Japan to test rare earth mining 6km underwater in February 2027

A mission had successfully recovered rare earth samples from 6km below the waves.

Japan’s fake fury over its free-falling yen

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s political fortunes are falling almost as fast as the yen these days — and the two are closely linked. The yen has slid toward 164 against the dollar, its weakest level since 1986, driven partly by the same economic strains

Malaysia foreign minister says envoy summoned by US over Israel policy amid Network School saga

Network School, the "digital nomad" community founded in Malaysia by US investor Balaji Srinivasan, came under scrutiny after social media users alleged that it included participants from Israel.

Indonesia doesn’t need China to keep its nickel industry afloat

This is the first of a multi-part series on Indonesia’s nickel industry. China’s nickel investors in Indonesia are sending a familiar warning: reverse regulatory uncertainty, or they’ll potentially walk. However, that tacit warning rests on an assumption — that Jakarta has no

Jana Nayagan, Indian politician-actor Vijay’s final film, draws huge crowds and delivers strong box office

Jana Nayagan is the final film for acclaimed actor-politician Vijay, who now serves as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Trump under pressure from all sides over Chinese AI surge

Cathay Pacific raises fuel surcharges from Aug 1 as jet fuel prices surge

India youth protest leaders to hold talks with government but protests will continue

The decision was announced hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike overnight, raising hopes that the two sides could be moving toward a breakthrough in the crisis.

3 arrested in Johor for stealing electricity to mine cryptocurrency

The suspects reportedly mined cryptocurrency worth between $25,200 and $31,500 during the month-long operations.

South Korea to install hidden camera detectors in public restrooms

The measure comes as covert filming continues to be reported in public restrooms.

Vietnam proposes banning under-16s from posting on social media

The draft decree also requires platforms to proactively block access to harmful material.

Patient death in China gene-editing trial draws fire: Journal

The procedure uses a technology known as base editing to precisely alter a single DNA letter.

South Korea to change e-mail addresses of diplomats after cyberattack

The cyberattack leaked personal data of up to 10,000 Korea National Diplomatic Academy users.

Bangkok bus stranded across railway tracks after sudden traffic stop, driver disciplined

All drivers are required to assess traffic conditions carefully before entering railway crossings.

Trump vows to punish Iran and Houthis for attacks in Red Sea

DUBAI, July 24 - U.S. President Donald Trump promised \"major military punishment\" for Iran and its Houthi allies after the Yemeni fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint.

China braces itself for heavy rain as tropical storm Noul edges closer

The weather authorities expect the storm to make landfall overnight between July 25 and July 26.

China braces for heavy rain as tropical storm Noul edges closer

HONG KONG, July 24 - China on Friday warned of heavy rain and severe flood risks as the third tropical cyclone this month tracked closer to the country's southern coast, where it is expected to intensify over the weekend.

CNA Explains: With the Houthis' Red Sea threat, is the world running out of detours?

Analysts warn that a simultaneous disruption of two key waterways - the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz - would put global supply chains under strain.

Malaysian actress Lydia Ibtisam dies at 45, following complications from autoimmune disease

Lydia Ibtisam, famous for her starring role in the interactive drama series Impian Illyana, died on Thursday (Jul 23).

Malaysia back in the F1 frame as Bahrain hopes recede

A likely race slot would be between Baku on Sep 26 and Singapore on Oct 11, sources say.

India's youth leaders to talk with government but press on with nationwide protests

NEW DELHI, July 24 - Leaders of India's youth-led \"cockroach\" movement will meet the government on Friday to try and resolve a face-off over national examination paper leaks although they will not halt nationwide protests, a spokesperson for the group said.

China Coast Guard reports third clash with Philippines this week

On July 23, Manila said a China Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Filipino vessel.

Iranians find community in art, culture and memes as missiles fly

Coverage of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States has largely focused on battlefield developments, political statements and international diplomacy. However, another story has been unfolding on the streets of Iran. Despite fears of further military escalation

Record 1,319 public school teachers in Japan cite mental health as reason for quitting

The increase reflects the growing burden on teachers as the number of students with special needs rises.

Biillions in Trump tariff refunds won’t unwind the damage done

An Australian clothing company, Nashie, recently received a six-figure refund from the US government, including 6% interest, for tariffs it had paid on US imports. It’s just one of thousands of businesses reclaiming tariffs imposed on what President Donald Trump called

Myanmar's ties with ASEAN remain strained despite signs of renewed engagement

The country is seeking to normalise ties with the regional bloc after years of being sidelined from top-level meetings.

Japan’s leader invokes her hero, Shinzo Abe, to drive nationalist agenda

The Japanese PM frequently leveraged her ties to Abe to rally support for her nationalist agenda.

China urges deeper security cooperation with Belarus, Uzbekistan

BEIJING, July 24 - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasised security cooperation in separate meetings with his Belarusian and Uzbek counterparts, his ministry said in two statements released on Friday.

AI and human ingenuity may be bringing a new golden age of math

In May 2026, OpenAI released a new math result that sent shock waves throughout the world of mathematical research. A major unsolved problem called the “unit distance conjecture” had just been resolved by generative AI. Since then, there’s been a steady drumbeat of new results

Cambodia’s leader Hun Manet pledges more to tackle evolving scam networks

Indian activist ends fast but youth protesters still seek minister's ouster

Sonam Wangchuk said that he ended a 26-day hunger strike after "a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country".

Fans celebrate as Vijay’s swansong Jana Nayagan hits cinemas across Tamil Nadu

This is the actor-turned-chief minister’s last movie as he devotes himself fully to politics.

Indian activist ends fast; youth leaders to talk with govt but press on with nationwide protests

The activist said he broke his fast at the urging of scores of members of Parliament.

Trump to impose forced labor duties on Friday as temporary 10% US tariffs expire

July 23 - The Trump administration on Friday will impose new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners, including the European Union, over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labor bans, just as a temporary 10% global tariff expires, senior administration officials

Why overseas cosmetic patients are turning to China’s ‘born-with-it’ beauty philosophy

China is emerging as an alternative to South Korea for cosmetic procedures, with overseas patients drawn by natural-looking results, experienced doctors and competitive prices - though industry observers say it is still early days.

Chinese chip stocks dive as overvaluation defies Beijing’s rescue

Shares of Chinese chip makers tumbled on Thursday after state fund support that had briefly steadied broader tech stocks earlier in the week failed to hold back a sector that analysts say has long been overvalued. Among the hardest hit, Hua Hong Grace Semiconductor plunged

‘Bored of just running’: How some young Indonesians found community

Traditional games and other analogue hobbies such as film photography are helping Indonesians reconnect offline.

India's 'cockroach' protesters and government to hold talks as stalemate continues

The meeting comes hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk announced he was ending his 26-day hunger strike.

Trump says Xi will visit US on September 24

WASHINGTON, July 23 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will discuss artificial intelligence with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visits the United States on September 24.

Merchant ship hijacked off Yemen now held by Somali pirates, residents say

GAROWE, Somalia, July 23 - A merchant ship hijacked in Yemeni waters in the Gulf of Aden last week is now being held by Somali pirates, two residents of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region told Reuters on Thursday.

Bangladesh president, backed by ousted PM Hasina, to resign on Friday, say sources

NEW DELHI, July 23 - Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former ally of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, will resign on Friday, three sources told Reuters on Thursday, days after Hasina said she was returning home from exile to surrender.

How Abhijeet Dipke became the face of India's first Gen Z protest movement

NEW DELHI, July 23 - They were just six words posted on X in a moment of frustration:

US FBI director Patel returns looted Papuan artefacts to Prabowo

The Indonesian government has been working to repatriate artefacts stolen from the archipelago.

Landslide death toll rises to 11 in south-west China, 50 still missing

The death toll from a landslide in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing has risen to 11, Chinese state media reported.

Iran flew IRGC commanders, missile gear to Yemen's Houthis, sources say

July 23 - Iran flew Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, military advisers and missile- and drone-related equipment into Yemen this month, according to four sources, in a move that suggests Tehran is seeking to strengthen the ability of its Houthi allies to

From trade hubs to attractions: China’s wholesale markets are becoming tourist hot spots

This trend comes against the backdrop of Beijing’s broader push to stimulate flagging domestic consumption.

Singapore seeks to avoid becoming collateral damage from US tariffs: Vivian Balakrishnan

He also said tariff uncertainty reinforces the need for ASEAN to deepen economic integration and enhance its resilience.

Sweden declares mining national security interest to counter dependence on China

STOCKHOLM, July 23 - Sweden's government declared mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security interest on Thursday, saying a new mining strategy was needed to counter the dependence on China.

Myanmar leaders’ return to ASEAN meetings ‘still far off’: Grouping’s envoy

ASEAN barred Myanmar’s leadership from its top meetings after a military coup in 2021.