Commentary: Japan needs deterrence and renewal - not managed decline
More than eight decades after the end of the second world war, the country must rethink its role in the world, says this writer for the Financial Times.
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Rescuers search for survivors of powerful Indonesia earthquake
Officials say a rapid assessment into the impact of the earthquake that destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed 47 is under way.
Australian state to launch gun buyback after Bondi Beach attack
New South Wales, where the attack took place, will offer gun owners cash to give up their firearms.
Rumbling trucks, busy border crossing: How China feeds Vietnam’s factory boom
In the longer term, the ASEAN nation aspires to become more than an assembly hub.
Durian trade is a high-stakes hustle in Chinese border town
China imported a million tonnes of durian in the first half of 2026, up 51.6 per cent year on year.
Zhu Rongji left Asia a blueprint — and it still works
When Zhu Rongji died in Beijing on August 12 at the age of 97, Asia lost one of the finest public servants of its modern era. He was the premier who opened China to the world, the plain-spoken technocrat who took his country into the World Trade Organization in December 2001
Thailand beat Singapore 3-1 in first leg of ASEAN football championship semi-finals
Thailand extended its winning streak against Singapore to 11.
Worker dies after headscarf gets caught in water gate roller in Malaysia
The 56-year-old victim was found unconscious lying on top of the water gate.
Australia’s New South Wales to start gun buyback spurred by Bondi attack
The scheme will start on Nov 2, offering cash for eligible handguns, shotguns and rifles.
Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian quake death toll rises to 47
A second strong quake was recorded thousands of kilometres away on Sumatra island in the west of the archipelago, but there were no initial reports of damage or casualties there.
Family stranded at sea for 16 hours after jet ski capsized in Thailand
A father and his two young sons spent a night adrift before being rescued off the coast of the island of Koh Samui.
South Korea proposes talks to officially end war with North
Lee Jae Myung offers chance to end the conflict, which has been frozen since an armistice in 1953.
Moment family rescued after 16 hours floating on jet ski off Thailand
A 50-year-old father and his two sons were found floating off Koh Samui island, a local official told AFP on Saturday.
Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
KABUL/ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 - The Taliban marked five years in power on Saturday, seeking to portray their government as in control even as aid and rights groups warned of escalating crises.
Malaysia PM Anwar vows faster reforms after electoral defeats
He acknowledged shortcomings by his administration that led to frustration among Malaysians.
Powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake kills at least 47 in Indonesia
A search and rescue operation is under way to find survivors in Flores, an island in eastern Indonesia.
Xi calls for improving disaster prevention as floods, landslides batter China
Xi urged a shift towards pre-disaster prevention, stronger monitoring and early-warning system.
Mastercard payments being declined in Australia, bank says
There were more than 1,900 reports on Downdetector by 3.27pm in Sydney.
South Korean AI chip tycoon appeals record divorce asset ruling
The court had ordered SK Group chairman to pay US$666 million (S$852.21 million) to his former wife.
Malaysia’s Subang Airport runway reopens following helicopter fire
The Kamov Ka-32S helicopter had been undergoing an engine ground run as part of maintenance activities.
Myanmar says over 300,000 Rohingya refugees verified for repatriation as exodus enters ninth year
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have been living in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar in 2017 following a military crackdown.
At PKR congress, Anwar vows wider graft crackdown and cites king’s backing
On the back of three consecutive dismal state election results, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim maintains that he will continue to do the “right thing” even at the expense of political cost.
Modi maps India’s growth push as he reaches out to students
The speech comes weeks after widespread student protests over exam irregularities put Modi’s government on the back foot.
French family rescued after 16 hours adrift off Thai island
The family's jet ski had capsized off Thailand’s Koh Samui island.
Funeral held for Australian indigenous girl whose death sparked outback riots
A 47-year-old man has been charged with the girl’s murder and two other offences.
Funeral held for Australian Indigenous girl whose death sparked outback riots
SYDNEY, Aug 15 - Mourners gathered in Australia's Northern Territory capital Alice Springs on Saturday to bid farewell to a five-year-old Indigenous girl whose death in April shocked the nation and sparked violent clashes in the outback town.
India PM Modi woos youth with free coaching, AI training
Speaking weeks after massive youth-led protests forced the education minister to resign, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the initiative was aimed at easing the financial burden on millions of families.
South Korea president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War
"Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Saturday (Aug 15).
7 killed in tunnel collapse at Indian hydropower project
A rescue operation was launched after a sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in India's Uttarakhand state.
Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead
TOKYO, Aug 15 - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited a shrine to the nation's war dead on Saturday, prompting rebukes from China and South Korea, which consider it a symbol of Tokyo's wartime aggression.
Japan defence minister visits Yasukuni war shrine, PM Takaichi stays away
There had been speculation that Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor before becoming Japan's prime minister in October 2025, might visit the shrine like then-premier Shinzo Abe had done in 2013.
South Korean President proposes talks with North Korea to formally end Korean War
The two Koreas remain technically at war because their 1950-1953 conflict ended with an armistice.
South Korea's Lee urges talks with North Korea to replace armistice with peace
SEOUL, Aug 15 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on Saturday for talks with North Korea to pursue peaceful coexistence, saying Seoul would seek safeguards to prevent conflict and noting the need to replace the peninsula's armistice with a \"peace regime\".
Chinese drone maker DJI gets fresh chance to escape Pentagon's blacklist
DJI is one of a growing number of Chinese companies challenging their placement on the Pentagon's list, which bars the US Defense Department from contracting with the designated firms.
Taiwan passes annual budget after long delay, including drone spending
TAIPEI, Aug 15 - Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament approved this year's government budget late on Friday after a record delay, including spending on a key drone programme to bolster the island's defences, as the president called for a return to reason.
US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China
"Signature of the Pax Silica Declaration is not merely a membership subscription, but a commitment," the draft letter says, referring to the United States-led AI coalition launched last year.
Japan PM Takaichi sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine on World War II anniversary
The shrine is viewed as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism by China and South Korea.
Air India pilot's reported cannabis test: What it can and can't tell investigators
A reported cannabis-positive test involving an Air India pilot raises questions about what such a result can actually tell investigators.
Trump vows to declare Strait of Hormuz a US territory
In yet another remark that triggered alarm around the world, President Donald Trump said Friday that he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz – which Iran has blockaded for much of the past five months over his and Israel’s illegal war – a US territory. Just two days after
Powerful earthquake strikes off coast of Indonesia, tsunami warning issued
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning in Indonesia and prompted hundreds to evacuate.
Powerful earthquake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake off Flores island in eastern Indonesia triggered a tsunami warning - later lifted - and prompted hundreds to evacuate.
Indonesia rescuers search for survivors as earthquake death toll rises to 38
Victims are trapped in several buildings following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake off Flores island, with two helicopters and a plane being readied to assist in rescue operations, says a disaster official.
How is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries?
In one of the world's fastest aging countries, older people are finding creative ways to stay healthy.
Indonesia rescuers search for survivors as quake death toll rises to 47
A second strong quake was recorded thousands of kilometres away on Sumatra island.