China launches coast guard patrol east of Taiwan

The fleet will conduct "law enforcement patrols" in the area, China's Coast Guard said in a statement, adding it would strengthen such patrols in what it called China's jurisdictional waters.

Iranians flock to week-long funeral rites for Khamenei

DUBAI, July 4 - Mourners thronged a vast prayer complex in Tehran on Saturday as the week-long funeral ceremonies of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began with the national anthem, religious eulogies and readings from the Koran.

China’s air-conditioned lesson for Europe’s killer heat wave

Europe’s scramble for Chinese air conditioners is not really a story about China, or even about trade. It is a story about what happens when climate change disruption arrives faster than housing policy, public infrastructure and industrial strategy can adapt. The numbers from

China’s truck drone launcher hides airpower in civilian traffic

China’s mobile drone launcher is less a single weapon than a blueprint for dispersing airpower, exploiting civilian cover and exporting low-cost strike reach to states priced out of traditional military aviation. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the

China launches coast guard patrol east of Taiwan despite international pushback

BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 4 - China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan to replace a naval task force whose presence off the island's coast has angered Taipei and caused alarm in some Western capitals.

America’s AI war machine has no human stop rule

When the Pentagon made Palantir’s Maven Smart System a formal “program of record” in March, it did more than approve software. It gave long-term status to a platform that analyzes data from satellites, drones, radars, sensors, and intelligence reports to identify potential

Police officer in S. Korea investigated for trying to board plane with live rounds

The officer was not carrying a gun at the time.

Drought tightens grip across Indonesia

Thousands of households across several regencies have already gone weeks without rain.

Arrest warrant sought for armed rampage at South Korean beauty salon

Two victims sustained non-fatal injuries and are currently being treated at a local hospital.

Quieter restaurants, vacant retail lots as Langkawi ends duty-free perk for supercars

The island had long attracted affluent travellers, luxury car enthusiasts and owners’ club members.

Singaporean fined US$4,900 for pumping subsidised RON95 fuel in Johor

The man in his 50s paid the fine on the same day of his conviction.

China’s Xi taps new military anti-graft chief, promotes two generals

Scores of senior officials and ​top generals have been investigated, removed and purged.

Wipeout unlikely, but Johor poses tougher test for DAP than Negeri Sembilan in coming state polls

Many Chinese voters still favour DAP, but marginal Johor seats are increasingly at risk.

‘Honebuto shock’: new term coined as Japan fiscal policy is probed

Japanese government long-term bonds briefly climbed to 2.81% on Thursday, July 3 – their highest level in thirty years – prompting one analyst to refer to it as the “honebuto shock,” a reaction to the prospect of larger deficits stemming from the Takaichi government’s pending

Hyundai’s new steel mill sparks hopes and fears in Louisiana

On a drizzly March day last year at the White House, President Donald J. Trump stood behind a podium to make a ​“beautiful announcement.” Hyundai, the Korean industrial giant, was investing nearly $6 billion in a new steel plant in Louisiana, which would supply domestic metal

Vietnam held talks with South Korea’s KEPCO as it seeks foreign partner for second nuclear plant

It said cooperation was possible between Petrovietnam and Korea Electric Power Corporation.

Tech bro Thiel says Pope, by criticizing AI, serves as CCP agent

Right-wing tech billionaire Peter Thiel is accusing Pope Leo XIV of doing the work of the Chinese Communist Party with his criticisms of artificial intelligence. According to a Thursday report from CNN, Thiel told the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado on Tuesday that the pope

Tibetan activist dies after setting himself on fire outside UN headquarters

The incident comes one day after China’s ‘ethnic unity law’ came into effect.

Xi replaces anti-corruption leader in purge of China’s army

Xi launched a sprawling campaign to root out corruption in the armed forces in mid-2023.

A city councilman pursues purpose and dignity in suburban Japan

The city of Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture, population 435,000, is quiet for its size. Lying less than an hour’s train ride to the northeast of mega-metropolis Tokyo, Kashiwa – home to many commuters and their families – presents a calm contrast to the hectic pace of its big-city

Japan to link Narita, Haneda airports by new limited express train in 2030s

The project includes building a new elevated station and adding tracks.

Germany held urgent talks with Chinese envoy over report of China training Russian soldiers

BERLIN, July 3 - Germany requested urgent talks with the Chinese ambassador over reports that China is training Russian soldiers, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday, confirming a report by the Spiegel media outlet.

India seeks to quell public backlash on ethanol-mixed fuel after ‘experiment’ remark

Consumers unhappy about lower fuel efficiency and vehicle performance are planning a protest.

Armenia passes law restricting voting rights for citizens living abroad

July 3 - Armenia's parliament passed a law on Friday that raises the bar for citizens based abroad to be able to come home and vote, following reported efforts by Moscow to use Armenians living in Russia to influence an election last month.

India's Modi to visit Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand next week

South Korea’s bold new chip cluster tests strategy to stay ahead in AI race

The move is also a geopolitical bet to ensure the country’s indispensability in the global AI supply chain.

NYT: Israel plotted to kill Iran peace negotiators to derail talks

Trump administration officials reportedly believed that the Israeli government intended to assassinate Iran’s top negotiators—including the country’s foreign minister—during peace talks with the US in an effort to sabotage diplomatic progress. The New York Times reported

Poland's Tusk says Ukraine wants to lower tension, should confront history

WARSAW, July 3 - Ukraine is looking for ways to lower tension with Warsaw, Poland's prime minister said on Friday, adding that Poland's neighbour to the east should come to terms with its history to join the European Union.

Myanmar ex-junta chief makes first ASEAN outing as civilian leader

Min Aung Hlaing is in Laos and the local media there said the state visit will last three days.

Tropical storm Maysak hits southern China’s Hainan province; flights and ferries suspended

The storm is expected to bring torrential rain to Hainan, Guangdong, Guizhou and Hunan provinces.

Tropical Storm Maysak hits southern China's Hainan, flights and ferries suspended

BEIJING, July 3 - Tropical Storm Maysak lashed southern China's island province of Hainan on Friday, making landfall with maximum winds near its centre of 23 metres per second (51 mph) and forcing flight, rail and ferry suspensions.

Thai nurse defies Buddhist custom to save monks in deadly crash

She stepped in to help despite the Buddhist taboo in which women cannot touch monks and vice versa.

Japanese concrete firm serves up grey curry to put fun spin on industry

Its president hopes people will pick up the product, have a laugh and come away with a better image of the industry.

Cambodian king returns from China after cancer treatment

King Norodom Sihamoni, 73, had shared his prostate cancer diagnosis in April.

Japan Parliament cuts would disproportionately hit female lawmakers: Estimate

The Bill’s passage is uncertain, however.

Man fined $6,300 in Malaysia for filling Singapore-registered car with subsidised RON95 petrol

It has been illegal since April 1 for drivers of foreign-registered vehicles to buy the subsidised petrol.