South Korean PM says ‘every measure’ will be taken to delve into ballot shortage

During local and parliamentary by-elections on June 3, 14 polling stations ran out of ballot paper.

Water wars washing away South Asia’s fragile peace

On June 4, Pakistan said what most analysts had been thinking for over a year: India is weaponizing water. The trigger was a pair of infrastructure projects on the Chenab River — a ₹2,352 crore (US$246 million) tunnel to divert surplus Chenab water into the Beas basin in

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts, forcing airport to close

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki falls under Indonesia's second-highest alert level for volcanic activity, with a 5km exclusion zone in force around its crater.

South Korea, US agree to accelerate nuclear cooperation discussions

The two countries held a two-day meeting to launch follow-up discussions on nuclear cooperation.

Bangkok warned of major flood risk by early 2030s

A forum was held to assess its flood risks and lay the groundwork for future prevention measures.

Indonesia to 'refocus' free meal programme on quality; no longer prioritising 83 million target

The agency will also be cutting back on new kitchens and targeting recipients in more remote areas, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, the new chief of the National Nutrition Agency, said on Thursday (Jun 4).

Viral ‘Cockroach’ movement leader heads to India to lead Gen Z protests

The youth protest in New Delhi will call for the resignation of the nation’s education minister.

China's Xi Jinping to make rare visit to North Korea

Xi will be in North Korea from 8-9 June, a rare visit to the isolated regime that is a longstanding ally of Beijing.

South Korean riot police clear protesters after ballot shortage blockade

More than 1,000 demonstrators had gathered outside a Seoul polling station on Thursday to block ballot boxes from being removed.

Why Xi Jinping is going to North Korea to court Kim Jong Un

Xi is expected to use the two-day summit to project a united front between the allies against the West.

‘Financially challenged’ South Korean Olympic speedskating champion vows to pay child support

The 46-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in jail for not paying child support to his former wife.

Japan’s UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle found damaged after Typhoon Jangmi

About 4 sq m of plaster peeled off near the lattice windows of a turret on the north side of the main keep.

Indonesia denies finance chief Purbaya is quitting as markets slump

Talk of Purbaya’s possible departure had spread amid deepening concerns about the country’s economy.

Sino-West trade strains deepen on new tariffs and rules

New US tariffs and tougher EU regulations heighten pressure on China, raising the risk of retaliation and broader global trade conflagration. Mounting trade tensions involving China have become a significant source of concern for the global economy, reflecting a broader trend

Taiwan, China coast guards in renewed standoff at top of South China Sea

TAIPEI, June 5 - The Taiwanese and Chinese Coast Guards were engaged in another tense standoff near the strategically located Pratas Islands at the top of the South China Sea on Friday, Taiwan said, the second time in a fortnight that this has happened.

Taiwan, China coast guards in renewed stand-off at top of South China Sea

The incident took place near the Pratas Islands, which is seen by some security experts as vulnerable to Chinese attack.

‘Extremely intelligent’ bear at large in Japan after hurting four people

It dodged capture despite efforts by hunters and responders equipped with traps and anaesthetic guns.

Australia seizes 100,000 cockroaches in bug-breeder bust

They found Madagascar hissing cockroaches and dubia roaches in a raid in Bathurst, west of Sydney.

Japan seeks to replace up to 5 nuclear reactors by 2040s, 14 by 2050s

Japan aims to source 20 per cent of the country’s electricity from nuclear power in fiscal 2040.

How I learned to stop worrying and love American monopolies

For many years, I was a big proponent of the idea that increased market power was harming the US economy in various ways. In the 2010s, in the economics world, circumstantial evidence began to pile up, implicating increased industrial concentration as the culprit behind a

Bear opens window in factory escape, Japanese police say

The bear had earlier attacked four people in an industrial part of Fukushima, in Japan's north-east.

New Zealand capital Wellington flooded with faeces after wastewater failure

Wellington Water said the overflow in the suburb of Island Bay was the result of a blocked main.

Asian stocks take another hit from AI, Middle East worries

Malaysia’s Anwar facing crucial test of support as two states call early elections

Significant losses could weaken his coalition’s prospects at a general election due by early 2028.

China cracks down on soft porn, violence and materialism in viral micro dramas

Micro dramas have surged in popularity, but drawn criticism for often sensationalist content.

China's Xi to visit North Korea in push for deeper ties

BEIJING/SEOUL, June 5 - China said on Friday President Xi Jinping would visit North Korea on a two-day trip from June 8, his first in nearly seven years as Beijing looks to reassert ties with Pyongyang, its only formal treaty ally.

Xi Jinping to visit North Korea as Beijing seeks deeper ties with Pyongyang

The two-day visit starting Jun 8 will be Chinese President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip of the year.

Japan steps up cooking oil collection efforts in race for sustainable aviation fuel

Japan is scrambling to procure a tenth of airline fuel from sustainable sources by 2030.

China’s Xi to visit North Korea on June 8 to 9 in first visit since 2019

Beijing has long been North Korea’s primary backer.

Website tracking Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s S. Korea itinerary draws more than 70,000 visits

Investors are closely watching his visit for clues on Nvidia’s next partnerships in the country’s AI supply chain.

Mount Everest climber recounts moment he lost guide who survived alone for six days

Chris Thrall speaks about his last sighting of Dawa Sherpa, who was spotted alive by a cleaning crew as he slid slowly down the world's tallest mountain.

Australian far-right One Nation does U-turn on seizing foreigners’ homes

A top representative of the party said earlier it would force permanent residents to sell their homes.

Giant hissing cockroaches among $200,000 worth of illegal insects seized in Australia

Authorities say the roaches, some as big as the palm of a hand, were likely sold as food for pet reptiles.

Negeri Sembilan state assembly to be dissolved on Jun 5; polls to be held within 60 days

The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election was not initially due until November 2028.

Mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction

Swampy mangrove forests are staging a surprise comeback - which is good news for coastal communities and the climate.

South Korean Starbucks probe: arbitrary power in justice’s name

South Korea’s Starbucks marketing controversy is no longer only about a badly judged campaign. It has become a test of whether democratic memory will restrain arbitrary power or reproduce it. Police are now investigating Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin and former

Tough cookies: How pop group Le Sserafim overcame internal conflict and internet trolls

The K-pop band say accepting their flaws and embracing humour took them to a new level of success.

War heats up as Russia, Ukraine trade drone and missile attacks

Over the past month, there has been a notable increase in the intensity of the air war in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Strikes in mid- and late-May and early June have been characterised by significantly larger numbers of drones and missiles deployed by Russia in single

Outsourcing jobs in Philippines and India come under threat as workers race to adapt to AI

Millions of employees power the world’s two outsourcing giants, but automation is starting to replace tasks they once handled. When will the full scale of disruption hit and how might they have to rethink the future, CNA’s Insight asks.

As Indonesia tightens spending, Prabowo's travel-heavy diplomacy comes under scrutiny

Critics question whether Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas trips are producing measurable economic and political returns at a time when the administration is championing spending cuts and budget efficiency at home.

Commentary: Have the US and India become regional rivals?

The US now views India less as a strategic partner to be nurtured than as a regional and economic rival to be contained, says this writer.

Beijing vows to retaliate as EU warns of China Shock 2.0

Beijing has threatened to retaliate after the European Union’s executive body called for a more robust response to the surge in cheap Chinese goods flooding its markets. Amid fears that a new wave of Chinese exports was gutting European manufacturing, the European Commission

Manuscript mysteries: Going back in time to decode India’s rich heritage

India is embarking on one of its most ambitious efforts to conserve, digitise and catalogue ancient manuscripts.

Explainer-How Trump's ceasefires are failing to stop Middle East violence

June 4 - Residents of Gaza, south Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait were all under fire this week despite U.S.-arranged ceasefires supposedly in force in their regions.

Negeri Sembilan state assembly to be dissolved on June 5

Talk of snap polls began making its rounds at the end of April.

First IAEA report on Iran's nuclear programme since February shows little change despite war

VIENNA, June 4 - The U.N. nuclear watchdog sent a report to member states on Thursday with no major changes to its assessment of Iran's nuclear programme, despite three months of U.S.-Israeli war with the stated aim of preventing Iran from building an atomic bomb.

Bondi Beach attack hero charged with assaulting father: Reports

Ahmed al-Ahmed said the reports are “fake information” and “not true at all”.

Bangladesh says it foiled multiple attempts by India to force people into the country

DHAKA, June 4 - Bangladesh said on Thursday it had foiled several attempts by India to force people into the country over the previous 24 hours, reviving a dispute over alleged undocumented migration and clouding efforts to improve ties between the South Asian neighbours.