Hong Kong turns to AI to tackle persistent rat infestations, but challenges remain

Experts say the city’s rat problem remains an environmental management challenge that artificial intelligence can help monitor, but not solve on its own.

The political painting that is still on trial in South Korea

In a Seoul courtroom in March this year, a prosecutor read out charges against Jeon Seung-il, a former art student, from an indictment first written in 1989. The language had not changed, nor had the charges. Thirty-seven years later, only the young defendant had grown old. In

U.S. defence firm Anduril in talks for Nissan plant to build drones in Japan, sources say

TOKYO, June 25 - U.S. defence firm Anduril Industries is in talks to acquire Nissan Motor's Oppama assembly plant near Tokyo as the maker of autonomous weapons looks to build military drones in Japan, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Coach Hong takes blame as South Korea's World Cup hopes fade

Korean coach Hong Myung-bo took responsibility for the result, saying, "I guess I made the wrong decisions, and that was the reason why we had a bad result. Nothing more, nothing less."

Rubio visits Bahrain seeking Gulf backing for Iran deal

MANAMA, June 25 - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Bahrain officials on Thursday on the final leg of a trip to the Middle East where he has sought to sell the Trump administration's preliminary Iran accord to skeptical Gulf Arab allies.

Malaysia’s foreign minister says new Myanmar leadership ‘more open’ to suggestions

South-east Asian countries continued efforts to engage with Myanmar's military-backed administration.

Afghanistan’s economy is broken. The Taliban is why

Afghanistan finds itself in a complex and dire economic predicament. Nearly five years after the Taliban returned to power, the South Asian nation continues to struggle with deep-rooted domestic structural challenges that coincide with persistent regional geopolitical

Johor election: Chief minister denies allegation of royal interference in state assembly dissolution

The former Johor state speaker alleged that the Palace had “ordered” the dissolution of the Johor assembly.

Taiwan starts Washington flights in milestone for uncertain ties

Eva Air will operate its Taipei-Washington flight four times a week.

Vietnam urges consumers to save power as heatwave drives record demand

HANOI, June 25 - Vietnam's state utility EVN called on firms and households to conserve energy on Thursday to ease the strains on the country's power grid, with intense heat driving electricity consumption to record highs.

Talent, not technology, is reshaping the US-China AI race

Beyond chips, data and computing power, the battle between Beijing and Washington is increasingly being fought over the researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs shaping the technology's future.

China targets face of international space cooperation in corruption crackdown

Senior Chinese defence industry official Bian Zhigang was also deputy director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Hong Kong arrests two for allegedly selling ‘seditious’ material

The pair were suspected of displaying “The Troublemaker”, a biography of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai, in a bookstore.

Hong Kong arrests booksellers suspected of selling 'seditious' publications

BEIJING, June 25 - Hong Kong police have arrested two owners of a bookshop suspected of displaying and selling publications with \"seditious\" content, according to a Hong Kong government statement released on Thursday.

America’s ironclad bond with Israel is starting to crack

There is a ritual quality to the reassurances that flow from Washington to Jerusalem after every crisis, every ceasefire, every awkward telephone call between an American president and an Israeli prime minister. “The bond is unshakeable.” “Our commitment to Israel’s security is

South Korea lose to South Africa, World Cup hopes left in the balance

South Korea can still reach the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, but need results elsewhere to go their way.

Jubilation as South Africa beat South Korea to reach World Cup knockout stage for first time

Despite their loss, South Korea can still qualify for the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Australia's security environment degrading, spy chief warns

SYDNEY, June 25 - Australia faces multi-faceted threats from autocratic regimes, hackers and antisemitic extremists that present a systemic challenge to national security and are degrading the security environment, the country's spy chief said.

US says China trying to discourage states, businesses from engaging with Taiwan

TAIPEI, June 25 - China has been contacting U.S. states and private firms to discourage engagement with Taiwan and mischaracterising U.S. policy, but links with Taiwan should be expanded, three U.S. government departments said in joint letters.

Japan opens luxury hotel housed in former prison in tourist hot spot Nara

A one-night stay starts at S$1,180 per suite room and guests can also visit the Nara Prison Museum.

Beloved spiritual utopia under threat in Modi’s India

The Indian government is pushing to develop the city of Auroville as a tourist destination.

EU’s Taliban talks crack the facade of a principled policy

The European Union’s decision to host a Taliban delegation in Brussels on June 23 marked a significant moment in the evolving relationship between Europe and Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. While European officials stressed that the talks were technical and did not imply

Johor BN says it will not form a coalition government with other parties

Chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi urges voters to judge them based on their work and performance and for the state’s future.

Last ISIS-linked Australian woman to return home

The unnamed woman is the last of over 30 women and children to return to Australia.

Seoul stocks soar in Asia tech rally after Micron blowout forecast

Plastics shortages to keep food prices high after war disruptions

A gauge of global food prices is already near a three-year high.

Australia teen social media ban has little impact: Research

Underage users dodge restrictions by using false accounts or logging into private browsers.

Negeri Sembilan ruler Muhriz to replace chieftains as tussle for crown escalates

UMNO has also withdrawn support for the Negeri Sembilan chief minister, claiming he interfered with royal affairs.

Australia’s spy chief warns of rising terror, cyberthreats

Mike Burgess cited anti-Semitic attacks, neo-Nazi threats and foreign cyberattacks as key security priorities.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies’ alarm over Chinese coast guard activities

Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said he was “truly thankful” for the statements.

Taiwan cheered by Western allies' alarm over Chinese Coast Guard activities

TAIPEI, June 25 - Taiwan expressed its thanks after the U.S., Britain, France and Germany raised the alarm about the Chinese Coast Guard and other activities off the island's east coast, with the government saying freedom of navigation was essential to global trade.

Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Japan's northeast, no tsunami warning

June 25 - An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.

Chinese tourists flock to New Zealand under visa-waiver trial

A total of 90,111 electronic travel authorities had been issued to Chinese nationals as at May 31.

No major damage after 7.2-magnitude quake off Japan

South Korea arrests Shincheonji church leader for meddling in politics, media report

SEOUL, June 25 - A South Korean court ordered the arrest of Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, over allegations he orchestrated an illegal scheme for followers to join a political party, news reports said.

South Korea arrests Shincheonji church leader Lee Man-hee for meddling in politics: Reports

The 95-year-old was accused of violating the Political Parties Act.

The woman who fought for Pakistan's disappeared men now faces life in jail

The Nobel Peace Prize nominee has spent years demanding answers about the missing in Balochistan province.

Philippines bans video game played by alleged high school shooter

The rare school shooting that left three students killed and 20 others injured has shocked the country.

Top Australian TV star to leave job after Tommy Robinson interview, reports say

Karl Stefanovic has helmed a popular breakfast TV show for the better part of two decades.

World court judges sue Trump administration over sanctions

WASHINGTON, June 24 - Three International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday sued U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration over sanctions imposed on them last year, arguing the measures were unlawful.

How contenders in the new space race stack up

When NASA administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled the crew of the Artemis III mission at Johnson Space Center in Houston earlier this month, he was ebullient. We wish you godspeed on the journey ahead. You carry the fire of exploration from generations past, the confidence of

China’s foreign minister urges swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz for global trade

Wang Yi made the remarks during a phone call with Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Xinhua said.

China's foreign minister urges swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz for global trade, Xinhua reports

June 24 - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the early restoration of normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, state media Xinhua reported on Wednesday.

Turtle power: how China uses scientific research to try to bolster territorial claims

Analysts say an environmental survey in disputed waters is really meant to normalize Beijing’s presence there.

Lessons start with how Iran organized Melbourne synagogue attack

A former Australian resident living in Iraq directed the attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024, Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, has revealed. Burgess said Iran, which was behind the attack, recruited the man

Trump holds housing cost relief hostage to noncitizen voting act

US President Donald Trump derailed a housing overhaul that he was set to sign into law Wednesday, canceling a signing ceremony for the broadly popular bipartisan bill until Congress passes an election security measure. Trump had been scheduled to sign the bill, which passed the

Middle powers such as Australia can learn from Iran’s strategies

Iran has emerged undefeated after nearly four months of war against a nuclear-armed regional rival (Israel) and the world’s most powerful military (the United States). The regime is still in control of its population and territory. Though its economy is suffering, Iran’s

Free trade isn’t coming back and here’s why

There was a time not so many years ago when Washington believed in free trade and raced to sign free trade agreements. Exporting sectors like agriculture were among the beneficiaries. They’d love to go back to those days. Don’t hold your breath. Over the years, support for free