South Korea Michelin starred restaurant owner faces jail for ant sorbet

Under South Korean law, only 10 insect species are approved for human consumption.

Extreme rainfall threatens north as China enters peak flood season

HONG KONG, July 22 - China has entered its peak flood control period, weather experts said, with extreme rainfall set to increase in frequency and intensity from late July to early August, with much of northern China set to experience 20% to 50% more rainfall than usual.

Japan temperatures soar over 40C, marking first 'cruelly hot day'

The term was introduced in April by the weather agency to describe days when temperatures reach 40C.

India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show

A January DGCA document summarised concerns over the regulator’s handling of conflicts of interest.

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing to meet Thai PM on Aug 6-7 in Bangkok

Thailand has been leading a push for Myanmar’s reintegration.

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to visit Thailand on August 6-7

July 22 - Myanmar junta chief turned president Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit to Thailand on August 6-7, the Thai foreign minister told AFP on Wednesday, marking the latest attempt by the war-torn country's new administration to gain international legitimacy.

South Korea’s far right is on the rise – with MAGA’s backing

South Korea is often regarded as an example of a young and vibrant democracy. Merely two years ago, mass protests thwarted a self-coup attempted by the sitting far right President Yoon Suk-yeol. However, due to an array of social factors, the support of wealthy donors like

Heavy rains wreak havoc in parts of India, 26 dead in Assam

GUWAHATI, India, July 22 - At least 26 people have died this week in India's northeastern state of Assam due to flooding after incessant rain, authorities said, with more thunderstorms and strong winds expected to hit several parts of the country's north and east on Wednesday.

Tremors felt in west coast of peninsula after quake strikes north Sumatra

The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 55km south-west of Langsa, Indonesia at a depth of 10km.

Australia protests China’s ‘destabilising’ missile test

In early July, a Chinese submarine fired a dummy-warhead ballistic missile that reached far into the Pacific Ocean.

Bangkok bar fire: Death toll rises to 35, medical centre says

Twenty-one people were still in hospital, with 12 still in critical condition.

Tremors felt in west coast of Malaysia after quake strikes north Sumatra

The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 55km south-west of Langsa, Indonesia at a depth of 10km.

Blast in a tunnel at Indian hydropower project leaves 12 dead and 13 missing

Poland, Hungary's foreign worker curbs create headache for business

KISVARDA, Hungary/GDANSK, Poland, July 22 - Facing a choice between upsetting businesses and a public opinion backlash, the Polish and Hungarian ruling centrists are opting for curbs on foreign labour — something economists warn may hurt the two countries' growth prospects.

Australia protests China's 'destabilising' missile test

Bangkok pub fire death toll rises to 35, medical centre says

BANGKOK, July 22 - The death toll from a July 13 fire at a pub in the Thai capital Bangkok rose to 35 on Wednesday, the city's emergency services said.

Ukraine again hits warehouses of Russia's top online retailer Wildberries, Russia says

MOSCOW, July 22 - Another attack on the warehouses of Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, has injured several people, said the head and co-founder of the company on Wednesday.

Tunnel collapse in India kills 12 workers

Rescue operation is ongoing but hazardous conditions have hampered efforts to reach those still inside.

Chief of Indonesia’s troubled free meals agency resigns on health grounds

Nanik’s predecessor was sacked by Prabowo in June and arrested on corruption charges.

From laundry rooms to convenience stores: Humanoids at China's World AI Conference

Larger than before, this year’s annual exhibition showcased China’s AI ambitions, and firms demonstrated how their robots are closer to being used in everyday life.

New head of Indonesia’s free meals programme quits after 45 days citing health reasons, as budget cuts loom

Nanik Sudaryati Deyang on Wednesday (Jul 22) said that she has a heart condition and that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has approved her resignation as head of the  National Nutrition Agency.

India opposition leader Rahul Gandhi released after protest detention

Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.

Actor Rebel Wilson did not defame colleague in social media posts, Australian court finds

SYDNEY, July 22 - Australian actor Rebel Wilson was on Wednesday found not liable by a Sydney court of defaming Charlotte MacInnes, the lead actor in Wilson's directorial debut \"The Deb\", over allegations linked to a series of social media posts made by Wilson.

Rights group urges Vietnam to release five arrested over Ho Chi Minh book

HANOI, July 22 - Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called on Vietnam to release a former business executive and four other people over their roles in the publication and promotion of a book about Ho Chi Minh that allegedly contained anti-state content.

Network School premises in Johor’s Forest City closed, signboards taken down or covered

Allegations emerged a week ago that Israeli nationals had participated in the programme.

How Australia resisted PRC economic coercion: lessons for others

The People’s Republic of China has used its statecraft to weaponize its trade with other countries on several occasions in recent years. Such behavior usually arises when the PRC interprets another country’s actions as hostile to its political interests and resorts to

Michelin-starred restaurateur faces jail for using ants as dessert garnish

Officials say the restaurant in South Korea used some 49,000 ants in various dishes over four years.

Rubio says US still willing to negotiate over Iran crisis

But Iran is not serious about talks, he says in a meeting of South-east Asian foreign ministers.

Allowing Iran control of Hormuz 'dangerous precedent', Rubio tells ASEAN

“There is a fundamental principle about freedom of navigation that is threatened,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told envoys at a Manila gathering of ASEAN.

Under soaring pressure, India’s education minister promises reforms and debate

It is the latest sign that the government was beginning to respond to growing protests.

Under soaring pressure, India's education minister promises reforms and debate

NEW DELHI, July 22 - India's education minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration was committed to addressing the concerns of protesting youth and exam reforms, in the latest sign that the government was beginning to respond to growing protests.

Tech lifts Asia stocks, Brent crude back above US$92

Brent crude rose as President Donald Trump said the United States was "not finished" attacking Iran.

Ex-Australia batter David Warner pleads guilty to drink driving

Star cricketer was charged after failing a random breath test in Sydney earlier this year.

Hacker group Ransomhouse claims cyberattack that disrupted KFC and other businesses

The cyberattack caused a system failure that disrupted the delivery of frozen food to restaurants.

Japan sizzles in first ‘brutally hot’ days of the year

Even before this week’s extreme heat, 4,580 people were taken to hospital between July 6 and 12.

Why the Americans are unlikely to outpace Chinese innovations

When management pundits in the Harvard Business Review first asked whether China could innovate, most saw a nation condemned to mere imitation of the West. From “China Is Not About to Out-Innovate the US” (2010) to “Why China Can’t Innovate” (2014), Western commentators framed

China’s Newborn Town targets global viewers with AI-made short dramas

Advertising spending on AI short dramas is already on par with traditional live-action shows.

China at risk of increased youth joblessness as labour distress spreads

One economist expects youth unemployment to approach 20 per cent in the next two months.

A federal court victory for free speech in and about America

Petty and vindictive. Such was the ban on travel to the United States handed out by the State Department on December 23 last year to five Europeans, one of whom was Clare Melford, chief executive of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), a non-profit whose board I chair. The

South Korea launches first dating reality show with AI partners

According to SBS, the series aims to investigate whether humans can fall in love with AI.

Australia, Laos top diplomats discuss tainted alcohol deaths

The pace of the investigation has long been a source of contention between both countries.

Tokyo urges men to wear shorts to work, but some women say it's 'leg hair harassment'

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government wants workers to ditch the suit and tie for t-shirts, trainers - and shorts.

US and Solomon Islands discuss deepening ties, return of Peace Corps

WASHINGTON, July 21 - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale to discuss deepening ties and signed a letter of intent to return the Peace Corps to the islands after more than 25 years, the State Department said on

Will the Negeri Sembilan state polls be Bersatu’s toughest test yet?

After breaking with PAS, Bersatu must prove it can remain politically relevant on its own.

New bridge between North Korea and China could open soon – 12 years after completion

Satellite imagery shows significant progress on the bridge that experts say will transform Sino-North Korean trade.

Rubio meets China's Wang as US, China prepare for possible Xi visit

MANILA, July 21 - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week ahead of a possible summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, even as Trump said the U.S. would raise concerns with China over alleged election

India student protests give opposition a rare opening against Modi

NEW DELHI, July 21 - When pent-up youth anger propelled India's Cockroach Janta Party to online fame in May, its founder said his supporters were disillusioned with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and the opposition for failing to address their concerns.

Marco Rubio to meet Chinese FM Wang Yi on ASEAN sidelines, says US State Dept

Marco Rubio and Wang Yi will meet on July 22.

'Interaction' with Iran's injured Supreme Leader increasing daily, president says

DUBAI, July 21 - The level of \"interaction\" with Iran's Supreme Leader is increasing day by day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a video clip published on state media on Tuesday.