Malaysian govt confident of exceeding Johor-S’pore SEZ target of 20,000 jobs within five years

The operational blueprint for JS-SEZ has reportedly been completed and approved by the Malaysian Cabinet.

Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Spotlights Its Powerful Female Ensemble in ‘Ladies & Ladies’ Video (EXCLUSIVE)

Yash’s “Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups” has released “Ladies & Ladies,” a promotional video centered on the film’s formidable female cast and their complex, commanding characters within the dark universe of Geethu Mohandas’ forthcoming action drama. The video opens with a

Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say

July 1 - China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters.

Vietnam unveils 'baby bonus' after scrapping two-child policy

Race for Congo: Equity, Britam and Jubilee chase DRC’s $5bn insurance market

Driven by a mining boom and massive population, Kenya’s top financial institutions are deploying diverse strategies to capture the DRC’s rapidly growing, newly liberalised $5bn insurance market.

NoMad Hotels to debut in Singapore complete with craft soft-serve sundae-slash-cocktail bar

The 173-key property on Orchard Road will open in late 2026, bringing with it three restaurant and bar concepts plus a poolside lounge.

Taiwan ships should ignore boarding requests by China coast guard, Taipei says

TAIPEI, July 1 - Taiwanese ships off the island's east coast should ignore any boarding and inspection demands by China's Coast Guard, and if necessary Taiwanese Coast Guard vessels will intervene to stop this from happening, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Europe Today: EPP boss Weber speaks exclusively to Euronews as von der Leyen visits Baku

Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party, speaks exclusively to Euronews as European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen visits Azerbaijan to build on EU influence in a region traditionally in Russia's orbit.

Vietnam unveils ‘baby bonus’ after scrapping two-child policy

Parents can enjoy financial help and longer maternity leave.

Motorist hurt after car hits elephant calf in Malaysia and plunges into ravine

The 31-year-old victim was trapped inside the car and extricated by firemen.

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing to visit Laos in first ASEAN member state visit

The dates of the visit were not specified.

EU slaps €3 duty fee on SHEIN, Temu and AliExpress imports

A new €3 customs duty takes effect across the EU on 1 July, ending years of tax-free shopping from platforms like SHEIN, Temu and AliExpress and signalling the end for ultra-cheap online hauls. Watch the video.

Analysis-NATO allies have grown silent on rights concerns in Turkey

By Jonathan Spicer ANKARA, July 1 (Reuters) - Five years ago, the West risked a full-blown diplomatic crisis with NATO ally Turkey when 10 ambassadors called for the release of a man they saw as a political prisoner, prompting an angry President Tayyip Erdogan to order their

Can China target critics abroad with its new 'ethnic unity' law?

Rights groups fear the new law gives Beijing legal authority to go after people beyond its borders.

International Joke Day: What is the funniest joke in the world (courtesy of Monty Python)?

In 1969, the world was introduced to a joke so good, so funny, so ruthlessly powerful that anyone who read or heard it would die from laughter...

Drone captures rivers of lava flowing down Mount Etna

Mount Etna in Sicily erupts, sending bright orange lava down the volcano's slopes as drone footage and ground images capture the spectacular flow.

Ukrainian volunteers in Poland support front despite growing war fatigue

A December survey by CBOS, an independent Polish research centre, found that 48% of Poles support accepting Ukrainian refugees, the lowest level since the start of the war.

Afghanistan says airstrikes launched on Pakistan; Islamabad says drones shot down

KABUL/QUETTA, Pakistan, July 1 - Afghanistan's Taliban said they launched airstrikes into Pakistani territory, while Islamabad said its forces had intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones in the southern resource-rich province of Balochistan.

Commission approves new geographical indication from Slovakia

The European Commission has approved the registration of ‘Brhlovské podlievané buchty' from Slovakia as a Protected Geographical Indication. ‘Brhlovské podlievané buchty' are baked leavened buns filled with sweetened poppy seeds or plum jam, originating from the village of

Ayushmann Khurrana to Star in ‘Mupapa,’ First Theatrical Collaboration Between India’s Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)

Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa Pictures are joining forces for their first theatrical collaboration, “Mupapa,” starring Ayushmann Khurrana, with a release date of Feb. 19, 2027. The film, described by the outfits as “genre-bending,” is produced by YRF CEO Akshaye Widhani, whose

Neil the seal wreaks beautiful havoc in southern Tasmania – video

Bollards, cones, fences and LandCruisers stand little chance against a 1,000kg giant known as 'Neil the seal'. The five-and-a-half-year-old elephant seal is already a local legend and has once again taken up residence in towns in southern Tasmania. He's bypassing barricades,

Mount Fuji climbing season opens with 2 trails, new fee kiosks ease crowds

Climbers are encouraged to preregister online and complete entrance fee payments in advance.

Africa: Joint Statement By the Committee On the Rights of the Child and Unicef On the Plight of Migrant Children in South Africa

[Unicef] Geneva/Nairobi -- The Committee on the Rights of the Child and UNICEF express their deep concern regarding the plight of migrant children in South Africa and the challenges they face while moving across the African continent.

Africa: Xenophobia - FG Seeks Compensation From South Africa Over Properties Nigerians Leave Behind

[Vanguard] The Federal Government has begun moves to seek compensation from the South African government for businesses and properties abandoned by Nigerians returning home amid renewed anti-immigrant tensions in the country.

Africa: CAF Rejects Plan to Expand Africa Cup of Nations From 24 to 28 Countries

[Vanguard] A proposal to expand the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON from 24 to 28 teams has been rejected, the Guardian UK has learned.

Africa: FG to Engage South Africa Over Compensation for Returning Nigerians

[Vanguard] The Federal Government has said it will engage the South African government to seek compensation for Nigerians who were forced to abandon businesses and other valuable properties as they return home following renewed anti immigrant tensions in the country.

Africa: Thousands of Zimbabweans On Way Back From South Africa As Government Sends Buses to Cape Town, Johannesburg

[New Zimbabwe] THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans are on their way back home after government sent hundreds of buses to ferry them from safety camps and consulates in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

Africa: Insurance Helps Farmers Protect Livelihoods As Climate Shocks Intensify

[WFP] Insurance is helping farmers recover from droughts and floods before crises deepen - as climate shocks intensify and the shadow of El Niño threatens.

Four days to make victims fall in love: How global scammers use US tech to fleece people

Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, including in Southeast Asia, an investigation has found.

Big egg producers artificially inflated prices as Americans struggled to buy groceries, must now pay $3.3M: DOJ

A year-long bipartisan investigation revealed that three of the US's top egg producers "secretly communicated" with each other to inflate the daily egg price index between June 2022 and March 2025.

Negligent Malaysian e-wallet providers must compensate scam victims within 7 working days: Anwar

The requirement applies even in cases where losses are partly caused by user negligence.

Billions of mRNA vaccine doses’ review underpins their effectiveness

A review of data covering billions of doses of mRNA vaccines has found "compelling" evidence that the technology is both safe and highly effective against infectious diseases, with researchers arguing that the focus should now shift to improving access.

Almost one in three Europeans expect standard of living to decline, survey says

Rising prices and the cost of living top the concerns in almost all EU countries, according to the new Eurobarometer. In France and Austria, pessimism could be linked to a negative image of the European Union.

Air quality is improving across Europe as report finds ‘steady decrease’ in major pollutants

Decades of environmental policy seem to be paying off, as Europe sees its air quality continuing to improve.

White Pass & Yukon Route: One of the world’s most scenic rail journeys returns for summer

Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, the iconic White Pass & Yukon Route offers journeys from Skagway in Alaska into British Columbia and Canada's Yukon Territory.

Latest news bulletin | July 1st, 2026 – Morning

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this July 1st, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

Five pressing tasks for Ireland as it takes over EU Council presidency

Ireland has kicked off its six-month presidency of the EU Council. From accession to the budget, here are the five most pressing tasks.

Specieswatch: How heatwaves play havoc with bees’ fertility

Study reveals extreme heat causes sharp drop with knock-on effect for pollination of food crops in following years We know heatwaves have serious health consequences for humans, but what about other species? A study has shown they severely diminish bees’ fertility, with

Kazakhstan looks to boost oil exports via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline after Georgia talks in Astana

In high-level talks held in Astana, Kazakhstan and Georgia agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, including plans to increase oil shipments via the BTC pipeline. The two countries also discussed agricultural development, investment expansion, and cooperation in digital

EU delivers emergency aid and organises a humanitarian flight in response to earthquakes in Venezuela

In response to the increasing humanitarian needs caused by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the European Union is delivering €5 million in humanitarian aid to provide immediate help to the most affected communities. This emergency funding will focus on providing shelter and

At least eight killed, 21 hurt in India after bus collides with trailer, bursts into flames

Six victims were reportedly burnt alive, while two succumbed to head injuries sustained in the crash.

Cambodia calls off traditional water festival to focus on border crisis, displaced civilians

A total of 21,425 displaced Cambodians were still unable to return to their homes as at June 30.

Africa: Africa Urged to Prioritise Sustainable Palm Oil Production

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- African governments and industry players have been urged to integrate sustainability into the expansion of the continent's palm oil industry as production grows to meet rising regional and global demand.

Legendary St. Bernard rescue dogs still roam the Swiss Alps

The famous St. Bernard rescue dogs continue to walk the mountain trails of the Great St. Bernard Pass as Barryland, the world's only theme park dedicated to the breed, celebrates its first anniversary.

US deports first migrant to Pacific nation Palau

The first deportee barely lasted two weeks after touching down in Palau.

Africa: The World Has the Science to Transform Food Systems. the Next Frontier Is Scaling It

[The Conversation Africa] The world's food systems face real and urgent challenges. These include climate change, nutrition insecurity, food safety, and unequal access to markets. Research has produced practical solutions to each of these that could benefit hundreds of millions

‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents

Japan has a rapidly ageing population and is suffering labour shortages in many sectors, but opposition to immigration is growing.

China’s Xi urges ruling Communist Party to be adaptable, safeguard advances

He called for the party to coordinate better to tackle domestic and international issues.

China's Xi urges ruling Communist Party to be adaptable, safeguard advances

BEIJING, July 1 - China's ruling Communist Party must keep pace with changing circumstances while safeguarding the advances it has made, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during celebrations for its 105th founding anniversary.

China arrests 2 Japanese Fuji Electric workers over rare earths: Sources

Beijing has tightened export controls on rare earths amid heightened Sino-Japanese tensions.