Chinese newspaper People’s Daily warns against ‘iron curtain’ in world AI
Beijing is opposed to using AI as a tool to pursue hegemony, dominate resources and create tech barriers.
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Australia will enact laws to govern AI: PM Albanese
Large data centres will be required to generate more power than they use, minimise water use, and avoid housing land.
Death toll in Thai pub fire rises to 32, officials say, with dozens still in hospital
BANGKOK, July 15 - The death toll from an explosive fire at a Bangkok live music pub has risen to 32 after two people died from their injuries, the Police Hospital said on Wednesday, as police investigate the possibility of negligence as a factor in the blaze.
Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's ex-PM Najib Razak, files lawsuit against comedian Harith Iskander over stand-up show
Rosmah filed the lawsuit in June, claiming that Harith had defamed her during a comedy routine in Melaka in January this year.
Johor dry spell fuels fivefold spike in fires, with 18 hot spots so far
Over 3,000 open-burning incidents have been recorded since January 2026.
Chicken shipment delayed: KFC Japan’s operations disrupted after cyberattack on logistics provider
A system failure has caused delays in shipments of key ingredients, including chicken.
Cambodian tycoon was landlord to Chinese scammers and human traffickers
Lim Heng Group leased out buildings on grounds shared with one of its casinos at above-market rates.
Thailand scraps plan to end visa-free entry for Indian tourists
Indian tourists are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa.
No fitness trackers, smart watches: More Chinese universities ban high-tech wearables in exam halls
Several universities in China have reported cases of cheating involving smart electronic devices.
Bangkok bar fire: Thai PM Anutin orders safety checks on venues nationwide within 30 days
Unsafe venues will face suspension of operations or closure until they meet fire safety standards.
Nepal court jails 2 former ministers, 14 others over refugee scam
They had forged documents to enable Nepali nationals to be resettled in the US as Bhutanese refugees.
Arctic a missile defense corridor, emerging national security node
Originally published by Pacific Forum, this article, the first of two in a series, is republished with permission. Beyond the Arctic’s increasing relevance as a commercial corridor, the region is emerging as a strategic missile-warning and deterrence theater linked to
Taiwan’s premium mangoes wing their way to Europe for the first time
France and Britain will be the first European countries to get a taste of Taiwanese mangoes.
China economic growth falls sharply, missing target
Weak demand domestically and the impact of the Iran war on oil prices overshadowed the country's strong exports.
Prepare for wild and dangerous scenarios on the Korean Peninsula
North Korea and Russia have approaches to the value of human life and risk that are radically different from those of the West – a reality that US and South Korean defense planners must prepare for. State-sanctioned violence and militarism form the foundation of the rejuvenated
China detains US scientist who studied North Korea nuclear tests
Chen Youlin's family says he has been wrongfully detained for nearly two years on spying charges.
Marriage on hold for young Malaysians due to rising living costs, financial insecurity
A UN survey has found that young people need stronger economic and social support to achieve these milestones.
Claw machines in Japan diversify targets by expanding to everyday prizes
Everyday essentials like instant curry, rice and laundry detergent are popular claw machine prizes.
Brutal killing of 11-year-old highlights unrelenting sexual violence in India
BARUIPUR, India, July 15 - On a Saturday evening this month, an 11-year-old girl left her home for a friend's birthday party in a small town in eastern India.
Activists call for reform after brutal rape and murder of 11-year-old girl in India
The assault was the latest example of the sexual violence that is endemic across India.
Twelve killed in West Java after pickup truck collides with two trucks
Among the victims were the pickup truck driver and three children aged 3, 6 and 12.
French deal with Ukraine starts out with a whimper, not a bang
France has made a “big deal” with Ukraine that includes billions of Euros in Ukrainian purchases of French systems and licenses to produce a number of weapons including SCALP/Storm Shadow, a long range cruise missile, Aster 30 interceptors for the SAMP/T NG air defense system
Once moneymakers, Japan’s beverage vending machines see profits declining
Profitabiliy has deteriorated owing to sluggish sales and rising maintenance costs.
Pilot for Japan airline ANA jailed 20 months for groping flight attendant
The 44-year-old abused his power to grope a female flight attendant after work.
Commentary: What's behind North Korea's recent economic boom?
North Korea’s recent economic growth is real but it is built on Russian cash, Chinese trade and illicit activity, says this analyst.
Lawmakers seek to counter China, Iran repression tactics on US soil
WASHINGTON, July 14 - U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bipartisan bill to increase penalties for foreign government agents who threaten people on U.S. soil, a move aimed at countering the rise of what officials call \"transnational repression\" by countries such as China
China’s sanctions on Philippine defense chief puts Japan ties in spotlight
Experts say Beijing is invoking Japan’s wartime past to try to delegitimize Manila's South China Sea claims.
Nine killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir clashes
MUZAFFARABAD, July 14 - Clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned protest group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killed nine people on Tuesday, officials said, a day before the group planned a march against controversial electoral arrangements ahead of regional
Singapore, Indonesia launch network of defence alumni to strengthen ties
The two countries also reaffirmed plans to deepen military cooperation.
Singapore, Indonesia launch defence alumni initiative
Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing - who is in Jakarta for a working visit - and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin also reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation.
Singapore, Malaysia reaffirm need to 'deepen cooperation' in areas including food security and energy
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is currently on a state visit to Malaysia, met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday (Jul 13), during which they exchanged views on geopolitical developments, including the Middle East situation.
Bear enters house, apparently opens fridge for food in northeastern Japan
The police believe the bear entered and later left the house through a back door.
Deadly Bangkok blaze exposes enforcement gaps despite existing safety laws
Experts say weak enforcement – not a lack of laws – lies behind repeated fire tragedies.
Most support refuge for people fleeing persecution, Ipsos poll shows
GENEVA, July 14 - Most people back the idea of providing refuge to those fleeing war or persecution, even in countries where governments have restricted refugee intakes, such as the United States, an Ipsos poll showed on Tuesday.
India says committed to combating organised crime after US indictment in Canada murder case
NEW DELHI, July 14 - India said on Tuesday that it is committed to working with its partners to combat transnational organised crime, a week after the U.S. charged the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang with directing the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
Lithuania's new PM says allowing Taiwan's de-facto embassy was 'maybe too brave'
VILNIUS, July 14 - New Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius said on Tuesday the 2021 decision to allow Taiwan to open a de-facto embassy in the country was \"maybe too brave\" as he sought to repair relations with China on his first day in the job.
UK approval for China's mega embassy in London challenged in court by locals
LONDON, July 14 - Britain's approval for China to build a vast embassy in London was challenged in court on Tuesday, as a group of local residents argue that officials failed to consider the impact on protests and potential targeting of dissidents.
India to ban import of goods made using forced labour amid US probe
The Asian nation is facing proposed new US trade tariffs of up to 12.5 per cent.
Tokyo Disney Resort to raise maximum entrance fees in October
According to the price list for the next three months, the cost of a one-day ticket will rise by up to 1,500 yen (S$12).
Whither ASEAN? A decade of silence on the South China Sea
This article first appeared on Pacific Forum and is republished with permission. Read the original here. July 12 marked the 10th anniversary of the arbitral tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines on its South China Sea submission — a ruling China ignored, and one that has
ASEAN envoy meets Myanmar opposition groups in Thailand
But critics say re-engaging with Myanmar's new nominally civilian government could weaken ASEAN's leverage.
Days before Johor voted, one viral Malay phrase already hinted at BN’s landslide win
At the recent state election, "Onn tak Onn" would tell you who the winner would be.
South Korean prosecutors indict man for using AI-powered glasses to cheat in national exam
The man was caught while taking a fire protection facilities engineer certification exam in Gwangju in May.
India is the canary in the global inflation coal mine
Global inflation has been climbing back for months. India’s June print — 4.38%, up from 3.93% in May and above every forecast — isn’t a shock out of nowhere. It’s the sharpest data point yet in a trend that started well before this week’s Gulf escalation, and it shows how bad
China does not seek 'sphere of influence' in ties with Pacific island nations, foreign minister says
BEIJING, July 14 - China \"has no geopolitical intentions and does not seek a so-called 'sphere of influence'\" in its dealings with Pacific island nations, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his counterpart from the Solomon Islands in Beijing on Tuesday.
Philippine President Marcos visits Singapore for talks with PM Wong, investment push
He will meet investors and business leaders as Manila steps up efforts to attract foreign capital.
Singapore court orders Bloomberg to pay $356,000 to ministers in defamation case
The ministers claimed the piece, which cited their luxury bungalow deals, had tarnished their reputation.
Anwar’s PH coalition quits Melaka government over strains with ally BN
Four PH members will resign from their positions in the state administration, party officials said.
India protests to Iran over killing of seafarer in Hormuz
The Indian national was among 46 crew members, including 30 Indians, on board two vessels.