North Korea may increase western Russia deployment to 50,000 troops

Moscow is seeking reinforcements from North Korea to continue the war.

Russia's Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands, samples fish roe, media say

Aug 13 - Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, an island in the disputed Kuril Islands chain claimed by both Russia and Japan, state news agency TASS said on Thursday.

South Korea unveils package to boost housing supply, support young buyers

It is part of efforts to stabilise a red-hot housing market.

North Korea doubles down on Its alliance with Russia, for now

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has doubled down on his military and strategic alliance with Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime, betting that this axis will strengthen his own position for now. However, Kim’s strategic calculus depends on the outcome of the war in Ukraine

Outflanked by AI, stars fade for South Korea’s blind fortune-tellers

The community was once home to 70 or 80 practitioners, but fewer than 20 remain.

South Korea’s Incheon overtakes London’s Heathrow as world’s busiest international airport

Passenger traffic reached 38.39 million in the first half of 2026 as transfer and inbound travel surge.

Taiwan says it was targeted in AI-driven hacking campaign in July

The island has in recent years complained about what it sees as China’s “hybrid warfare”.

Illegal ‘bird’s nest’ hostels pose fatal fire risks in JB

For as little as RM300 a month, tenants can rent tightly packed quarters that can ignite and burn with terrifying speed.

Goodbye, Comrade Zhu Rongji

Zhu Rongji, born on October 23, 1928, died on August 12, 2026. He had been a prime minister, and a great modernizer of China’s financial system. Yet his legacy seems to have faded. Premier Zhu was the man who pushed for China to join the World Trade Organization. He wanted

Taiwan holds anti-blockade naval drill during war games as China steps up maritime pressure

TAIPEI, Aug 13 - Taiwan's armed forces carried out an anti-blockade drill during annual war games, using the navy and coast guard to simulate escorting a merchant ship, the defence ministry said on Thursday, as China steps up its maritime pressure.

China’s new stealth corvette tests the future of naval warfare

China’s mystery weapon aboard its experimental stealth corvette points to a wider naval race to harness directed energy for everything from deniable gray-zone coercion to defeating the drone swarms that threaten to overwhelm conventional ship defenses. This month, Defense Blog

Malaysia’s passports with over 10-year validity on hold after citizens face issues travelling

Current holders of these passports will be given a free replacement.

Johor probing 9 Malaysian firms for allegedly dumping construction waste from Singapore: Official

The companies allegedly transported construction waste across the Tuas Second Link before dumping it near villages in Pontian, according to the head of Johor’s waste management agency.

Late former premier Zhu Rongji used economics to tighten China’s grip on Tibet

The Zhu-led Western Development Strategy was able to “bring Tibetans in line with Chinese government policies.”

PKR and DAP faithful meet this week with Anwar’s fate on the line. Here’s what to watch

The Malaysian PM needs to reverse a losing streak in electoral contests for his Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Australia's game-changing disability support is in crisis – what went wrong?

The programme was game-changing for its users - but as costs balloon, its success has led to its downfall.

Gulf oil spill fast becoming worst in years, agencies warn

The slick off the coast of Oman from a grounded tanker had reportedly reached the mainland on Aug 12.

Malaysian PM Anwar discharged from hospital after surgery

He had undergone a surgical procedure successfully on Aug 10.

Man to be charged over fake employee passes, stamps linked to scams

The 23-year-old was caught at Woodlands Checkpoint allegedly carrying fake employee passes and official-looking stamps bearing the emblems of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Myanmar’s junta wants to cancel the diplomatic test it can’t pass

“No longer necessary.” That was Min Aung Hlaing’s foreign ministry on August 8, on the office of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar. He had flown home from a state visit to Thailand 48 hours earlier, which invited the easy

Iran says no progress on reviving interim peace deal with US

DUBAI, Aug 12 - Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to

Half of Afghan women rarely leave home as Taliban restrictions deepen, UN agency says

The Taliban have issued more than 100 decrees targeting women and girls since taking power, deepening what the UN calls the world’s worst women’s rights crisis.

Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial in UK for 'trespass' at diplomatic residence

LONDON, Aug 12 - Myanmar's former ambassador to the United Kingdom stood trial in a London court on Wednesday, charged with trespassing at a diplomatic residence that he refused to leave after being sacked for opposing Myanmar's military coup five years ago.

Exiled Myanmar ambassador on trial for ‘trespass’ at diplomatic residence in Britain

LONDON, Aug 12 - Myanmar's former ambassador to the United Kingdom stood trial in a London court on Wednesday, charged with trespassing at a diplomatic residence that he refused to leave after being sacked for opposing Myanmar's military coup five years ago.

India says border peace critical to ties with China amid reports of military tensions

India and China are seeking to mend ties following deadly border clashes in 2020.

Zhu Rongji, who helped turn China into a trading giant, dies at 97

The former premier brought China into the WTO and championed reforms that fuelled growth.

Singaporean fugitive, girlfriend rescued in Malaysia from kidnapping ring seeking US$62,500 ransom

The man had entered Malaysia illegally in May while his girlfriend had entered legally. This is the second case in a week in which Malaysian police have rescued Singaporean kidnap victims.

Iran, US not discussing ceasefire extension, senior Iranian official says

DUBAI, Aug 12 - There were no discussions between Iran and the United States to extend their ceasefire because, from Tehran's perspective, the deal had no start date and therefore had nothing to extend, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday.

South Korean gambling ring used sexual exploitation videos to lure millions of users

The organisation allegedly managed two illegal pornography sites and 18 gambling sites.

Pakistan's ruling party poised to win Kashmir elections amid deadly clashes, analysts say

LAHORE, Aug 12 - Pakistan's ruling party appeared poised to win a majority in Pakistan-administered Kashmir's local assembly, even as some of the most closely watched constituencies had yet to vote amid deadly unrest.

Nintendo to launch Switch consoles in Indonesia in December

Salim Group will be the official distributor for the consoles.

Four heirs of Indonesia’s richest family inherit $3.75 billion each

The Hartono family transfer tops the roughly S$12.8 billion left behind by Singaporean Wee Cho Yaw.

Alleged Singaporean fugitive, kidnapped by own smuggler in JB, rescued by Malaysian police

The Singaporean had evaded his parole for a drug offence, The Star reported.

How innovation is saving Japan’s vending machine empire

The traditional vending machine, long a symbol of Japanese convenience and efficiency, is fighting a brutal economic battle.

Zhu Rongji, Chinese premier who cajoled economy into modern era, dies at 97

BEIJING, Aug 12 - Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who died on Wednesday aged 97, was never one to mince his words.

Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji dies aged 97

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji coaxed and cajoled China's way into the World Trade Organization in 2002 through gruelling negotiations.

China’s C919 jet makes first international commercial flight

Beijing hopes the domestically produced plane will reduce China’s reliance on foreign technology.

China’s reformist ex-premier Zhu Rongji dies

He was primarily responsible for economic reforms in China’s transformation from a planned economy to a socialist market.

China's C919 jet makes first international commercial flight

Japan brushes off Australian PM’s melon drama

The comments prompted some outrage on social media in Japan.

‘Blow to China's pride’: Fallout extent from Long March 7A rocket failure hinges on what went wrong

A Long March 7A rocket exploded shortly after liftoff on Monday (Aug 10), bringing its half-decade run of successful missions to a fiery end. The extent of the fallout on China’s space programme will hinge on what investigators uncover, say analysts.

Air quality in parts of Sarawak hits unhealthy level

Unhealthy air quality readings have been recorded in Serian and 11 other localities.

Hong Kong sentences 19-year-old to probation for ‘seditious’ toilet graffiti

Leung Kai-lok, who is on the autism spectrum, had written “Liberate Hong Kong”.

Smoking, drinking to be banned along Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon stream

Cheonggyecheon has offered residents in Seoul relief from summer heat while drawing steady tourist traffic.

One dead, more than 200 rescued after Indonesian ferry from Bali catches fire

This is the second such incident in days, after a ferry caught fire off Java island last week.

One dead, 172 rescued after Indonesian ferry from Bali catches fire

This is the second such incident in days, after a ferry caught fire off Java island last week.

North Korea resumes naval base construction as it modernises fleet

Additional construction around the base seems to indicate an expansion of the facility.