Quarantine facilities on standby as Nepal battles rising cases of bird flu

No human infections have been reported, officials said.

The logical case for admitting Bangladesh into ASEAN

For decades, Bangladesh’s foreign policy operated on a predictable, singular axis. Under the sixteen-year tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dhaka’s strategic and economic relations were deeply tethered to New Delhi. A flurry of bilateral agreements spanning digital

Communist Party of China marks 105 years with greater stress on ideology and loyalty

A years-long anti-graft drive has intensified as the Communist Party seeks to instil greater discipline among members.

Pakistan community holds funerals for 14 children killed in roof collapse

Residents said they had suspicions that the building housing the tutoring centre was rundown.

CPEC gave Balochistan roads and power. CPEC 2.0 must deliver jobs

In 2015, Balochistan had power outages lasting 16 to 18 hours daily, according to provincial records at the time, roads that petered out into gravel tracks, and a port at Gwadar that saw fewer than 20 ships dock in an entire year. A decade of investment under the China-Pakistan

Hanoi tanker driver jailed 20 years for dragging teenage girl to her death

The offender said he feared a compensation claim would be made against him if the girl survived.

Philippine school shooting shines light on global online extremist network targeting children

Experts say the recent shooting reveals how online predators groom Filipino children into violence.

Chinese firm sells hyper-real, ‘always loyal’ humanoid robots

The company has already had more than 13,300 pre-orders, with deliveries due to start in September.

China ethnic unity law comes into force despite overseas criticism

The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress aims to forge a “shared” national identity among ethnic groups.

Johor resident who works in Singapore starts grassroots squad to tackle rubbish problem

He rallied fellow Malaysians and began cleaning up neglected areas in Johor.

New China-EU trade mechanism puts talks over tariffs

The official launch of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism represents one of the most significant developments in China-Europe economic relations in recent years, underscoring a shared determination to manage an increasingly complex commercial relationship

US and Iran enter technical talks to secure peace deal, restart shipping

DOHA/DUBAI, July 1 - The U.S. and Iran held technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.

Heroin found in two of 12 bags linked to Thai airline crew member in Aussie arrest, say officials

Efforts under way to trace real courier, mastermind behind suspected drug ring.

Boy, 10, found dead in waterfall after going missing from school in Japan

The 10-year-old went missing on the morning of June 30 after he left his classroom to go to the restroom.

Bank of Japan’s monetary monster is finally turning on its maker

TOKYO – As the yen staggers back to 1986 levels at around 162 to the dollar, the financial Frankenstein Japan began stitching together that same year is returning to upend the economy in 2026. The timing couldn’t be worse: traders are now asking whether 170 or even 200 is next.

Local councils in Selangor to hold off on summonses after cyberattack on parking app

The breach disabled digital parking payments for hundreds of thousands of motorists in Malaysia.

No more warnings for litterbugs in Penang

July 1 marked the start of full enforcement after a six-month grace period.

Kazakhstan to hold snap parliamentary election on August 23

ALMATY, July 1 - Kazakhstan will hold a snap parliamentary election on August 23, according to a decree signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday as a new constitution took effect in the Central Asian state.

Tourists to South Korea can book express bus tickets using foreign-issued cards from August

Bus ticketing is one of the main inconveniences faced by foreign tourists in South Korea.

Lawmakers press Malaysia govt to disclose findings from probe into ex-graft chief Azam Baki

Two investigations have been carried out but none of the findings have yet been made public.

Musk remaking the world like Ford – but far more dangerously

Elon Musk, briefly the world’s first trillionaire – but now a mere billionaire again – is a man of exceptions. He’s built not one, but two of the world’s most pioneering technology companies (Tesla and SpaceX). He was talking about settling humans on Mars with a straight face

China imposes 'national security' rules on overseas investments

The new rules, originally announced on Jun 1, provide authorities with a sweeping legal framework to influence flows of capital and personnel across China's borders.

Crow in South Korea believed to be main culprit in downed power line accident that left 1 injured

A man in his 70s was severely injured after the high-voltage line snapped and fell onto his vehicle.

China imposes ‘national security’ rules on overseas investments

Under the new rules, existing curbs on cross-border transfers will extend to the export of services.

Myanmar set to restart contentious $4.6 billion dam project backed by China

China has long sought to build the hydropower project in the northernmost province of Myanmar.

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

Delays raise questions about trust and coordination between Moscow and Pyongyang.

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 the 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.

Myanmar resistance’s SCEF isn’t just another empty acronym

Three months after Myanmar’s civilian opposition and ethnic revolutionary organizations unveiled the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union — SCEF — the body is being sized up in the international press as the war for narrative legitimacy heats up

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 casts spotlight on China’s low-altitude flights, exposes 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, says Taipei

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.