South Korea extends visa fee waiver for group tourists from 6 countries

It applies to group tourists from Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Opening of North Korea-Russia road bridge likely delayed, US think tank says

SEOUL, July 1 - North Korea and Russia appear unlikely to open a road bridge connecting their countries in the near term, despite an earlier mid-June target, after satellite imagery showed Russian-side facilities unfinished, U.S. think tank 38 North said.

Thailand’s Phuket warns of flash floods as water level in canal exceeds 3m

Officials have mobilised pumps and drainage operations, with 24-hour monitoring.

‘Nothing left except death’: Myanmar families grieve toll of years-long war

One monitor said the number of conflict-related fatalities since a 2021 coup now stands at 100,114.

Xi casts Communist Party as key to steering China through ‘high winds, rough seas’

In a speech on Wednesday (Jul 1) marking the Communist Party’s 105th anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping also reaffirmed Beijing’s long-standing goal of reunification with Taiwan.

Bangladesh warns of dengue surge as weather aids spread

Court appeal for ex-Malaysian PM’s wife Rosmah in solar hybrid case postponed to Sept 1

A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously allowed the adjournment.

BYD battery breakthrough crashes Indonesia’s nickel cartel dream

A quiet but seismic shift is playing out across China’s globally dominant electric-vehicle supply chain, one with major implications for Indonesia’s EV-reliant nickel industry. BYD’s new Datang SUV recently racked up 150,000 pre-orders in a 53-day in China, marking a pre-order

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom loses latest appeal against extradition to US from New Zealand

He is facing criminal charges relating to the now-defunct file-sharing website.

Kim Dotcom loses latest appeal against extradition to US from New Zealand

SYDNEY, July 1 - Kim Dotcom lost his latest appeal on Wednesday to avoid extradition to the United States, where he is facing criminal charges relating to the defunct file-sharing website Megaupload that he founded.

Multiple people injured after man sprays substance in Japan post office

Eight people were injured and five were taken to hospital.

PM Lawrence Wong to meet Timor-Leste leaders on first official visit

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta will present Mr Wong with the country's highest honour in recognition of Singapore's support for its development and ASEAN accession.

Myanmar mourns as post-coup conflict death toll hits 100,000

More than 3.7 million people are internally displaced in Myanmar, according to the United Nations.

Beijing plane crash clouds China’s low-altitude flights, uncovers safety gaps

Discussion of the crash on Chinese social media has also been scrubbed.

Beijing plane crash clouds China's low-altitude flights, uncovers safety gaps

July 1 - An unexplained crash by a tiny plane into Beijing's tallest building and silence from regulators have cast a chilling effect on the low-altitude flights sector and uncovered aviation safety gaps in the Chinese capital.

Malaysian govt confident of exceeding Johor-S’pore SEZ target of 20,000 jobs within five years

The operational blueprint for JS-SEZ has reportedly been completed and approved by the Malaysian Cabinet.

Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say

July 1 - China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters.

Vietnam unveils 'baby bonus' after scrapping two-child policy

Taiwan ships should ignore boarding requests by China coast guard, Taipei says

China’s patrols off Taiwan’s east coast have prompted concern from the US, Britain, France and Germany.

Vietnam unveils ‘baby bonus’ after scrapping two-child policy

Parents can enjoy financial help and longer maternity leave.

Motorist hurt after car hits elephant calf in Malaysia and plunges into ravine

The 31-year-old victim was trapped inside the car and extricated by firemen.

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing to visit Laos in first ASEAN member state visit

The dates of the visit were not specified.

Can China target critics abroad with its new 'ethnic unity' law?

Rights groups fear the new law gives Beijing legal authority to go after people beyond its borders.

Afghanistan says airstrikes launched on Pakistan; Islamabad says drones shot down

KABUL/QUETTA, Pakistan, July 1 - Afghanistan's Taliban said they launched airstrikes into Pakistani territory, while Islamabad said its forces had intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones in the southern resource-rich province of Balochistan.

Mount Fuji climbing season opens with 2 trails, new fee kiosks ease crowds

Climbers are encouraged to preregister online and complete entrance fee payments in advance.

Four days to make victims fall in love: How global scammers use US tech to fleece people

Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, including in Southeast Asia, an investigation has found.

Negligent Malaysian e-wallet providers must compensate scam victims within 7 working days: Anwar

The requirement applies even in cases where losses are partly caused by user negligence.

At least eight killed, 21 hurt in India after bus collides with trailer, bursts into flames

Six victims were reportedly burnt alive, while two succumbed to head injuries sustained in the crash.

Cambodia calls off traditional water festival to focus on border crisis, displaced civilians

A total of 21,425 displaced Cambodians were still unable to return to their homes as at June 30.

US deports first migrant to Pacific nation Palau

The first deportee barely lasted two weeks after touching down in Palau.

‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents

Japan has a rapidly ageing population and is suffering labour shortages in many sectors, but opposition to immigration is growing.

China’s Xi urges ruling Communist Party to be adaptable, safeguard advances

He called for the party to coordinate better to tackle domestic and international issues.

China's Xi urges ruling Communist Party to be adaptable, safeguard advances

BEIJING, July 1 - China's ruling Communist Party must keep pace with changing circumstances while safeguarding the advances it has made, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during celebrations for its 105th founding anniversary.

China arrests 2 Japanese Fuji Electric workers over rare earths: Sources

Beijing has tightened export controls on rare earths amid heightened Sino-Japanese tensions.

Pakistan military says it intercepted 4 drones from Afghanistan

The Taliban had earlier vowed a response to deadly Pakistani airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan in late June.

Indian sailors fear returning to the Gulf after Middle East war

Some Indian mariners saw their vessels attacked and their shipmates killed or wounded during the war.

South Korea cargo ship Namu to exit Strait of Hormuz after attack in Gulf

SEOUL, July 1 - South Korea's Oceans Ministry said on Wednesday the cargo vessel Namu, operated by HMM, would exit the Strait of Hormuz in mid-July at the earliest once the damage sustained in an attack in May was repaired.

Couple suffer severe food poisoning after eating wild mushrooms

They were found collapsed in the bathroom of their home.

Failed World Cup bet sinks South Korean media giant’s Disney dream

South Korean entertainment giant JoongAng Group has officially declared financial distress.

Rainy season begins in South Korea’s southern regions; Seoul stays hot and humid

Daytime highs in Seoul have reached 33 deg C.

World Bank to phase out lending to China by 2031, source says

The move reflects the country’s rise to become the world’s second-largest economy.

North Korea’s Kim vows to deepen ties with China in message to Xi

He described recent summit talks with President Xi Jinping in Pyongyang as a “historic occasion”.

PM Anwar’s coalition partners pledge to finish term, despite state polls feud: Selangor chief minister

Amirudin Shari, a senior leader in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's party, also dismissed concerns that upcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan will disrupt the current administration.

IN FOCUS: Amid rising threat of drug-laced vapes, Indonesia’s proposed ban on e-cigarettes stirs debate

With seizures of drug-laced vapes rising, anti-narcotics officials are pushing for a ban on e-cigarettes and arguing that Indonesia remains behind many of its neighbours in regulating them.

Commentary: Small states are the best bet for keeping world at peace

Economic interdependence was once expected to guarantee peace. It now fuels resentment, says economics professor Danny Quah from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Commentary: Football’s Asian century is still on hold

World Cup 2026 has shown that the future of football is not in Asia yet, says Gearoid Reidy for Bloomberg Opinion.