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.

USIndoPacom reverts to USPacom: US-India ties in rupture or rift?

Trump-Modi friendship was strong, but now US-India ties are strained. What caused the severe turbulence?

At least 32 dead after overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in Pakistan

The bus was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, when it crashed in the Dana Sar mountain range.

Malaysia govt coup plot probe: Wife of ex-finance minister Zainuddin believed to be in Europe

Na’imah Abdul Khalid had earlier in 2026 rubbished claims of a plot to topple the government.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief on corruption charges

Wasantha Karannagoda also faces allegations of war crimes.

Pakistan syndicate allegedly smuggled human placentas, say police

The placenta was meant to be exported to be made into anti-ageing injections, say police.

Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Laos in first trip to an ASEAN member state

Analysts say the visit is significant for regional geopolitical dynamics, as it signals a potential shift in how some members of the regional bloc are engaging with Myanmar's military-backed administration.

India investigating Tata data leak that exposed Apple iPhone secrets

India crèche worker arrested after allegations of putting toddlers in washing machine

The arrest came after videos allegedly showing crèche workers assaulting crying children surfaced online.

Signals beneath the noise

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Japan Inc. looks past the weak yenScott Foster writes that despite a 40-year low in the yen, rising bond yields and geopolitical headwinds, Japan’s corporate sector

Culture war killing America’s response to demographic decline

Birthright citizenship is the law of the land. The Supreme Court has once again ruled that the 14th Amendment gives automatic citizenship to anyone born in the US. This includes the children of illegal immigrants and temporary visa holders, both of which the Trump

China says Japan-India cooperation 'should not target' Beijing

"Cooperation between nations ... should not target or harm the interests of third parties," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said after talks between India and Japan.

China says Japan-India cooperation ‘should not target’ Beijing

Leaders of Japan and India earlier agreed to work more closely on critical minerals.

Drones spot sharks 73 times in two days off Sydney beaches

The authorities launched an expanded drone programme on July 1 after a spate of shark attacks.

Why coal-rich Indonesia can’t keep the lights on

A wave of rolling blackouts across Indonesia in mid-2026 has exposed one of the country’s biggest economic paradoxes: it is one of the world’s largest coal producers, yet it has struggled to secure enough fuel for its own power plants. Power outages across the Java-Bali grid —

China ramps up matcha production, seeks to surpass Japan in global market

The birthplace of tea is seeking to dominate the global matcha market.

Will the next Messi be a robot? RoboCup 2026 kicks off in South Korea

The event showcases a wide range of AI robots capable of playing soccer and performing tasks.

China dismisses US, EU criticism of new ethnic law as ‘malicious smear’

The law, which went into effect on July 1, gives Beijing the basis to take action against people outside its borders.

China dismisses US, EU criticism of new ethnic law as 'malicious smear'

BEIJING/TAIPEI, July 3 - China dismissed U.S. and EU criticism of the country's new law on ethnic unity as a \"malicious smear\" and interference in its internal affairs on Friday, legislation one senior Taiwanese official likened to an imperial edict given its global sweep.

Woman arrested after videos show toddlers in washing machine at daycare centre in India

The alleged victims are toddlers between two and three years of age.

Surge in Indonesians seeking repatriation as Cambodia cracks down on scam centres

Cambodia has raided over 250 scam sites and deported nearly 50,000 foreigners.

How drug gangs use social media to recruit Thai air crew as couriers

BANGKOK, July 3 - Early in the morning on June 18, a message from an unknown account slipped into the TikTok inbox of a flight attendant in Bangkok with a series of questions: \"Are you flying to Australia? Do you do carry-for-hire? What is your rate?\"

Alex Eala's historic Wimbledon run thrills boxing-obsessed Philippines

The 21-year-old has become the first Filipino to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open era.

Forty killed as bus falls into ditch in Pakistan’s Balochistan

The bus was headed to national capital Islamabad from provincial capital Quetta.

Forty killed as bus falls into ditch in Pakistan's Balochistan

QUETTA, Pakistan, July 3 - Forty people were killed and eight others injured after a bus fell into a deep roadside ditch in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday, a rescue agency and a government official said.