China travel agencies resume Japan group tours, some later halt sales

Japan remains a popular destination among Chinese travellers.

AI supercharging online scams across Asia, warns Interpol’s cybercrime chief

A new Interpol cyberthreat report found that cybercrime now accounts for more than 30 per cent of all recorded crime in over half of the countries surveyed across Asia and the South Pacific.

Sri Lanka battles surge in dengue fever, with more than 44,000 cases so far this year

The number of dengue cases nearly doubled from 5,651 in April to 10,638 in the first two weeks of June.

Trump’s MOU is an IOU: the severe US losses of his misbegotten war

The Memorandum of Understanding, which ostensibly ends the four-month war between the US and Iran, illuminated the profound US defeat. In addition, a Quincy Institute webinar on military lessons from the war, shortly before the MOU’s release, enumerated numerous ways in which

Vietnamese man deported to South Sudan by US leaves for home

JUBA, June 19 - A Vietnamese man deported by the United States to South Sudan a year ago as part of the Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda left for Vietnam on Friday, South Sudanese officials said.

Steel industry sounds alarm over slow progress on green steel

It is likely to remain so without a major increase in state funding or customers willing to pay more.

What can be done about the explosion of disinformation?

The menace is everywhere yet you can hardly spot it, stop it or punish it, says expert.

Deadly 7.8-magnitude Philippines quake turns seabed into shore

Tectonic forces thrust chunks of an island’s coastline upward in a phenomenon known as “coastal uplift”.

Wasian and proud — but does the label uplift or divide?

“Wasians” are having a moment right now. Think of Winter Olympians Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu, singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, actors Lola Tang (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), or singer/dancer Megan Skiendiel from Katseye. In fact,

Deep-sea denizens go years without food with clever biological fix

New research indicates that their solution is partly anatomical and partly genetic.

Experts urge Yangon to step up building inspections after unusual earthquake aftershocks

Parts of Myanmar – including areas further south – have continued to experience seismic activity since a devastating earthquake struck Mandalay last year.

Have an Indian ancestor? A new proposal could soon let you play sport for India

With Indian-origin athletes of foreign nationalities, India could boost its global sports performance.

India probes embezzlement allegations at landmark temple

A team has been set up to look into alleged siphoning of cash offerings made by devotees.

India’s strategic autonomy morphing into a connectivity strategy

As India pursues its ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047 — the centenary of its independence — reliable access to overseas markets has become a strategic imperative. Yet recent crises in West Asia — ranging from the Gaza war and Red Sea disruptions to the Iran war

Japan-owned vessel passed through Strait of Hormuz on Friday, Japan says

TOKYO, June 19 - A vessel owned by a Japanese company carrying three Japanese crew members safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and exited the Gulf, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Japan rice prices fall for first time in 3.5 years

Japan enacts changes to bolster support for elderly without kin

These include hospital admission and discharge and handling administrative procedures after death.

South Korea’s Lee calls for overhaul of election management after flawed vote

Lee has ordered a probe into the ballot shortages that marred the June 3 local elections.

South Korea's Lee calls for overhaul of election management after flawed vote

SEOUL, June 19 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that the country's election management system needed a major overhaul, calling a series of controversies involving the National Election Commission (NEC) including ballot-paper shortages \"absurd.\"

Australia agrees to pay millions to compensate asylum seekers locked in desert

The detention centre, which closed in 2003, held close to 1,500 people within six months of opening.

Afghan forces struck militant hideouts in Pakistan, Taliban says

Japan rice prices fall for first time in 3.5 years: Official

Rice prices skyrocketed in 2024 and 2025 because of supply problems linked to multiple factors.

Australia, last continent without H5 bird flu, detects first suspected case

SYDNEY, June 19 - Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country's southwest, authorities said on Friday.

CNA's Budget calculator, deep dive on Malaysia's charcoal workers win at SOPA Awards

Both stories were recognised at the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards held in Hong Kong on Thursday.

CNA's Budget calculator, feature on Malaysia's charcoal workers win at SOPA Awards

Both stories were recognised at the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards held in Hong Kong on Thursday.

South Korea’s Lee says Trump open to considering phased approach to North Korea nuclear issue

SEOUL, June 19 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump had agreed to consider his proposal to prioritise halting North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes in the short term, while keeping denuclearisation as a longer-term

Power paradox: F-35 readiness crisis clouds US airpower over Taiwan

The US’s airpower edge faces a growing paradox: the F-35 is indispensable for a war over Taiwan, yet increasingly unavailable for such a fight. This month, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that persistent supply chain bottlenecks and flawed contractor

Afghanistan says its forces hit militant hideouts in Pakistan, Islamabad denies claim

KABUL/KARACHI, June 19 - Afghanistan said on Friday it had launched airstrikes on hideouts of Islamist militants in two Pakistani provinces, an assertion swiftly rejected by Islamabad, months after the neighbours engaged in their worst conflict in years.

South Korea’s ex-defence minister gets 3 years for leaking military secrets tied to martial law bid

The special counsel initially sought a five-year prison term for Kim Yong-hyun.

Tata’s iPhone parts factory faces India health probe after farmers’ contamination complaints

Two water samples from the farms have been submitted by health officials to a state government laboratory for testing.

South Korean leader says he told Trump sanctions on North Korea are ‘ineffective’

The two leaders met at a G-7 summit in France this week.

Malaysia reworks asset rules for officials after Azam scandal

Under the new rules, a public official can buy shares in a company incorporated in Malaysia subject to certain limits.

Cambodian court upholds opposition politician ban

Rong Chhun said he would consult with his legal team about whether to seek a royal pardon.

Tokyo primary school fire injures about 10, reports say

All children and staff were evacuated safely.

Indonesia to capture last-known wild Bornean rhino for IVF

Just two Bornean rhinos are known to exist in the world, both female.

Strategic autonomy and strategic anxiety

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Japan builds its own AI future as US tightens controlScott Foster reports that Trump’s restrictions on Anthropic AI models have reinforced doubts about Japan’s reliance

Scientists discover ‘hyperparasite’ in Malaysia Borneo jungle

The fungus belongs to the genus Pleurocordyceps and acts as a specialised hyperparasite.

China wins the Iran war without firing a shot

“At this critical stage, relevant parties, including Israel, need to follow the overwhelming trend of peace and stability in the region,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, following the signing of the first-stage US-Iran memorandum of understanding The Chinese

Thai-Malaysia seafood spat: KL positive about talks, even as sellers fret about stand-off

An industry player warns that shrimp prices in Malaysia could rise by up to 50 per cent if the spat remains unresolved.

Australia police charge third man over 2024 Melbourne synagogue fire

He and two others are being accused of breaking into the synagogue and lit the fire.

Pakistani Kashmir faces shutdown as protests leave more than 20 dead

The government responded by shutting main roads, blocking the internet and restricting media access.

Telegram loses bid to overturn India’s temporary blocking of the app

It has more than 150 million users in India, its biggest market.

Japan to impose anti-dumping tolls on stainless steel from China, Taiwan

Chinese products face import levies of up to about 45 per cent.

Thai court jails man for 18 months over royal Facebook comment

A total of 291 people have been charged under the royal insult law since 2020.

India doubts drove Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific name change

The Pentagon’s decision to restore the designation US Pacific Command (USPACOM), replacing the Indo-Pacific Command name adopted in 2018, has officially been presented as a historical adjustment rather than a strategic shift. According to the US Department of Defense, the

Row over $1,000 condo rent: Man drives SUV into Thai university pool to spite mum

The 29-year-old man reportedly flipped out after his mother refused to help him foot his condo bill.