Fire kills 12 people in Sri Lankan home for older people

COLOMBO, June 4 - A dozen people have died in a fire at a home for older people in Sri Lanka, police said on Thursday, while another eight have been hospitalised.

Nepali climber alive after six days missing on Everest

Mountaineer Dawa Sherpa - who is in his 50s - vanished on the upper reaches of the world's highest mountain in bitter conditions early on May 30.

AI PCs to make up more than half of sales in 2026, says Asus co-CEO

American AI hardware giant Nvidia this week announced its entry into the consumer PC arena, in collaboration with Asus and other companies.

Sherpa rescued after going missing on Everest with no food, oxygen

KATHMANDU, June 4 - A Nepali Sherpa guide has been rescued from Everest after surviving about a week on the slopes of the world's highest mountain without food or oxygen in a rare case of survival in such conditions, a hiking official said on Thursday.

Vietnam says USTR forced labour conclusion does not reflect its efforts

HANOI, June 4 - Vietnam's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the U.S. Trade Representative's conclusion that it had failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labour does not fully or accurately reflect Vietnam's mitigation efforts.

PAS urges UMNO to collaborate in Johor polls, revive defunct political pact

PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Wednesday (Jun 3) called for the revival of Muafakat Nasional - created to consolidate the Malay-Muslim vote - stressing cooperation between the country’s two largest Malay-Muslim parties.

Miracle on Everest: Guide believed dead spotted crawling down ice

Cleaners found Dawa Sherpa crawling towards Base Camp six days after he went missing at a higher altitude.

Indonesia arrests deputy immigration minister on graft charges

Silmy Karim's arrest on Jun 4 came a day after Indonesia's Attorney General's Office (AGO) detained Dadan Hindayana, the former head of an agency which oversees President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals programme.

Religious authority in Malaysia probes entrepreneur for ghost-themed birthday party for daughters

At the event, “ghosts” such as pocong - deceased persons in their burial shroud - roamed about.

Sri Lanka care home manager arrested after fire kills 12

Forensic experts combed through the wreckage and discovered seven more charred bodies, raising the death toll.

Dalai Lama, 90, to seek knee treatment in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, June 4 - The Dalai Lama will receive medical treatment on his left knee in New Delhi this month, his office said on Thursday, as the 90-year-old deals with a series of health issues.

Indonesia arrests Australian woman in Lombok for ‘medical’ cannabis in vape

She said she used a cannabis vape to relieve knee pain and depression.

Armenia's election to test Pashinyan's peace drive after war defeat

IJEVAN, Armenia, June 4 - When Anna Yegoyan first moved from the Armenian capital to the northern mountain town of Ijevan, she had to reach it along bumpy, potholed roads.

Iran is losing the war but winning what comes next

Iran is losing the war against the US and Israel by most visible measures. Its air defenses have been obliterated, its senior leadership dead, and its already flagging economy is on the verge of collapse, with its crucial oil and gas exports stuck behind a blockade. Yet its

Photoshopped seat belts on hit Chinese variety show draw warning from traffic authorities

Viral clips from the May 29 episode of This is My Adventure 2 show digitally added seat belts overlaid on members of popular Chinese boy band Teens in Times (TNT) and other celebrities as they ride in a minibus.

South Korea Lee's ruling party sweeps local elections, but loses Seoul mayor race

SEOUL, June 4 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party swept most major local races in elections held on Wednesday, but suffered a symbolic setback as the opposition conservative incumbent Oh Se-hoon won another term as Seoul mayor.

Hot weather hurts Asian crops as powerful El Nino takes shape

This is a further blow for farmers already grappling with fertiliser and diesel shortages caused by the Iran war.

Australian state cracks down on illegal tobacco shops as nicotine use surges

The new laws, if passed, would allow police and the state’s tobacco licensing regulator to issue closure notices.

Four die in Indian hospital fire a day after fatal New Delhi blaze

Building fires in India are common due to inadequate firefighting equipment and a disregard for safety rules.

From reform hopes to brutal crackdown - China's Tiananmen protests

June 4 - Thursday marks 37 years since China bloodily suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations in and around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square, when Chinese troops opened fire on their own people.

Taiwan beefs up anti-ship missile arsenal to counter threat of Chinese invasion

Officers point to the success of Ukraine, Iran in using missiles and drones to battle more powerful adversaries.

Indian police arrest hotel owner after deadly fire

Tasmanian devil thwarts Australian search team

The marsupial Mary has eluded searchers equipped with a thermal-imaging drone for three days.

Shortage of ballot papers sparks protests in South Korea’s local elections

President Lee expressed “deep regret” over the shortages and ordered those responsible be held to account.

Shortage of ballot papers sparks protests in South Korea's local elections

SEOUL, June 4 - South Korea's National Election Commission said on Thursday it would hold an investigation after a shortage of ballot papers in local elections drew public anger, with protesters in a district of Seoul blocking ballot boxes from leaving a polling station.

Nepali climber alive after six days missing on Mount Everest

Hillary Dawa Sherpa was found on the morning of June 4 close to base camp.

Will a new chief make a difference? Indonesia’s free meals scheme faces biggest test yet

The scheme has been dogged by food poisoning cases and graft allegations since its launch in 2025.

Satellite images fuel speculation of China’s Xi visit to North Korea

It appears to show a fenced-off section and a structure being built in Kim Il Sung Square.

Hong Kong principal who swore at guards in Singapore sacked after school rejects his resignation

San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School requested Lee Cheuk Hing's immediate dismissal.

China bans New Zealand lawmakers over Taiwan trip

Kyrgyzstan’s UN upset signals Eurasia’s quiet rise

On Wednesday (June 3), Kyrgyzstan secured an upset victory over the Philippines to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. After taking a surprising 105-85 lead in the first ballot, the Central Asian nation went on to win decisively, 142-49, in

Delhi to crack down on fire safety violations after blaze that killed 21

A criminal case has been lodged and the owner of the building has been arrested.

Australia’s Lower House passes Bill for biggest overhaul of taxes in decades

The measure cleared 94-48 after failed amendment bids by the opposition and some independents.

Australia's lower house passes bill for biggest overhaul of taxes in decades

SYDNEY, June 4 - Australia's lower house of parliament passed a bill on Thursday for the government's biggest overhaul of taxes in decades, curbing tax breaks for property investors to make housing more affordable and scrapping a capital gains discount.

Indonesia’s rupiah rout is not just about the dollar

The wave of currency depreciation that battered Indonesia’s foreign exchange market throughout April and May 2026 has pushed the rupiah to record lows, dangerously close to a new psychological threshold of 18,000 against the US dollar. When the currency broke past 17,000 in

Malaysia introduces passport with a 10-year validity period priced at $112

The Immigration Department traditionally issues passports with a validity period of five years.

Prabowo warns over graft as free meals probe rattles Indonesia

The latest probe tests Prabowo’s commitment to tackling graft while protecting a signature welfare programme.

Indonesian rupiah falls to record low against US dollar

The unit broke the psychological 18,000 barrier against the greenback.

Asian stocks slide on flare-up in Middle East fighting, oil eases off highs

"Financial markets shifted back into a risk-off mode as the US and Iran exchanged fire again," analysts from Westpac wrote in a research report.

Fiji rejects Australian billionaire’s ‘Pacific ashtray’ plan to ship, burn waste

It comes after a backlash from traditional landowners and tourism operators.

Taiwan presses China to confront Tiananmen past

TAIPEI/BEIJING, June 4 - Taiwan has pressed China to recognise the deadly crackdown on protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square 37 years ago, in commemorating the anniversary on Thursday of an event that remains taboo for Beijing.

Chinese restaurant in Bangkok allegedly refuses baht, accepts only renminbi for payment

Such practices could raise concerns under several Thai laws.

South Korean adoptees sue Denmark over right to know birth families

A 2024 report by the National Social Appeals Board showed that Denmark's state-run adoption agencies knew their South Korean partners sometimes changed children's identities.

Hong Kong principal fired for swearing at security guards on Singapore school trip

San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School says it refused to accept the resignation of Lee Cheuk-hing, who violated the code of conduct for staff.

Punch and other monkeys to get air-conditioning, bigger yard at Japanese zoo

The city plans to set up the air-conditioners by summer.