Luxury hotel remodelling historic former Nara prison opens

A one-night stay starts at S$1,180 per suite room and guests can also visit the Nara Prison Museum.

Beloved spiritual utopia under threat in Modi’s India

The Indian government is pushing to expand the city as a tourist destination.

EU’s Taliban talks crack the facade of a principled policy

The European Union’s decision to host a Taliban delegation in Brussels on June 23 marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between Europe and Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. While European officials stressed that the talks were technical and did not imply

Johor BN says it will not form a coalition government with other parties

Johor BN urged voters to judge them based on their work and performance and for the state’s future.

Last ISIS-linked Australian woman to return home, says its government

The unnamed woman is the last of more than 30 women and children to return to Australia.

Asian markets climb after strong results from US chipmaker Micron

Plastics shortages to keep food prices high after war disruptions

Disruptions to plastics supply have led to a sharp increase in packaging costs.

Australia teen social media ban has little impact: Research

Underage users dodge restrictions by using false accounts or logging into private browsers.

Negeri Sembilan ruler Muhriz to replace chieftains as tussle for crown escalates

UMNO has also withdrawn support for the Negeri Sembilan chief minister, claiming he interfered with royal affairs.

Australia’s spy chief warns of rising terror, cyberthreats

He cited anti-Semitic attacks, neo-Nazi threats and foreign cyberattacks as key security priorities.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies’ alarm over Chinese Coast Guard activities

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said that he was “truly thankful” for the statements.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies' alarm over Chinese Coast Guard activities

TAIPEI, June 25 - Taiwan expressed its thanks after the U.S., Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm about the Chinese Coast Guard and other activities off the island's east coast, with the government saying freedom of navigation was essential to global trade.

Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Japan's northeast, no tsunami warning

June 25 - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.

Chinese tourists flock to New Zealand under visa-waiver trial

90,111 electronic travel authorities had been issued to Chinese nationals as at May 31.

South Korea arrests Shincheonji church leader for meddling in politics, media report

SEOUL, June 25 - A South Korean court ordered the arrest of Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, over allegations he orchestrated an illegal scheme for followers to join a political party, news reports said.

South Korea arrests Shincheonji church leader Lee Man-hee for meddling in politics: Reports

The 95-year-old was accused of violating the Political Parties Act.

6.9-magnitude earthquake hits northern Japan, no tsunami warning

The quake occurred off the northern region of Iwate, with the depth of the epicentre at 50km.

This woman fought for her disappeared father - now she faces life in jail

The Nobel Peace Prize nominee has spent years demanding answers about the missing in Balochistan province.

Philippines bans video game played by alleged high school shooter

Gorebox is billed on Google Play as a game where "creativity meets unrestrained destruction".

Top Australian TV star to leave job after Tommy Robinson interview, reports say

Karl Stefanovic has helmed a popular breakfast TV show for the better part of two decades.

World court judges sue Trump administration over sanctions

WASHINGTON, June 24 - Three International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday sued U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration over sanctions imposed on them last year, arguing the measures were unlawful.

How contenders in the new space race stack up

When NASA administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled the crew of the Artemis III mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston earlier this month, he was ebullient. We wish you godspeed on the journey ahead. You carry the fire of exploration from generations past, the confidence of

China’s foreign minister urges swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz for global trade

Wang Yi made the remarks during a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Xinhua said.

China's foreign minister urges swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz for global trade, Xinhua reports

June 24 - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the early restoration of normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, state media Xinhua reported on Wednesday.

Turtle power: how China uses scientific research to try to bolster territorial claims

Analysts say an environmental survey in disputed waters is really meant to normalize Beijing’s presence there.

Lessons start with how Iran organized Melbourne synagogue attack

A former Australian resident living in Iraq directed the attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024, Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, has revealed. Burgess said Iran, which was behind the attack, recruited the man

Trump holds housing cost relief hostage to noncitizen voting act

US President Donald Trump derailed a housing overhaul that he was set to sign into law Wednesday, canceling a signing ceremony for the broadly popular bipartisan bill until Congress passes an election security measure. Trump had been scheduled to sign the bill, which passed the

Middle powers such as Australia can learn from Iran’s strategies

Iran has emerged undefeated after nearly four months of war against a nuclear-armed regional rival (Israel) and the world’s most powerful military (the United States). The regime is still in control of its population and territory. Though its economy is suffering, Iran’s

Free trade isn’t coming back and here’s why

There was a time not so many years ago when Washington believed in free trade and raced to sign free trade agreements. Exporting sectors like agriculture were among the beneficiaries. They’d love to go back to those days. Don’t hold your breath. Over the years, support for free

Russia assures Malaysia of long-term oil, gas, diesel supplies, says PM Anwar

He said securing energy supplies was part of efforts to safeguard the interests of future generations.

Malaysians feast as ‘durian tsunami’ sends prices tumbling

Malaysians feast as 'durian tsunami' sends prices tumbling

The price of Musang King durian dropped to as little as RM9 per kilogram.

South Korea’s Hyundai car workers vote to back strike action

Talks between workers and management have continued since May without yielding an agreement.

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.