China starts production of home-grown immersion deep-ultraviolet chipmaking tools, source says

The new DUV machines are planned for delivery in 2026 to major Chinese chipmakers.

Vietnam’s great banking clean-up is only the beginning

Vietnamese banks started deleting more than 86 million bank accounts last September. Of the roughly 200 million accounts on the country’s books, only 113 million personal accounts and some 711,000 organizational ones survived the biometric verification requirements introduced

Asian stock rout deepens on AI worries ahead of tech earnings

Japan's major earthquakes in the past 15 years

Here are some of the major quakes that have hit Japan in the last 15 years

Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots, to protect US AI buildout

WASHINGTON, July 28 - The Trump administration on Tuesday unveiled bans that target imports of new Chinese robots and power inverters, seeking to protect the U.S. AI buildout from national security threats and reshore key industries slated for explosive growth.

Malaysia foreign minister calls for review of UN refugee agency's presence: Reports

Mohamad Hasan's comments came a day after authorities detained more than 100 Rohingya asylum seekers who had gathered outside the agency's premises in Kuala Lumpur to seek assistance after being evicted from their homes in Penang state.

Iran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say

July 29 - Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment out of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers, three sources familiar with the deal told Reuters, as it rebuilds its defences amid war with the United States.

Japan coral protectors race to save reefs from heat ‘bomb’

Coral reefs are home to roughly a quarter of the world’s marine fish species.

Vietnam detains deputy agriculture minister in durian export probe

An government statement said the officials had accepted bribes in relation to durian export.

Musk’s X says Australia social media ban crackdown undermines international law

Australia's world-first law barring accounts for under-16s took effect last December.

Musk's X says Australia social media ban crackdown undermines international law

SYDNEY, July 29 - Elon Musk's X accused Australia of trying to give its internet regulator unfair information-gathering powers and undermining U.S. law with plans for tougher enforcement of a teen social media ban.

China starts production of home-grown immersion DUV chipmaking tools: Source

Immersion deep-ultraviolet lithography machines are crucial to advanced chipmaking, and this marks a key step forward in Beijing’s drive to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies.

Taiwan tests economic leverage after Papua New Guinea closes representative office

Analysts say liquefied natural gas review reflects a gradual shift, though Taipei’s leverage remains limited.

Remember the two-state solution? Trump doesn’t

Israel’s right-wing government is intensifying its half-century-long campaign to take over the West Bank fully by unleashing bands of settler militias to harass Palestinian residents, destroy their homes and livelihoods and restrict their movement throughout the occupied

Hotels in Malaysia expecting surge in demand with return of F1 race

Hotel operators reported early inquiries from international travellers ahead of the October race.

Japan quake toll rises to 13 as rescuers haul people from collapsed mall

KUMAMOTO, Japan, July 29 - A 7.1-magnitude earthquake killed at least 13 people near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto and rescuers are frantically searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday.

The world of zero visibility

It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and we are attempting an experiment that may not please everyone. With fewer eyes in the peak holiday period, and a lesser appetite for the presumed permabull piece in these bearish weeks, we risk a discussion of the contradictions

Bank Indonesia drama shows why rupiah is plunging

TOKYO — Investors hoping President Prabowo Subianto might learn from Indonesia’s past economic mistakes should get used to disappointment. Since taking office in October 2024, Prabowo has worked to drag Southeast Asia’s biggest economy back into its past. Which past is

Live: 13 dead following 7.1-magnitude quake in Japan’s Kumamoto, says PM Takaichi

Rescuers worked overnight to find people following an explosion at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping centre.

13 dead after powerful Japan quake, others missing

The major 7.1-magnitude tremor on Tuesday badly damaged a shopping mall and a factory in Japan.

IN FOCUS: From ‘Made in China’ to Brand China - homegrown Chinese brands go global

From beauty and fashion to tech and lifestyle, Chinese brands are winning over shoppers at home and setting their sights overseas. What will it take to win over consumers around the world?

Taking the coach from Singapore to KL? Here’s what you can expect at the new LaLaport transport hub

The new coach terminal serves mainly people travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore or Johor Bahru,

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drones launched from Iraq targeting oil facilities

July 28 - Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory that attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom's key Eastern Province.

Many feared trapped in quake-hit Japan mall

Ten people were thought to be unaccounted for in the mall as night fell after the afternoon quake.

Destroyed Aeon mall had just reopened for 'fresh start' a decade on from deadly quake

The Aeon mall had reopened just last month after being rebuilt following the deadly 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, but was destroyed again in Tuesday's earthquake in Japan.

China in touch with Yemen's Houthis to allow ships to sail through Red Sea, sources say

LONDON/DUBAI, July 28 - China has held direct talks with Yemen's Houthi movement to enable its tankers to sail through the southern Red Sea without being attacked after the Iran-aligned militia pledged to prevent access to Saudi ports, six sources with knowledge of the matter

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026: Guangzhou bar Hope & Sesame is No.1, Singapore scores four spots

Singapore’s top bar Jigger & Pony slips to No 9; Bangkok, Jakarta and Chinese cities post strong showings.

Unruptured fault from 2016 likely behind powerful Japan temblor: Experts

Two quakes struck almost the same region a decade ago, devastating the region.

Japan’s famed Kumamoto Castle damaged in powerful earthquake

The management announced that the castle would close for the day on July 28.

UN says human trafficking into Asian scam centres is surging

Huge scam centres employing as many as 300,000 workers across Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have emerged.

Japan’s destroyed Aeon mall had just reopened for ‘fresh start’ a decade after deadly quake

It reopened in June to commemorate its recovery from a deadly tremor a decade ago.

South African army chief visits Moscow, agrees to strengthen military ties

MOSCOW, July 28 - Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, the chief of the South African Army, held talks with Russian counterparts on Tuesday during a visit to Moscow which his hosts said resulted in an agreement to beef up ties between the two nations' land forces.

Germany deports Afghan without criminal record for first time since Taliban takeover

BERLIN, July 28 - Germany has deported an Afghan national without a criminal record for the first time since the Taliban returned to power, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday.

Explainer-France has seen its first 'fire-cloud'. What is it?

July 28 - France is grappling with an unprecedented fire season that has led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people and dealt a blow to the economy during the peak tourist season.

India mulls over tougher punishment for exam paper leaks after protests

The government is seeking to restore confidence after youth-led protests focused on education reforms rocked the country.

Hard power, hard choices: UK’s reckoning a lesson for US

Andy Burnham walked into 10 Downing Street last week as Britain’s seventh prime minister in ten years. He takes over a country still absorbing the aftershocks of the Iran conflict, with the Royal Navy stretched thin as it escorts tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. It says

Flight MH370 families want 'facts' as China court hears appeal

The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people - two-thirds of them Chinese - vanished from radar screens on Mar 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Flight MH370 families want ‘facts’ as China court hears appeal

The Malaysia Airlines flight went missing on March 8, 2014, in one of aviation’s greatest enduring mysteries.

China’s Premier travels in Xi’s stead for anniversary of 1976 quake

Premier Li Qiang paid his respects while Xi hosted Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in Beijing.

China's premier travels in Xi's stead for anniversary of 1976 quake

BEIJING, July 28 - China's No.2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, visited the city of Tangshan on Tuesday for the 50th anniversary of a 1976 earthquake that killed a quarter of a million people - a trip usually made by Chinese presidents.

India mulls tougher punishment for exam paper leaks after protests

The legislative push follows weeks of protests over exam paper leaks and other irregularities, which culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last week.

Malaysia foreign minister calls for review of UN refugee agency’s presence: State media reports

The UNHCR office was attracting more refugees to Malaysia, including Rohingya Muslims, said the foreign minister.

Malaysia foreign minister calls for review of UN refugee agency's presence, state media reports

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 - Malaysia should reconsider whether to allow the U.N. refugee agency to operate in the country unless it imposes stricter controls on issuing refugee documents, state media cited the foreign minister as saying on Tuesday.

Why North Korea will keep backing Russia in the Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow has been making preparations to receive 30,000 more troops from Pyongyang.

Johor police arrest 335 scam suspects in Forest City crackdown

The suspects were mostly foreigners and allegedly belonged to two syndicates targeting victims abroad, says Johor’s police chief.

Indians demand more info than ever and govt finds new ways to say no

Ministries deny requests, citing personal data and national security.

Japan earthquake kills at least 13 as rescuers race to find survivors

The quake damaged roads and buildings, shut rail networks, and forced thousands to evacuate to shelters.

India's top court orders no coercive action against youth protesters and release of minors, media reports say

NEW DELHI, July 28 - India's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the release of under-18s arrested during the youth protests over exam leaks and said authorities must ensure surveillance footage is preserved after petitioners alleged police brutality against demonstrators.