Founder of Asian super-app Gojek sentenced to years in jail for corruption

The case against Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim relates to a laptop deal made during his term as Indonesia's education minister.

Malaysian police launch murder probe after body found in suitcase in Selangor

The police said the victim died from slash wounds to the head.

Asian stocks unable to track Wall St higher, yen holds at 40-year low

Trump’s Fulbright cuts mark end of a soft power era

America’s biggest educational exchange program is on its last legs. President Donald Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget recently proposed to cut the Fulbright Program by nearly 80%. The cut comes during the 80th year of the program, which was founded at the behest of its namesake,

Turkey says NATO adjusting to security landscape, US not withdrawing

ANKARA, June 30 - NATO is adjusting to a shifting security landscape and the United States is not seeking to leave the alliance, Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler told Reuters ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara next week.

China's Meituan says new AI model trained on domestic chips

Meituan says the performance of its new large language model, LongCat-2.0, is comparable to Google's Gemini 3.1 Pro, which was released in February.

Taiwan raids tech firms in China AI chip smuggling probe

The case has renewed calls to make exports of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China a criminal offence under Taiwanese law.

Philippines sets record pay hike for Manila workers on inflation

Over 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Manila will receive pay hike of 85 pesos (S$1.79) a day.

Indonesia's former minister and Gojek founder gets 10-year jail for corruption

Former education minister Nadiem Makarim guilty of corruption tied to the procurement of Chromebooks for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in around US$120 million in state losses.

Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim jailed 10 years over Indonesia school laptop corruption case

Judges cited a “reprehensible motive” that is “contrary to the oath of office of a minister”.

Thai opposition leader faces ethics trial over royal insult reform

Thailand’s lese-majeste law shields the king and his family from criticism.

Myanmar jade mine landslide kills five; 15 missing

Local media reported that the collapse occurred after days of heavy rain.

India’s much-delayed bullet-train line to partially open in 2027, say officials

The first section of the bullet train is expected to run in 2027 between the cities of Surat and Vapi.

Coffee shop owner in South Korea loses franchise after accusing worker of stealing 3 drinks

The worker had also been subjected to workplace bullying and unpaid wages.

Thai opposition leader goes on trial over royal insult law

The trial marks the latest legal challenge against politicians from the dissolved Move Forward Party, which campaigned to reform the law pertaining to the monarchy.

New Malaysian passport rollout begins in July through 14 passport offices nationwide

The new passport with 94 security elements allows Malaysians aged 18 and above to choose between a five-year or 10-year validity period.

Merz floats Plaza Accord redux to tame China’s trade practices

Trade tensions between the EU and China are deepening. On June 16, the EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, said the bloc’s unbalanced trade relationship with China “had reached a point that requires a reset.” The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, then criticized Beijing days

China’s currency stance could cost it lost decades

China may be facing a confusing short circuit in its economic and political calculations that could seriously harm the nation over the next few years. A huge and growing trade surplus seems to be the main obstacle driving China toward friction and conflict with much of the

China bets on AI for smarter, more resilient supply chains

At the recent China International Supply Chain Expo, companies showcased how artificial intelligence is helping manufacturers and logistics firms adapt to geopolitical uncertainty and changing global trade.

Indonesia scales back military training for staff in President’s cooperative project after deaths

Five participants died in the first two weeks of the 45-day training programme.

Indonesia scales back military training for staff in President's cooperative project after deaths

JAKARTA, June 30 - Indonesia has scaled back its basic military training for prospective managers of President Prabowo Subianto's village cooperative programme, a defence ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, after five participants died in the first two weeks of the 45-day

Several injured in fire at Haldia Petrochemicals' plant in eastern India, company says

NEW DELHI, June 30 - A fire at India's Haldia Petrochemicals plant has injured several people, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Pope Leo: human dignity in the AI age

This is the first part of a series. Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical offers theological and humanistic insights into the potential and risks of artificial intelligence for human dignity. It is also a declaration of the “dream of a new modernity,” in which the Catholic Church,

China conducts patrols around Scarborough Shoal in disputed South China Sea

China Coast Guard (CCG) said it has enhanced patrols in June and regulated ships engaged in “illegal rights-violation activities”.

New Caledonia loyalists emerge largest bloc after election, lack majority

WELLINGTON, June 30 - New Caledonia's non-independence coalition emerged as the largest bloc in the legislature after the French Pacific territory's provincial elections, but fell short of an outright majority, leaving a small centrist Pacific party in the role of kingmaker,

Keep out of China’s clutches, Taiwan's president tells military cadets

A soldier’s honour stems from loyalty, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said.

Keep out of China's clutches, Taiwan's president tells military cadets

TAIPEI, June 30 - Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned military cadets on Tuesday not to succumb to China's spying activities and to defend freedom and democracy, speaking at a Cold War-era college originally set up to teach against the perils of communism.

India's biggest share sales tell the story of a country glued to its phones

NSE and Jio Platforms embody the sweeping changes in how India has consumed, invested and transacted over the past decade.

Thousands from Philippine sect protest against pro-Duterte senator’s graft case

The INC has historically been a powerful voting bloc with ties to the Duterte political dynasty.

Japan says ready to act as yen hits 40-year low

The yen sank past 161.96 per dollar for the first time since 1986 in London trade on Monday.

Malaysia’s Federal Court postpones key decision in former minister Syed Saddiq’s appeal due to judge’s illness

The court postponed the proceedings to July 13.

Penang durian prices are still high

Durian there are sold from up to RM68 (S$21.62) per kg as enthusiasts pay for rarity and quality.

Thai Airways employee arrested in Australia after heroin found in bags

The heroin, found hidden in the lining of the bags, had an estimated street value of $444,000.

Thousands from Philippine sect protest pro-Duterte senator's graft case

Government prosecutors plan to charge Senator Rodante Marcoleta over undeclared campaign funds worth 75 million pesos (US$1.2 million).

EY staff accused of accessing Australia PM’s bank account

The two junior hires were later fired by EY.

North Korea’s sanctioned coal trade rebounds as UN monitoring lapses, rights group says

It said the coal trade is run almost entirely by companies tied to the North Korean Ministry of National Defence.

Chinese tycoon sentenced to 30 years in US jail

Guo Wengui branded himself as a China critic, gaining followers who backed his fraudulent schemes.

Self-exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui gets 30 years in US prison for fraud conviction

The judge also ordered Chinese business tycoon Guo Wengui to forfeit US$889 million in restitution.

Commentary: Will US-Iran talks bring about new trade routes for India and China?

For Asia, the US-Iran memorandum of understanding reopens the possibility of new routes, supplies and strategic options, says geoeconomics researcher Hao Nan.

Indonesia sentences Gojek founder to 10 years in prison in controversial graft case

JAKARTA, June 30 - An Indonesian court on Tuesday ruled that Nadiem Makarim, co-founder of tech firm Gojek and a former education minister, was guilty of some charges in a corruption case and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

India’s New Delhi to ban new gas-powered scooters, trucks to fight pollution

ndia’s capital will issue license plates only to electric small trucks and three-wheeler passenger carriers from Jan 1, 2027.

Son apologises to fans after South Korea's early World Cup exit; coach Hong jeered on return home

Fans booed and chanted "Hong out!" as coach Hong Myung-bo made his way out of the airport, but applauded the players who followed behind him.

How a Bangkok fashion label went from self-taught knitting to an IU music video and an LVMH Prize nod

Nong Rak’s founders first taught themselves to knit during the pandemic. Since then, their brand has collaborated with a Marc Jacobs sub-label and featured in K-pop star IU’s music video.

Australia sues Amazon unit over alleged breach via Prime Video ads

Amazon Australia allegedly made negative changes for over 1 million annual subscribers.

Why $20 durians are now being sold at half price - or given away for free

As Malaysian durians are being sold at throwaway prices, farmers worry about their livelihoods.

Nvidia flew to Beijing with Trump to sell but China said no

A month ago, the CEO of the world’s most valuable company boarded Air Force One in Alaska as a last-minute addition to President Trump’s Beijing delegation. Jensen Huang came to sell Nvidia’s H200 chips, just cleared for export by Washington. But Beijing said no. It’s pushing

Commentary: Can America avoid a 'Jack Ma moment'?

The US government is skating close to its own Jack Ma moment, when a government wounds a tech leader seemingly out of spite, say these New York Times writers.

NATO exists to guard against Russia, not to appease Donald Trump

What is the point of NATO? The defense ministers’ summit on June 18 and the visit by the NATO Secretary General to Washington last week in advance of the leaders’ summit due to take place on July 7-8 in Turkey have made it seem as if the military alliance’s main purpose is the

At least 28 killed in Pakistan air operations on Afghanistan, UN says

The United Nations Afghan Mission said Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan killed at least 28 civilians and injured 49.