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After arrests, Hong Kong issues warning to booksellers
The city’s security chief said officials would not compile a list of banned books.
Philippine Coast Guard condemns ‘racism’ in Chinese maritime dispute video
The minute-long video portrays the Philippines as a cartoon monkey.
Iran tells Houthis to close Red Sea gateway if US hits power network, sources say
DUBAI, July 16 - Iran has asked Yemen’s Houthi movement to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure, three sources told Reuters on Thursday, posing a potent new threat to global energy supplies.
Norwegian suspect in Thai child trafficking case dead, police say
A Thai police source said the man died of an underlying medical condition earlier in 2026, before the investigation began.
Singaporean arrested in Bali after woman found dead in rental unit
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the suspect, acting out of resentment, allegedly assaulted the victim by strangling her for about 15 minutes.
Deer population in Japan’s Nara Park hits record high amid overfeeding
The population increased by 222 from a year before when the previous record-high was logged.
Strong earthquake rattles New Zealand’s South Island; tsunami alert later lifted
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Strong earthquake rattles New Zealand's South Island, tsunami alert lifted
July 16 - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near the town of Te Anau in New Zealand's South Island, shaking buildings and prompting authorities to briefly issue a tsunami warning.
India Customs becomes second agency to fight Adani Group over nicotine pouches
Adani has argued that shops in the international departure area are outside the reach of domestic regulations.
US imposes new 25% tariffs on Brazil, expands exemptions list
July 15 - The U.S. has announced 25% duties on many imports from Brazil, while unveiling a broader-than-expected list of exemptions, reviving a trade war that could embroil dozens of countries around the world as the Trump administration reworks its tariffs policy, one of its
ASEAN envoy to engage all Myanmar stakeholders at Manila summit
Also on the table is the long-delayed code of conduct governing disputes over the South China Sea.
Diamonds hidden in shoes: Vietnam probe highlights India smuggling link
Investigators have detained 31 people in connection with the suspected smuggling ring.
Thailand considers suspending nearly 6,000 officials over exam scandal
Police found irregularities in the results of 5,814 civil servants who had taken the exams.
Papua New Guinea says it will shut Taiwan's rep office, winning praise from China
BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 16 - Papua New Guinea's foreign minister said on Thursday his government has decided to close Taiwan's representative office in the country immediately, winning praise from China, though the government in Taipei said the office would remain open.
What inflation? South Koreans continue to queue for ginseng chicken soup in peak summer
Many believe having the soup on the hottest days induces perspiration, cools the body and replenishes energy
Thailand mulls suspending nearly 6,000 officials over exam scandal
The scandal began in June, when investigators said they had concluded that officials accepted bribes of up to 800,000 baht (US$23,847) to electronically alter candidates' results to allow them to pass mandatory exams for government appointments or promotions.
Japan notifies local governments they may ‘ban’ private lodgings amid problems
The move marks a turnaround in the government’s stance.
Czech citizen detained in China faces espionage investigation
BEIJING/PRAGUE, July 16 - A Czech citizen detained in China since the end of June is being investigated on suspicion of offences endangering national security, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, as mutual espionage claims threaten to upend a recent diplomatic thaw
Japan PM’s government approval rating below 50% for first time
Top reasons for the disapproval included “cannot hope for much” and “poor policies”.
Phuket begins jet-ski crackdown to boost tourist safety; 23 offenders fined
Inspections will continue and be expanded to other key tourism areas.
Bali police arrest Singaporean for allegedly strangling girlfriend: Media reports
The man had allegedly buried her girlfriend's body in the room of a boarding house.
Bank of Korea picks a fight with US Fed’s AI inflation call
TOKYO — Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song ended a three-and-a-half-year rate freeze on Thursday, lifting the policy rate 25 basis points to 2.75% — the BOK’s first tightening move since January 2023. The timing makes this more than a routine adjustment. Shin appears to be
After KFC, cyberattack hits Japanese ice cream giant Glico
Major supermarket chains pastry firms and dining halls at eldercare centres were also impacted.
Iran warns Strait of Hormuz is a 'red line' and will resist until the end
DUBAI, July 16 - Iran said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz was an inviolable \"red line\", warning that if U.S. President Donald Trump carried out his threat to attack Iran's infrastructure, it would strike all infrastructure across the Gulf region.
What China’s sub-launched missile test really signaled
This article first appeared on Pacific Forum and is republished with permission. Read the original here. According to Chinese media reports, at 12:01 pm on July 6, a People’s Liberation Army Navy strategic nuclear-powered submarine successfully launched a submarine-launched
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi's approval rating below 50% for first time
Top reasons cited for disapproval included "cannot hope for much" and "poor policies".
China asks Thailand to deport Chinese journalist, rights groups warn of persecution
BEIJING, July 16 - China has asked Thailand to promptly extradite a Chinese journalist who rights groups say faces political persecution and torture back home because of his investigations into corruption in China.
Football with a side of dim sum: Hong Kong teahouse scores big with World Cup fans
Lin Heung Lau, one of Hong Kong’s oldest dim sum restaurants, has boosted its business by 20 per cent despite mounting challenges facing the city’s Chinese eateries.
Seed by seed: Women of Tampenau nursing Sabah’s rainforests back to recovery
In a small Sabah village, women are raising thousands of native saplings to restore one of the state's most degraded rainforests.
Asia’s development moment demands big bets, not safe ones
There is a version of development work that looks responsible but accomplishes very little. It moves cautiously, funds what is already proven and prioritizes institutional comfort over urgency. As a region of staggering diversity, rapid change and compounding crises, Asia
Negeri Sembilan polls: BN not contesting all 36 seats, as it eyes pact with ‘trusted friend’
Barisan Nasional (BN) will contest 25 seats, amid recent signals by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) that it would work with the coalition’s key party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in the Aug 1 polls.
Credit card outage hits convenience stores, other merchants across Japan
Major credit card companies are rushing to restore services.
Azerbaijan at 'real peace' with Armenia but wants it to change constitution
SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 16 - Azerbaijan and Armenia are at \"real peace\" and rebuilding trade links after decades of conflict, a senior Azerbaijani official told Reuters, but Baku is insisting on changes to Armenia's constitution before a final deal can be signed.
India bars seafarers from Strait of Hormuz voyages after attacks
The IMO has warned that the chokepoint remains too dangerous for commercial vessels at present.
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang courts Japanese suppliers with pork skewers
The CEO later emerged to hand red bean cakes to bystanders gathered outside an izakaya.
Uganda to discharge last Ebola patient, spokesperson says
KAMPALA, July 16 - Uganda is due to discharge its last Ebola patient on Thursday, triggering a 42-day countdown that could see the country declared free of the virus, a spokesperson for the government said.
As the yen sinks, Asia’s monetary anchor subtly shifts to yuan
In mid-June, Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa spent two days in Beijing and flew home with more than pleasantries. China’s finance ministry and the People’s Bank of China pledged to fast-track approval of Indonesia’s debut panda bond, a renminbi-denominated
South Korea top court upholds jail term for MP over church bribes
The ruling stripped Kweon Seong-dong of his parliamentary seat.
Actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, agent confirms
Neill died in Sydney on Monday, with his family saying his death was 'sudden and unexpected'.
Why Asia's new AI workers are emerging as a cybersecurity challenge
AI agents can be tasked to draft emails, write code and update documents, among other things. But the same autonomy that makes them valuable also creates vulnerabilities, warn cybersecurity experts.
Thai band mourns loss of 4 members as Bangkok bar fire death toll hits 33
"Please remember his smile on stage, playing music that he loves," said the sister of a keyboardist who died in the blaze.
'Like my lover': Chinese users bid farewell to AI companions
AI-powered companions must not "excessively cater to users, induce emotional dependence or addiction, and damage users' real interpersonal relationships", states China's new rulebook.
Indian activist urged to end hunger strike as he loses 9.1kg in 19 days
The environmental activist has been on a hunger strike for 19 days and has visibly weakened.
Seoul’s historical royal sites see 6.6% jump in foreign visitor numbers
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of four popular palaces, was the most visited site with 3.65 million visitors.
Why the US economy stays strong despite Trump’s shockwaves
The US economy is continuing to grow faster and generate more new jobs than Europe. Annual national income growth over the past five years has averaged 3.3% in the US against 2.6% in the EU. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU’s GDP was just 0.7% higher than a year before,