house in Penang; authorities suspect leaking pipe at hillside construction site
A man died after a landslide struck a two-storey house in Penang, Malaysia. Local authorities said in a preliminary investigation that a leaking water pipe at a nearby hillside construction site may have triggered the landslide, and a stop-work order has been issued for the project. The Penang state government asked the contractor to cooperate with the investigation and ordered checks on drainage and slope protection at similar hillside sites ahead of the rainy season.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Japanese prosecutors indict US Marine for murder over strangling of 39-year-old Naha woman in Okinawa hotel
Japanese prosecutors indicted a 20-year-old US Marine on a murder charge, accusing him of strangling a 39-year-old woman from Naha with a telephone cord in a hotel in Okinawa. The case has heightened local concern over discipline among US forces in Japan and how the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement is applied. The Okinawa prefectural government asked the US side to cooperate with the investigation and prevent similar cases, and US Forces Japan said it would cooperate with Japanese judicial procedures.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Japanese firms including GMO compensate users after major cyberattacks; ministers to meet tonight
After a string of cyberattacks in Japan affecting internet services and foreign exchange trading, GMO Internet and other companies announced compensation for users. GMO said it would cover losses caused by unauthorised access to forex trading and would first give all customers 5,000 yen as a goodwill payment. The Prime Minister's Office arranged a meeting of relevant cabinet ministers on the evening of Oct 26 to discuss responses and information sharing, and the Financial Services Agency asked affected firms to submit reports.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Women's shogi quadruple titleholder Tomoka Nishiyama to turn professional, set to become Japan's first female pro player
Tomoka Nishiyama, who holds four women's shogi titles, announced at a news conference that she will exercise the qualification she has earned to become a professional shogi player. Once the procedures are completed, she will be the first woman to become a professional player in Japanese shogi. Women's title matches and the professional ranks have long been separate tracks, but recent rule changes allow women who meet the criteria to apply to join professional play.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - JR Central's 'Doctor S', successor to Shinkansen inspection train 'Doctor Yellow', makes first run
'Doctor S', the successor to the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen inspection train 'Doctor Yellow' that was retired last year, made its first run on JR Central's section on Oct 26, taking over inspections of track, overhead lines and signalling equipment. JR Central said the inspection functions have been fully handed over, and that the schedule will not necessarily be announced in advance for safety and operational flexibility.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - North and South Korea trade accusations in letters to UN over DMZ landmine blast; Pyongyang says Seoul 'fabricated' it
South Korea and North Korea exchanged accusations at the UN Security Council over a landmine explosion near the Military Demarcation Line that injured South Korean soldiers. Seoul linked the blast to mines laid by the North, while the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea's ambassador to the UN wrote to the Security Council saying the South had 'fabricated' the border landmine blast. There is no timetable for whether the Security Council will formally discuss the matter.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: South Korea's Supreme Court upholds 4-year sentence for former Aricell CEO over fire that killed 23
South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a reduced four-year prison sentence for the former chief executive of Aricell over the fire at its lithium battery plant in Hwaseong. The 2024 fire killed 23 workers, including 17 Chinese nationals and one other foreign worker. Victims' families criticised the sentence as too lenient and questioned whether Korean law deters major industrial accidents.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - South Korean police book gang accused of using generative AI to hack about 90 organisations and steal over 8.2 million records
The cyber investigation unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it has booked seven people, led by a 32-year-old man, on suspicion of violating the Information and Communications Network Act and of intimidation. Police said that from September last year to this month the group used generative AI and other methods to break into about 90 companies and institutions, including affiliates of large conglomerates, private academies and hospitals, stealing more than 8.2 million pieces of personal data. Police are still tracing whether the data was resold or used for fraud or extortion.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Ahn Se-young wins third straight French Open for 10th title of the season, extending winning streak to 50
South Korean badminton player Ahn Se-young won the French Open again, completing a hat-trick at the event and her fourth title there, and taking her 10th trophy of the season while extending her winning streak to 50 matches. Her record this season is about 66 wins and 1 loss, one title short of her own record of 11 titles in a season. After the final she said she had 'poured everything' into it.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's defence ministry detects 6 Chinese warships, 9 official ships and 1 aircraft crossing median line in 24 hours
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said that from 6am on Oct 25 to 6am on Oct 26 it detected 6 Chinese navy ships and 9 official ships, as well as 1 Chinese military aircraft that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered airspace to the south-west and east. The military said it used aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond. Such reports are routine readiness disclosures by Taiwan and do not mean any exchange of fire took place.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - One year after Beijing created 'Taiwan Retrocession Day', former KMT chair attends Fuzhou event and talks of 'unification'
Oct 25 marked the 81st anniversary of the Republic of China government taking over Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, and the first anniversary of mainland China officially designating it 'Taiwan Retrocession Day'. Mainland officials held a commemorative forum in Fuzhou, Fujian, where a former Kuomintang chair criticised the Democratic Progressive Party for pushing 'de-Sinicisation', remarks widely reported by mainland media. Taiwan's government and opposition differ on how to view the date, and the DPP authorities stress the sovereignty of the Republic of China.
Oct 26, 2026 Afternoon - Chinese Communist Party's Fifth Plenum of 20th Central Committee meets in Beijing Oct 26-29, focused on party building
The Fifth Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party's 20th Central Committee is being held in Beijing from Oct 26 to 29, attended by about 300 Central Committee members. Its agenda is reported to centre on party building, discipline and anti-corruption, ahead of the 21st Party Congress in autumn 2027. Before the meeting, six provinces saw leadership changes, including new party secretaries in two provinces and six new governors, and some analysts speculate the meeting could discuss creating a post of party chairman.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Independent MP Helen Haines loses both legs after being hit by car; Australian Parliament returns with tighter security
Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for Indi, was hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta last week, and police are treating it as a deliberate attack. The 65-year-old mother of three suffered severe lower-body injuries, had both legs amputated and is in a serious but stable condition. As federal Parliament returns this week, the Prime Minister will move to suspend normal business so MPs can express support for her, security in public areas of Parliament House has been increased, and police warned that inflammatory political rhetoric is directly linked to threats against politicians.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong to introduce MPF 'full portability' from Dec 21, letting about 1 million employees move all contributions once a year
Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority announced on Sunday, Oct 25, that 'full portability' will start on Dec 21, allowing about 1 million employees to transfer both employer and employee contributions to a scheme of their choice once each calendar year. MPFA chairman Ayesha Macpherson Lau said in a blog post that it will be rolled out in two phases to ensure a smooth transition. Under current rules, employees can only freely transfer their own contributions, while employer contributions stay in the scheme chosen by the employer.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan pledges more counters at Huanggang Port after Halloween and concert crowds jam border
Hong Kong Chief Secretary Eric Chan inspected the Shenzhen Bay and Huanggang ports on Sunday, Oct 25, and pledged to open more clearance counters and vehicle lanes at the newly rebuilt Huanggang Port before peak periods, after Halloween crowds and concert-goers caused severe cross-border congestion. Chan said he had told the Security Bureau to strengthen advance assessment and passenger flow forecasts, and asked the Transport and Logistics Bureau to work with bus and rail operators to keep enough vehicles and staff ready.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori wins fourth term with about 586,000 votes, beating six challengers
In the Fukushima prefectural governor election on Sunday, Oct 25, 62-year-old independent incumbent Masao Uchibori won a fourth term with about 586,000 votes, defeating six candidates including a 33-year-old Japanese Communist Party newcomer, who received about 37,000. Turnout was 44.05%, up from 42.58% last time, and the seven candidates were the most in any post-war Fukushima governor race. Uchibori said he will push for removing decontamination soil from the prefecture for final disposal by 2045 and for finishing the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant by 2051.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Customs seizes about HK$1.3 million of suspected cocaine at airport from man arriving from Penang
Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about HK$1.3 million at the airport on Sunday, Oct 25. Officers found the drugs in the hand luggage of a 39-year-old mainland Chinese man who had arrived from Penang that day and arrested him. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and was due to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Oct 26.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Malaysian police say company owning ketamine tanker MT Global 168 seized by Indonesia is based in Johor Bahru
Indonesian authorities intercepted the Mongolian-flagged tanker MT Global 168 in the Strait of Malacca carrying 1.16 tonnes of ketamine worth about US$14 million. The director of the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department at Malaysia's Bukit Aman police headquarters said both directors of the company that owns the tanker are Malaysian and its office is in Johor Bahru. He said the tanker had applied to register under the Malaysian flag but had not been approved, and was sailing under the Mongolian flag.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Japan's GMO asks government for active cyber defence after forex auto-trading servers hacked; survey finds 30% of big firms had leaks
Japan's GMO Internet Group disclosed unauthorised access to servers for its automated foreign exchange margin trading service and asked the government to take active cyber defence measures. A Teikoku Databank survey of 1,328 companies nationwide this month found that about 30% of large companies and more than 10% of small and medium-sized firms had experienced actual or suspected information leaks, caused both by human error such as misdirected emails and by cyberattacks. The Liberal Democratic Party called for a response system led by the prime minister.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - US Rep. Ami Bera says Rubio confirmed Washington will not use Taiwan as a bargaining chip with China
Ami Bera, ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, said in an interview in Tokyo on Oct 24 that he had confirmed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that US policy of not using Taiwan or arms sales to Taiwan as bargaining chips with China has not changed. He criticised Trump's tariffs and the Middle East war as not coordinated with Congress, saying they had pushed up prices of petrol, food and housing, and said he was confident Democrats would win a House majority in the Nov 3 midterms, in which case he would lead the subcommittee.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Nearly 40 police injured as protesters against mega hydropower dam clash with police in India's Arunachal Pradesh
On the evening of Friday, Oct 23, people opposed to a government plan to build a large multipurpose hydropower project gathered in Arunachal Pradesh, in north-east India near the China-India border, confronted police and destroyed large amounts of supplies. AFP, citing a briefing by the Arunachal Pradesh government the next day, reported that nearly 40 police officers were injured and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Power bank overheats and smokes on HK Express flight UO676 to Jeju, slightly burning a passenger's thumb
On HK Express flight UO676 from Hong Kong to Jeju, South Korea, on Sunday, Oct 25, a power bank in a bag under a seat overheated and gave off smoke as the plane approached Jeju International Airport, and a female passenger suffered a minor burn to her thumb. The flight carried 236 passengers and 7 crew and landed safely. The airline said crew followed standard procedures, putting the power bank in a heat-resistant fire containment bag and submerging it in water, and apologised to passengers. HK Express is the low-cost carrier of Cathay Pacific.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong reproductive technology council refers influencer's firm offering LGBTQ surrogacy services to law enforcement
Hong Kong's Council on Human Reproductive Technology told the South China Morning Post in a written reply on Sunday, Oct 25, that it had referred a case to law enforcement. Local media reported that a mainland influencer known on Instagram as 'berlinsun' set up a company in Hong Kong and advertised commercial surrogacy services for same-sex couples, arranging for non-local surrogate mothers to give birth in Hong Kong and handling the children's identity documents. The influencer and a foreign husband have two children through surrogacy, and last Thursday the pair were fined NT$200,000 in Kaohsiung for providing assisted reproduction services in breach of medical law and then deported.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Hackers breach Lotte-affiliated mobile voucher platform Giftil, leaking names, phone numbers and bank accounts of over 18,000 users
Spoon, the company that runs mobile gift voucher platform Giftil, said it confirmed unauthorised outside access on Oct 22 that leaked personal data of 18,359 users, including names, mobile numbers, email addresses and refund bank account numbers. Spoon is a subsidiary of an advertising agency of the Lotte Group, and Giftil issues and sells mobile vouchers for brands including Lotte. The company said it blocked the attacking IP on Oct 22, reported the leak to regulators and police after confirming it on Oct 23, and that no financial losses such as misused vouchers have been found.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - 47 years after Park Chung-hee's assassination, verdict in Kim Jae-gyu retrial due within two months
Oct 26 marks the 47th anniversary of the assassination of South Korean President Park Chung-hee. The Hankyoreh reported that a court will rule in less than two months in the retrial of former Korean Central Intelligence Agency director Kim Jae-gyu, who killed Park and was convicted of murder for the purpose of insurrection. Since the retrial formally began in July last year, the key question has been whether his act can be deemed a riot aimed at insurrection; prosecutors asked for the retrial claim to be dismissed at closing arguments on Sept 30, while the defence argued he had no such aim.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - China proposes export controls on 23 AI technologies; DeepSeek and MiniMax complete overseas export registration
China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology on Oct 16 issued a joint notice seeking comment on revising the catalogue of technologies prohibited or restricted from export, proposing to add 23 AI technologies, including large-model training methods, agent systems and computing clusters, with the rules applying to AI models containing restricted technologies deployed overseas. The CCTV-affiliated account Yuyuan Tantian said on Oct 22 that DeepSeek and MiniMax had completed registration for open-sourcing and overseas licensing. A brokerage analyst quoted by the STAR Market Daily said this clarifies the path abroad for general-purpose open-source models.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Singapore researchers develop CIRRHOClear blood test to flag liver cirrhosis risk before symptoms appear
Researchers in Singapore have developed CIRRHOClear, a blood test that uses microRNA biomarkers to detect the risk of liver cirrhosis before symptoms appear. Clinical studies show it identified 89% of cirrhosis cases and ruled out the condition with 95% accuracy. Doctors said early detection can help prevent liver failure and liver cancer and ease bottlenecks in current testing; cirrhosis is a major cause of liver failure and a common form of liver cancer.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Taiwan's digital ministry plans three-layer system to push Meta, Google and others to clearly label AI-generated images
A director-general at Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs said on Oct 25 that the ministry has been meeting Meta, Google, LINE and experts this year, seeking prominent labels for AI-generated images. The planned system has three layers: creators tick a disclosure box when uploading; platforms add labels automatically when they detect AI-generated features that were not disclosed; and channels for government notices, user reports and appeals handle anything missed. He noted that YouTube currently places its label under 'more' in the description, which is not prominent enough.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - The Weeknd debuts new song 'Hong Kong', sampling a Faye Wong classic, at first of four Kai Tak concerts
The Weeknd played the first of four Hong Kong concerts at the Kai Tak Main Stadium on the night of Saturday, Oct 24, performing for the first time a new Hong Kong-inspired song called 'Hong Kong' before tens of thousands of fans. The song samples a 1993 classic by Faye Wong, stirring nostalgia among local fans. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, is a singer, songwriter, record producer and actor.
Oct 26, 2026 Morning - Magnitude 7.0 deep quake west of Japan's Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands; no tsunami risk
A strong deep earthquake struck the Pacific west of Japan's Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands at about 11:10am on Sunday, Oct 25. The USGS measured magnitude 7.0; GDACS initially gave 6.5, with a depth of about 490 km and its lowest alert level, saying no one lived within 100 km of the epicentre. NHK said intensity 3 was recorded in the Ogasawara Islands and intensity 2 to 1 across a wide area from Tohoku to the Tokai region. Because the quake was so deep, there was no risk of abnormal waves; a magnitude 4.8 aftershock was recorded in the same area about 25 minutes later.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi's outer moisture floods roads in Wakayama City; South Korea's first October typhoon in 12 years postpones KBO playoff game
After Typhoon Champi (Typhoon No. 30) passed Taiwan on Oct 24, it moved north-east over the East China Sea. NHK said warm, moist air around the storm fed a front near Honshu and brought heavy rain to many areas; around 10am on Sunday, Oct 25, roads outside NHK's Wakayama station in Wakayama City flooded like a river and traffic cones were washed away. South Korean media said a typhoon warning was issued for waters off Jeju on Oct 25 — the first October typhoon to affect South Korea since 2014 — with rain in the south and on Jeju lasting until the morning of Oct 26, and central temperatures expected to fall below freezing on Wednesday. The first Samsung–Kia KBO playoff game scheduled for Oct 25 in Daegu was cancelled because of rain and moved to 6:30pm on Oct 26.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Drive-by shooting outside Brisbane boxing event leaves 4 shot, 19-year-old woman critical; shots fired into Sydney home with 7 children inside
Queensland police said multiple shots were fired outside Fitzy's on Bryants Road in Loganholme, south of Brisbane, at about 8:15pm on Saturday, Oct 24, while a boxing event was under way. A 19-year-old woman from Jimboomba was hit in the head and neck; police said she appeared to be an innocent bystander and was in a critical condition at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Three men aged 38, 37 and 27 were shot in the abdomen and were stable. NSW police said several shots were fired into a home on Shoreline Road in Moorebank, south-west Sydney, at about 2:30am on Sunday, Oct 25, and a car on the driveway was set alight; a 32-year-old woman and seven children aged 3 to 10 inside were unhurt. The gunman fled in a white car and police are searching for him.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Man in his 40s arrested in Gangneung 18 hours after alleged murder of ex-girlfriend in Daejeon who had reported stalking a year earlier
South Korean media reported on Sunday, Oct 25, that a man in his 40s from Daejeon was arrested in Gangneung, Gangwon province, 18 hours after fleeing the scene of the alleged murder of his former girlfriend. Police found that the woman had reported stalking and harassment by the man a year earlier, and that emergency protective measures had been taken against him at the time. The case has again drawn attention to protection for stalking victims after they report to police.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Kim Jong-un returns to North Korea after one-day China visit; KCNA cites 'blood-forged' friendship as Choe Son-hui and Kim Yo-jong accompany him
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Dandong in Liaoning province via the New Yalu River Bridge on Saturday, Oct 24, and returned to North Korea the same day. KCNA reported on Oct 25 that Kim toured the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in Dandong and laid a wreath at the memorial tower, saying the North Korean people would pass down their gratitude to the Chinese people for generations; Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Workers' Party Central Committee department director Kim Yo-jong accompanied him, and Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Huning received him. Before the China trip he also paid respects at a Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs' cemetery in Hoechang County, South Phyongan province; KCNA said a volunteers' cemetery in Sinphyong County, North Hwanghae province, had been expanded into a martyrs' park with a completion ceremony on Oct 24 attended by a Chinese Ministry of Veterans Affairs delegation. NHK said the visit may have been aimed at coordinating with China ahead of possible renewed talks with the United States.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's Q2 current-account surplus of $116.3 billion tops Germany and Japan combined for the first time, second only to China
IMF data in the Bank of Korea's economic statistics system show South Korea's second-quarter current-account surplus was $116.3 billion, second among 36 major economies with available data after China's $193.72 billion. Germany ranked third at $52.28 billion and Japan fourth at $50.62 billion; their combined $102.89 billion was $13.74 billion less than South Korea's. It is the first time since comparable quarterly data began in the first quarter of 1996 that South Korea's single-quarter surplus has exceeded the sum of Germany's and Japan's, driven mainly by higher semiconductor prices and strong exports.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: China Commerce Ministry urges US to halt proposed expansion of outbound investment curbs, reserves right to respond
The US Treasury on Thursday, Oct 22, published an updated outbound investment security proposal that adds biotechnology to restricted sectors and expands coverage of high-performance computing and hypersonic systems. China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, Oct 24, that it urged the United States to stop expanding investment restrictions on China, calling the proposal a discriminatory widening of China-related curbs that would harm bilateral economic ties and go against consensus reached by the two countries' leaders. The ministry said it firmly opposed the move and reserved the right to take countermeasures, without specifying what those would be.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: After Indonesia cuts gas exports to Singapore, PM Lawrence Wong says Singapore expects parties to honour commercial contracts
Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore on Saturday, Oct 24; upstream regulator SKK Migas told CNA the cut was to shift more supply to domestic power generation. Singapore's Energy Market Authority said the reduction of 31 million standard cubic feet a day is less than 2% of demand. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the People's Action Party conference on Sunday, Oct 25, that Singapore expects all parties that signed commercial gas supply contracts to 'honour their commitments', and that Singapore's gas importers would take necessary steps to protect their rights and interests under the contracts.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: PM Lawrence Wong tells PAP conference government will tackle living costs and jobs this term; CEC slate adds 3 new faces
At the biennial People's Action Party conference at the Singapore Expo on Sunday, Oct 25, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told about 3,000 members that in the coming years the government would continue to ease cost-of-living pressures, help Singaporeans secure better jobs and strengthen support across life stages from education to retirement, including for those who hit setbacks. He noted that after the National Day Rally package for families with children in August, some had asked what support other groups would receive. The Straits Times reported that the recommended slate of 19 for the Central Executive Committee election that day included three new faces: the transport minister, the acting manpower minister and the acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs, two of whom first entered parliament only at last year's general election — named in the paper as Jeffrey Siow and Jasmin Lau among the new ministers.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Gyeonggi bus union votes 97.7% for strike; 4,130 buses on 854 routes may stop from first service on Oct 30 if mediation fails
The Gyeonggi regional automobile union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said on Oct 25 that of 9,420 members at 29 bus companies in the province, 9,001 voted (95.6% turnout) and 8,792 backed a strike (97.7%). Final mediation is set for 3pm on Oct 29 at the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission; if no deal is reached, 4,130 buses on 854 routes at the 29 companies would stop from the first service on Oct 30. The union wants the tripartite pledge of Seoul-level bus pay from Jan 1, 2026, fulfilled, seeking 21.56% rises on quasi-public routes and 30% on private routes, plus a 4.5-day week on quasi-public routes; employers cite Gyeonggi's fiscal strain and want a pay freeze on private routes.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea's FSS uses AI on 380,000 illegal-lending tips; 'Manager Lee' 6,800% interest case found more than twice as large
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service said on Oct 25 it has built an AI analysis system to mine about 380,000 accumulated tips on illegal private lending for links between cases that once looked unrelated, to help investigate organised crime. Using the system, the FSS said the 'Manager Lee' case — loans at 6,800% annual interest to people in urgent need of cash, followed by illegal collection from their families — was more than twice as large as when a consumer alert was issued in March; the system also found signs that registered lenders were involved in illegal lending. In the past, victims reported through different channels at different times and cases from the same network were often treated as separate incidents. The FSS said it would share leads with relevant agencies.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Seoul closes Jamsu Bridge to cars from Monday for conversion into city's first pedestrian-only Han River crossing
Seoul city government said on Sunday, Oct 25, that Jamsu Bridge would be closed to all vehicles from midnight Monday, Oct 26, for conversion works, while pedestrians and cyclists could still cross. The 795-metre bridge linking Yongsan-gu and Seocho-gu previously restricted cars only for special events; after completion planned for August next year it is to become Seoul's first pedestrian-only bridge across the Han River, with 22 riverside rest spots and transparent decking overlooking the water at two points. Bus routes 740 and 405 will be diverted both ways via nearby Banpo Bridge.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore haze — hourly PM2.5 back to normal, but 24-hour PSI still unhealthy at 107–132 in most regions
Singapore was under haze from the evening of Saturday, Oct 24, with elevated hourly PM2.5 readings. At 10am on Sunday, Oct 25, PM2.5 across the five regions had fallen to a normal 31–48 (0–55 normal; 56–150 elevated). The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index remained in the 'unhealthy' range of 107–132 in all regions except the south, which was at 100 ('good to moderate'). PM2.5 is measured hourly and reflects current air quality.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: AFP commissioner says politicians' heated rhetoric is fuelling threats against MPs; Nationals MP says his children were threatened
Independent MP Helen Haines was seriously injured outside her Wangaratta electorate office in Victoria this week in a suspected deliberate attack and had both legs amputated; she is in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett told ABC's Insiders on Sunday, Oct 25, that the threat environment facing politicians had clearly changed, that her first task each morning was to read a summary of threats reported to the AFP in the previous 24 hours — 'some days several pages long' — and that she linked politicians' rhetoric directly to threats against MPs. She said she did not intend to police free speech or intervene in political debate. A Nationals MP said his children had previously received violent threats.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Thailand plans 99.5 million cubic metre reservoir in Chanthaburi for industry that would flood forest and wild elephant habitat
Thailand plans to build the Khlong Wang Tanot reservoir in eastern Chanthaburi province, about a four-hour drive south-east of Bangkok, with a capacity of 99.5 million cubic metres to supply industrial water demand along the fast-growing eastern seaboard. CNA reported that the reservoir would flood thousands of hectares of forest, wildlife habitat and land used by rural communities, in an area with wild elephants and rubber plantations where novice monks also live on land that could be submerged. The project was first proposed decades ago; tension between water needs and protecting forests, elephants and communities is now intensifying.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Multiple flood warnings in Queensland after days of heavy rain; Mary River north of Gympie may reach major flood level
Days of heavy rain have brought flood warnings across Queensland. The Mary River at Tiaro north of Gympie in the south-east has risen quickly past moderate flood level and may reach major flood level; more than 300 mm has fallen in parts of the Mary catchment over the past week and more than 400 mm in parts of the Sunshine Coast. Gympie's mayor said the river level was being watched closely. A 'watch and act' flood warning covers the Theresa Creek Dam catchment in the Central Highlands. An inland severe weather system is expected to move towards the south-east on Monday with more heavy rain.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - FC Seoul win first K League title in 10 years, clinching with five rounds to spare after 1:1 draw with Gangwon
FC Seoul drew 1:1 with Gangwon FC at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Oct 24 to reach 67 points from 20 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses, locking up the K League 1 title with five rounds left — the club's first league championship in 10 years and its seventh including the Anyang LG era. The head coach, who took over in 2024 (fourth in the first season, sixth last year amid home fans chanting for his dismissal), said he had promised a title within three years and had now delivered. Seoul led the league with 61 goals scored and fewest conceded at 29.
Oct 25, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi leaves 1 dead and 616 injured in Taiwan; Taipower says over 340,000 households lost power as storm nears Kyushu
Typhoon Champi (Typhoon No. 30) came closest to Taiwan early on Oct 24, toppling buildings and trees; the Taipei Times reported one death and 616 injuries, and NHK said the gate of a Japanese school was blown down. Taiwan Power said more than 340,000 households had lost power at some point by 3pm on Oct 24, over 90% had been reconnected and more than 15,000 work shifts had been mobilised for repairs, with remaining outages concentrated in New Taipei, Taoyuan and Yilan. NHK said the storm was moving north over the East China Sea and expected to turn east towards Kyushu, with heavy rain possible across wide areas of eastern and western Japan until Oct 27.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Two Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainer planes collide over air base in Lipa, Batangas, killing all 4 pilots
The Philippine Air Force confirmed on Saturday, Oct 24, that two SF-260 trainer aircraft crashed during a training flight at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, on the afternoon of Oct 23, killing all four pilots on board. Officials said the planes collided at low altitude and fell within the base, with no one hurt on the ground. The air force grounded its entire SF-260 fleet pending investigation; another SF-260 crashed in the mountains of the northern Philippines in May this year, killing two pilots.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Kim Jong-un crosses newly opened New Yalu River Bridge into Dandong, China, on first visit to China in a year
South Korea's Unification Ministry and Xinhua said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Dandong, Liaoning province, on Saturday, Oct 24, via the New Yalu River Bridge, which opened about a week earlier; it is his first visit to China in a year. Wang Huning, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, met Kim, and the two toured a car factory and pledged to strengthen ties. The visit comes close to Oct 25, the anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' first major victory after entering the Korean War in 1950, and Kyodo reported traffic controls around the bridge and the war memorial museum.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Tibet earthquake death toll rises to 16, with more than 12,000 displaced; two Japanese climbers found dead in Nepal
NHK, citing Xinhua, reported that the Oct 22 earthquake in China's Tibet Autonomous Region has killed 16 people and injured more than 70, and that more than 12,000 people have been forced to evacuate as the Chinese government steps up relief and resettlement. The Japan Times reported that two Japanese climbers attempting a first ascent of the 7,140-metre Gangapurna West peak in Nepal in alpine style, who lost contact after Oct 15, have been confirmed dead.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Indonesia cuts natural gas supply to Singapore amid haze dispute; Singapore's EMA says cut is under 2% of daily demand
As cross-border haze from wildfires in Borneo and Sumatra blankets Singapore and the two countries argue over it, the head of Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator SKK Migas said on Saturday, Oct 24, that Indonesia would cut daily gas supply to Singapore by 31 million standard cubic feet, 15 million from Natuna and 16 million from Sumatra, to secure gas for domestic power generation. President Prabowo criticised countries that 'like to insult' Indonesia without naming any. Singapore's Energy Market Authority said the cut, about 17 bbtud for 18 days, is less than 2% of Singapore's total daily demand of more than 1,000 bbtud, and that it has contingency plans and can raise LNG imports at any time.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Schools in Johor, Malaysia, to reopen on Oct 26 after weeks of haze-related closures
Schools in Malaysia's Johor state had been closed for weeks as wildfire haze from Borneo and Sumatra covered Malaysia and Singapore. The chairman of the Johor state education committee said on Oct 24 that all schools in the state would reopen on Monday, Oct 26, as the air pollution index had fallen for five days and the wind changed direction from Oct 24, with humidity rising and rain expected. Students will be required to wear masks and school activities will be adjusted according to the daily pollution index.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong and mainland police arrest 33 in ring stealing credit cards from Hongkongers visiting Shenzhen, losses over HK$1.8 million
A joint operation by Hong Kong and mainland Chinese police arrested 33 people suspected of stealing credit cards from Hong Kong residents at tourist hotspots in Shenzhen, causing losses of more than HK$1.8 million (about US$229,500). A senior superintendent of Kowloon East region said on Saturday, Oct 24, that 'card runners' crossed back into Hong Kong immediately to buy mobile phones and resell them for cash before victims noticed. Kowloon East's technology and financial crime squad exchanged intelligence with the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau before both sides took action.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong Customs seizes 600 million illicit cigarettes in first nine months of 2026, nearly matching last year's total
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise said on a radio programme on Saturday, Oct 24, that Hong Kong Customs seized 600 million illicit cigarettes in the first three quarters of this year, almost the same as for the whole of last year. Of these, 200 million were bound for other places and were intercepted in Hong Kong based on intelligence. Customs plans to introduce more advanced contraband detection equipment.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Taiwan's ITRI plans rare earths demonstration plant, aiming for 500 tonnes a year and 50% self-sufficiency by end-2030
Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), whose rare earths pilot line produces about 5,000 kg a year, plans to build a demonstration plant in an industrial zone, completed by end-2028 and reaching 500 tonnes a year by end-2030, so Taiwan could meet 50% of its rare earth needs itself. The budget would need to come from the National Science and Technology Council. China is the world's largest producer and exporter of rare earths and imposes export controls.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Personal data of 110,000 members of Singapore's Alliance Medinet breached; Income Insurance and Singlife customers affected
Alliance Healthcare Group, parent of Singapore healthcare services provider Alliance Medinet, told the stock exchange on Oct 24 that a third party gained unauthorised access to its member database, possibly exposing the names, identity card numbers and contact details of about 110,000 members, plus bank account details of seven members and a medical diagnosis of one. Income Insurance and Singlife said some customers were affected via Alliance Medinet, that their own systems showed no sign of intrusion and that no medical data was affected. The group said the incident was contained and it had hired cybersecurity experts.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Singapore's ruling PAP elects new Central Executive Committee; PM Lawrence Wong looks to team with 'experience and fresh perspectives'
Singapore's ruling People's Action Party holds its biennial party conference on Oct 25 to elect its top decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee. Prime Minister and party secretary-general Lawrence Wong said in a social media video on Oct 24 that he looked forward to working with a team combining experience and fresh perspectives, his first comment on the possible make-up of the new leadership. More than 2,000 party cadres usually elect 12 members, two runners-up are co-opted, and up to four more can be added to a maximum of 18.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Western Sydney International Airport opens to passengers, Australia's first major new airport in over 50 years
Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek opened to passenger traffic on Oct 25, with the first commercial flight, Jetstar JQ362, departing for the Gold Coast at 11am on a sold-out service and a first flight to Melbourne at 6pm. It is Australia's first major new airport in more than 50 years, 45 km from central Sydney and operating 24 hours a day, separate from the existing airport at Mascot. The airport began cargo operations in July, and its chief executive said annual passenger numbers could reach 82 million by the 2060s.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung vows to push life in prison without parole for violent offenders
After chairing an inter-ministerial meeting on rising violent crime on Oct 23, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung pledged on social media to speed up the introduction of life imprisonment without parole for violent offenders and to set up special police units to patrol around victims' homes. The presidential office said the National Police Agency had briefed the president on the patrol units, and the Justice Ministry said it would actively push the sentence to permanently separate the most serious offenders from society.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Vietnam's state-owned bank BIDV forecasts 9.5%-9.7% GDP growth this year, likely short of 10% target
Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) forecasts Vietnam's economy will grow 9.5% to 9.7% this year, likely missing the double-digit target. Growth in the first nine months was 9.01%, the highest since 2011, but the fourth quarter would need more than 12.5% for the full-year goal. Bank lending makes up about 83% of financing, and small and medium-sized enterprises, 98% of all companies, receive only about 20% of bank credit.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Japan's LDP and Ishin to set up working group in November to revise three key national security documents
NHK reported that Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) plan to set up a working-level group next month to begin discussing revisions to three security documents: the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program. Topics include how to strengthen defence capabilities, the size of defence spending, acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and reviewing the 'three non-nuclear principles'. An Asahi Shimbun poll in October put the Takaichi cabinet's approval rating at 50% and disapproval at 35%.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Kyushu University's 'third-generation' OLED technology reaches 100% efficiency without rare metal iridium
The Asahi Shimbun reported that organic light-emitting materials used in phone and TV screens still rely mainly on technology 25 to 40 years old: first-generation fluorescence from the late 1980s tops out at 25% efficiency, while second-generation phosphorescence from around 2000 reaches 100% but needs scarce, expensive iridium. The 'third-generation' technology published in 2012 by Kyushu University distinguished professor Chihaya Adachi reaches 100% efficiency without iridium by designing the structure of organic molecules. Adachi was named a Clarivate Citation Laureate in September.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Singapore's first app store audit by IMDA flags 65 harmful apps, including AI 'nudification' tools
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) published its first app store audit, which found 65 harmful apps among 7,000 reviewed between April and December 2025, including AI tools generating non-consensual nude images and murder-themed gambling games with cash payouts. Another 24 apps with sexual, crime and drug, or school firearms content were not rated 18+ as store rules require. After IMDA's notice, the app stores of Apple, Google, Huawei, Samsung and Microsoft removed the 65 apps and corrected the 24 ratings.
Oct 25, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi leaves 1 dead and 527 injured in Taiwan; over 280,000 households lost power as storm heads for China's coast and southern Japan
Typhoon Champi swept past waters off Yilan, Taiwan, early on Saturday, Oct 24, and lingered near the coast, with gusts reaching about 227 kph; Taiwanese authorities said a man was swept away by waves and killed on Xiaoliuqiu off Pingtung, and 527 people were injured island-wide. Taiwan Power said 288,382 households had lost power at some point by 9am on Oct 24, about 80% had been reconnected and 56,580 were still without power. The storm, about 150 km east of Taiwan with gusts easing to about 126 kph, is moving towards China's coast and southern Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an advance warning of linear rainbands for Okinawa's Ishigaki Island area at 10:28am on Oct 24.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Magnitude 6.9 and 6.3 earthquakes strike off Vanuatu four minutes apart; Japan says no tsunami threat
The USGS recorded a magnitude 6.9 earthquake 197 km west-north-west of Port-Olry in northern Vanuatu at 02:31 UTC (10:31 HKT) on Oct 24, followed four minutes later by a magnitude 6.3 quake 170 km north-west of Port-Olry. GDACS put the depth at 10 km, said about 40,000 people were within Modified Mercalli intensity IV shaking and issued a green alert. NHK said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center measured the first quake at magnitude 7.2, and the Japan Meteorological Agency said there was no tsunami impact on Japan.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Kim Jong Un guides two-day North Korean army company commanders' conference in Pyongyang, appearing again after death rumours
South Korea's KBS and Yonhap reported that Kim Jong Un guided the third conference of company commanders of the whole army in Pyongyang on Oct 22-23, stressing 'building a powerful army'; it was the first military-sector conference since the ruling party's Ninth Congress in February. State reports did not mention the DMZ or the United States. South Korea's National Intelligence Service had earlier said rumours of Kim's death were false, and state media published photos of him on an inspection on Oct 20.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - German Chancellor Merz to visit Japan and South Korea next week, meeting PM Takaichi on Oct 28 and President Lee Jae-myung in Seoul from Oct 29
NHK reported that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Japan next week for a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on cooperation including economic security. South Korean media said Merz will then make a two-day visit to South Korea from Oct 29 for a summit with President Lee Jae-myung in Seoul. KBS said it will be his first visit to South Korea as chancellor, and he will also attend the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Japan's DPFP leans towards LDP compromise to cut 31 lower-house seats, with further talks on Oct 26
At cross-party talks in Tokyo on Oct 22, the Liberal Democratic Party proposed cutting the 465-seat House of Representatives by 31 seats, all from proportional representation, and the Asahi Shimbun reported on Oct 24 that the Democratic Party for the People was leaning towards accepting it. The plan is based on projections that Japan's population in 2030 will be 6.7% smaller than in 2015, and proportional seats would be allocated by a modified Sainte-Laguë method that favours small and mid-sized parties. The DPFP's acting leader said the plan 'took our party's ideas into account' and the party will discuss it again on Oct 26; coalition partner Ishin had sought a 45-seat cut, but some within it are willing to accept 31.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore haze worsens overnight, with 24-hour PSI reaching unhealthy 117-150 and the west hit hardest
Data from Singapore's National Environment Agency showed the island-wide 24-hour PSI at 117 to 150 at 11am on Oct 24, in the unhealthy range, with the highest readings in the west. The agency forecast a PSI of 90 to 140 for the day, with possible improvement on Sunday. The Straits Times said it was the first time air quality had returned to the unhealthy range since Oct 5.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Hackers raid client funds in GMO group's automated forex trading service in apparent bid to pressure the company
The Asahi Shimbun reported that after unauthorised access to a GMO Internet group service for automated foreign-exchange margin (FX) trading, several customers said trades they did not recognise appeared in their accounts and caused cash losses. Victims received emails, apparently from the attackers, saying they had logged into the trading accounts and were making demands of GMO, with a link asking them to get in touch. An analyst at Mitsui Bussan Secure Directions (MBSD) said directly hitting customer assets to extort a company was 'unheard of', and recommended two-step verification, trade notifications and keeping as little money as possible in automated trading accounts.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Hong Kong 3-year-old boy critical with influenza A (H1) in Tuen Mun Hospital paediatric ICU
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection reported a severe paediatric influenza case involving a 3-year-old boy with long-term illnesses who developed fever and cough from Oct 20 and was taken to Tuen Mun Hospital's emergency department on Oct 22 after his condition worsened; he lost consciousness and was moved to the paediatric intensive care unit after resuscitation. His respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1), with clinical diagnoses of influenza A complicated by worsening asthma, acute necrotising encephalopathy and septic shock, and he is in critical condition. The centre said he had travelled to the United States during the incubation period and had not received this season's flu vaccine.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Two victims lose HK$900,000 to 'locked-out' street scam in Hong Kong's Tuen Mun; police arrest 2
Hong Kong police said a Tuen Mun resident reported on Monday, Oct 19, that a woman approached them on the street saying she had forgotten her keys and her lock was broken, and asked to borrow money for a locksmith. Police said the scammers then asked for larger sums on various pretexts, and two victims lost HK$900,000 in total. Police have arrested two people.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - About 240 migrant workers in Singapore owed up to 2 months' pay; NTUC and Manpower Ministry arrange housing and help recover wages
A senior official of Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said on Oct 23 that nearly 240 foreign workers in the processing industry had gone up to two months without pay. NTUC is working with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to arrange shared housing and job matching and to help recover wages including overtime pay, and about 90 workers are receiving daily meals. The Migrant Workers' Centre and MOM have met 230 of the workers, and the authorities will provide financial help where needed.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Japan changes tax-free shopping for tourists from Nov 1: pay 10% consumption tax first, get a refund on departure
CNA reported that from Nov 1 Japan will switch to a new tax-free system under which tourists pay the 10% consumption tax when shopping and claim a refund when leaving the country, to stop visitors reselling tax-free goods inside Japan. Tokyo Customs demonstrated the new process to the media at Haneda Airport on Oct 22, where more than 20 terminals have been installed; travellers at Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose, Naha and other airports can complete part of the procedure online in advance.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - China's first fully AI-generated feature film, a Sanxingdui sci-fi story, opens with presales of just 65,000 yuan
CNA reported that China's first fully AI-generated science-fiction feature film, themed on Sanxingdui, opened on Friday, Oct 23, with more than 10,000 screenings on its first day according to Maoyan, but presales of only 65,000 yuan as of the evening of Oct 22 and a total box office expected below 100,000 yuan; nearly 100 people spent more than two years making it at a cost of over 10 million yuan. RFI, citing Le Monde, said about 90% of China's mobile micro-dramas are now made with AI, cutting costs to a tenth, while creators' incomes have plunged.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's life expectancy was 81.27 years in 2025; eliminating cancer would add 3.70 years
Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior published its 2025 abridged life table excluding specific causes of death, showing average life expectancy of 81.27 years; excluding malignant tumours would add 3.70 years to 84.97, the largest effect of the top 10 causes of death, while excluding heart disease and pneumonia would add 1.54 and 1.13 years respectively. Cancer has been the leading cause of death for 44 consecutive years and killed 54,838 people in 2025, 27.48% of all deaths.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - NSW Premier Chris Minns scraps Sydney train timetable changes on T4, T8 and South Coast lines after public backlash
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced on Saturday, Oct 24, that timetable changes on the T4, T8 and South Coast lines, due to take effect on Nov 15, had been scrapped; they would have affected about a quarter of Sydney train passengers. Some commutes would have become longer, for example by up to 14 minutes on the T4 line between Waterfall and the city.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games: South Korea's Jang Min-ho breaks 16-year-old 400m T13 world record in 46.24 seconds; Hong Kong adds 6 medals
Visually impaired sprinter Jang Min-ho won gold in the men's 400m T13 at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in 46.24 seconds, breaking a world record that had stood for 16 years and adding to his 100m gold. Hosts Japan lost the wheelchair rugby final. Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism congratulated the Hong Kong team on winning six more medals on Oct 23.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Japan FA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto says Saudi security situation makes hosting the Asian Cup on schedule difficult
Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said after an AFC extraordinary congress in Tokyo on Oct 23 that Saudi Arabia's current security situation makes it difficult to host the Asian Cup as scheduled from Jan 7 to Feb 5 next year. The Saudi side said the safety of players and fans is the top priority and that it will discuss the matter with the AFC. AFC President Sheikh Salman said last week the tournament could be postponed to 2028 if necessary.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - US diplomat in Seoul refuses breathalyser after crash near Namsan Tunnel 3; police release him citing diplomatic immunity
The Hankyoreh reported that Seoul's Namdaemun police station said an SUV leaving Namsan Tunnel 3 collided with a car going straight at about 3:47pm on Oct 22. The SUV driver, a diplomat at the US embassy in Seoul, refused a breathalyser test citing diplomatic status, and under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations police could not compel the test; police said they would guide the parties to file a formal case if no settlement is reached.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - South Korean government-commissioned study finds paper straws have larger life-cycle environmental impact than plastic ones
The South China Morning Post, citing the Korea Herald, reported that a study on disposable straws commissioned by South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment found that paper and bio-based straws have higher life-cycle emissions than plastic ones, and that paper straws' carcinogenic impact is 6.33 times that of plastic straws. The indicator measures potential cancer risk across the whole process from raw material production to disposal, not the risk from direct use. The report was disclosed on Oct 21 by a People Power Party lawmaker.
Oct 24, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi leaves 1 dead and 350 injured in Taiwan; northern cities keep offices and schools shut on Oct 24
Typhoon Champi, the 30th of the season, engulfed all of Taiwan on Friday, Oct 23, and RFI said it had left one person dead and 350 injured. Taiwan's weather agency said that at 8pm the centre was about 100 km east of Yilan moving north-north-east at 16 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph, gusts of about 191 kph and a storm radius of 320 km, and mountain areas of New Taipei, Taoyuan and Yilan could see up to 900 mm of rain. Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan and several other cities and counties kept offices and schools closed on Oct 24; Taiwan's Central News Agency said more than 100,000 households lost power at some point and about 25,000 were still waiting for it, and NHK said the typhoon had nearly stalled with Okinawa's Sakishima Islands inside its storm zone.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Injuries from Tibet's magnitude 7.0 Nagqu earthquake rise to 54, with 339 houses collapsed and over 12,000 evacuated
After the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Nagqu, Tibet, on Oct 22, AP, citing state media, said at least 16 people had died, 54 were injured and at least 339 houses had collapsed as of Oct 23. Nagqu lies north of Lhasa at about 4,800 metres above sea level, and officials said they feared aftershocks could bring down more houses and trigger rockfalls, while terrain and low temperatures were hampering rescues. Nagqu's acting mayor said rescuers had completed three rounds of door-to-door, village-by-village searches by the afternoon of Oct 23; NHK reported more than 12,000 people evacuated and BBC Chinese said authorities deployed Wing Loong drones to survey the damage.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: PHP security flaws force Japan's SoftBank to pause phone disaster alerts and Japan's health ministry to halt 31 systems
Governments and companies worldwide are still rushing to patch websites after PHP developers released fixes for critical vulnerabilities on Wednesday, Oct 21, with millions of intrusion attempts forcing some systems offline. Japan's government said on Oct 23 it will set up a team to simulate cyberattacks with AI to find weak points, and SoftBank, Japan's third-largest mobile carrier, suspended its emergency alert system for phone users, meaning no earthquake, tsunami, disaster or evacuation warnings during maintenance. NHK said Japan's health minister announced the suspension of 31 systems and websites run by the ministry and affiliated bodies, with no data leak found, and South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said the presidency's website was taken offline as a precaution with no sign of intrusion.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Japan weighs phasing out gasoline subsidies from December; average price could rise to 175–180 yen a litre
Two ruling-party officials said on Oct 23 that Japan's government is considering gradually cutting gasoline subsidies as early as December over fears funding will run out. The emergency measure, introduced in March as the Middle East war drove up oil prices, holds the national average for regular gasoline at about 170 yen a litre, costs billions of dollars a month and is rapidly draining a 3.1 trillion yen supplementary budget passed in June. Under the plan discussed by the government and ruling coalition, weekly payments to fuel wholesalers would shrink, lifting the average retail price to about 175 yen in December and about 180 yen in January; NHK said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would review the support, including the 170-yen level.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon acquitted on appeal in political funds case after court finds broker Myung Tae-kyun's testimony unreliable
The Seoul High Court on Friday, Oct 23, overturned a lower court ruling and acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of violating the Political Funds Act, saying the first trial relied on testimony from political broker Myung Tae-kyun that it found not credible. Oh was accused of receiving 10 opinion polls from Myung before the April 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, paid for by longtime supporter Kim Han-jung at a total of 33 million won (about $25,000). In July the first trial found Kim had paid 21 million won and fined Oh 10 million won plus a 21-million-won forfeiture; under the law a fine of 1 million won or more bars a person from public office for five years, and KBS said the special counsel will appeal.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - South Korea proposes military talks with North Korea on the demarcation line; Seoul estimates the North has laid about 960,000 mines in the DMZ since 2024
Kim Hong-cheol, South Korea's deputy defence minister for policy, said on Friday, Oct 23, that Seoul proposed military talks with Pyongyang to confirm the location of the Military Demarcation Line, restore military communication lines and discuss preventing accidental border clashes, with the UN Command able to join three-way talks if needed. Three South Korean soldiers were injured in a DMZ landmine blast last month. South Korean military officials told the National Assembly that North Korea is estimated to have laid about 960,000 mines in and around the DMZ since starting its 'border fortification' project in 2024, without giving locations or the basis for the estimate; since April 2024 the North has also cleared vegetation, built walls and barbed-wire fences, and cut the Gyeongui and Donghae road and rail links.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: After Tai Po fire report, Hong Kong security chief Chris Tang says Fire Services Department will take 'ultimate responsibility' for fire safety complaints
After the independent committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po submitted its final report to the government on Oct 22, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Friday, Oct 23, that the Fire Services Department will bear 'ultimate responsibility' for following up fire safety complaints across the city, and the government will introduce a series of legal reforms and administrative measures to close fire safety gaps. SCMP, citing sources, said the report found failures by the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department, Labour Department and the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit contributed to last year's deadly fire. Committee counsel had criticised the fire department at public hearings for failing to detect problems with the fire alarm system.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - China's Communist Party to hold Fifth Plenum next week, with about 300 top members discussing stricter party discipline
RFI, citing Reuters, reported that the Chinese Communist Party will convene about 300 of its most senior members next week for its Fifth Plenum to discuss strengthening party discipline; analysts said it may be the last major party meeting before the 2027 leadership reshuffle. DW said observers are watching whether Xi Jinping will keep the top posts in the party, state and military, with analysts noting that ongoing purges have removed several senior officials and military leaders.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - China's Commerce Ministry urges US to end 'discriminatory measures' against Chinese research institutions as Pentagon says 30 US universities cut ties
The US Defense Department said 30 American universities had reduced ties with institutions 'raising national security concerns', under research funding restrictions on dozens of Chinese universities known as the '1286 list'. China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday, Oct 23, that Washington should 'respect the facts' and immediately stop discriminatory measures against Chinese research institutions, saying US-China research cooperation serves both sides and that the US approach effectively coerces American institutions into taking sides. Reuters said a Republican lawmaker this month asked the Pentagon to add 58 more Chinese institutions and 62 Chinese technology laboratories to the list, some involved in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Japan's revised Imperial House Law takes effect, letting female royals stay in the imperial family after marriage and allowing adoption of male-line men from former branches
NHK reported that Japan's revised Imperial House Law took effect on Oct 24, allowing female members of the imperial family to keep their status after marriage and permitting the adoption of male-line men from former imperial branches; the Imperial Household Agency will now study the details. Asahi said the question of allowing a female emperor or an emperor from the female line was shelved.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Korean Air and Asiana Airlines customer booking data leaked after unauthorised access to Amadeus reservation system
Korean Air said on Oct 23 that global airline IT provider Amadeus notified it on the evening of Oct 20 of signs of a personal data leak in its system, and Asiana Airlines confirmed the same day that booking information including reservation numbers had leaked; both said their own databases were not breached. Hankyoreh said someone used login credentials for an Amadeus system account to gain unauthorised access, estimated to have occurred between August 2023 and September 2026. Asiana said payment data was not included; about 200 airlines worldwide use Amadeus passenger service systems.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - US Kadena Air Base in Okinawa to bar BYD electric cars from Oct 26 over concerns about cameras and sensors gathering intelligence
Taiwan's Central News Agency, citing Yonhap, reported that the US military's Kadena Air Base in Okinawa will ban BYD electric vehicles from Oct 26, affecting cars used by base personnel, contractors, businesses and taxis. US Forces Japan officials said the concern is that the vehicles' cameras and sensors could collect and leak sensitive information from inside the base. In June the US added BYD, along with Alibaba, Baidu and NIO, to a list of companies it says assist China's military; Alibaba then sued the US government, China's foreign ministry called the list discriminatory, and BYD did not immediately respond.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Singapore's NEA issues legal notices under haze law to 10 Singapore-based firms including Asia Pulp & Paper and Wilmar
Singapore's National Environment Agency said on the evening of Oct 23 that it had issued legal notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to 10 more Singapore-registered companies, requiring documents and information related to fires in Indonesia; they include Asia Pulp & Paper and its China arm, Bumitama Agri, Golden Agri International, First Resources, Indofood Agri Resources, Kencana Agri, TSH Global Plantation, TSH Oversea and Wilmar International. The companies are in oil palm or forestry and own, directly or through affiliates, land concessions in Indonesia, and NEA asked them to explain their links with Singapore and Indonesian affiliates and the locations of the concessions. Singapore will also form a panel of experts to help the investigation.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Philippines offers 50 million peso bounty for ICC-wanted Senator Ronald dela Rosa
Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla announced at a press conference on Friday, Oct 23, a reward of 50 million pesos (about $786,000) for the capture of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, calling him 'armed and dangerous'. Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, was the main enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign; the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in November 2025, and he has been in hiding since it was unsealed in May. Duterte is due to go on trial on Nov 30 for alleged crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Malaysia's Sarawak state assembly to be dissolved on Oct 26, with election due within 60 days
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari announced at a press conference in Kuching on the afternoon of Friday, Oct 23, that with the consent of the state governor the state assembly will be dissolved on Monday, Oct 26, triggering an election within 60 days; the assembly's term could otherwise have run until April 2027. The Election Commission will meet to set polling day, and a state tourism minister had earlier said the vote could be held in December. Over the past year Malaysia has held state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka votes on Nov 14.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - South Korea's spy agency says rumours of Kim Jong Un's death are false, though his 140 kg weight puts him at high cardiovascular risk
Hankyoreh, citing several ruling-party members of parliament's intelligence committee, reported that South Korea's National Intelligence Service told the committee on Oct 23 that recent rumours on social media at home and abroad about Kim Jong Un's death or abnormal health were untrue. The agency had reported on Sept 30 that Kim weighs around 140 kg and is at high risk of cardiovascular disease, but was able to run up stairs while inspecting a destroyer and has a dedicated medical team, with no abnormal signs. It also said Kim Yo Jong and a defence ministry adviser inspected 'southern border fortification' sites near the Military Demarcation Line on Oct 20; the committee will audit the agency on Oct 29.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Japanese novelist Ryu Murakami, author of 'Almost Transparent Blue' and 'Coin Locker Babies', dies at 74
Japanese publisher Gentosha announced on Friday, Oct 23, that novelist Ryu Murakami had died aged 74; his work dealt with sex, violence and youth culture and has been translated around the world. His debut 'Almost Transparent Blue', about young people immersed in drugs and sex, won one of Japan's most prestigious literary prizes in 1976; 'Coin Locker Babies' (1980) tells how children abandoned in coin lockers survive, and 'In the Miso Soup' (1997) follows a tourist into Tokyo's red-light district. Gentosha called him 'a front-runner of an era'.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong records 32.3°C on 'Frost' solar term day, the hottest on record
The Hong Kong Observatory's headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui recorded a high of 32.3°C at 3:30pm on Friday, Oct 23, the hottest 'Frost' solar term day on record. The 'Frost' term, the 18th of the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar, began this year on Oct 23. Temperatures in Hong Kong have repeatedly exceeded 30°C in recent weeks, partly due to super typhoons, El Niño and global warming, and the Observatory said the weekend would be very dry with large differences between day and night temperatures.
Oct 24, 2026 Morning - Australia sanctions two North Korean individuals and two entities over 'fraudulent' IT workers funding nuclear and missile programmes
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Oct 23 that Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on two North Korean individuals and two entities accused of placing North Korean IT workers in remote jobs overseas and sending the earnings home to fund nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, in breach of UN Security Council resolutions. The two men, Sim Hyon Sop and Yu Py Ung, have been identified by US authorities as key financial intermediaries. The action was coordinated with partners including the European Union.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Asia midday markets: most major indexes fall; Hang Seng up 0.56%, Taiwan closed for Typhoon Champi
As of about 12:00 Hong Kong time on Oct 23, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.01%, the KOSPI 1.03%, the Shanghai Composite 1.20% and the Shenzhen Component 1.60%, while Singapore's Straits Times Index slipped 0.11%; the Hang Seng Index rose 0.56%. The Taiwan Stock Exchange was closed all day because of Typhoon Champi. Nikkei Asia reported that SK Hynix had abandoned plans for an IPO of its US unit.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Japan's September core inflation rises to 2.1%, highest this year, staying above Bank of Japan target as markets eye December hike
Japan's core consumer price index, excluding fresh food, rose 2.1% year on year in September, the highest this year; headline inflation was also 2.1%, and the 'core-core' measure excluding energy stayed above the 2% target. Rice prices fell 20.6%, but durable goods and utilities pushed goods inflation to 2.8%. The Nikkei 225 fell more than 1% on Friday and the yen strengthened to about 156.15 per dollar; the BOJ raised rates to about 1.25% in September, the highest in about three decades, and the lower house began debating a bill to cut the consumption tax on food from 8% to 1% for two years.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - UN 'loss and damage' fund earmarks first-ever US$20 million for Nepal after deadly glacial floods
The board of the UN Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage agreed at a special meeting on Oct 22 to set aside a US$20 million grant for Nepal, the first time it has earmarked money for any country. Floods and landslides triggered by a climate-linked ice and rock avalanche in Nepal in August killed more than 1,400 people and left over 5,000 missing; the government puts reconstruction at about $4.78 billion, so the grant is under 0.5% and is the maximum for a single request. Nepal must still submit a plan for approval with no set timeline; rich countries have pledged about $822 million to the fund, which had never disbursed money.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong signs 18 more 'strategic enterprises' pledging over HK$10 billion, including Johnson & Johnson and Solana
SCMP reported that Hong Kong's Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) signed agreements on Oct 22 with a seventh batch of 18 companies in fields including artificial intelligence, health technology and advanced manufacturing, which pledged more than HK$10 billion (about $1.28 billion) of investment. About half come from mainland China and half from elsewhere, including Nasdaq-listed fintech firm Solana and Johnson & Johnson. Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the aim was to connect finance, research, talent and industry more effectively.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - SK Hynix halts Solidigm US IPO review; shares rebound about 3.2% after early drop
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix said on Oct 23 that its subsidiary Solidigm would stop evaluating potential pre-IPO funding and an initial public offering, citing recent capital market conditions and share price moves, and was looking at other funding options for a new US fab to meet AI memory demand. SK Hynix shares fell about 3% in early trading before turning to a gain of about 3.2%, CNBC reported.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Singapore HDB resale prices dip 0.1% in third quarter as volume jumps 19.5%; private home prices rise 1.4%
Data from Singapore's Housing and Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority showed HDB resale prices fell 0.1% in the third quarter of 2026, a third straight quarterly decline, while resale transactions rose 19.5% to 7,645, the most since the third quarter of 2024. The private home price index rose 1.4%, the fastest in nearly two years, but private transactions fell 16.3% to 5,146 units and developers sold 1,183 new homes excluding executive condominiums, down 44.7%. A record 596 HDB flats resold for at least S$1 million, according to ERA.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - South Korean study says fuel price ceiling held petrol about 239 won per litre below where it would have been
Hankyoreh reported that a Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade study released on Oct 23 estimated that the seventh maximum price for regular petrol, cut by 150 won to 1,784 won per litre from June 27 and held until Oct 16, kept pump prices about 239.48 won per litre lower than they would otherwise have been. Without the policy average retail prices would have been about 2,017.43 won, against an actual 1,867.95 won. The ceiling on refinery supply prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene was revived on March 13 this year for the first time in nearly 30 years, as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia pushed up oil prices.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - HD Hyundai and Kiewit to start building advanced US shipyard next year, aiming for 2029 opening and about 3,000 jobs
HD Hyundai said on Oct 23 it had signed an agreement with US contractor Kiewit to begin building an advanced shipyard in the United States next year, expected to start operating in 2029 and create about 3,000 jobs; the two will form a joint venture to explore commercial ships and naval support vessels. South Korea has pledged $150 billion for US shipbuilding as part of about $350 billion of investment in the US in exchange for tariff relief.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan's Military Police Command removes Taipei unit's colonel commander pending investigation into alleged abuse of personnel
Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that the colonel commanding a Taipei military police unit was accused of long-term verbal abuse and bullying of personnel, with several injuries in the unit not reported as required. The Military Police Command said on Oct 23 that it had set up a task force after receiving complaints, found improper leadership and internal management, and removed the commander from his post pending investigation, adding that it would pursue administrative, criminal and disciplinary liability.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Singapore launches S$143 million industrial decarbonisation initiative; manufacturing-related emissions about 65% of national total
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced on Oct 23 a S$143 million (about $112 million) initiative to develop industrial decarbonisation technologies, part of a S$800 million decarbonisation grand challenge; industry including its electricity use accounts for about 65% of Singapore's emissions. Up to S$100 million goes to company-led research under the DRIVE programme, open for applications now, and S$65 million to five low-carbon energy research projects, while a S$62 million testbed on Jurong Island has IHI, Amogy and Metha8 as first users. Keppel Energy, Sembcorp Utilities and Tuas Power Generation were approved to import biomethane.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi closes offices and schools in most of Taiwan on Oct 23; stock market shut all day
BBC Chinese and The New York Times reported that most Taiwanese cities and counties suspended work and classes on Oct 23 as Typhoon Champi approached. Taipei's closure decision led the Taiwan Stock Exchange, the Taipei Exchange and the futures exchange to shut for the whole day, with settlement postponed. Some local leaders' description of the closure as a day off for everyone prompted public debate.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Chinalco sets up corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong as group's offshore fund management platform
The Hong Kong government said on Oct 23 that Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) had set up a corporate treasury centre in Hong Kong to serve as the group's offshore fund management platform. It is the latest case of a large central state-owned enterprise placing regional treasury functions in the city.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Hideki Matsui to become Yomiuri Giants manager, returning to his old club after 24 years
Asahi and NHK reported on Oct 23 that the Yomiuri Giants will appoint Hideki Matsui, 52, as their next manager, his first return to the club since his playing days 24 years ago. The previous manager resigned after being arrested in May on suspicion of assault, a case later dropped without charge; the Giants finished second in the regular season and went out in the first round of the playoffs. Matsui joined the Yankees in 2003, was World Series MVP in 2009, retired in 2012 with 2,643 hits and 507 home runs, and received the People's Honour Award in 2013.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Busan's celebrity shark Bukangi guided out of canal but keeps circling the river mouth; authorities end rescue
BBC reported that Bukangi, a dusky shark about 3 metres long that had been seen in a canal in Busan since last month, was guided towards the sea with nets on Wednesday in a livestreamed operation lasting more than eight hours, watched by hundreds of fans. On Thursday it broke back through a net and was freed after being trapped between two nets; authorities reinforced the barrier and ended the operation, with the shark still lingering near the river mouth. It has reportedly drawn more than 1.6 million visitors over the past month.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Apple's first foldable iPhone Duo goes on sale in South Korea; carriers' first pre-order allocations sell out in about a minute
Hankyoreh reported that Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale in South Korea on Oct 23, with SK Telecom, KT and LG U+ shipping pre-orders and opening general sales. SK Telecom's first batch of pre-orders guaranteeing launch-day delivery sold out in about a minute, KT's first and second batches of 256GB and 512GB models also went within about a minute, and LG U+ said its first allocation was exhausted and it was negotiating more supply. White was the most popular colour at all three carriers.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Australia offers astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for International Space Station mission around 2028
The Guardian reported that the Australian government has proposed to the European Space Agency that astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, 2026 Australian of the Year, join an International Space Station mission around 2028. If it goes ahead she would be the first qualified astronaut to fly to space under the Australian flag. She has trained within the ESA system; the timetable and final crew still need confirmation by ESA and Australia.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Japan awards Order of Culture to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and architect Toyo Ito
Asahi reported that Japan will award the Order of Culture, one of its highest honours for cultural achievement, to game producer Shigeru Miyamoto and architect Toyo Ito, among others. Miyamoto is known for Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda and has long led game production at Nintendo.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Endangered bogong moths show strong rebound along Australia's east coast, citizen science records suggest
The Guardian reported signs of a marked recovery of the bogong moth in several states along Australia's east coast, with sightings and numbers recorded on citizen science platforms well up on recent lows. Comparable surveys led by ecologists have not yet been published. The species has been listed as endangered, and its migration is an indicator for alpine ecosystems.
Oct 23, 2026 Afternoon - Magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes Nagqu, Tibet; Xinhua reports at least 16 dead, 32 injured and over 300 houses collapsed
The China Earthquake Networks Center said a magnitude 7.0 quake struck a county of Nagqu in the Tibet Autonomous Region at about 22:33 local time on Oct 22 at a depth of 10 km, in an area averaging about 4,864 metres above sea level. CBS, citing AFP relaying Xinhua, reported at least 16 dead, 32 injured and more than 300 houses collapsed; the USGS put the depth at about 18 km, 191 km east-northeast of Nagqu. CNA said it was China's strongest earthquake since January 2024, about 400 km from Lhasa, followed by several aftershocks of magnitude 3 to 4.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi nears north-eastern Taiwan; Taipei closes offices and schools on Oct 23 and stock market shuts for the day
CNA Singapore reported Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued a land warning for Typhoon Champi on Oct 22, with the storm centre about 250 km south-east of Yilan, gusts near the centre above 227 kph and a storm radius of 320 km; it was expected to pass closest to north-eastern Taiwan late on Oct 23 before heading north towards waters off Shanghai. Taiwan's transport ministry said 125 flights, mostly domestic, were cancelled on Thursday, and northern mountain areas could see close to 1,000 mm of rain. Taiwan's Central News Agency said Taipei suspended work and classes on Oct 23 and the Taiwan Stock Exchange and Taipei Exchange closed for the full day; NHK said the typhoon was approaching Okinawa's Sakishima Islands.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Aung San Suu Kyi's son speaks to his detained mother for first time in over five years, says she sounded 'fairly healthy'
The Guardian and CNA, citing AFP, reported that Kim Aris, son of Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said on Facebook on Oct 22 that he had spoken to his mother by phone for the first time in more than five years. She has been detained since the February 2021 military coup, and Myanmar authorities say she is under house arrest in Naypyitaw. Aris said she 'sounded fairly healthy' and they spoke only about family because the call would be recorded, adding that 'one phone call is not the same as regular family visits'; on Monday the authorities released photos of her receiving a package from King Charles III.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rises to 3.9% in July–September; underemployment up to 2.0%
The Hong Kong government said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July–September 2026 was 3.9%, up 0.1 percentage point from June–August, and the underemployment rate rose 0.1 point to 2.0%. Unemployed persons rose by about 1,100 to 155,000 and underemployed persons by about 2,900 to 75,000, while total employment rose by about 3,000 to 3,655,000. Unemployment rose most visibly in social work activities and warehousing and support activities for transportation; the rise in underemployment was mainly in food and beverage services and retail.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - UK six-monthly report says national security law has eroded Hong Kong's openness; Hong Kong government 'strongly condemns' it and Beijing calls it 'irresponsible'
SCMP reported that Britain's latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, published on Oct 22, said the national security law had further eroded the openness underpinning the city's success; the Foreign Secretary wrote in the foreword that he was 'deeply concerned and disturbed' by Jimmy Lai's continued imprisonment. Lai was sentenced to 20 years for national security offences. A Hong Kong government spokesman said it 'strongly condemns and firmly rejects' the report, saying the Sino-British Joint Declaration gives the UK no authority to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, and Beijing told Britain to stop interfering in China's internal affairs.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Australia and Timor-Leste sign defence framework; Canberra commits A$62 million for cyber and maritime security
SCMP reported that Australian Defence Minister Marles and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao signed a defence framework agreement in Dili on Oct 22, under which Australia will provide A$62 million (about $44 million) for cybersecurity, maritime security, infrastructure, disaster relief and training. Marles said Australia is Timor-Leste's largest defence and security partner and the deal would significantly increase joint exercises. AFP said the move comes as Canberra seeks to curb China's growing influence among Australia's neighbours, having recently signed defence and economic deals with several Pacific island nations.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong flu season shows no sign of easing; Centre for Health Protection says vaccinations down 10% on last year
SCMP reported that after a second unvaccinated child died of influenza in Hong Kong, the controller of the Centre for Health Protection said falling vaccination rates were raising infection risk. More than 900,000 flu vaccine doses have been given since Sept 17, about 10% fewer than the roughly 1 million a year earlier, and coverage among children aged 2 to 11 fell 5 percentage points. The season began in June; last year's ended around week 18, and this year's is still not easing at about week 16, so he expects it to last longer than last year's.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Chinese prosecutors seek to seize over 61,800 bitcoin tied to Qian Zhimin's 40-billion-yuan illegal fundraising case
CoinDesk, citing The Paper, reported that Chinese prosecutors applied to confiscate more than 61,800 bitcoin and other assets linked to a fundraising fraud of over 40 billion yuan (about $5.7 billion). Prosecutors said Qian Zhimin, the actual controller of Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology, sold unlicensed wealth products nationwide from 2014 to 2017 promising guaranteed high returns, raising more than 40.378 billion yuan from over 102,000 investors, who lost nearly 20 billion yuan. A UK court recently ruled that victims' claims to bitcoin seized in Britain should be governed by Chinese law; a Chinese court has opened a six-month notice period for interested parties.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Taiwan to vote on scrapping 'nuclear-free homeland' policy in Nov 28 referendum; presidential office sets three conditions for any restart
Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that a Kuomintang-backed referendum to abolish the 'nuclear-free homeland' policy has been approved by the Central Election Commission and will be held alongside the nine-in-one local elections on Nov 28. A presidential office spokesperson said on Oct 22 that Taiwan reached the nuclear-free goal when the last unit of its third nuclear power plant was decommissioned on May 17, 2025, and power supply is sufficient; President Lai Ching-te holds no ideological position and rules out no energy option, but a restart must be safe, have a solution for nuclear waste and have social consensus. The policy is written into Taiwan's Basic Environment Act.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Japan's LDP proposes cutting only 31 proportional seats from the House of Representatives; Democratic Party for the People signals understanding
Asahi Shimbun reported that the Liberal Democratic Party, at a cross-party electoral reform council on Oct 22, proposed a compromise cutting only 31 proportional-representation seats from the 465-seat lower house, after opposition parties rejected the 45-seat cut proposed with Nippon Ishin no Kai. The plan would also switch seat allocation from the D'Hondt method to a modified Sainte-Laguë method more favourable to small and mid-sized parties, and raise the threshold for dual candidates' revival from one-tenth to one-sixth of valid votes, aiming for agreement within the month. The Democratic Party for the People's acting leader said it was 'better than cutting 45', while Ishin's leader insisted on a 10% cut, or 45 seats.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Critical PHP flaws trigger global patching; South Korea raises civilian cyber crisis alert to 'caution'
PHP developers disclosed two long-hidden critical vulnerabilities found by AI and released patches on Oct 21. KBS reported that South Korea's science ministry and the Korea Internet & Security Agency raised the civilian cyber crisis alert from 'interest' to 'caution', the second of four levels, at noon on Oct 22, expanding response staff and sending protective measures to about 5,900 organisations and about 30,000 companies required to report information security officers. KBS said about 70% of websites worldwide use PHP; Asahi Shimbun said millions of attacks were recorded within half a day of disclosure, with exploitation attempts even before it.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - South Korean police uncover first case of North Korean IT workers hiding their identity to work for South Korean private firms
Hankyoreh reported that the National Office of Investigation's security investigation bureau of the Korean National Police Agency confirmed on Oct 22 that it began investigating last year after detecting signs that North Korean IT workers had concealed their identity to be employed by South Korean private companies, the first such case made public. Police are tracing how much was paid and how, and investigating links to North Korean organisations. On July 31 South Korea's foreign ministry and police joined agencies from 11 countries including the US, Japan, the UK and Australia in warning that North Korea relies on IT workers using false identities to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Singapore begins second round of haze mask distribution on Oct 23; Singaporeans aged 60 and above can collect two N95 masks
The Straits Times reported that Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu announced on Oct 22 that the second round of haze mask distribution would begin on Oct 23, with Singaporeans aged 60 and above eligible for two N95 masks each, compared with 67 and above in the first round; CHAS Orange and Blue card holders and Medical Fee Exemption Card holders are also eligible, collecting at community clubs and dedicated vending machines. About 22% of eligible residents have collected masks so far, and the government said stocks remain and it is helping retailers restock.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Wildfire burns about 4,700 sq km of a strictly protected area in eastern Mongolia; KDDI apologises, saying it was linked to local subsidiary
Liberty Times reported that a severe grassland fire broke out in early October in a strictly protected area in Mongolia's Dornod province and was fully extinguished on the morning of Oct 16, burning nearly 80% of the reserve, about 4,700 sq km. NHK reported that Japanese telecoms company KDDI said the fire was linked to the activities of its local subsidiary and apologised; Liberty Times, citing local reports, said the fire was suspected to be linked to a Japanese company executive.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - South Korea's first domestic GLP-1 obesity drug Efpe available on prescription from Oct 29 at about half Mounjaro's price
Hankyoreh reported that Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Efpe auto-injector pen (efpeglenatide), South Korea's first home-grown GLP-1 obesity drug, can be prescribed at some medical institutions from as early as Oct 29, after approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Oct 7. In a phase 3 trial of 448 Korean patients with obesity, body weight fell by about 9% on average after 40 weeks. The first month's supply price is about 130,000 won, roughly half Mounjaro's lowest-dose four-week supply price of about 270,000 won; it is for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 to 30 with related conditions.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Starbucks China introduces 'no order, no seat' rule at about 8,000 stores
BBC reported that from Oct 22 Starbucks China requires customers to buy something before sitting in its roughly 8,000 stores nationwide, saying the aim is to improve the 'in-store experience'. Starbucks China faces fierce competition from local brands such as Luckin Coffee; Starbucks in North America earlier ended its long-standing policy of letting non-customers use seats and toilets, and Starbucks Korea has asked customers not to bring 'bulky items' after people occupied seats with printers and desktop computers.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Every car navigation system in Kyushu wrongly shows 'level 5 heavy rain emergency warning'; land ministry blames staff error
Asahi Shimbun reported that at about 3 pm Japan time on Oct 22, car navigation systems in moving vehicles across Kyushu simultaneously displayed a red-framed alert reading 'Level 5 heavy rain emergency warning: underpasses dangerous!'. The land ministry's Kyushu Regional Development Bureau said that evening it was sent in error by a staff member practising on the system ahead of the approaching typhoon, retracted it about 20 minutes later and apologised; there was no disaster-level rain in Kyushu at the time. The function began on Oct 6, and the bureau said the incident was unrelated to unauthorised access or the PHP vulnerability.
Oct 23, 2026 Morning - Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire inquiry submits final report to Hong Kong's Chief Executive; four government bodies reportedly faulted
The Hong Kong government said the chairman of the independent committee on the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po handed its report to the Chief Executive on Oct 22; the Nov 26, 2025 blaze killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. SCMP, citing sources, said the report runs to more than 10 chapters, names four government departments to be held accountable, and makes recommendations on building-material standards and bid-rigging. The Chief Executive said the government would comprehensively reform oversight of building maintenance works, building management and fire-service installations.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - China's CSI 300 index enters bear market, down 20% from June high after 10 straight weekly losses
CNBC, citing LSEG data, reported that the CSI 300 index of 300 large-cap Shanghai and Shenzhen stocks was down 20% from its June high on Oct 22, entering a bear market; it has fallen for 10 consecutive weeks, is down 2.6% so far this week and dropped more than 1% intraday on Thursday. CNBC said Chinese corporate profit growth has slowed under fierce competition, with September industrial profits growing at the weakest pace this year. Pella Funds chairman and CIO Jordan Cvetanovski told CNBC that Chinese stocks still face structural problems from overcapacity and overinvestment.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Asian markets at midday: Hang Seng −2.87%, KOSPI −2.72%, Nikkei −1.76% as CSI 300 slides into bear territory
As of about 11:58 Hong Kong time on Oct 22, the Nikkei 225 was down 1.76%, the KOSPI 2.72%, the Shanghai Composite 0.89%, the Shenzhen Component 1.78%, the Hang Seng 2.87%, Taiwan's TAIEX 1.12% and Singapore's Straits Times Index 0.26% (Yahoo Finance data). CNA said investors were weighing US tech earnings and Gulf tensions, with the MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index down 0.2% early and on track for a fourth weekly fall. The Bank of Korea held its base rate at 3%, and Taiwan's market opened higher before turning negative, swinging nearly 700 points.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - DeepSeek raises about 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) with CATL and Tencent among largest investors, Bloomberg reports
CNA, relaying a Bloomberg report of Oct 22, said Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek raised about 100 billion yuan (about $14.98 billion) in its latest funding round. People familiar with the matter said battery maker CATL and WeChat operator Tencent were among the largest investors; Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Bank of Korea holds base rate at 3% after two hikes; governor warns government spending must stay sustainable
CNBC and Hankyoreh reported that the Bank of Korea's monetary policy board voted 7–0 on Oct 22 to keep the base rate at 3%, after quarter-point hikes in July and August that ended eight meetings at 2.5%. The statement said exports and investment were driving high growth with inflation around 3%, but uncertainty over the Middle East and major economies' policies had risen, and the bank would decide 'the timing and pace of further rate hikes'; September inflation was 2.9%, the 13th straight month at or above the 2% target. Chosun Ilbo reported the governor said next year's budget contains many transfer programmes and fiscal sustainability must be considered; the year's last rate meeting is on Nov 26.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi nears Taiwan as Taipei's mayor suspends campaigning; may become latest typhoon to affect South Korea since 1951
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for Typhoon No. 30 Champi late on Oct 21 and, according to CNA, expected a land warning around noon on Oct 22; the army ended its brigade-level 'Lu Sheng 2' exercise early at 10 am so troops could prepare. Liberty Times reported Taipei's mayor announced an immediate suspension of all campaign activities while inspecting a pumping station on Oct 22, and the drawing of ballot numbers for Taipei candidates set for Oct 23 would move to Oct 27 if offices close that day. Yonhap News TV said that if a typhoon advisory is issued, Champi would become the latest typhoon to affect South Korea since 1951, beating Typhoon Zeb on Oct 16–18, 1998, with gusts of about 55 kph from the afternoon of Oct 23 on Jeju and waves up to 5 metres.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Malaysian teen live-streams axe attack on teacher at Kuching school before two classmates subdue him
SCMP reported that Sarawak police arrested a 16-year-old student who attacked a female teacher with an axe at a private school in Kuching and live-streamed it online. CCTV showed him entering a classroom at about 7:50 am on Oct 21, striking the teacher once, leaving and re-entering through another door to swing at a student; when the teacher tried to stop him he tried to strike her again before two male classmates overpowered him and took the axe.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Two Japanese climbers missing for a week in Nepal's Annapurna range; helicopter and drone searches find no trace
Japan Times, citing local officials in Nepal, reported that two Japanese men aged 40 and 25 have been out of contact since Oct 15 on a 7,000-metre-class peak in the central Nepal Himalayas, believed to be the 7,455-metre Gangapurna in the Annapurna range or a nearby lower unclimbed peak. Authorities have searched with helicopters and drones without finding any trace; Japan's embassy in Nepal said it is assisting the families and has not released their identities.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Taiwan's security chief says China conducting 'precision' interference in local elections; nearly 100 cases tracked
CNA reported that the director of Taiwan's National Security Bureau said on Oct 22, before briefing the legislature's foreign affairs and defence committee, that Beijing's interference in the nine-in-one local elections is marked by 'precision', and listed six methods: illegal funding of chosen candidates or groups, cheap mainland trips for candidates' supporters and local brokers, cheap flights home to vote for Taiwanese in the mainland about three weeks before polling, disinformation, underground election betting, and hacking to steal election intelligence. Liberty Times said the bureau is tracking nearly 100 cases and will try to refer them to prosecutors before the vote. The bureau's written report said government networks faced about 2.58 million intrusion attempts a day on average through September, with detections topping 100 million in July.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Global yttrium exports have 'stalled', Japanese industry ministry official says; China's yttrium oxide shipments to Japan down over 90%
Japan Times reported that an official of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Oct 21 that exports of the rare earth yttrium had 'stalled' globally, not just to Japan, tightening supply and sending prices soaring; the Financial Times had reported Japan's stocks could run out within months. Yttrium is used in consumer electronics, LEDs, jet engines and chipmaking equipment; IEA data show China accounts for nearly two-thirds of global rare-earth mining and 92% of refining, and Chinese customs data show September yttrium oxide exports to Japan of 4,000 kg against 51,000 kg a year earlier.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Kanagawa police diverted photos from surrendered driver's licences to security-police surveillance files for about 30 years
Asahi Shimbun reported that Japan's National Police Agency said on Oct 22 that several Kanagawa police stations had, since at least about 30 years ago, passed old licences collected at renewal to security and public-safety units, using the photos as files on people under investigation or surveillance, likely violating the Personal Information Protection Act. It came to light after an officer in his 20s left a bag with 31 old licences on a station bench while drunk on Aug 22. The agency has set up a task team, is checking other prefectural police forces, and ordered that old licences in principle no longer be collected but punched and returned.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Australia's Federal Court orders Apple to open iOS to alternative app stores; Fortnite returns to Australian App Store
CNA reported Epic Games said Fortnite would return to Apple's Australian App Store on Oct 22 after the Federal Court found Apple breached competition law and ordered iOS opened. The judgment found Apple had breached section 46(1) of the Competition and Consumer Act since Nov 6, 2017, and ordered alternative app stores, sideloading and third-party payments for the Australian App Store. An Apple spokesperson told Reuters the company disagreed with many of the findings and would seek a stay and appeal.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong raids four beauty salons over injections said to contain human tissue; woman arrested
SCMP reported Hong Kong's Department of Health raided four beauty salons last Friday and this Tuesday, seizing the Korean-packaged injectable Elravie Re20, which claims to contain human tissue, and arresting a 38-year-old woman. The department said the product is a regulated product under the Human Organ Transplant Ordinance and also a pharmaceutical product; health officials said such anti-ageing 'dead people's skin' jabs lack clinical safety data.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Prabowo says Indonesia won't be 'insulted' over haze; Singapore's PM2.5 readings back to normal island-wide
SCMP reported Indonesian President Prabowo told a cabinet meeting on Oct 21 that, regarding 'certain countries that like to insult Indonesia', the companies involved would be named in due course and 'many companies are responsible for the crisis', without naming any. Independent monitor Nusantara Atlas said fires burned more than 1.9 million hectares in Indonesia in the first nine months, sending air pollution to dangerous levels in Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste. Straits Times reported that from 1 am on Oct 22 hourly PM2.5 readings in all five regions of Singapore were back in the 'normal' range, at 22–47 at 9 am; the season's peak was recorded at 3 pm on Oct 14.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Busan's stranded shark swims back into artificial waterway hours after being guided out to sea
On Oct 21 Korean authorities used nets, divers and a floating platform to guide the shark that had been stuck for over a month in the artificial waterway of Busan's North Port waterfront park out beyond Pier 1, the third such attempt. Yonhap News TV reported it was back within hours, surfacing about once a minute between the first and second footbridges on the morning of Oct 22, apparently slipping through a gap between the waterway floor and the net; it has not been seen feeding in a month and has shown abnormal behaviour such as hitting walls. The fisheries ministry and Busan city said they would guide it out again the same day.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - 70-cm dinosaur footprint found in Fukushima's Minamisoma is Japan's largest Jurassic dinosaur track
Asahi Shimbun reported that Minamisoma in Fukushima Prefecture announced on Oct 22 the discovery of a roughly 70-cm fossil footprint in late-Jurassic rock about 160 million years old, possibly from a long-necked sauropod similar to Brachiosaurus — Japan's first Jurassic sauropod track and its largest Jurassic dinosaur footprint, beating a 33-cm track found in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, in 1993. Twelve footprints, five possibly sauropod, were found over 7–8 metres after excavation in July; a life-size panel goes on display at the Minamisoma city museum from Oct 23.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Wrong national anthems played three times at Asian Para Games in Nagoya; Iran's anthem played for Taiwanese and Mongolian gold medallists
Japan Times reported that at the Asian Para Games, held across Aichi Prefecture, the wrong anthem was played three times on Oct 19: Iran's anthem was played at medal ceremonies for Mongolian and Taiwanese para-taekwondo gold medallists, and South Korea's anthem was started before a China–Iran women's sitting volleyball match. Organisers blamed a settings error in the music software and re-held the men's ceremony on Oct 21; Nagoya's mayor, acting head of the organising committee, apologised.
Oct 22, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after Wangaratta car attack; husband says she is alive and stable
Independent federal MP Helen Haines was hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday, Oct 19. The Guardian reported that her husband told media on Oct 21 on behalf of the family that doctors had amputated her left leg on Monday and had hoped to save the right leg but could not, so she has now lost both legs; he said 'she is alive, she is stable, and that is what matters most to our family.' He said the couple mark their 40th wedding anniversary next month, and the family said donating to Save the Children is the best way to support her.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: 'Violent' Typhoon Champi to approach Okinawa's Sakishima Islands Oct 23–24; Taiwan issues sea warning
NHK said the large, violent Typhoon No. 30, Champi, is expected to approach the Sakishima Islands of Okinawa Prefecture around Oct 23–24 with winds strong enough to blow down some houses; Japan Times said the Japan Meteorological Agency placed it in the strongest of five categories, with maximum winds of 216 kph, and it could affect parts of Kyushu from the weekend. Taipei Times said Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning late on Oct 21 and expected a land warning on the afternoon of Oct 22, with the greatest impact on Taiwan on Oct 23 and 24; on the afternoon of Oct 21 the storm centre was about 910 km east-southeast of Taiwan's southern tip, with maximum winds near the centre easing to 209 kph and a storm radius that may expand to 300 km. Taiwan's foreign ministry moved passport collection due on Oct 23 forward to Oct 22.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: 12-year-old girl dies of influenza A in Hong Kong, the season's second child flu death
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said a 12-year-old girl with underlying illness developed fever, cough and diarrhoea on Oct 17, then vomiting, and on the night of Oct 19 deteriorated and was taken to the emergency department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, where she suffered cardiac arrest and was admitted to paediatric intensive care after resuscitation. Her respiratory sample tested positive for influenza A (H1); she was diagnosed with influenza A complicated by septic shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure, and died on Oct 20. She had not travelled during the incubation period and had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine; the SCMP said she is the second child to die of influenza A since the flu season began in late June, and the centre said local flu activity remains high.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Koyoshi River floods in Japan's Akita Prefecture; top level-5 flood warning issued, PM's office sets up liaison room
NHK reported that a low-pressure system and a front brought record heavy rain to Akita Prefecture on Oct 21, the Koyoshi River was confirmed to have flooded, and authorities issued a level-5 special flood warning, which was lowered to a level-2 flood advisory around 2 am on Oct 22. The Japanese government set up a liaison room at the crisis management centre of the prime minister's office at 7:45 pm on Oct 21 to gather information and confirm damage. Akita police said they had no reports of casualties so far but confirmed fallen trees and flooding in several places; Yurihonjo city lifted its citywide 'emergency safety' alert at 2:59 am on Oct 22.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Taiwan indicts five men over car attack on comedian Huang Yi-hao; prosecutors say a Chinese national offered NT$450,000
Taipei Times reported that New Taipei prosecutors on Oct 21 released an indictment charging five Taiwanese men with ramming comedian Huang Yi-hao with a car near his home in New Taipei on Sept 11. Prosecutors said a Chinese national code-named 'K' offered NT$450,000 to a Taiwanese man surnamed Cheng to seriously injure Huang so he could not perform on Sept 20. The five are charged with attempted aggravated assault and violating the Personal Data Protection Act, among other offences; prosecutors sought at least five and a half years for the main suspect and said the case endangered national security and social stability. The Guardian said Huang had joked about Xi Jinping in his shows.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Kim Yo Jong says North Korea's propaganda loudspeakers will be operational along the whole border this month
Asahi, citing KCNA, reported that Kim Yo Jong, head of the Workers' Party's General Affairs Department, said on Oct 21 that North Korea's psychological-warfare loudspeakers aimed at the South would be 'operational' along the entire Military Demarcation Line within October. She inspected border 'fortification' works with a North Korean defence ministry adviser and said the South had made loudspeaker warning broadcasts and fired warning shots in at least two places that day. CNA said Kim stated that new firepower units had 'entered firing positions', and state media said border troops had been told to take 'swift and resolute action' if South Korean forces threatened their safety. A landmine exploded south of the demarcation line on Sept 21, injuring three South Korean soldiers.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting 2026 closes in Hong Kong with pledge to boost policy coordination
The Hong Kong government said the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting closed on its second day in Hong Kong on Oct 21 with a joint statement reaffirming the goal of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. CNA reported China's Finance Minister Lan Fo'an told a post-meeting briefing that economies agreed to strengthen macroeconomic policy communication and coordination to address external risks; the meeting also issued a policy statement on financing digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific. The day's agenda included inclusive finance and exchanges among young finance professionals, and Financial Secretary Paul Chan spoke in the discussions.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Prabowo accuses MSCI of trying to intimidate Indonesia; Singapore's Temasek and GIC deny pushing a downgrade
Index provider MSCI warned last week that it could downgrade Indonesia's stock market to 'standalone' status, triggering a record two-day plunge in Indonesian stocks. CNA reported that President Prabowo told a cabinet meeting broadcast on the government's YouTube channel on Wednesday, Oct 21, that MSCI 'wants to intimidate us' and Indonesia would not be afraid. MSCI has said Indonesia is not doing enough against coordinated trading; a downgrade could trigger large capital outflows from the $1.5 trillion G20 economy. The SCMP said a former Indonesian trade minister claimed on Monday that Temasek and GIC were behind the downgrade push; Temasek's Asia-Pacific head called the claim 'baseless' on Wednesday and GIC also denied it.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong tightens media access to land records; journalists' association urges withdrawal
The SCMP reported that the Hong Kong government submitted eight pieces of subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council under the negative vetting procedure, including changes that tighten journalists' access to land records from the first half of next year. Hong Kong Free Press said the amendments were gazetted last week; currently anyone may search land records without identity restrictions. The Hong Kong Journalists Association told legislators on Oct 21 the changes should be shelved, saying they would 'worsen information asymmetry' and harm press freedom and that there was no public consultation; some lawmakers asked the government to explain how it would work and to simplify applications.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Malaysia bans all civil servants from using Waze, citing Israeli government control of the app
The SCMP reported that Malaysia's government banned all civil servants from using the navigation app Waze. The decision followed a National Cyber Security Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, Oct 20, and the chief secretary to the government issued a circular that day telling ministry secretaries-general and department heads to inform staff immediately. Anwar had warned that Israeli government control of the app posed security risks; it is Malaysia's latest restriction on Israel-linked businesses, which it justifies by accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Tokyo and Osaka set records for latest 30°C day; Hong Kong issues its latest-ever Very Hot Weather Warning
Japan Times reported that temperatures in Tokyo and Osaka topped 30°C on Wednesday, Oct 21, the latest such day in the year on record for both cities, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency; Tokyo's previous record, in observations since 1875, was Oct 19, 2024, and Osaka's was Oct 20, 1933. Hong Kong Free Press said the Hong Kong Observatory issued a Very Hot Weather Warning at 6:45 am the same day, beating the previous latest record of Oct 19, 2024; Yuen Long reached 36°C at midday and the Observatory headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui recorded 33.8°C. The Observatory said the northeast monsoon would reach the coast that night.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Australian Federal Police warn AI is shrinking youth radicalisation from months to days
The Guardian reported that an acting deputy commissioner of the Australian Federal Police told a parliamentary inquiry on Oct 21 that Australia faces a 'tsunami' of youth crime and that artificial intelligence is accelerating the speed and scale of radicalisation. She said radicalisation used to take years or months but can now happen within days, driven by AI, spreading grievances, young people searching for purpose and belonging, and increasingly sophisticated online groups; AI has lowered the technical barrier to manipulating and radicalising victims online. She said that without serious intervention Australia's mental health, education and justice systems could be overwhelmed.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Sydney Metro Southwest extension to open Oct 30, ending more than two years of replacement buses
The Guardian reported that NSW Premier Chris Minns announced on Instagram on the morning of Oct 22 that the Sydney Metro southwest extension will open on Friday, Oct 30, with the first train at 4:31 am. The former T3 heavy-rail line through 10 stations from Marrickville to Bankstown closed in September 2024 for conversion to a driverless rapid-transit system, and residents have used replacement buses for more than two years. Once open, a continuous 66 km metro line will run from Tallawong in the northwest through the CBD to Bankstown in the southwest.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Nature: ancient proteins identify Xujiayao fossils in northern China as Denisovan, sketching what Denisovans looked like
A paper in Nature reported palaeoproteomic analysis of fossils about 199,000 to 138,000 years old from the Xujiayao site in northern China: 18 endogenous proteins were identified in two specimens, and a Denisovan-specific COL1A2 mutation strongly supports their place in the Denisovan lineage. Morphological comparison showed that the Xujiayao and Harbin fossils share a set of traits with late Middle Pleistocene East Asian hominins from Jinniushan, Dali and Hualongdong, which the study assigns to the Denisovan lineage. Nature's news coverage said the features include a low, sloping forehead, heavy brow ridges, near-rectangular eye sockets and flat cheeks. Denisovans were first described in 2010 from the DNA of a finger bone found in Siberia.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Bukang-i the shark swims back to sea after a month stuck in a Busan canal
Bukang-i, a roughly 3-metre grey shark named after a waterside park in Busan's North Port, swam into the park's artificial canal in September and could not get out. KBS reported that after two failed attempts, South Korea's oceans ministry and Busan city tried a third time on Wednesday, Oct 21: eight divers and other crew used a large net fixed to floating work platforms to guide it towards the exit and stop it swimming back. When the net reached the end the shark was just 50 metres from the exit but did not leave at once; it finally swam out to sea at about 6:10 pm.
Oct 22, 2026 Morning - TSMC Kaohsiung construction site accident kills 4; steel-structure work halted at new fabs island-wide
Central News Agency reported that four construction workers died after an accident during steel-structure work at a TSMC Kaohsiung plant site on the evening of Oct 20. TSMC said the site was under a contractor, notified authorities immediately, voluntarily suspended steel-structure work at the Kaohsiung site and all new fabs across Taiwan, and sent its site-safety team to help investigate; company and contractor executives went to the scene. The Kaohsiung and Hsinchu plants are bases for 2-nanometre production, and the company expects 2-nanometre annual capacity to more than double in 2027.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: autopsy finds Taiwanese tourist at Lake Kawaguchi hotel died of blood loss; fellow Taiwanese tour member arrested with bloody knife
On the morning of Oct 19 a 38-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Chin was found dead in a guest room at a tourist hotel in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. Liberty Times, citing Yamanashi Television and other reports, said a forensic autopsy found a deep knife wound to the neck and death from massive blood loss; police arrested a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Yang from the same tour group on suspicion of violating Japan's firearms and swords law, seized a bloody kitchen knife believed bought during the trip, and are still investigating their relationship and how the crime unfolded. The two had booked the tour separately and each paid extra for a single room; the group arrived in Japan on the evening of Oct 17 and stayed at the hotel after visiting Oshino Hakkai and Asama Shrine on Oct 18.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi strengthens to 'large and violent'; expected near Okinawa's Sakishima Islands from Oct 23
NHK reported that Typhoon No. 30 (international name Champi) strengthened again on the night of Oct 20 into a 'large and violent' typhoon, expected to approach Okinawa's Sakishima Islands around Oct 23–24 with gales and violent seas, and possibly affect western Japan afterwards. Taipei Times reported Taiwan's Central Weather Administration saying that as of 2 pm on Oct 20 the storm was about 1,536 km east-southeast of Oluanpi, with maximum sustained winds of 198 kph, moving west-northwest at 23 kph; a sea warning could come as early as the evening of Oct 21, while a land warning would depend on how sharply it turns north, with northern Taiwan and Yilan possibly seeing peripheral effects.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Hepatitis C cluster at Changwon dialysis unit: 14 confirmed, including one health worker
Hankyoreh reported that South Korea's Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Oct 21 that 14 people — 13 patients and one health worker — had been confirmed with hepatitis C at a haemodialysis unit of a medical facility in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, and a detailed epidemiological investigation was under way. The province had earlier found three hepatitis C patients who used the same dialysis room and then tested all patients and staff who used it since June. A KDCA infectious-disease official said hepatitis C spreads through blood, is almost never transmitted by everyday contact, and that further spread is unlikely because users during the infection period are believed to have all been tested.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: US bans federal agencies from DeepSeek; China's commerce ministry 'firmly opposes' and warns of countermeasures
The US Department of Homeland Security on Oct 19 publicly directed federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and third-party products and services built with DeepSeek from their systems. RFI reported that China's Ministry of Commerce on the evening of Oct 20 said it 'firmly opposes' US sanctions on five Chinese entities and the ban on DeepSeek AI tools at federal civilian agencies, and urged Washington to correct course. CNA reported Beijing the same day warned of countermeasures, calling it a sign of a deep lack of strategic mutual trust between Beijing and Washington.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: GMO confirms China-made AI tool ARTEX used in cyberattacks on dozens of Japanese firms
Taipei Times, citing Reuters, reported that the information-security unit of Japan's GMO Internet Group said on Oct 20 that, after investigating with external organisations, it had 'confirmed ARTEX was used' in a recent wave of hacks on Japanese companies. Over recent weeks dozens of firms, from restaurant chains to car-hire operators, disclosed unauthorised access or data breaches that may affect millions of customers. GMO cybersecurity centre director Daiki Fukumori wrote on the company blog that the attacks were 'almost exclusively targeting Japan'. ARTEX is a Chinese-developed AI cybersecurity tool.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Mainland Chinese exchange student deported from Taiwan after 'pinching' Lai Ching-te video; barred for 5 years
Liberty Times reported that when Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te gave a closing speech at National Taiwan University on Oct 12, a mainland Chinese exchange student surnamed Wang used camera angles to appear to 'pinch' Lai's head and posted text such as 'take down little Lai Ching-te'. The National Immigration Agency revoked his entry permit under Article 12 of the Regulations Governing Permission for Mainland Area People to Enter Taiwan, deported him last Friday and barred him from Taiwan for five years. Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han on Oct 21 called it 'green terror' by the DPP authorities; Mainland Affairs Council deputy minister Liang Wen-jie said he agreed with the immigration agency. ABC Australia reported the Straits Exchange Foundation hoped the case would not affect future mainland students coming to Taiwan.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: alleged Helen Haines attacker denied bail; AFP says nearly one person a week charged over threats to MPs
Independent federal MP Helen Haines was hit by a car in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Oct 19. The Guardian reported that 43-year-old Brendan Nugent appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Oct 21, was denied bail, and faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and harming a Commonwealth public official, plus cannabis possession. Haines has had one leg amputated and remains in a critical but stable condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital. AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities charge almost one person a week over threats to federal MPs or senior officials; ABC Australia reported threats against MPs have roughly tripled since 2020. Federal and Victoria police said they had no prior intelligence that Nugent would attack, and Victoria announced new measures to protect politicians.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - South Korea Oct 1–20 exports double year on year to $61.6 billion; chip exports up 222.5%
Preliminary Korea Customs Service data on Oct 21 showed South Korean exports from Oct 1 to 20 rose 105.4% year on year to $61.6 billion, a record for the period; on a working-day average, exports rose 65.9% to $47.4 billion. Semiconductor exports jumped 222.5% to $27.5 billion, also a record, making up 44.7% of total exports. Imports over the same period rose 42.8% to $47.1 billion, with energy imports (crude, LNG and coal) up 53.5%. Year-to-date exports reached $876.3 billion; September exports rose 83.7%, the largest monthly gain since February 1974, and monthly exports topped $120 billion for the first time.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - RBA deputy governor Andrew Hauser says inflation outlook 'materially worse'; Nov 3 hike odds rise
The Guardian reported that Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Andrew Hauser told an investment-bank conference in Sydney on the morning of Oct 21 that the central bank faces 'hard choices' and the inflation outlook is 'materially worse'; the board must weigh a slowing economy against fears the public no longer believes it can bring inflation back to the 2.5% target. He said inflation had been high for a long time and some in the community were unsure the bank could return it to target. After the speech, markets raised the odds of a rate rise at the Nov 3 Melbourne Cup-day meeting, which would be the fifth hike this year.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Sentence: Singapore parents jailed 16 years and 15 years 3 months over fatal abuse of 8-month-old son
Singapore couple Neo Jia Ming, 27, and Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, were sentenced in the High Court on Oct 21 over the death of their eldest son Trevor Neo, who died at about eight months after prolonged abuse; in his last seven months he was shaken, smothered and slapped to stop crying. Straits Times reported the father received 16 years' jail and the mother 15 years and 3 months. On Oct 12 each pleaded guilty to three abuse-related charges, and the father also admitted domestic-violence charges for repeatedly assaulting his wife. Justice Hoo Sheau Peng noted the couple had family support and a domestic helper, and that their text messages treated the abuse lightly.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Indonesian students protest wildfire haze in multiple cities on Prabowo's two-year mark
CNA reported that Indonesian students demonstrated on Oct 20 in Jakarta and in cities including Bandung and Yogyakarta on Java, Pekanbaru on Sumatra and Makassar in South Sulawesi, protesting forest fires and toxic haze. The day marked two years of President Prabowo Subianto's government; protesters criticised incompetence and corruption, especially the failure to extinguish fires that have spread across large parts of Borneo and Sumatra since July. The haze has lasted weeks, made thousands ill and affected several Southeast Asian countries.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - BBC: US official met Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw in September; some business figures delisted from sanctions
BBC reported that US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance met Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyidaw on Sept 15–16, with the ostensible aim of securing the release of detained US citizen Adam Castillo. The US also removed some Myanmar business figures from its sanctions list. Since the 2021 coup that ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Washington had had almost no official contact with the junta and had imposed targeted sanctions on people judged to support it.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - TWICE leader Jihyo leaves JYP Entertainment after 21 years, forms own agency Emithaus
CNA reported that TWICE leader Jihyo (Park Ji-hyo) announced on Instagram on Oct 21 that she is leaving JYP Entertainment after 21 years and has formed her own agency, Emithaus. The 29-year-old wrote that she was ending a 'JYP journey that has been with me since childhood for 21 years' and thanked all JYP staff. She is the latest TWICE member to leave JYP.
Oct 21, 2026 Afternoon - Near-simultaneous fires at two patent law offices in Seoul's Gangnam District injure 19; man in his 70s arrested for arson
KBS reported that at about 11:55 am on Oct 20 a fire broke out on the third floor of a building in Gangnam District, Seoul, and at about noon another fire started on the fourth floor of a neighbouring building; both offices were patent attorney firms. Five people were seriously injured and 14 slightly; one person had no vital signs on the way to hospital but was revived, and 291 firefighters were deployed. Police arrested a man in his 70s near a subway Line 1 station at 4:15 pm; he told reporters a patent he registered in 2000 had been taken from him by a patent firm and that he began planning the arson three days earlier.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Brendan Nugent, 43, charged with three offences over alleged attack on MP Helen Haines, faces Wangaratta court
Australian federal independent MP Helen Haines was hit by a Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Oct 19. Victoria Police said on the evening of Oct 20 that 43-year-old Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and a federal offence of harming a Commonwealth public official, and would appear in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Oct 21, where police will allege a targeted attack. Haines is in a critical but stable condition at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne and has had a leg amputated; police said highway patrol officers reached the scene 8 seconds after the call, and Nugent's family said they had been friends with Haines for more than 20 years.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong issues Amber Outbound Travel Alert for France amid spreading unrest
Hong Kong's Security Bureau issued an Amber Outbound Travel Alert for France on the evening of Oct 20, citing continuing protests with clashes and vandalism in many parts of the country. Amber is the lowest of the three-tier system, indicating signs of threat; red signals a significant threat and black a severe threat, and Iran, Israel, Syria and Lebanon are currently black.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Singapore's west and central PSI still 'unhealthy'; Indonesia says haze has hit 2,604 domestic flights since August
National Environment Agency data showed the 24-hour PSI at 5 am on Oct 21 at 134 in the west and 117 in central Singapore, in the 'unhealthy' band (101–200), with the east at 98, south 93 and north 83 ('moderate'); 24-hour PM2.5 was 87 µg/m³ in the west and 71 in the centre. Indonesia's transport ministry said on Oct 20 that forest-fire haze affected 2,604 domestic flights from Aug 11 to Oct 19, with 1,420 cancelled or rescheduled and 1,129 delayed. Twelve return flights between Singapore and Pontianak in West Kalimantan were cancelled in September, and two Singapore–Palembang flights were cancelled on Oct 15.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - South Korea withdraws some embassy staff from Kyiv in row over disclosure of North Korean POW transfer
South Korea's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it is withdrawing some diplomats from its embassy in Ukraine, citing no 'constructive steps' from Kyiv since Seoul recalled its ambassador and the continuing threat of air strikes across Ukraine. The row began when President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed last month that Ukraine had handed North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea, which Seoul says broke a confidentiality agreement and endangers the prisoners' families in the North; South Korea's president has demanded a formal apology. Seoul will keep communication through a chargé d'affaires and retain consular staff, while Ukraine said 'diplomacy must prevail over emotions' and that the matter is 'resolved'.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Taiwan's National Security Bureau: government network faces about 2.58 million intrusion attempts a day ahead of Nov 28 elections
Central News Agency reported that a written report from Taiwan's National Security Bureau to the legislature said the Government Service Network faced an average of about 2.58 million intrusion attempts a day as of September, rising from June and topping 100 million in July, and it does not rule out Beijing gathering intelligence to interfere in the Nov 28 local elections. Security agencies flagged about 2.5 million pieces of disputed information in January–September, up from about 1.69 million a year earlier, with Facebook's share rising from 43.6% to 68.9% and Threads from 4.5% to 9%. Chinese military aircraft incursions exceeded 1,450 sorties in January–September versus over 3,000 a year earlier, and the number of people indicted in Chinese espionage cases rose from 6 in 2020 to 73 in 2026.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - North Korean state media publish photos of Kim Jong Un at exhibition after online rumours of his death
The BBC and KBS reported that the Rodong Sinmun and KCNA published photos on Tuesday showing 42-year-old Kim Jong Un visiting a clothing and footwear exhibition with his wife and daughter the previous day. A US-based Chinese dissident had claimed on X, without evidence, that Kim died after being taken to a Beijing hospital with a sudden brain haemorrhage, followed by unverified claims online that China had sent 9,000 soldiers into Pyongyang.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong's Tai Po fire independent committee report expected to be submitted on Thursday
The South China Morning Post reported that the judge-led independent committee investigating the Tai Po fire is expected to submit its report to the government on Oct 23, with a redacted version possibly made public as early as next week to avoid prejudicing related criminal proceedings. The fire was Hong Kong's deadliest residential blaze in decades. A source said the committee will leave it to the government to decide who is held responsible and when disciplinary action begins, and another said the government had already assigned senior officials with civil service bureau experience earlier this month to prepare disciplinary proceedings.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Reuters: ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent order over 3 million Nvidia RTX PRO 5500 cards worth more than $35 billion
Reuters, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have ordered more than 3 million of Nvidia's new RTX PRO 5500 graphics cards, with a total list price above $35 billion. The workstation chip is less powerful than top data-centre AI chips but complies with US export controls, making it one of the most powerful Nvidia chips Chinese buyers can still purchase; the Blackwell B300 cannot be sold to Chinese buyers and H200 exports need case-by-case review. Nvidia told customers Chinese demand far exceeds planned output and delivery cannot be guaranteed, and one source said partners may receive only 5% to 10% of the quantities requested.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Singtel fined S$1 million over three-day mobile outage in March that hit 720,000 users
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority said on Oct 20 it fined Singtel S$1 million over major mobile network outages on March 16, 18 and 19 that affected 720,000 users and disrupted online payments, ride-hailing and food delivery. The investigation found the March 16 failure began when a chiller system at an exchange failed after a vendor did not reopen a manual valve controlling water flow after routine maintenance, and Singtel lacked proactive monitoring, so equipment overheated and shut down; traffic then shifted to another exchange, where a software bug caused further problems. Singtel was also fined S$1 million in December 2025 over a fixed-line outage that hit 500,000 users for more than four hours.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Malaysia de-registers opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional ahead of Nov 14 Malacca state election
Malaysia's Registrar of Societies de-registered the main opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional on Oct 20, saying the explanation it submitted on Oct 12 failed to overturn the grounds for cancellation. The move comes 11 days before nomination day for the Malacca state election, with polling on Nov 14, and coalition parties will not be able to contest under a common banner. Within the bloc, PAS, which holds the most seats in the 222-seat parliament, is vying for leadership with Bersatu, led by a former prime minister; the opposition accuses Anwar's government of using state power against rivals, and a general election must be held by February 2028.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Thailand and Cambodia agree to navy hotline to calm dispute over $300 billion Gulf of Thailand seabed
The South China Morning Post reported that, under a UN-backed mediation panel in The Hague, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to tone down rhetoric and activate a hotline between their navy chiefs to avoid clashes in disputed waters of the Gulf of Thailand, where seabed oil and gas reserves are valued at about $300 billion. The two countries also dispute an 800 km land border; border fighting last year killed dozens on both sides and froze billions of dollars in border trade, and a ceasefire reached in December has largely held.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Myanmar releases first photos of Aung San Suu Kyi in two months, says she received package from King Charles
The South China Morning Post reported that Myanmar's authorities released the first photos in two months of detained Aung San Suu Kyi on Oct 19, saying she received a package from Britain's King Charles III and referring to her for the first time as a 'special female prisoner'. A presidential spokeswoman said home affairs officials handed her two books about soil, a sealed letter and a sealed diplomatic letter from the King. Suu Kyi has not been allowed to meet any foreign leader or envoy since her detention in February 2021; the coup that year triggered a civil war that ACLED says has killed more than 100,000 people.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Rubio confirms first Quad leaders' summit in over two years will be held in Manila next month
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in an interview with Indian television on Tuesday that the leaders' summit of the Quad, grouping the US, Japan, India and Australia, will be held next month in Manila during the ASEAN meetings, the first in more than two years; no date has been set. The summit will take place days before Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping in Shenzhen. Rubio is visiting India this week, including an event in Mumbai with the US ambassador, in a trip aimed at strengthening economic ties amid strained relations.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - ASIC probes Sydney licence holder linked to Main Group FX scheme; investors fear A$138 million lost
An ABC investigation found that more than a dozen Australian investors say they lost money to an investment scheme called Main Group FX, with total losses feared to reach A$138 million. The scheme appeared legitimate because it was an authorised representative under a Sydney firm's Australian financial services licence; the ABC found its registered address traced to a shell address in the Caribbean, a well-known Australian cricketer had been its ambassador, and its chief executive allegedly has terrorism links. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is investigating the Sydney licensee, which denies any failure in due diligence.
Oct 21, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: MP Helen Haines loses one leg after Wangaratta car attack; doctors fight to save the other
Australian federal independent MP Helen Haines, hit by a white Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, Victoria, on the afternoon of Oct 19, has had one leg amputated at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital; doctors are still trying to save the other, and she remains in a critical condition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack 'deliberate'; Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the car struck her twice, and federal police called it an 'isolated incident' while considering charges including harming a Commonwealth public official, which carries up to 10 years in prison. Local media named the arrested man as 43-year-old Brendan Nugent of Tarrawingee; a passer-by barber dragged him from the car and took a knife.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Company executive stabbed near Osaka District Court; 67-year-old turns himself in
Japanese media including the Asahi Shimbun and NHK reported that at about 9:50 am on Oct 20 a 60-year-old company executive from Sakai's Higashi Ward was stabbed in the neck on a street near Osaka District Court in Nishitenma, Kita Ward, Osaka; he could still talk when taken to hospital, his life was not in danger, but the injury was serious. Osaka Prefectural Police arrested on suspicion of attempted murder a 67-year-old self-employed man from Tennoji Ward who turned himself in at Temma police station; he admitted the act, cited a money dispute, and said he brought a knife from home to threaten the victim. Police seized a folding knife with a blade of about 10 cm.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - NT tables Kumanjayi Little Baby child-protection review with 45 reforms, all accepted
Northern Territory Children and Families Minister Robyn Cahill on Tuesday tabled an independent review by former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb and senior public servant Greg Shanahan into the child-protection system before the death of five-year-old Warlpiri girl Kumanjayi Little Baby. She was allegedly abducted from an Alice Springs town camp in April and found dead five days later; 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis has been charged with murder and has not yet entered a plea. The report said the department had known the family since the mother's pregnancy, received 14 domestic-violence-related notifications over six years, and still had 'serious gaps' such as failing to background-check carers; it proposed 45 reforms for a 'whole-of-system reset', all of which the government accepted.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore air 'unhealthy' in four regions; western 24-hour PSI hits 130
The Straits Times reported Singapore's noon 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index on Oct 20: north 89 (moderate), south and east both 102, central 119 and west 130, with four of five regions in the 'unhealthy' band (101–200). Hourly PM2.5 in the west reached 101 micrograms per cubic metre. Air had briefly improved on Oct 19, with three regions still moderate until 10 am on Oct 20; the current haze spell has kept most days unhealthy or very unhealthy since early October. The National Environment Agency had already issued preventive haze notices to several Indonesian companies.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Seoul vows 'resolute punishment' if North Korea acts on border threats
South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Oct 20 it was gravely concerned by North Korea's threats to deploy more tactical strike forces on the border and resume loudspeaker broadcasts into the South, warning it would 'punish resolutely' further provocations and urging Pyongyang to stop 'groundless claims' and Military Demarcation Line crossings. It called ROK loudspeaker warnings and warning shots near the MDL 'legitimate defensive measures'. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung inspected the front line and ordered operations to strengthen initiative. The threats echoed recent remarks by Kim Yo-jong and risk undoing diplomatic easing after President Lee Jae Myung took office.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - MSCI weighs downgrading Indonesia to 'standalone'; Bank Indonesia faces rate-hike pressure
Index provider MSCI said last Friday it was considering reclassifying Indonesia from emerging market — its status since 1989 — to 'standalone market'; Jakarta's composite then posted its worst two-day drop on record before rebounding about 3% on Tuesday after authorities announced transparency steps and plans to remove overly concentrated stocks. The rupiah traded near 18,030 per dollar on Tuesday, close to its June record low and down about 8% year to date. Bank Indonesia has held its seven-day reverse-repo rate at 5.75% since June; Citi now expects a 50-basis-point precautionary hike to 6.25% on Wednesday, while Capital Economics and others expect 25 points.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Russia arrests Hokkaido Shimbun reporter Yuki Imai in Far East; Tokyo protests to Russian ambassador
Russia said it had arrested Hokkaido Shimbun reporter Yuki Imai in the Sakhalin region of the Far East on suspicion of gathering information on mobilised soldiers, and released footage of his transfer to Lefortovo Prison in Moscow; Japanese embassy staff in Moscow were reportedly denied a meeting. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied he was spying for Japan, and his newspaper took the same position. Japan lodged a formal protest with the Russian ambassador in Tokyo on Wednesday. Analysts said the arrest deepens already frosty Japan–Russia ties and that a weak Tokyo response could invite further tests from Moscow.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Ruling: former truck driver gets maximum 7-year prison term over Shin-Meishin crash that killed 6
Tsu District Court in Mie Prefecture on Oct 20 sentenced former truck driver Mizutani Mitsuyo, 55, of Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, to seven years' imprisonment for negligent driving causing death — the statutory maximum and matching the prosecution's request — over the March 20 rear-end crash on the Shin-Meishin Expressway outbound that killed six. Prosecutors said she spent about 10 of roughly 13 seconds before impact watching a TikTok cooking video and checking a driving log on her phone, then hit a stopped queue at about 82 km/h; the dead included a family of five from Fukuroi, Shizuoka, and a 56-year-old employee from Soka, Saitama. The defendant admitted the indictment and apologised.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Sydney trial: former officer Beau Lamarre-Condon had minor surgery while charged over double killing
The NSW Supreme Court heard that former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 31, charged with shooting Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his service weapon in Paddington on Feb 19, 2024 — charges he denies — underwent a pre-arranged minor procedure at St Vincent's Hospital at 7:30 am on Feb 21, was discharged about two hours later without stitches and with no obvious mobility limit; a doctor said his manner was 'not unusual'. CCTV showed him travelling between the crime scene and a Bunnings store to buy supplies. The trial continues.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong police arrest 59-year-old woman suspected of throwing dog into the sea
Hong Kong police said a tip reported that at about 1 pm on Thursday Oct 16 someone was seen throwing a dog into the sea near 29 Tai On Street in Sai Wan Ho, then retrieving it and leaving. After investigation they arrested a 59-year-old local woman near the junction of Tai Hong Street and Lei King Road on Saturday on suspicion of animal cruelty; she was later released on bail pending inquiry. Police said her two dogs showed no obvious external injuries and were still confirming whether they were the animals thrown that day.
Oct 20, 2026 Afternoon - Independent MP Helen Haines critically injured after being hit by car outside Wangaratta office; PM calls it 'deliberate act'
Australian federal independent MP Helen Haines, member for Indi, was hit by a white Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, north-east Victoria, at about 3:35 pm on Oct 19; she is in a critical condition and underwent surgery in Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the car did a U-turn and hit her in a 'deliberate act'; federal police and the security intelligence organisation are investigating the motive and counter-terrorism police are involved. Victoria Police arrested a 43-year-old man from nearby Tarrawingee at the scene and found a knife in the car; a local barber took the knife and held him until police arrived, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said reports of threats or harassment against politicians rose from 951 to 1,067 in the past year.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Taiwanese tourist found dead in Fujikawaguchiko hotel in Yamanashi; 27-year-old Taiwanese woman arrested
Japanese media including the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that hotel staff in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, found a female guest in her 30s, believed to be from Taiwan, lying dead in her room with apparent stab wounds at about 8 am on Oct 19, after she failed to appear at her tour group's meeting time. Police found a 27-year-old Taiwanese woman in the room holding a kitchen knife with a blade of about 12 cm and arrested her on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law; they are investigating the relationship between the two and how the woman died. The hotel is about 2 km north-east of Kawaguchiko Station.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Kim Yo-jong says North Korea mulls resuming loudspeaker broadcasts and adding strike assets on border
In a statement carried by KCNA on Oct 19, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said the situation on the southern border was 'very unstable' and that Pyongyang was considering resuming loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into South Korea and deploying additional tactical strike assets on the border. She said that from Oct 15 to 17 South Korean troops issued about 350 loudspeaker warnings and fired about 60 warning shots at North Korean troops reinforcing the border, and that the Lee Jae Myung government's schemes to provoke confrontation surpass those of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro summons Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over 'easy win' remarks
The Philippine foreign ministry said on Oct 19 that Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan to express serious concern and strong objection to his remarks to media last week, calling them provocative, unacceptable and conveying a threat of force. Jing had said China would win easily in any conflict but loves peace and would not use force, and that the Philippines should feel fortunate to have China as a neighbour, after the Philippine defence secretary called China a regional troublemaker. RFI reported the presidential palace said it would not declare Jing persona non grata.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Singapore NEA issues haze notices to three more Indonesian firms; Shanmugam vows 'every legal lever'
Singapore's National Environment Agency on Oct 19 issued preventive-measure notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to three more Indonesian companies — Buana Megatama Jaya, Mananjung Hayak and Baratama Putra Perkasa — taking the total to 10, citing indications that smoke from fires on their concession land in Kalimantan reached Singapore; the notices require them to deploy firefighters, stop burning and submit fire-prevention plans. Nine of the 10 are pulp plantations and four are linked to Asia Pulp & Paper (APP). Senior Minister Shanmugam said Singapore would use every legal and regulatory lever against haze-linked firms, amending or enacting laws urgently if needed; the 24-hour PSI in the west was 122 at 5 am on Oct 20, the highest of all regions.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Hankyu Hanshin department stores leak data of 1.26 million members; security firm says some Japan intrusions used Chinese AI
H2O Retailing, parent of Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, said on Oct 19 that personal data of all 1.26 million H2O ID members was leaked, with no fraud use found so far. It detected unauthorised third-party access to the customer management system of the stores' reservation site on Oct 16 and shut it that day; on Oct 17 the HANKYU HANSHIN E-STORES online mall and the Remo Order service were also breached, leaking some order, credit card and point-card data, and the case was reported to the Personal Information Protection Commission and police. NHK reported hometown-tax site Furusato Choice also suspended service over a suspected intrusion, and a GMO Internet Group security subsidiary said it confirmed Chinese AI was used in some of the recent string of intrusions in Japan.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - USFK commander Xavier Brunson's remark that South Korea 'begins at the DMZ's southern fence' sparks sovereignty row
US Forces Korea and UN Command commander Xavier Brunson told a seminar in Washington last Wednesday that from the UN Command's perspective South Korea begins at the southern fence of the DMZ, because he manages that area to maintain the armistice. The DMZ, set up under the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement, is about 250 km long, with its southern boundary 2 km from the Military Demarcation Line and South Korean villages inside. South Korea's ruling party said the remark denied Korean sovereignty over the DMZ's southern half and the army chief of staff disagreed; UN Command then issued a statement saying South Korea's sovereignty is not in question.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Western Sydney International Airport opens with no more than six daily flights for the next year
Western Sydney International Airport, a A$5.6 billion (about $4 billion) project 50 km west of Sydney's city centre, began commercial operations with a Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast as its first passenger service. Aviation data firm Cirium said it has attracted only a handful of airlines and has six or fewer scheduled flights a day for the next 12 months. Australia's biggest aviation infrastructure project in decades opened after more than half a century of political delay, environmental protests and funding shortfalls, as the Iran war pushes up fuel costs and fares and carriers including Qantas cut domestic capacity.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Japan lets Taiwanese list 'Taiwan' instead of 'China' on national professional licences from October
Japan's Taiwan-friendly lawmakers' league announced at a task force meeting in Tokyo on Oct 19 that since Oct 1 Taiwanese holders of Japanese national qualifications can apply to change their nationality listing from China to Taiwan, with the field renamed 'nationality, etc.' or 'nationality/region'. Japan has 322 national qualifications, about 100 of which include a nationality field. League head Keiji Furuya said about 70,000 Taiwanese in Japan have identity documents registered as China, and Japan already allows Taiwan on household registers; task force head Hirofumi Takinami said existing licence holders can apply to the relevant authority, such as local public health centres for medical licences, and asked that no deadline be set.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - South Korea's JMS cult leader Jeong Myeong-seok sentenced to 33 years for sexually assaulting 16 more followers
The Daejeon District Court on Oct 19 sentenced Jeong Myeong-seok, 81, leader of the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS), to 33 years in prison on charges including quasi-rape for sexually assaulting 16 female followers between 2018 and 2022 at sites including the Wolmyeong-dong retreat in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province. The court found he used his status to brainwash followers into believing he was the messiah so they could not resist, and ordered disclosure of his personal information, a 10-year ban from working at institutions for children, adolescents and people with disabilities, and 15 years of electronic tagging. The case is separate from his earlier 17-year sentence for assaulting three followers, including a Hong Kong woman and an Australian woman.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong iPhone Duo pre-order credit card fraud reports rise to 130 cases, HK$5 million
Hong Kong police said that as of 9 am on Oct 19 they had received 130 reports of unauthorised credit card transactions linked to online pre-orders of the foldable iPhone Duo, involving HK$5 million (about $637,000) in total, with nearly 20 new cases over the weekend. The cases are classified as obtaining property by deception and are being handled by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau. Pre-orders opened at 8 pm last Friday and reports began arriving on Saturday; the South China Morning Post reported the incident was linked to Apple not enabling 3D Secure verification.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Taiwan prosecutors indict four for helping Chinese handlers pay military leakers in cryptocurrency
Taiwan's High Prosecutors' Office indicted four people for helping Chinese contacts pay Taiwanese military personnel who leaked military secrets. Retired military police captain Yu Cheng-yu, already indicted separately for selling secrets for Tether, is accused of receiving Chinese transfers into his own crypto wallet from March to October 2024, converting them to cash and depositing it in accounts of a retired serviceman surnamed Li and a coast guard officer surnamed Tsai to disguise the source, earning NT$430,403 himself. The other defendants are retired servicemen surnamed Li and Sen; prosecutors asked for heavy sentences and the case has gone to the High Court.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong CHP: 6-year-old girl critical with influenza A (H1) complicated by shock
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection said a previously healthy 6-year-old girl developed fever, vomiting and poor appetite in mid-October and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital; her condition worsened and she was moved to paediatric intensive care on Oct 17, her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1), and she is in critical condition with influenza A complicated by shock. She had not travelled during the incubation period, had not received the 2026/27 seasonal flu vaccine, and her household contacts have no symptoms. The CHP said Hong Kong entered the flu season in late June, activity remains high after more than three months, and influenza A (H1) is the predominant virus.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Japan's JAXA launches MMX probe on H3 rocket to bring back sample from Mars moon Phobos
JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe lifted off on H3 rocket No. 10 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:41 am Japan time on Oct 20 and separated from the rocket at 5:53 am, entering a trajectory to Mars. The roughly five-year round-trip mission will attempt the first sample return from a Martian moon, Phobos, to study the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The Asahi Shimbun reported the mission costs about ¥55.3 billion.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - India's Jio Platforms record IPO draws anchor bids of over $25 billion
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries said on Oct 19 that investors including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, BlackRock and Fidelity took part in the anchor book of Jio Platforms' $3.2 billion IPO, India's largest ever. Two sources said anchor demand exceeded $25 billion, more than 30 times the allotment; Jio allocated more than 81 billion rupees (about $853 million) of shares to anchor investors, and public subscription opens on Wednesday. Jio upended India's telecom market in 2016 with free calls and cheap data and now has more than 500 million users.
Oct 20, 2026 Morning - Four-vehicle crash at Fujisawa intersection in Kanagawa injures 14, 1 in cardiac arrest
Around 9 am on Oct 19, a bus, a taxi and two cars collided at the Shirahata intersection in Fujisawa 3-chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Firefighters said 14 people were taken to hospital — 11 from the bus and others from the cars — including 1 in cardiac arrest. Fujisawa police said one car first hit two vehicles including an oncoming taxi, then entered the intersection and struck the right rear of a bus crossing from left to right; the person in cardiac arrest was one of two people in that car.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - China Q3 GDP grows 4.5% year on year, beating forecasts as exports offset weak domestic demand
China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Oct 19 that third-quarter GDP rose 4.5% year on year, above the 4.4% Reuters economist poll and above the second quarter's three-year low of 4.3%; average growth for the first nine months was 4.6%, within the official 4.5%–5% full-year target. CNBC reported strong overseas demand for Chinese tech goods and a record monthly trade surplus of $133.5 billion offsetting property and consumption weakness; September retail sales rose 1.1%, above a 0.6% forecast. BBC reported property investment fell more than 20% year on year in the first nine months. Economist Intelligence Unit senior economist Xu Tianchen expects full-year growth of 4.7%.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - One Nation cartoon mocks Senator Jacqui Lambie's prolapse; PM and parties back Lambie
The latest episode of One Nation's 'Please Explain' political cartoon series depicts Tasmanian independent Senator Jacqui Lambie saying she 'can't laugh because of vaginal prolapse', with crude sound effects. Lambie told the Senate in August she has vaginal and bladder prolapse, needs surgery and would take five months' leave. In a statement on Oct 19 she said disclosing her condition did not make her health fair game, and that One Nation was also mocking many women with reproductive health problems. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented 'thank you for your courage' under her Instagram statement; the Coalition and independent Senator Pocock also backed her. The Sydney Morning Herald reported One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Lambie should 'get over it' and 'have a laugh'.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Indonesian stocks plunge more than 5% to six-year low as MSCI flags possible 'standalone' downgrade
Jakarta's composite index fell more than 5% on Oct 19 to its lowest since early October 2020. Index provider MSCI proposed last Friday reclassifying Indonesia from emerging market directly to 'standalone market', which could remove it from major global equity benchmarks; a final decision is expected by June next year and hinges on whether Indonesian authorities can show real improvement in market governance and transparency. Goldman Sachs said on Sunday that a full removal from the MSCI Emerging Markets index could trigger about $5.6 billion in passive outflows, equal to 18 days of average turnover in the constituents; if FTSE Russell followed, another $2.7 billion would be at risk.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Kolkata Durga Puja stampede death toll rises to 19; police say a broadcast sparked the crush
On the evening of Oct 17, a stampede occurred outside a Hindu Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, West Bengal. Officials and Indian media said the death toll has risen to at least 19, with 25 injured. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 6 bodies had been identified. A senior officer at the scene said heavy rain at night, then a broadcast, caused a crush as people queuing outside pushed forward and fell. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted condolences on Facebook and said the West Bengal government was giving every possible help to victims' families.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Sydney man arrested after allegedly telling AI chatbot Claude he planned a childcare shooting
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that 29-year-old Sydney man David Lan Thackray allegedly told Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude he planned to shoot several children at a childcare centre near his home in Hurstville in southern Sydney, and referred to alleged Bondi Beach attacker Naveed Akram. Interpol flagged the chat content; he was arrested on the morning of Oct 18 and charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. Sutherland Local Court remanded him on Oct 19 for a mental health assessment; prosecutors said a bail breach would have 'catastrophic' consequences.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: PM Sanae Takaichi skips autumn Yasukuni festival visit, offers masakaki fee privately
Yasukuni Shrine's autumn festival ran Oct 17–19; Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had already offered a masakaki in the prime minister's name on Oct 17. NHK reported she decided not to visit during the festival and instead offered a ritual fee (tamagushi-ryō) privately via LDP General Council chair Kajiyama, who visited on Oct 19 and also offered in her capacity as party president. About 70 members of a cross-party group that visits Yasukuni together went on Oct 19, including Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Ibayashi from Takaichi's cabinet; LDP election strategy chief Nishimura also visited that day.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Typhoon Champi (No. 30) nears; Okinawa may see high waves from Oct 21, Taiwan sea warning possibly Wednesday
Large, 'very strong' Typhoon Champi (No. 30) intensified rapidly earlier. NHK said it is still far south of Japan, is forecast to enter waters south of Okinawa later this week, and Okinawa Prefecture may see high waves from Oct 21, though the later track remains uncertain. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said on Oct 18 a sea warning could come as early as the evening of Oct 21 (Wednesday), with a land warning possible on the evening of Oct 22 or on Oct 23; impact would peak on Oct 23–24 with heavy rain for northern and central Taiwan plus Yilan and Hualien in the east. As of 2 pm on Oct 18 the storm was about 2,470 km east-southeast of Eluanbi, moving west-northwest at 20 km/h, with maximum near-centre winds of 191 km/h and a 200 km storm radius; some models show a possible landfall on Taiwan's east coast.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Follow-up: Singapore air improves as three regions' PSI returns to 'moderate' for first time in nine days
Haze from Indonesian forest fires had kept Singapore's air 'unhealthy' for days. CNA reported that on the morning of Oct 19, 24-hour PSI in the north, south and east fell into the 'moderate' range, first in the north at 1 am — the first moderate readings anywhere since Oct 9; by noon PSI ranged from 85 in the north to 122 in the west, still 'unhealthy' in the west. Hourly PM2.5 across five regions was in the normal range at noon. NEA had forecast overnight on Oct 18 that Oct 19's 24-hour PSI would still be 101–190 unhealthy. New BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi said on Oct 18 dry-ice cloud seeding tried twice in South Sumatra was 'fairly effective' and expansion to more fire-hit areas is being considered.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Takaichi: food consumption-tax cut funding to be reviewed on spending and revenue; 'not ruling out' JGBs
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told the Upper House Budget Committee on Oct 19 that funding for a food consumption-tax cut would be reviewed on both spending and revenue sides, with careful calculation of a feasible fiscal scale. Asahi Shimbun reported she said she was 'not ruling out' issuing government bonds, while also saying overall budget bond issuance would be kept appropriately in check.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - BOJ Governor Ueda: underlying inflation 'quite close' to 2% target
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda told the Diet on Oct 19 that underlying inflation is already 'quite close' to the bank's 2% goal, with strong global AI demand adding price pressure beyond a tight labour market. He said Middle East conflict had raised commodity costs, while a tight labour market and mild recovery brought demand-pull price pressure, and 'very strong global AI demand' was lifting capital spending and exports and thus many goods prices. He also said raising rates at an appropriate pace would help avoid a spike in bond yields. The bank holds a policy meeting later this month and will publish new growth and inflation forecasts.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Taiwan legislature passes central subsidy of elderly NHI premiums; Executive Yuan urges parties to 'think twice'
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan on Oct 16 passed on third reading an amendment to Article 22 of the Senior Citizens Welfare Act under which the central competent authority fully subsidises National Health Insurance premiums for elderly people whose recent-year consolidated income is below the filing threshold or whose consolidated income tax rate is below 20%. CNA reported Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chang Tun-han said on Oct 19 the amendment excludes co-payments and non-NHI medical costs for low- and middle-income elderly and may abandon those most in need; the bill has not yet left the legislature, and he hoped parties would 'think twice'. He said central welfare policy sticks to no added borrowing, no crowding out of other policies, and legality and constitutionality; opposition parties argue the central subsidy means the NHI fund 'will not lose a single dollar'.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Huanggang Port swamped on Chongyang long weekend; travellers report two-hour waits
Newly opened Huanggang Port faced its first big test of the Chongyang (Double Ninth) long weekend on Oct 18, with some travellers reporting queues of about two hours. Immigration Department figures showed more than 30,000 outbound passengers between 10 am and 2 pm, rated 'unusually busy'; all inspection counters were open and tidal crowd control was used. The Security Bureau marked Huanggang as 'busy' on its waiting-time webpage around 1:45 pm, showing outbound clearance waits of up to 45 minutes, then restored 'normal' around 3:30 pm.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - NSW government legislates Hunter Valley Mount Pleasant coal expansion after High Court voided approval
Australia's High Court had voided the expansion approval for the Mount Pleasant coal mine in New South Wales' Hunter Valley because the assessment ignored emissions from burning Australian coal overseas. Premier Chris Minns announced on Oct 19 that the state would legislate approval for MACH Energy to raise the mine's annual output cap from 12.5 million to 16.5 million tonnes through 2032. Minns said MACH Energy had told the government that without an expanded approval it would cut about half its workforce — around 400 jobs — before Christmas.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Xinhua says China's nuclear submarines have reached a third generation; focus on Type 096 SSBN
Yonhap News TV reported that Xinhua on Oct 12 said China's nuclear submarines had developed to a third generation, and a video released on Oct 17 also highlighted third-generation R&D. By classification, first-generation Chinese boats are Types 091 and 092, second-generation Types 093 and 094, and third-generation include the Type 095 attack submarine and Type 096 ballistic-missile submarine. The PLA has not formally announced either type as complete or in service; China test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile in July without naming the boat. Janes said in September satellite images appeared to show pump-jet propulsion and an X-shaped stern on what may be a Type 095.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - KEPCO personal data of about 24,000 employees leaked; president apologises in National Assembly
Personal data of about 24,000 Korea Electric Power Corporation employees was leaked. President Kim Dong-cheol apologised on Oct 19 at a National Assembly Climate, Energy, Environment and Labour Committee audit, saying partner-company management and information security would be improved. He said the National Intelligence Service Gwangju branch notified the company around 3:59 pm on Oct 1 that employee data was exposed on a private cloud webpage; internal systems were blocked, an emergency team stood up, and the cloud provider was told to delete the data and page. The NIS, Personal Information Protection Commission and Jeollanam-do police are investigating possible partner leaks and external hacking.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong educator and former NPC deputy Ng Hong-mun dies aged 100
Hong Kong education figure and long-serving National People's Congress deputy Ng Hong-mun has died aged 100. SCMP reported he became one of the first Hong Kong NPC deputies in 1975, was principal of Pui Kiu Middle School, and had also called for NPC reform. Chief Executive John Lee offered deep condolences to his family on Oct 18, saying he devoted his life to patriotic education, trained many talents for the country and Hong Kong, and contributed much to the smooth handover. Former chief executive and CPPCC vice-chair CY Leung also posted a tribute on Facebook.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hong Kong to land 10–20 more pharma and semiconductor firms; Paul Chan more upbeat than IMF on growth
SCMP reported that Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises head Yan Jing-shun said on Oct 18 that 10–20 firms would set up or expand in Hong Kong, including leading drug makers and one semiconductor firm, roughly half mainland and half overseas, with details on Thursday; five of the world's top 10 pharma companies already have a Hong Kong presence. Financial Secretary Paul Chan wrote in his blog that the government is more optimistic than the IMF on Hong Kong's growth this year; after IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok he said discussion focused on AI-driven change and energy-price spikes from Middle East war. The IMF expects global growth to slow from 3.5% in 2025 to 3.1% this year and has raised its Hong Kong growth forecast to 3.8%.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Hon Hai to take 50% of Mitsubishi Electric Mobility for ¥115 billion in EV and autonomy tie-up
Mitsubishi Electric said on Oct 19 it would let Taiwan contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision take a stake in wholly owned subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Mobility for cooperation on electric vehicles and autonomous driving. Mitsubishi Electric will transfer 50% of the unit to Hon Hai for ¥115 billion by October 2027, after which each will hold half and the unit will leave Mitsubishi Electric's consolidated accounts. Vice-president Kunihiko Kaga told a Tokyo press conference the goal is ¥1 trillion in sales by fiscal 2030; Hon Hai EV chief strategy officer Jun Seki said Mitsubishi's electronic-control and software strengths would complement Hon Hai.
Oct 19, 2026 Afternoon - Truck ploughs into Hindu festival crowd in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, killing 13
Early on Oct 18, a heavily loaded truck lost control in Gwalior in India's Madhya Pradesh state and ploughed into Hindu festival devotees gathered at a temple. The Press Trust of India, citing hospital officials, said 13 people were killed. President Droupadi Murmu called the incident 'heartbreaking'.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Taiwan coast guard drives away 16 Chinese vessels, calls it 'hybrid warfare'
After two Chinese coast guard ships entered restricted waters around the Pratas (Dongsha) Islands on Oct 16, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said on Oct 18 that it had driven away 16 Chinese coast guard, research and fishing vessels, including 4 fishing boats. It said the vessels were harassing waters off Taiwan's east, south and southwest and around the Pratas Islands at the same time, in 'unusually large' numbers. The agency described the coordinated activity as 'hybrid warfare' and accused Beijing of trying to unilaterally change the status quo.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council: 458 Taiwanese missing or detained in China this year
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said on Oct 17 that 458 Taiwanese who travelled to China this year had gone missing, been detained for questioning or were suspected of having their freedom restricted as of Oct 16, the Taipei Times reports. That is 4 more than in the previous count to Oct 8. Of these, 175 were reported missing.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Kyodo poll: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approval falls below 50%, lowest since taking office
A Kyodo News poll conducted Oct 17–18 put Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet approval at 49.1%, the lowest since she took office last October. The drop may be linked to slow handling of the case of farm minister Kazuo Yana, criticised for saying he would cut road funding to municipalities that did not support him, who resigned on Oct 14. 57.7% of respondents said his replacement came 'too late', and 81.5% said his resignation was warranted.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Japan-US Keen Sword 27, largest ever, begins as South Korea starts Hoguk drills
The Japan-US Keen Sword 27 joint exercise, seen as a rehearsal for defending Japan's southwestern islands, begins on Oct 19 at its largest scale yet, with about 45,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel and 12,000 US troops, the Japan Times reports. Japan is deploying its longer-range Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles outside their Kumamoto base for the first time, and the US is sending an advanced anti-ship missile system to Yonaguni Island in Okinawa, about 110 km from Taiwan. South Korea's large-scale Hoguk field exercise also runs Oct 19–30, including some South Korea-US drills postponed from August's Ulchi Freedom Shield.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - South Korean won posts strongest monthly average against the dollar in over two years
Bank of Korea data show the won averaged 1,342.6 per dollar over the first 12 trading days of October, its strongest monthly average since September 2024 (1,332.8). The won had weakened to 1,528 in June on higher oil prices and foreign stock selling; exporters such as chipmakers have since sold more dollars amid sustained trade surpluses. On Oct 16 it touched 1,328.9 intraday, its strongest since Oct 2, 2024, and KBS reported the won at a 19-year high against the yen.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Hong Kong police in talks to link private shopping mall CCTV to surveillance network, Chris Tang says
Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on a TV programme on Oct 18 that police are in the final stage of talks with private shopping malls to connect their CCTV systems to the police's expanding smart surveillance network, without naming the malls. He said whether video is streamed live 24 hours a day would depend on crime risk. Taiwan's Liberty Times reported that police aim to raise the number of cameras to 60,000 by 2028 and will use facial recognition.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Hong Kong buildings with Taizoom lift doors missing fire-safety parts rise to 152
Hong Kong's Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said on the night of Oct 18 that lift landing doors in another 74 private buildings serviced by Taizoom lack key door-frame components, bringing the total to 152, the South China Morning Post reports. Of these, 150 are private residential or commercial buildings and 2 are Tenants Purchase Scheme estates; the components block flames and smoke during a fire. About 180 buildings serviced by the company have yet to be inspected.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Singapore NEA forecasts unhealthy PSI of 101–190 on Oct 19 as haze persists
Singapore's National Environment Agency forecast the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index at 101 to 190, in the 'unhealthy' range, for Oct 19. It said rain and southerly winds may reduce haze from Kalimantan, though smoke from Sumatra could still drift in; Singapore's air has been unhealthy since Oct 9, peaking at 230 in the west. Malaysia's Firefly extended its suspension of Subang–Seletar flights to Oct 19, the 10th straight day.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Vietnam signs free trade agreement with EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Oct 18, attended by Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. The deal removes or lowers tariffs on imports including industrial goods, seafood and agricultural products. Vietnam said it shows the parties' commitment to rules-based trade as US tariffs disrupt global commerce.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: Philippine senators press Chinese ambassador to apologise or be declared persona non grata
Following remarks by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan involving the use of force against the Philippines, Philippine Senator JV Ejercito said on Oct 18 that the Senate is considering a resolution on the dispute between the Chinese embassy and Filipino lawmakers, RFI reports. Some senators want the ambassador to apologise or be declared persona non grata. The Chinese embassy replied: 'Please hurry up.'
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Japan's JAXA set to launch MMX Martian moon sample-return probe on Oct 20
JAXA said the H3 rocket carrying the MMX probe is scheduled to launch from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41 am Japan time on Oct 20. MMX aims to collect samples from a moon of Mars and return them to Earth, the first round trip to the Martian system, which could shed light on the origins of the solar system and life on Earth. The mission involves US and European space agencies as well as universities and companies.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Samsung to use TSMC 3nm process for Nvidia custom HBM base die, Seoul Economic Daily reports
Samsung Electronics will use TSMC's 3-nanometre process to make base dies for Nvidia's next-generation custom high-bandwidth memory (HBM), the Seoul Economic Daily reported on Oct 18, marking Samsung's first collaboration with TSMC in HBM manufacturing. Nvidia has asked Samsung, SK hynix and Micron to use TSMC processes for the base die of its NVHBM, which integrates Nvidia's own memory controller. Samsung will keep in-house production for standard HBM.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning - Follow-up: An Se-young comes from behind to beat Akane Yamaguchi and retain Denmark Open title
World No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea beat world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-23, 21-14, 21-18 in the Denmark Open (Super 750) women's singles final in Odense on Oct 18, retaining her title and winning her 9th title of the season. She is 61-1 this year, a 98.4% win rate, and has beaten Yamaguchi 10 times in a row.
Oct 19, 2026 Morning