Deaths reported at school shooting in Thailand, officials say

BANGKOK, Aug 7 - An unconfirmed number of people were killed when a student opened fire at a school in Thailand north of Bangkok on Friday, authorities said.

Malaysia Aviation Group rolls out stricter drug testing after pilot detained

Malaysia Aviation Group rolls out stricter drug testing after pilot arrested

A Malaysia Airlines pilot was detained last month after authorities found 26kg of the mind-altering drug MDMA in his luggage upon his arrival in Jakarta from Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore authorities unable to conclude if any offence committed amid Indonesia baby trafficking case

A baby trafficking syndicate in Indonesia had admitted to selling babies to Singapore agents, receiving thousands of dollars per child.

Teacher and gunman dead, four injured in Thailand school shooting, police say

The incident took place in the Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province.

Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi Bazaar, a world made from shipping containers

When I left Ainura’s container-shop at the Dordoi Bazaar in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, I found the market eerily quiet. I had not noticed the passing of time while she was generously sharing her life story with me. As I walked toward the mini-bus stop at the square in

Deaths reported, at least 10 wounded in Thailand school shooting

Police identified the perpetrator as a student.

Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes off western Philippines; tremors felt in capital

Can cow dung and farm waste fuel Japan’s next phase of growth in India’s car market?

Tokyo and New Delhi launched an initiative on Jul 1 to build 1,000 biogas plants across India by 2030, aimed at powering 2.5 million vehicles. Analysts expect an uneven road ahead as favourable conditions collide with formidable obstacles.

Japan orders evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, cancels 500 flights

Authorities issued evacuation orders for nearly 260,000 residents in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, while Toyota suspended work at nine factories.

What is New Zealand’s MMP electoral system and does it favour coalitions?

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was open to a referendum on the country's electoral system.

Explainer-What is New Zealand's MMP electoral system and does it favour coalitions?

WELLINGTON, Aug 7 - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said this week he was open to a referendum on the country's electoral system, sparking vigorous debate, with critics saying any such move would be seen as a \"power grab\" by the larger parties.

Camels find unlikely home in outback Australia

They are used for wild races, an alternative milk source and even to make beer.

North Korea touts dog soup and other home-cooked recipes to beat the heat

A doctor cited by a state-run newspaper suggested that dog soup would be “beneficial for nutritional supplementation”.

Malaysian PM Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah steps aside from PKR No. 2 role for studies

She said the decision was made after much deliberation.

Australian aviation crew carries out daring midwinter Antarctica rescue

Team evacuated a patient from McMurdo Station after landing plane in total darkness and temperature of -43°C.

Solomon Islands looks to bring traditional partners U.S., Australia in from the cold

SUVA, Fiji, Aug 7 - The Solomon Islands is repairing ties with traditional partners including the U.S. and Australia while maintaining its \"friends to all and enemy to none\" foreign policy, Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela said on Friday, signalling a broader diplomatic

Former Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri hospitalised ahead of court charges

The charge against him will be read before the judge at 9am.

China’s bamboo growth model vs. India’s eucalyptus growth model

Nature offers unexpectedly good lessons in strategy. As a child, I was fond of bamboo shoots, though none grew in our farmland. My mother, noticing my enthusiasm, suggested that I plant some myself. A neighbor gave me a stalk about three feet tall, which I planted, watered and

17 injured in Riau after wild monkey attacks in residential areas

Long-tailed macaques naturally live in forest areas and tend to avoid direct contact with humans.

New Zealand’s ruling coalition holds razor-thin majority in poll, new centrist party gains ground

The poll said New Zealand First and ACT could win 61 seats in the 120-seat Parliament, giving it a majority of one seat.

New Zealand's ruling coalition holds razor-thin majority in poll, new centrist party gains ground

SYDNEY, Aug 7 - New Zealand's ruling centre-right coalition may retain a razor-thin parliamentary majority if an election were held now, a poll showed on Friday, but a surge for the new centrist Opportunity Party could reshape coalition talks ahead of the November vote.

Taiwan troops rehearse sealing off key bridge at strategic chokepoint during war games

NEW TAIPEI, Taiwan Aug 7 - Taiwanese troops on Thursday practiced defending a bridge at a critical chokepoint that could give Chinese forces a shortcut to take the capital Taipei, as annual war games entered their second day testing the island's ability to repel an attack.

Taiwan troops rehearse sealing off key bridge at strategic choke point during war games

Lasting 10 days, the drills focus on Taiwan’s combat readiness against a potential attack from China.

Mother jailed for life for killing five-year-old son to claim insurance payouts in Vietnam

She had fraudulently claimed more than $192,550) in life insurance payouts.

India is a nation of walkers - but its cities forgot them

India's top court has put the spotlight on unsafe footpaths and the country's forgotten pedestrians.

Pacific ministers to debate China missile statement

SUVA, Fiji, Aug 7 - Pacific Island foreign ministers are expected to debate on Friday whether to issue a joint statement on China's July missile launch, with New Zealand pushing for a response but acknowledging divisions could prevent agreement, New Zealand's foreign minister

'Put your phone down': K-pop band weighs in on concert etiquette

Cortis's plea has drawn mixed reactions in a fandom that's obsessed with capturing every moment.

AI age demands a new political system

“Dig the Well before you are thirsty,” says an old Chinese proverb. The world has debated China’s rise through the lens of ideology. Some believe it is communism that transformed China into the world’s second largest economy, while others think it is capitalism disguised under

Commentary: US has crossed an uncomfortable threshold in global opinion

China is now viewed more positively than the US in many countries. Reversing this will be harder than Washington thinks, says Kevin Chen from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Shaolin Soccer? How football and faith keep S. Korean temple’s 800-year-old woodblocks safe

Monks at Haeinsa Temple use football training to build up speed and endurance to fight fires on the steep mountain terrain.

How Hong Kong is offering young innovators a gateway into Asia

Pakistan broadens foreign media curbs to local staff, drawing backlash

Officials have not said what prompted the new restrictions.

Hasina baits and jabs Dhaka from the safety of New Delhi

Nearly two years after fleeing Dhaka in disgrace, ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made her first live public address on Wednesday (August 5). Speaking via audio from an event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, Hasina

US polysilicon tariffs to move solar makers to domestic materials

The United States is moving to impose a 15% tariff and a series of price floors on polysilicon and its derivative products, a step designed to push solar panel manufacturers toward domestic raw materials. The proposal follows a national security investigation the US launched

Japan’s missile leap marks shift from defense to counterstrike

Japan’s successful Tomahawk and Upgraded Type-12 tests mark a decisive shift beyond interception-only defense toward a more assertive counterstrike posture. Last month, multiple media outlets reported that Japan’s Defense Ministry significantly expanded its long-range strike

Jailed ex-US Marine may be near death in Russia, sister, advocacy groups say

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 - A former U.S. Marine jailed in Russia since 2022 and allegedly tortured and injected with mind-altering drugs, slipped into a stupor in June and may be close to death, according to two hostage advocacy groups and his sister.

South Korea space agency shares Moon images after SpaceX rocket debris crash

Seoul's lunar orbiter captured images of the Moon before and after part of SpaceX's rocket hit its surface on Wednesday.

Former Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri to be charged

The case against Ismail Sabri is believed to be related to the declaration of assets.

Thailand reaffirms support for Myanmar to participate fully in ASEAN

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak says “it’s about reality”, noting that Myanmar is an immediate neighbour.

Fire destroys at least 60ha at Indonesia’s Mount Bromo park

The authorities have closed parts of the park to tourists since Aug 3.

Thousands evacuated in north-west China after heavy rain, flooding

It comes as China braces for Typhoon Dolphin, which is expected to make landfall between Aug 9 and 10.

India’s student movement shuns politics, stays pressure group

CJP says it instead plans to preserve its independence and press whichever party is in power for change.

Large typhoon in Pacific to approach south-western Japan islands

Toyota Motor said it would halt operations at nine factories in the country from Aug 7.

US seeks extradition of Philippines 'Son of God' preacher accused of sexual abuse

MANILA, Aug 6 - The U.S. has requested the extradition of a Philippine celebrity pastor accused of sex trafficking and sexually abusing his followers, Philippine officials said on Thursday.

Gavin Lee preaches calm ahead of Singapore’s crunch ASEAN football championship game with Indonesia

Indonesia coach John Herdman said his team are "wounded and hungry" but they are confident of getting a result.