Taliban arrested at least 30 women for violating hijab rules in Afghanistan: UN

The local authorities have denied reports that women were arrested.

Is China really deflating deflation? It’s harder than Beijing thinks

TOKYO – China’s “deflation-is-over” narrative is getting louder, but the foundations are still shaky. Consumer prices rose 1.2% year-on-year in May, while producer prices jumped 3.9%, lifted by higher costs for energy, semiconductors and metals. To many economists, this is the

Armenian opposition party files petition to annul June election results

June 12 - A pro-Russian opposition alliance filed a request to Armenia's election commission on Friday to throw out the results of last Sunday's parliamentary election, won by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's governing party.

China arrests US scholar who studies Myanmar on suspicion of spying

China's Foreign Ministry said the American was suspected of endangering Chinese national security.

China arrests US scholar of Myanmar on suspicion of spying

BEIJING, June 12 - China's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday the arrest of Min Zin, a U.S. citizen who leads a think-tank focused on Myanmar, saying the American was suspected of spying and endangering Chinese national security.

Myanmar’s prison releases part of a wider system of terror

Myanmar’s traditional New Year, Thingyan, is a time of renewal and public celebration. This year, it brought the release of some 4,300 prisoners in a mass amnesty ordered by the military. The release of President Win Myint, a close ally of well-known leader Aung San Suu Kyi,

Small Japan firms say high procurement costs biggest hit from Iran war, survey shows

Around three quarters of businesses polled cited rising procurement costs as a business impact.

Will IPOs make America’s AI giants more accountable?

A huge change is coming to the world’s booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Starting with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, with OpenAI and Anthropic preparing to follow, all three private companies are set to sell shares of their stock to the general public for the first time. These

A year after deadly Air India crash, families await answers

The Indian authorities are expected to issue an interim report in the coming days.

China backs next generation of tech champions as new rules reshape path overseas

Government funding continues to fuel innovation in hubs such as Shenzhen, but tighter controls on outbound investment could add new compliance hurdles for firms with global ambitions.

Commentary: PM Anwar faces leadership referendum in upcoming Johor, Negeri Sembilan state polls

The upcoming state assembly polls in Johor and Negeri Sembilan are fast shaping into Malaysia’s most consequential electoral contests, serving as unintended referendums of PM Anwar’s leadership with far-reaching national consequences, says CNA's Leslie Lopez.

Bangladesh, India to coordinate patrols on border, share intelligence amid migrant tensions

DHAKA, June 12 - Bangladesh and India have agreed to deepen cooperation along their shared border with improved intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols, according to a joint statement released on Friday, amid strained relations over alleged undocumented migration.

Vietnam police bust group planning large-scale online scam centre

HANOI, June 12 - Vietnamese police have busted a group suspected of trying to establish a large-scale online scam centre in the country, authorities said on Friday, as criminal networks spread their operations across Southeast Asia.

The China collapse that just never arrives

China has been on the verge of collapse for more than 20 years. In 2001, lawyer and commentator Gordon Chang published “The Coming Collapse of China.” The book famously predicted that China’s economic model would fail within a decade. The decade passed. The prediction was

Yangon’s furtive party scene belies junta claims of normality

Since the 2021 coup, the rate of young people feeling unsafe walking alone at night has increased.

How South Korea’s ballot shortage spurred turnout of thousands to defend democracy

Frustration over the shortages at more than 90 polling sites unleashed extensive political protests.

How South Korea's ballot shortage spurred turnout of thousands to defend democracy

SEOUL, June 12 - Arriving to cast her vote in South Korea's local elections, Yoomi Lee was surprised to find the polling station had run out of ballot papers, turning the quick stop she had planned into an hours-long wait and quarrels with election officials.

Japanese parents turn to AI for clues hidden in babies’ cries

Some tools apply previous research suggesting babies make distinct vocalisations in response to needs.

Johor state election set for Jul 11, Negeri Sembilan to go to polls on Aug 1

Analysts tell CNA that while multiple parties would contest the two elections, the main battle will be between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan coalitions that are part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

Malaysian tourists slammed for sending 1,200 parcels from Taobao to hotel in China

The travel agency posted a video of the incident on the social media app Xiaohongshu.

Johor state election to be held on July 11, Negri Sembilan polls on Aug 1: Malaysian media

Negeri Sembilan's state poll will be held on Aug 1.

Johor state election to be held on July 11, Negeri Sembilan polls on Aug 1

Nomination days for Johor and Negeri Sembilan are set for June 27 and July 18 respectively.

China warns of risk of 'extreme floods' in desert regions

Trillionaire welfare baby Elon Musk is born

SpaceX goes public Friday (June 12) at around US$1.7 trillion. Elon Musk owns enough SpaceX stock that, on top of everything else he holds, Musk becomes the first person in human history to cross the trillion-dollar line. The coverage will be all hype. Unprecedented. A genius.

China warns of risk of ‘extreme floods’ in desert regions

This is due to abnormally high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and rapid glacier melt.

Cambodia's renewable energy push helps shield economy from oil shocks, says minister

Hydro and solar power have helped Cambodia keep electricity prices stable despite rising global energy costs, the country’s Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak tells CNA's Roland Lim.

Jailed South Korea ex-president gets 30 more years for sending drones into North

Prosecutors argued that Yoon ordered the operation to provoke Pyongyang and create a pretext for martial law.

Heavy police presence in Jakarta as students protest Prabowo

Traffic diversions and road closures may be imposed depending on the crowd size and conditions.

First panda born in Indonesia makes public debut at Taman Safari

The six-month-old cub named Satrio “Rio” Wiratama weighs 13.7kg.

South Korea’s ex-president gets 30 years’ jail over North Korea drone incident

Judges said Yoon intended to provoke Pyongyang so his martial law could have been justified.

South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol gets 30 years over North Korea drone incident

Yoon was given life in jail in February for leading an insurrection to "paralyse" South Korea's National Assembly with his martial law declaration.

When caregiving takes over childhood: South Korea’s hidden child labour

Researchers found that many routinely washed dishes, cleaned homes, prepared meals, cared for siblings.

Rain, aftershocks hamper rescuers as Philippine quake toll hits 55

A government tally released on June 12 revealed eight additional deaths.

Male nurses in Malaysia group against proposal to recruit Indonesian nurses

It was reported recently that Indonesia is prepared to supply up to 15,000 nurses to Malaysia.

Former refugees look to ignite Australia's World Cup

SANTA CLARA, California, June 11 - Born in refugee camps to parents displaced by conflict in Africa, three players will show the changing face of Australian soccer at the World Cup and look to answer the nation's call for goals.

Japan launches flagship H3 rocket after previous mission failed

The rocket had been grounded since the failure in December 2025.

Family of child murdered by teacher in South Korea to receive compensation

The Kim family had sought more than 400 million (S$337,890) won in compensation.

Malaysia’s ‘free-for-all’ election season opens with state polls

The country’s Election Commission is expected to announce on June 12 the vote schedule in two states.

Thai king's eldest daughter dies, aged 47, after long illness, Royal Palace says

BANGKOK, June 12 - Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the eldest child of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has died at 47, the royal palace said on Friday, after multiple health problems and nearly four years in a coma.

Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha dies after more than three years in coma

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the king's eldest daughter, collapsed in December 2022 while exercising her dogs.

Stocks rally on Gulf breakthrough hopes, oil hits two-month lows

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (Jun 11) that a peace deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, hours after threatening more strikes on Iran.

Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol dies at 47 after years in coma

The eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn died after nearly four years in a coma.

Philippine defence chief Teodoro defiant after China sanctions

Gilberto Teodoro said he had been sanctioned for “speaking truth”.

Philippine defence chief defiant after China sanctions

Gilberto Teodoro as well as his spouse and child will be banned from entering China's mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, said China's foreign ministry on Thursday.

Air India crash families' year-long battle to identify remains of victims

Relatives urge Indian authorities for answers after receiving the misidentified, and in one case mixed, remains of their loved ones.