Rousing anthems, savage diss songs – Johor’s candidates lean on same secret crutch

AI use by political parties in the Malaysian state's elections is raising questions on ethics and misinformation.

India’s Hindu nationalists confront fraud claims at controversial Ram temple

Revelations that devotees’ donations worth tens of millions of rupees may have been embezzled have shocked many people.

China’s bathhouse boom: How a centuries-old tradition became a trendy 24-hour hangout

China’s bathhouses have evolved into all-day leisure destinations.

Kazakh mine deal latest manifestation of Trump enrichment syndrome

The Trump administration concluded a recent mineral deal with Kazakhstan that, not surprisingly, enriches not only Trump’s own family but that of his secretary of commerce, Howard Lutnick. Trump’s two eldest sons, part owners of Dominari Securities, are set to profit from the

Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, once detained by China, dies in Taipei, report says

July 2 - Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, who fled to Taiwan amid fears of Chinese persecution, has died at the age of 70, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday, citing Taiwanese media.

Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing Kee, once detained by China, dies in Taipei, report says

Lam disclosed in 2025 that his lung cancer had returned and advanced to stage four.

Europe targets shadow fleet tankers falsely using Cameroon flag, sources say

PARIS/LONDON, July 2 - Europe is taking tougher action against tankers falsely using Cameroon's flag registry to transport Russian oil, including boarding vessels at sea, prompting Cameroon to dump 39 such vessels from its ship registry, according to officials and documents.

Ag mantra with China cutting US imports: Fix – don’t scrap – USMCA

Even if President Donald J. Trump was indulging in negotiating talk when he said he is “not looking to renew” the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the remark gave US agriculture a case of nerves. And now he has officially decided against renewal, putting the free-trade

PNG received millions after Cyclone Maila, but some residents still wait for relief

Cash donations from China and Australia made headlines, but government has helped only ‘severely affected’ areas.

Ambani-Trump Jr. investigation encountered a Google AI surprise

This article was first published by ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. It is republished under a Creative Commons license. Last month, my colleagues and I published an investigation into a Texas oil refinery startup, America First Refining,

Rebels in Indonesia’s Papua kill American pilot, burn plane, spokesperson says

A spokesman for a local separatist group described it as a "message" to the US and Indonesian governments.

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua kill American pilot, burn plane, spokesperson says

JAKARTA, July 2 - Rebels in Indonesia's restive easternmost region of Papua on Thursday shot dead an American pilot and set a civilian plane on fire in what a spokesperson for a local separatist group described as a \"message\" to the U.S. and Indonesian governments.

Thailand to tighten anti-drug measures at airports after Australia-linked smuggling cases

Screening of airline crew is done under the same standards as passenger screening, say the authorities.

Indonesia seizes 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds intended for vapes

The cannabis was hidden in suitcases and latex boxes.

Coffee with a view: Tourists flock to Starbucks overlooking North Korea

Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East flights

Japan warns of floods, landslides in eastern and western areas amid heavy rain

The authorities warned of landslides, flooding and rising rivers.

Indonesia’s Aceh flogs couple for kissing in TikTok video

The couple was publicly flogged with 21 cane lashes each for kissing in a TikTok livestream.

Plaza Accord 2.0 talk won’t fix anybody’s China problem

TOKYO — Enter German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as the latest to suggest a Plaza Accord 2.0 is needed to knock China’s export competitiveness down to size. Merz argues the yuan is 30% undervalued, accuses Beijing of “flooding global markets” with artificially cheap goods and

India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

NEW DELHI, July 2 - India said on Thursday that its deputy foreign minister and a state governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nine Thai monks killed after 11-year-old driver collides with procession

The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking by the roadside when the truck ploughed into them.

Man in Malaysia rapes girl, 8, then tries to buy her silence for $1

The 49-year-old man is to serve 10 years in jail and get 2 strokes of the cane.

EU tells Armenia ‘you can count on us’ as Russia keeps up economic pressure

The restrictions from Moscow have hit many key Armenian exports.

Japan deploys bear cameras in mountains as attacks surge

Jars of honey mixed with wine placed at about human-head height are meant to attract the bears.

Beijing identifies pilot killed in crash into city's tallest building

BEIJING, July 2 - The pilot killed when a plane crashed into Beijing's tallest building last Friday was a 66-year-old man surnamed Liu, Beijing's Chaoyang district government said on Thursday, as officials sought to end speculation about the incident.

EU and US concerned by China's new ethnic unity law which targets people overseas

BRUSSELS, July 2 - The United States and the European Union expressed concern on Thursday about China's new law on ethnic unity that went into effect this week and gives Beijing the legal basis to take action against people outside its borders.

Eight monks killed in Thailand after 11-year-old boy crashes truck

BANGKOK, July 2 - Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after being hit by a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy while on a pilgrimage in Thailand's northeastern province of Mukdahan, officials said on Thursday.

Pilot who hit Beijing tower wrote about ending life

China says pilot crashed small plane into skyscraper for 'personal reasons'

The 66-year-old, who died in the crash, had anxiety and referenced "ending his life" in his diary.

Amazon vows action against India delivery partner after fire probe concludes

NEW DELHI, July 2 - Amazon said on Thursday it will take \"appropriate action\" against a third-party delivery partner in India once a police investigation into a fire that killed two workers concludes.

Japan’s first petrol-powered mini taxis hit the road after deregulation

Restrictions were lifted after a request from the taxi industry, which faces a shortage of drivers.

Pilot who hit Beijing tower wrote about ending life, says district govt

The pilot had suffered from insomnia and anxiety, Beijing’s Chaoyang district government said.

Malaysia’s Anwar says Norway missile deal cancellation reflects wider Western hypocrisy

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also cited the situation in Gaza, Israel’s “incessant bombardment” of Lebanon, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the civil war in Sudan as signs that pointed toward a greater devaluation of respect for international norms and laws.

India, Japan sign pacts on AI, metals, and energy after Modi-Takaichi talks

The two countries signed an agreement on their first co-development project in the defence sector.

Taiwan police bust $388 million World Cup betting ring

Some of those arrested travelled to Taiwan on tourist visas for the World Cup betting operation.

Chinese electric scooter maker Luyuan apologises for risque advertisements that sparked controversy

The ads, which were subsequently removed, featured female models in various sexually suggestive poses.

Nine Thai monks killed after boy drives truck into procession

The 11-year-old drove his parents' truck into a group of 35 monks and five lay followers who were walking along a road.

Japanese women MPs get just two more toilets

The government says it wants to have women in at least 30 per cent of the legislative seats.

A decade since Duterte's deadly drug war, victims' families continue fight for justice as ICC trial nears

Human rights groups believe the true death toll could be in the tens of thousands, arguing that many killings went undocumented.

Senior Chinese lawmaker to attend Khamenei's funeral

BEIJING, July 2 - Senior Chinese lawmaker He Wei will attend the funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

Kyrgyzstan asks neighbours for help with fuel supplies as Russian shortages bite

BISHKEK, July 2 - Kyrgyzstan asked Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to help ensure stable fuel supplies late on Wednesday, amid concerns over potential shortages linked to Ukraine's drone strikes against Russian oil refineries.

Digital parking systems in Selangor and Sabah fully restored after cyberattacks

Parking payments and enforcement operations returning to normal

Foreign tech workers to get easier visa screening in South Korea

Applicants will be assessed based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria.

India’s capital announces permanent anti-pollution curbs for toxic winter months

Measures include doubling parking fees and staggered government office timings.

India's capital announces permanent anti-pollution curbs for toxic winter months

NEW DELHI, July 2 - The government of India's national capital territory of Delhi has announced a spate of measures to curb air pollution during winter, months ahead of the annual season when the city often becomes the world's most polluted.

Elephant that served as Indonesian park guardian to prevent human-animal conflict found dead

During his life, Indro played an important role in mitigating conflicts between wild elephants and humans.