Malaysians feast as ‘durian tsunami’ sends prices tumbling

Erdogan says bilateral talks with Trump likely at NATO summit in Turkey

ANKARA, June 24 - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he would \"most likely\" hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump when the U.S. leader comes to Ankara for a NATO summit next month.

Switzerland starts talks to acquire non-US air defence system

ZURICH, June 24 - Switzerland has started contract negotiations with manufacturers from France, Israel and South Korea for a second air defence system following delays to its order of U.S. Patriot missile systems, the government said on Wednesday.

Laser pointer aimed at viral monkey Punch’s enclosure at Japan zoo

The online stunt could have blinded some of the monkeys, the zoo said.

Can India and China finally resolve their Himalayan border dispute?

The main focus of the dispute is on two stretches of territory, both of which are mountainous and sparsely populated.

Turkey working on legislation to speed up militant PKK's disbandment, Erdogan says

ANKARA, June 24 - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that work was underway on a legal framework that would speed up the disbandment of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and that it would be put on parliament's agenda without much delay.

South Korea launches app to give stalking victims real-time access to suspects’ location

The system allows victims to see a suspected stalker’s current location and direction of movement.

China probes senior defence and space administrator in widening purge

BEIJING, June 24 - The deputy head of China's defence industry administration and its national space administration, Bian Zhigang, is under investigation for \"suspected serious violations of discipline and law\", the country's anti-graft watchdog said on Wednesday.

Weak rains push India to extend emergency rule for Tata power plant

Low precipitation is expected to boost electricity demand for cooling and farm irrigation.

After gaokao, experts warn against overreliance on AI for university applications

Chinese education experts have warned that overreliance on AI bots and tools could lead students to make ill-informed university choices and contribute to a surge in similar applications.

Schools in Tokyo suburb to get bear sprays

The city will buy sprays, movable electric fences and devices that make high-pitched sounds.

Pakistani rights activist Mahrang Baloch sentenced to life in prison

QUETTA, Pakistan, June 24 - A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced prominent civil rights activist Mahrang Baloch and an associate to life in prison over the killing of a paramilitary soldier during a July 2024 protest.

To make US-Iran deal stick, hold Trump’s war profiteers accountable

Now that an initial diplomatic deal between the US and Iran has been signed and intensive negotiations are under way to fully end the war, Congress should do everything possible to ensure this agreement is fully implemented. While the agreement is likely to have

Indian tech hub Hyderabad names road after Donald Trump, drawing criticism from Modi’s party

Donald Trump Avenue adjoins the US consulate and is near the offices of Microsoft, Google and Amazon.

Japan ruling parties submit Bill to Diet to create 2nd capital

It is meant to serve as a backup for Tokyo’s core functions in times of disasters or other emergencies.

‘Tainted by other men’: Dettol issues public apology after ‘sexist’ detergent ad sparks anger in China

The five-minute ad depicting a boyfriend who demanded a "clean" wife has triggered outrage, with critics saying the campaign's attempt to challenge sexism instead reinforced harmful stereotypes.

French woman allegedly held captive by husband for 12 years rescued in Pakistan

Yasmina alleges she was held along with her five children, and they were all cut off from the outside world.

Heatwave set to hit northern and central Vietnam, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40 deg C

Extended exposure to high temperatures may cause dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

One fought for the South, one for the North. Both are still living the Korean War

An armistice ended the fighting in the Korean War three years after it started, but the two sides have never signed a peace treaty.

UK, France, Germany raise alarm about Chinese activities off eastern Taiwan

TAIPEI, June 24 - Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm on Wednesday over recent Chinese activities off the east coast of Taiwan, where China has mounted coast guard patrols, saying they threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation.

Britain, France, Germany raise alarm about Chinese activities off eastern Taiwan

China sent coast guard ships into the waters off Taiwan’s east coast.

Fans or thieves? Webtoon piracy makes South Korean artists question global readers

While large-scale webtoon piracy in Korea has been reduced, overseas piracy remains a challenge.

Female succession still off the table as Japan plans overhaul of Imperial Law

Japan’s imperial family has dwindled to just 16 members.

H5 bird flu detected in second Australian state

Officials say the H5 strain continues to be a low risk to human health.

Thailand’s ‘Michael Jackson’ jailed over fatal drink-driving crash

A criminal court in Bangkok sentenced Manasawin Nantasento two years in prison.

The hidden amnesty in Indonesia’s cut-rate Patriot Bonds

Indonesia’s new sovereign investment vehicle, BPI Danantara, has officially launched the Patriot Bond, targeting an extraordinary 50 trillion rupiah (US$2.8 billion) in fundraising. The special debt instrument consists of two tranches worth 25 trillion rupiah each: Series A

China premier urges AI governance to avoid ‘losing control’

Fears are growing of AI-driven disruption to labour markets and the security risks it poses.

New Zealand’s National Party hits lowest poll level since 2021

The main opposition Labour Party fell 5 points to 32 per cent.

Philippines bans GoreBox after 3 killed in school shooting

Initial investigations showed one of the two students allegedly involved in the shooting was an avid player.

Security guard in South Korea finds gold in discarded rice cooker – and returns it

He reported the discovery to a local police substation, asking officers to help trace the owner.

China says it has a right to target people overseas with new ethnic unity law

It says this was in line with international practice, and was legal and necessary.

Malaysia police launch disciplinary probe into personnel involved in China viral video

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said the individual remains on active duty while investigations are ongoing. Local media reports have linked the case to a video involving social media influencer Nur Asyiqin Mohd Dalil.

China detains two Japanese nationals suspected of smuggling banned goods

The arrests could further strain relations between Asia’s top two economies.

Canada to send warships to Indo-Pacific, defence minister says

Canadian naval vessels will arrive in the Indo-Pacific region in August and November for exercises.

China’s bear hug won’t save Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing

When Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Myanmar coup-maker Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to Beijing on June 15 with full state-visit honors — Huawei phone gift included — the choreography was meant to read as consolidation. Five days later, when UN Special Envoy Julie

‘I don’t expect an apology’: Abe’s widow speaks up ahead of 4th anniversary of ex-Japan PM’s killing

Akie Abe said she still does not understand why her husband Shinzo Abe was killed.

Vietnam graft case lifts veil on To Lam’s security-state economy

When Vietnamese prosecutors indicted the leadership of Nam Trieu Company for allegedly inflating the prices of interrogation chairs and other specialized law-enforcement equipment, domestic media predictably focused on the headline figure of more than 18 billion dong

Bondi Beach attack hero denies assaulting father

The next court hearing is set for August 12.

Jokowi’s son Gibran’s outreach to student protesters puts focus on his role in government

Analysts say the Vice-President is using public engagement to build influence despite limited formal power.

Johor polls: Caretaker chief minister touts growth record, says voters want him to ‘continue this momentum’

Onn Hafiz Ghazi tells CNA he is focused on securing a Barisan Nasional victory in the Jul 11 polls, which he says should not be viewed as an indicator of the coalition’s support nationwide.

South Korea says North Korean soldier in custody after crossing border: Yonhap

More than 34,000 North Koreans have escaped the isolated country to the South.

Hanoi residents mount silent protest over home demolitions

The authorities in Vietnam’s capital have been on a demolition blitz as part of a 100-year master plan approved in May.

Geopolitics and AI in spotlight at China’s ‘Summer Davos’

Recent high-level engagement between the Chinese and US presidents is reason for optimism.

South Korea says North Korean soldier in custody after crossing border: Report

The North Korean soldier is believed to have defected, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

High risk of severe haze for rest of 2026 amid El Nino, biofuel demand and Indonesia budget cuts: Report

The report by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs identified August to September as the "peak danger" period for transboundary haze.

Taiwan says warning time for any China attack is shortening

Its defence minister says its military needs to test if it can respond immediately to a war breaking out

Australian shark attack survivor briefly emerges from coma

Australian scientists believe rising ocean temperatures are shifting sharks’ migratory patterns.