Suspected heatstroke kills three lions at Japan zoo

Bangladesh asks India to clarify stance on Hasina's planned New Delhi speech

DHAKA, Aug 4 - Bangladesh has asked India to clarify its stance on exiled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's planned virtual address from New Delhi, warning that allowing political activities by a fugitive could hurt improving bilateral relations.

Three lions die in zoo as Japan battles extreme heat

Autopsies show that the lions suffered from dehydration and multiple organ failure.

Kumamoto earthquake: 8,000 remain evacuated 1 week on as heat persists

Many parts of the prefecture logged highs of 35 deg C or higher on Aug 3, with some reaching 40 deg C.

Myanmar ex-junta chief Min Aung Hlaing set for first Thailand visit as civilian leader

Thailand has been leading an effort to normalise relations with Myanmar.

Malaysian ruling bloc party to review role in government on Aug 16

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 - A key party in Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government will decide on August 16 on whether its leaders should continue to serve in the administration, its chief said.

Japan casts military buildup as path to economic prosperity

TOKYO, Aug 4 - Japan's government is portraying its accelerating military buildup not only as a way to protect the country but as a route to greater prosperity, arguing in its latest defence white paper that arms production can support economic growth.

Antarctic cold snap sweeps New Zealand’s South Island, shuts roads and schools

Snow blanketed Dunedin, prompting the police to urge residents to avoid travel.

China seeks to prevent, mitigate impact of landslides and floods

BEIJING, Aug 4 - China is planning to strengthen its ability to prevent and mitigate the impact of landslides and floods as it seeks to better respond to climate change, state broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday.

‘Security for the future’: Inside Japan’s multi-trillion-yen push to strengthen its defence industry

Tokyo says such a future hinges on a robust domestic defence base capable of deterring the perceived threat from China, North Korea and Russia.

South Korea’s Lee urges authorities to step up support as heatwave kills 16

The South Korean president called on officials to protect the daily lives of people.

South Korea's Lee urges authorities to step up support as heatwave kills 16

SEOUL, Aug 4 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged on Tuesday authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heatwave in the country, saying the death toll had risen to 16 and warning that extreme weather was becoming more frequent.

China exit rules tightened to guard rare earth, battery secrets

China will tighten its exit-entry rules from September 15 to stop experienced engineers from leaking knowhow in industries subject to export controls and deter tourists from visiting “high-risk” nations such as Japan. The State Council’s new regulation, which spans 19 articles

Loke announces resignation as Negeri DAP chief, says right time for new leadership

Loke had previously served as Lobak assemblyman from 2004 to 2013 before moving to Chennah.

T-beauty explained: Why Thailand’s beauty brands are taking Southeast Asia by storm

Once a Bangkok shopping secret, Thai beauty has become one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing beauty exports. Here’s how products designed for tropical skin and humid climates are carving out an identity all their own.

Why keeping youth discontent in check remains Indian PM Modi's biggest challenge

India has the biggest youth population in the world but few are able to find good jobs despite rising education levels.

US-Japan yen intervention is also a tug of war

NEW YORK — A pointed question now hangs over global markets as the US Treasury links arms with Japan to confront yen bears: who actually holds the leverage — Washington or Tokyo? Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plainly wants his Japanese counterpart, Finance Minister Satsuki

North Korea says US-led cyber threat warnings are bid to smear its image

North Korean IT workers use false identities to obtain remote jobs, generate revenue for its nuclear programme.

First WTA title for Alex Eala and Philippines

The breakthrough title will propel Eala to a career-high world number 20 when the new WTA rankings are released.

Don’t believe Sam Altman, we’re not in the AI Singularity

“We are now, like, in the singularity.” These are the words of Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, speaking on the Relentless podcast on July 25. He added: “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, and I think it’s going to be incredible, hugely positive, awesome for the world.” Days

Japan ruling party leaves decision on sales tax cut proposal to policy chief

Fiscally conservative lawmakers are concerned about a funding shortfall for social security.

Beyond the Singularity: China owning the physical AI revolution

The global discourse on artificial intelligence is preoccupied with a dramatic possibility: The Singularity, the moment a disembodied artificial general intelligence awakens in a server farm, escapes human control and either elevates or destroys civilization. This is largely a

How India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement grew its wings

Young people across India recently made international headlines for mass protests over the recurring leaks of entrance exams that help students qualify for medical schools and highly coveted government jobs. The Gen Z protesters won a major victory within a matter of weeks when

The China positivity, US negativity illusion

For nearly two decades, one line in the global opinion charts held steady: the United States was better liked than China. That line has now crossed. Pew Research Center’s July 15 report, based on 42,151 interviews in 36 countries between February and May 2026, finds China

1MDB civil trial kicks off with Najib accused of using vast powers to enable US$5.6b fraud

Malaysian wealth fund's lawyer says the case is about ex-PM's "betrayal of public trust".

Thailand seizes illegal squishy toys over cancer-risk chemicals

The authorities said the products may be contaminated with metals, fragrances that do not meet safety standards.

Floods, whirlwinds leave three dead, one injured in northern Vietnam

Landslides and flooding affected 13 houses as the local authorities evacuated 30 households.

China’s MANPADS for Iran could cost US airpower dearly

Iran’s reported acquisition of Chinese shoulder-fired air-defense missiles could turn the war’s lower altitudes into a costly battlefield of attrition for US and Israeli airpower. Iran was set to receive its first shipment within weeks under a signed US$60-$70 million deal for

Politicians have long backed this Malaysian biker fest. Now its death toll is drawing scrutiny

Each RX-Z road death cost Malaysia RM3.12 million in economic losses, a minister said.

Japan, US confirm joint yen-buying intervention, signal more action

The rare joint intervention – the first since 2011 - aimed to prevent a selloff in the yen and Japanese government bonds from causing global spillovers.

Hong Kong jails prison guard over assault on inmate: Media

The victim required an operation after the assault.

China steps up protection for chip designs in revised regulations

The measures reflect the greater strategic importance Beijing is assigning to technology developed by Chinese companies.

Negeri Sembilan polls: As BN-PN rides Malay-Muslim support to win big, what's next for them and Malaysian politics?

Analysts say the supermajority win by Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional in Negeri Sembilan could prompt the two former rivals to deepen their partnership.

China cues start of secretive annual leadership retreat

China has not officially documented the top leaders’ meetings in the coastal town.

China cues start of leaders' secretive Beidaihe summer retreat

BEIJING, Aug 3 - China's Communist Party appeared to kick off its annual closed-door retreat in the seaside resort of Beidaihe, an informal gathering that perennially sparks rumours of power jostling among senior cadres and comes this year ahead of a major party conclave in

Bangladesh measles outbreak drives families into debt: Aid groups

Nine out of 10 families affected by measles were forced to borrow to cover medical expenses.

Japanese PM Takaichi visits quake-hit southern region as cleanup begins in intense heat

More than 46,000 households remain without water and thousands of people remain at crowded emergency shelters nearly a week after an earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture.

Jakarta governor, police urge calm after malls erect fences purportedly to guard against unrest

Governor Pramono Anung urged the public not to overreact, insisting the capital remains safe and dismissing speculation of imminent disorder.

Seoul issues first ‘severe heatwave warning’ under new advisory system

New national heat records were set on July 31, Aug 1 and Aug 2, with temperatures soaring up to 42.5 deg C.

Pilot arrested with drugs in Indonesia had cleared checks at KLIA: Malaysia border control agency

The pilot allegedly smuggled 26kg of the mind-altering drug MDMA into Jakarta while on the job.

Alibaba unveils its largest AI model yet, DeepSeek's latest model is ultra-low cost

The developments highlight the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence by Chinese tech firms as Alibaba and DeepSeek aim to gain traction among global developers.

China’s largest chipmaker CXMT plans second plant in Beijing, is in talks on funding, sources say

CXMT is seeking at least $11.4m in support from the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.

F1 race in Malaysia: Country eyes a rise in tourists, increased business for small traders

The Grand Prix will also provide a boost to the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

Three lions die of heatstroke at Tokyo zoo

Autopsies revealed that all three suffered from dehydration and multiple organ failure.

BN, PN to begin talks soon on electoral pact for Melaka polls, following Negeri Sembilan victory

Analysts tell CNA that an early election will be in the interest of the two coalitions, following their recent success in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls.

South Korea’s military counter-intelligence command reform takes shape but concerns remain

Aim is to improve oversight and prevent abuse of power but critics say coordination may be tough.

Malaysia’s jazz queen Sheila Majid awarded Datuk Seri title

She was among 52 recipients of Pahang state honours and medals at the investiture ceremony.