India student protests keep up pressure on Modi government

Iran’s Hormuz choice: trust pays, coercion doesn’t

History suggests geography can be a nation’s greatest economic asset or its greatest geopolitical liability. Whenever maritime arteries have been disrupted — whether by war, conflict or political confrontation — the economic costs have extended far beyond the countries directly

Network School heading to Kazakhstan after Johor operations halted

The Johor government said the company breached licencing conditions, including operating without a valid licence.

Thailand presses on with Cambodia border fence after 2025 clashes

Thailand has completed the first section of a permanent border fence along parts of its frontier with Cambodia.

Rubio says he discussed China President's US visit in meeting with Wang Yi

MANILA, July 22 - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday he talked a lot during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about a planned trip to the United States by President Xi Jinping.

AI needs US-China cooperation. Elon Musk can help

Despite his controversies and contradictions, Elon Musk may prove an unlikely force in moderating US-China rivalry and the AI risks it amplifies. In June, following SpaceX’s listing, Musk became the world’s first trillionaire — a remarkable milestone, but one that crystallized

Amnesty International calls for investigation into Pakistani strikes in Kabul

KABUL/ISLAMABAD, July 22 - Amnesty International on Wednesday called for an investigation into Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul four months ago, labeling them a \"possible war crime.\"

Japan PM Takaichi says she was finally able to get 5 hours of sleep

Sanae Takaichi noted that she used the three-day weekend to catch up on household chores she had been putting off.

Can India’s national space agency keep its top scientists on board as the private spacetech sector booms?

As India’s private spacetech sector takes off, competition for its most experienced scientists is raising questions about how the country can build a thriving commercial space industry without hollowing out the institution that helped make it possible.

Why are scientists leaving India’s national space agency - and will tighter exit rules keep them there?

As India’s private spacetech sector takes off, competition for its most experienced scientists is raising questions about how the country can build a thriving commercial space industry without hollowing out the institution that helped make it possible.

‘Leg hair harassment’: Tokyo’s ‘Cool Biz’ campaign runs into hairy problem

Shorts beat the heat, but exposed shins are testing Tokyo’s tolerance for workplace hair.

‘Hopes dashed’: Network School members voice frustration after Forest City campus ordered to close

Some members of the tech startup community told CNA they are cutting short their stay in Johor and returning home after authorities ordered the Network School to cease operations immediately.

Chicken back on the menu at KFC Japan as cyber-hit food producer Nichirei restores operations

The company said it is implementing security measures in consultation with an external security firm.

Fresh South China Sea tensions add urgency to ASEAN-China code of conduct talks: Analysts

The latest flashpoint has cast a shadow over this week’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, which is also being attended by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

South Korea's Lee to visit South America and Germany, attend AI summit in US

SEOUL, July 22 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit San Francisco, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Germany from July 24 to August 3, the presidential office said on Wednesday.

Canada FM urges Middle East de-escalation, calls South China Sea confrontation ‘troubling’

Anita Anand was speaking on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting.

Australia’s Penny Wong says region faces choice about its response to South China Sea ‘aggression’

China’s foreign ministry said Australia was not party to the South China Sea issue.

Seoul mayor faces risk of losing office after political funds conviction

Oh Se-hoon is widely regarded as a leading figure in the main conservative opposition People Power Party.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon faces risk of losing office after political funds conviction

SEOUL, July 22 - A South Korean court on Wednesday convicted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and fined him 10 million won ($6,759) over a political funds case linked to opinion polls conducted ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election.

Hong Kong jails British woman over false rape accusation

She was previously convicted of blackmail.

Xi’s national team rides again to save swooning tech stocks

TOKYO — Chinese stocks just had a remarkable week, with stellar news from startup Moonshot AI delivering a DeepSeek-like jolt to a fragile market. Its new AI model reminded investors how fast China Inc. is closing the technology gap with Silicon Valley. But as China’s “new

Airbus, Kawasaki team up to send Eurodrone sub-hunting

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus D&S) to collaborate on long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The agreement covers operations combining the Eurodrone with KHI’s P-1 maritime

Japan sizzles in first 'brutally hot' days of the year

TOKYO, July 22 - Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities in what the government has newly designated as a \"brutally hot day.\"

South Korea Michelin starred restaurant owner faces jail for ant sorbet

Under South Korean law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption.

Extreme rainfall threatens north as China enters peak flood season

HONG KONG, July 22 - China has entered its peak flood control period, weather experts said, with extreme rainfall set to increase in frequency and intensity from late July to early August, with much of northern China set to experience 20% to 50% more rainfall than usual.

Japan temperatures soar over 40C, marking first 'cruelly hot day'

The term was introduced in April by the weather agency to describe days when temperatures reach 40C.

India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show

A January DGCA document summarised concerns over the regulator’s handling of conflicts of interest.

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing to meet Thai PM on Aug 6-7 in Bangkok

Thailand has been leading a push for Myanmar’s reintegration.

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to visit Thailand on August 6-7

July 22 - Myanmar junta chief turned president Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit to Thailand on August 6-7, the Thai foreign minister told AFP on Wednesday, marking the latest attempt by the war-torn country's new administration to gain international legitimacy.

South Korea’s far right is on the rise – with MAGA’s backing

South Korea is often regarded as an example of a young and vibrant democracy. Merely two years ago, mass protests thwarted a self-coup attempted by the sitting far right President Yoon Suk-yeol. However, due to an array of social factors, the support of wealthy donors like

Heavy rains wreak havoc in parts of India, 26 dead in Assam

GUWAHATI, India, July 22 - At least 26 people have died this week in India's northeastern state of Assam due to flooding after incessant rain, authorities said, with more thunderstorms and strong winds expected to hit several parts of the country's north and east on Wednesday.

Tremors felt in west coast of peninsula after quake strikes north Sumatra

The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 55km south-west of Langsa, Indonesia at a depth of 10km.

Australia protests against China’s ‘destabilising’ missile test

In early July, a Chinese submarine fired a dummy-warhead ballistic missile that reached far into the Pacific Ocean.

Bangkok bar fire: Death toll rises to 35, medical centre says

Twenty-one people were still in hospital, with 12 still in critical condition.

Tremors felt in west coast of Malaysia after quake strikes north Sumatra

The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 55km south-west of Langsa, Indonesia at a depth of 10km.

Blast in a tunnel at Indian hydropower project leaves 12 dead and 13 missing

Poland, Hungary's foreign worker curbs create headache for business

KISVARDA, Hungary/GDANSK, Poland, July 22 - Facing a choice between upsetting businesses and a public opinion backlash, the Polish and Hungarian ruling centrists are opting for curbs on foreign labour — something economists warn may hurt the two countries' growth prospects.

Australia protests China's 'destabilising' missile test

Bangkok pub fire death toll rises to 35, medical centre says

BANGKOK, July 22 - The death toll from a July 13 fire at a pub in the Thai capital Bangkok rose to 35 on Wednesday, the city's emergency services said.

Ukraine again hits warehouses of Russia's top online retailer Wildberries, Russia says

MOSCOW, July 22 - Another attack on the warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, has injured several people, said the head and co-founder of the company on Wednesday.

Tunnel collapse in India kills 12 workers

Rescue operation is ongoing but hazardous conditions have hampered efforts to reach those still inside.

Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints new chief of troubled free meals agency

Deputy agriculture minister Sudaryono was appointed the new head of the National Nutrition Agency.

From laundry rooms to convenience stores: Humanoids at China's World AI Conference

Larger than before, this year’s annual exhibition showcased China’s AI ambitions, and firms demonstrated how their robots are closer to being used in everyday life.

New head of Indonesia’s free meals programme quits after 45 days citing health reasons, as budget cuts loom

Nanik Sudaryati Deyang on Wednesday (Jul 22) said that she has a heart condition and that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved her resignation as head of the  National Nutrition Agency.

India opposition leader Rahul Gandhi released after protest detention

Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.

Actor Rebel Wilson did not defame colleague in social media posts, Australian court finds

SYDNEY, July 22 - Australian actor Rebel Wilson was on Wednesday found not liable by a Sydney court of defaming Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in Wilson's directorial debut \"The Deb\", over allegations linked to a series of social media posts made by Wilson.

Rights group urges Vietnam to release five arrested over Ho Chi Minh book

HANOI, July 22 - Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called on Vietnam to release a former business executive and four other people over their roles in the publication and promotion of a book about Ho Chi Minh that allegedly contained anti-state content.

Network School premises in Johor’s Forest City closed, signboards taken down or covered

Allegations emerged a week ago that Israeli nationals had participated in its programme.

How Australia resisted PRC economic coercion: lessons for others

The People’s Republic of China has used its statecraft to weaponize its trade with other countries on several occasions in recent years. Such behavior usually arises when the PRC interprets another country’s actions as hostile to its political interests and resorts to