Indonesia court bars use of education budget to fund free meals starting from 2028

The free meals programme was launched in 2025 with the aim of feeding 83 million school children and expectant mothers.

Mediator Pakistan says US-Iran talks ongoing as foes trade attacks

"Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," says a Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman.

Man who staged own kidnapping for ransom in Malaysia gets 5 months’ jail

Police officers quickly noticed inconsistencies in the so-called hostage photograph after receiving the report.

Indian federal police file charges against 13 over exam paper leaks

They were accused of offences including criminal conspiracy and cheating.

Netanyahu’s Trump meeting suggests his star is waning in Washington

Appearing increasingly isolated and weakened, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Washington this week, where he had a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump – his eighth of the US president’s second term. Netanyahu is desperate to revive his image as the

South Korean prisons use VR to put inmates in victims’ shoes

The programme will begin full operations from late July after a pilot involving 392 inmates showed improvements.

Myanmar repatriation would risk Rohingya lives: Malaysia group

Repatriated Rohingya could be forced to join the Myanmar military without training, said the group.

Chinese state media showcase wider deployment of closely watched anti-ship missile

BEIJING/HONG KONG, July 30 - China's state media has hinted at the wider deployment of one of its most closely watched weapons, the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile.

Negeri Sembilan election: Indian voters could be key to whether Anwar’s PH retains the state

Indians make up more than 20 per cent of the electorate in 11 of the state’s wards.

Sri Lanka seeks six suspects in Chinese national’s murder linked to cybercrimes

Two Chinese nationals linked to the murder have been arrested and will be presented in court on Aug 4.

Sri Lanka seeks six suspects in Chinese national's murder linked to cybercrimes

COLOMBO, July 30 - Sri Lankan police are searching for six people regarding the murder of a Chinese national suspected of links to computer-related scams, an official said on Thursday, in a crackdown on cyberscam centres tied to transnational fraud networks.

Japanese PM Takaichi vows to proceed with temporary cut in sales tax

She ordered preparations to cut the levy to 1 per cent for two years from April 2027.

25 cats rescued from Japan mall hit by massive quake, gas explosion

They were left behind, but were retrieved a day later, and are now in another cat cafe.

Myanmar’s junta slowly but surely winning its war with ASEAN

The multidimensional crisis that has gripped Myanmar since the military coup on February 1, 2021, has entered a new chapter — one increasingly complex and riddled with contradictions. The move by military chief and coup maker Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to overthrow the

Anwar says Myanmar agrees to take 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia

Around 126,000 Rohingya refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia as of the end of February.

Newspaper in China’s Guangxi becomes unlikely collector's item after Wang Hong's Fields Medal win

The Jul 25 edition of Guangxi Daily featured a front-page profile of hometown mathematician and Fields Medal winner Wang Hong. The headline’s layered wordplay has won praise and helped turn the copy into an unlikely keepsake.

Eggs back in India school meals after outcry

The issue erupted in June after the BJP state government removed eggs from meals in some state-run schools.

Philippines’ Marcos approves release of V-P Duterte’s tax records for impeachment trial

Sara Duterte is facing charges of ill-gotten wealth while in office.

Philippines' Marcos approves release of VP Duterte's tax records to impeachment trial

MANILA, July 30 - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the release of Vice President Sara Duterte's tax records to the Senate in her impeachment trial, where one of the charges she is facing is that she has amassed unexplained wealth while in office.

China's top leaders set to hold October meeting on internal governance, pledge measures to support economy

The top decision-making body of the ruling Communist party, the Politburo, acknowledged "difficulties and challenges facing the economy" at its meeting.

China generates less than half of its electricity from coal for the first time

This marks a key milestone as the country moves towards clean energy.

China's Communist Party to hold conclave on internal governance in October

BEIJING, July 30 - China's ruling Communist Party will hold a plenary session of its Central Committee in Beijing in October to discuss party self-governance, state-run Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, citing a Politburo meeting.

China protests over New Zealand foreign minister's jibe at Chinese-born lawmaker

July 30 - China made a diplomatic protest to New Zealand on Thursday after Foreign Minister Winston Peters characterised a Chinese-born lawmaker as a \"loudmouth\" whom he urged to \"go back to your own country\" during a debate in parliament.

China's AI IPO wave fuels retail frenzy as investors anticipate more listings

A wave of artificial intelligence listings is attracting renewed investor interest, as Chinese AI firms seek fresh capital to fund growth despite many still operating at a loss.

Islamist militants kill 10 police officers in northwest Pakistan, say police

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan, July 30 - A drone attack and ambush by Islamist militants at a police post in northwest Pakistan killed at least 10 officers, police said, the second such assault within a week.

Islamist militants kill 10 police officers in north-west Pakistan, say police

The militants ambushed the police check post after hitting it with improvised explosive devices.

Mumbai's mangroves under threat as city pushes ahead with major infrastructure projects

An upcoming 26km coastal road in India's financial capital is expected to affect about 45,000 mangrove trees, raising concerns over the loss of a natural defence against flooding and climate change.

From WhatsApp to GoDaddy: How India is trying to stop cybercrime before it happens

Over the past two months, India has tightened oversight across its digital ecosystem, with moves affecting WhatsApp, Telegram, Truecaller and GoDaddy. What are the trade-offs? Experts weigh in.

Upstream nuclear, downstream rice: ecological MAD on the Mekong

Laos's small modular reactor plan with Russia risks contaminating the Mekong's rice-growing floodplains and the region's food security The post Upstream nuclear, downstream rice: ecological MAD on the Mekong appeared first on Asia Times .

US military says it hit dozens of Iran's IRGC targets

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, July 30 - The U.S. military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East.

South Korea coach Hong grilled by MPs over World Cup flop

Former South Korea football coach Hong Myung-bo also denied receiving a US$2.6 million salary but declined to disclose the actual amount.

US Congress hasn’t authorized Trump’s Iran war—or ended it

On July 23, the House of Representatives voted 214-208 to direct President Donald Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes them. Hours later, the Senate rejected a motion to bring a separate war powers resolution out of committee, 47-49.

Turkey detains another opposition mayor among dozens of suspects in crackdown

ANKARA, July 30 - Turkish police detained the opposition mayor of Ankara's Etimesgut district and 51 other suspects on Thursday in a graft investigation, the Interior Ministry said.

Malaysian PM says Myanmar agrees to take 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Myanmar has agreed to take 5,000 Rohingya asylum seekers currently in Malaysia, where there has recently been tension between the refugees and local communities.

Senior opposition figure Rais Yatim loses Negeri Sembilan royal titles over role in palace crisis

The revocation comes ahead of the Malaysian state's Aug 1 election.

Chinese humanoids birthing new Asian business models

Before a Chinese humanoid can take on ground-handling work at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, JAL Ground Service has to decide which jobs are suitable and what safety conditions the machine must meet. GMO AI & Robotics then adjusts its movements for an airport where people, vehicles

Derek Williams dies after decades filming the frontlines of Asia

Longtime CBS News cameraman Derek Williams, who spent four decades covering some of Asia’s most pivotal events, from the Vietnam War to the Tiananmen Square massacre, died July 22. He was 79. According to his family, ge had been living with Parkinson’s disease and was recently

Japan earthquake death toll rises to 34 as evacuees battle sweltering heat

Thousands of people are staying in evacuation centres, struggling to keep cool as temperatures soar.

The savvy logic behind Indonesia’s nickel squeeze

Indonesia mines more nickel than any other country, producing more than 60% of the world’s supply. For about a decade, Jakarta has pursued “downstreaming” — a strategy to move beyond exporting raw ore and up the value-added chain. In 2026, Indonesia sharply cut the amount of

Asian stocks stutter after rout, Fed leaves markets guessing on rates

Japan quake survivors battle thirst, heat as death toll rises to 25

At least 30 die as quake-hit Kumamoto battles outages and heatstroke risks.

Japan PM vows to proceed with temporary cut in sales tax

Kumamoto quake death toll reaches 28 as rescuers battle to reach mall survivors

The July 28 tremor caused widespread damage on the island of Kyushu.

Japan quake toll hits 34 as survivors struggle in the heat

The July 28 tremor caused widespread damage on the island of Kyushu.

Australia takes Telegram to court over alleged failure to remove 'pro-terror' material

Telegram told the BBC it rejects the allegations and will contest them in court.

Singapore fines French teen $465 for viral straw-licking stunt

The 19-year-old was "truly sorry" for causing trouble, his lawyers said.

Taiwan’s path to victory is unclear

Like few other countries, Taiwan faces a legitimate existential crisis. Beijing’s position that Taiwan must submit to absorption by the People’s Republic of China, even by force if necessary, is insistent and uncompromising. There is zero doubt this would result in the

South Korea’s women web sleuths fight AI deepfake porn

Using generative technology and a picture of their victim, harassers can fabricate pornographic images.

China warns of retaliation if US sticks with robot ban

BEIJING, July 30 - China will \"resolutely retaliate\" and safeguard its interests if the United States insists on acting unilaterally over an import ban on new Chinese robots and power inverters, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.