Singapore school operator drops Sapporo plans as immigration backlash raises child safety concerns

The episode highlights the gap between the city's economic ambitions and local realities

A weak German economy, a weaker chancellor

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Merz loses political control as Berlin’s troubles spreadDiego Faßnacht reports that Friedrich Merz’s botched personnel reset has deepened doubts about his authority

Can monthly vouchers revive South Korea’s shrinking rural communities?

A pilot scheme to offer monthly vouchers in rural South Korea is boosting local spending and attracting new residents. But officials say reversing decades of depopulation will require much more than cash incentives.

Hydropower plants brace for heavy rains in southern Brazil as severe El Niño looms

SAO PAULO, July 31 - Hydropower plants are gearing up for rains to grow heavier in southern Brazil amid what scientists believe will be a severe El Niño in the coming months, with generators reviewing plans to handle large volumes of water that may need to be discharged.

Taiwan hails late Hong Kong bookseller for ‘resistance’ against China

Lam Wing-kee, 70, died in Taipei on July 2 after a battle with cancer.

Hong Kong sees wettest July since 1997 with more rain coming

The last time Hong Kong saw a wetter July was when the British colony reverted back to Chinese rule.

Myanmar leader says Starlink used by scam centres

He insisted his government was cracking down on scammers.

Over 20,000 Cambodians still displaced along Thai border, UN expert says

PHNOM PENH, July 31 - More than 20,000 Cambodian civilians remain displaced along the country's border with Thailand following two rounds of fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours last year, a UN expert said on Friday, following a visit to the disputed frontier.

Massive Attack investigated after reports of pro-Palestinian display in Singapore show

The UK band reportedly expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments during a performance.

Asia confederation backs UEFA, CONCACAF opposition to FIFA World Cup sale plan

The Asian Football Confederation expressed "deep concern" about the proposed establishment of a US$20 billion commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the World Cup and FIFA's other events.

Negeri Sembilan polls: Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan faces electoral test amid rivals’ Malay-Muslim unity narrative

Negeri Sembilan heads to the polls on Aug 1, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan pact battling to retain power in the face of a Malay-Muslim unity narrative spun by Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional.

Israel must approve disarmament agreement before Hamas will implement, says Hamas official

CAIRO, July 31 - Implementation of the deal to bring peace to Gaza announced by U.S. President Donald Trump will depend on Israel first meeting its commitments under an agreement reached last year, a senior Hamas official told Reuters on Friday.

Meta India head named in case over Facebook videos targeting PM Narendra Modi

Case adds to tension between the tech giant and the Indian government over online content.

US lawmaker urges Taiwan to pass drone Bill, warning ‘time is short’

The government has vowed to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2030.

After a blockbuster IPO, can China’s memory chipmaker CXMT compete globally in the AI era?

Analysts said memory chips are China’s most realistic opportunity to narrow the semiconductor gap.

S. Korea records highest-ever temperature of 41.4 deg C as heatwave intensifies

The heatwave was caused by two weather systems that have acted like a lid, trapping heat.

Several towns in Nepal under curfew after sectarian violence

Nepal’s Gen Z-backed Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged people on July 30 for calm.

The enduring legacy of Kashmir’s poet‑saints who built bridges between faiths

Kashmir remains one of the world’s most contentious geopolitical flash points. In April 2025 India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed countries that share a tense border, came dangerously close to a major confrontation after militants attacked Indian tourists near the popular

North Korea growth topped 3% for third straight year in 2025: Seoul

Japan quake death toll hits 35 as auto and chip factories suspend productions

Tens of thousands of residents are without power and water in temperatures forecast to approach 40°C this weekend.

Who is Nirmal Purja, the famed mountaineer missing in Broad Peak avalanche?

The British-Nepali climber is one of the most recognised figures in mountaineering.

Malaysia's youth vote in focus as Negeri Sembilan heads to the polls

Parties have tailored their campaigns to younger Malaysians, promising better jobs, affordable housing, education opportunities and improved public transport in a bid to win over the state's largest voting bloc.

Sniffer dogs search mall wrecked by massive Japan quake as toll rises to 35

Tens of thousands lack water as survivors endure intense heat in evacuation shelters.

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing criticises ASEAN, sets out government agenda

He dismisses grouping’s peace plan and says he intends to hold by-elections in 2027.

Explosion at coal mine kills 34 in southern Pakistan

China coast guard patrols east of Taiwan, angering Taipei

BEIJING, July 31 - China's coast guard conducted patrols it described as routine law enforcement in waters east of Taiwan on Friday, angering Taipei, which condemned the move as a political operation aimed at expanding Beijing's control.

China Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan, angering Taipei

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said it sent a patrol ship to monitor the Chinese ships.

Four bodies located after 10 climbers go missing on Pakistani mountain, sources say

PESHAWAR/KATHMANDU, July 31 - The bodies of four climbers were located by Pakistani search crews on Friday after at least 10 mountaineers went missing in a suspected avalanche on Broad Peak a day earlier, Pakistani sources said.

Chinese military researchers tap US AI models to train defence systems

Military researchers are also examining distillation as a potential security risk.

AI reckoning makes South Korean economy run for cover

TOKYO — South Korea has outrun the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 Lehman shock, and the 2013 taper tantrum. Whether it can outrun its own AI boom is a harder test — and one the last week of Kospi whiplash put on stark display. Korea sits at the front of a pack of

Bodies of 4 climbers recovered near northern Pakistan avalanche site

The climbing expedition was led by renowned Nepali climber Nirmal Purja.

China’s Xi urges deeper anti-graft fight in military, Xinhua reports

The US believed China wanted its military ready to be able to win a conflict over Taiwan by 2027.

China's Xi urges deeper anti-graft fight in military, Xinhua reports

BEIJING, July 31 - China's President Xi Jinping urged senior leaders of the ruling Communist Party on Friday to deepen the fight against corruption in the military and to advance the modernisation of national defence, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Indonesia arrests Malaysian pilot for allegedly smuggling 26kg of MDMA; risks death penalty

The pilot had just flown a Malaysia Airlines plane from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, and was found to have been under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamine after a urine test.

Japan holds first test launch of Tomahawk missile from warship

Tomahawk missiles are a centrepiece of Tokyo’s new defence strategy.

Nostalgia hinders Takaichi’s vision for Japan

Two themes dominate Japan’s elite thinking at present: a blend of awe and fear about the ambitions of Japan’s powerful prime minister, Sanae Takaichi; and concerns about the US-Japan security alliance. Takaichi became prime minister last October through winning a party

UK rapper Yung Filly found not guilty of raping woman after Australian show

The YouTuber has been found guilty for two counts of assault over the 2024 incident in Perth.

Indonesia arrests Malaysian pilot for allegedly smuggling 26kg of ecstasy into Jakarta

The man faces the death penalty or a life sentence if found guilty.

Indonesia arrests Malaysian pilot for allegedly smuggling 26kg of Ecstasy into Jakarta

The man faces the death penalty or a life sentence if found guilty; Malaysia Airlines is conducting an internal review.

South Korea reviews near-shootdown of US military drone near border

SEOUL, July 31 - South Korean military inspectors will visit an army corps on Friday to review an incident in which troops nearly shot down an unidentified aircraft near the border with North Korea before determining it was a U.S. drone taking part in a joint exercise, the

Japan quake snarls auto and chip supply chains as toll hits 34

KUMAMOTO, Japan, July 31 - A powerful earthquake that struck southern Japan this week has exposed the vulnerability of the country's manufacturing supply chains, a decade after a devastating quake in the same region triggered widespread industry disruption.

Japan quake halts auto and chip plants, testing supply chain resilience

Problems could persist for automakers, where parts shortages can snarl production far and wide.

US aircraft carrier George Washington makes a rare port call in Vietnam

Visit promotes joint security ties at a time when tariffs, Iran war have hurt US influence in Asia.

The high price of getting into college in India

The government is spending less of its budget on education as tuition costs soar.

India’s family offices embrace profit-sharing to attract top talent

Most family offices did not offer carried interest to their investment teams until recently.

South Korea evacuates border residents after US drone mix-up

The US military confirmed the American drone was taking part in a joint training with South Korea.

Cables and cooling bring AI windfall to Indian suppliers

Manufacturers are supplying equipment for the AI boom even as the country is falling behind in the race to develop AI.

Most Australian teens still on social media three months after under-16 ban began, study finds

SYDNEY, July 31 - More than 8 in 10 Australian teenagers were still using social media three months after the government's landmark ban on the platforms for under-16s took effect because the tech firms failed to implement effective age checks, the country's internet regulator