Malaysia is getting richer. Why are so many of its children still stunted?

Malaysia has become richer, but too many children are falling behind in growth.

From trackside shacks to new homes, Jakarta families weigh what comes next

Indonesia wants to relocate families living beside railway tracks to newly built housing, starting with Jakarta before expanding the programme nationwide.

South Korea’s dog meat restaurants face their final ‘dog days’

The ban on breeding, slaughter and sale of dogs for meat takes effect in February 2027.

US weighs tactical nukes as China, Russia raise escalatory stakes

The US may be entering a period of significant nuclear reassessment as it confronts a growing mismatch between its predominantly strategic arsenal and adversaries increasingly prepared for limited nuclear use. This month, Breaking Defense reported that the US Department of

Australia is the planet's extinction hotspot, but one animal offers a glimmer of hope

The country is home to some of the world's most unique species - but it is losing them at an alarming rate.

Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia defence pact technically same as NATO's Article 5, Turkish minister says

ANKARA, Aug 8 - A defence pact signed between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically the same as NATO's Article 5 mutual defence agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday, adding the accord was not targeting Iran.

‘Dubious pretexts’: US slams Chinese actions in South China Sea

Beijing is using “dubious” environmental explanations to advance its territorial claims, said the US.

Makkah pact more strategic hedge than mutual defense revolution

On August 7, 2026, at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement — a trilateral pact declaring that an armed attack against any

Unpacking the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey defense pact

The recently signed Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey Joint Defense Agreement, concluded in Mecca on August 7, 2026, and referred to as the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, marks a significant development in the evolving strategic architecture of the Middle East. The agreement was

Penang suspends automated number plate recognition in parking enforcement after public backlash

The move came after motorists complained they were given too little time to pay for parking.

Typhoon Dolphin batters Japan's Okinawa before bearing down on China

The storm has cut power to at least 44,000 buildings and injured five people on the Japanese island.

The political black hole over the Strait of Hormuz

The absence of Iran’s supreme leader, doubts about his condition and internal power divisions are turning the country into a failing state — spreading chaos as far as China. What will Beijing do? Iranian regime media have claimed the emerging Iran-Oman deal would let Iran

California may win chip race while losing productivity one

Silicon Valley built its reputation by making transistors smaller and smaller. For decades, each shrink delivered a predictable payoff: faster computers, cheaper computing power, new products and new industries. Moore’s Law became a self-reinforcing cycle. Lower costs expanded

'Mum, don't call me': Inside Thailand's deadly school shooting

Nine people are dead and another 23 wounded in Thailand's worst mass shooting since 2022.

Thailand school shooting toll rises to nine after death of 12-year-old girl

‘Mum, don’t call me’: Inside Thailand’s deadly school shooting

In all, nine people were killed and another 23 wounded, in Thailand’s worst mass shooting since 2022.

'Mom, don't call me': Inside Thailand's deadly school shooting

BANG KRUAI, Thailand, Aug 8 - When a shot rang out at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School on the outskirts of Bangkok on Friday morning, 14-year-old Khim and her classmates peered over a balcony to see if the noise had come from a construction site.

Household waste piling up after Kumamoto earthquake

In Uki, household waste volume exceeded the processing capacity of the city’s incineration plant.

UAE says Iran attacked ADNOC vessel with missile in Strait of Hormuz

Aug 8 - The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned what it said was an Iranian attack on a carrier linked to its state oil company as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of \"acts of piracy\".

Thai school shooting: Death toll rises to 9

Debsirin Nonthaburi School identified the victim as a student.

16 suffer burns during Torch Festival in Yunnan

All the injured are reported to be in stable condition in hospital.

Winter melon cooling hack goes viral in China but experts warn to be careful

Winter melons are made up of over 95 per cent water, making them similar to water-filled cooling pillows.

Rugby player in Japan dies of suspected ‘severe heatstroke’

Saimoni Vunilagi was taken to hospital in Fukuoka after a team practice on Aug 3 and died on Aug 7.

Why India's youth protest movement still poses a challenge for Modi

The Cockroach Janta Party-led protests that topple India’s education minister now leave Prime Minister Narendra Modi facing wider anger over jobs, opportunities and trust in institutions.

Tibet conference in Nepal pushed online

Nepal’s government denied that it had ordered the change.

Student in China suffered temporary hearing loss after exposure to cicadas’ buzzing while camping

Prolonged exposure to high-decibel levels can lead to permanent impairment.

Typhoon Dolphin hits Japan's Okinawa, China shuts ports ahead of landfall

The typhoon recorded maximum sustained winds of 162kmh with gusts reaching 216kmh.

Woman arrested in Singapore as part of probe into Fun Coffee investment scheme

The 49-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday following investigations into the platform, which is purportedly based in Vietnam.

Thailand school shooting probe finds violent games and US school-shooting searches

The police also believe that the teenager killed his grandparents at their home.

Taiwan to attend Pacific leaders meet: Pacific official

China and Taiwan were important partners to the region, a Pacific Islands Forum official said.

Pellet guns, sticks and tear gas: How India’s police halted a youth march

The evidence suggests security forces exceeded many guidelines for law enforcement in peaceful demonstrations.

Why Seoul can’t shake its sewer smell

Seoul’s sewer system has struggled to keep pace with the city’s rapid urban growth.

Olive Young’s $3 shopping bag becomes unlikely South Korea souvenir

The bag sold by has surpassed 1.78 million units in cumulative sales since its launch.

Nepal rescuers find bodies of five climbers killed in 2025

The five have been missing since November after being struck by an avalanche on Yalung Ri mountain.

Bodies spotted at site where five climbers went missing last year

KATHMANDU, Aug 8 - Nepali rescue workers have spotted five bodies at a site where the same number of climbers went missing last year, officials said on Saturday.

Typhoon Dolphin hits Japan’s Okinawa, China shuts ports ahead of landfall

Domestic airlines ANA and Japan Airlines cancelled flights to and from Okinawa.

How Thai teenager carried out a deadly school shooting after killing his grandparents

Thailand faces fresh pressure over gun laws after a 14-year-old uses his grandfather's gun to kill seven people, wound 23 and then take his own life.

Taiwan president oversees coastal strike drill during annual war games

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan, Aug 8 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te oversaw coastal strike drills on Saturday during annual war games, boarding a fast attack missile boat and watching the deployment of low-flying attack drones to simulate beating off a Chinese assault.

Taiwan President oversees coastal strike drill during annual war games

Lai boarded a fast attack missile boat at a navy base in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

Taipei says China’s traffic control order for Taiwan Strait during typhoon is ‘ridiculous’

Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall on China's east coast late on Aug 7 or early Aug 8.

Taipei says China's traffic control order for Taiwan Strait during typhoon is 'ridiculous'

TAIPEI, Aug 8 - China's attempt to implement traffic control measures on shipping heading into the Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Dolphin is \"ridiculous\", Taipei said, adding that Beijing has no right to restrict access to international waters.

Two men to be charged over alleged arrangements for Lim Tean to leave Singapore illegally

Lim Tean was arrested by Malaysian police in Johor Bahru on Thursday after failing to surrender in Singapore to serve jail time.

Two men charged over alleged arrangements for Lim Tean to leave Singapore illegally

Lim Tean was arrested by Malaysian police in Johor Bahru on Thursday after failing to surrender in Singapore to serve jail time.

He's been frozen on Everest for 30 years, now 'Green Boots' may finally be coming home

For decades, an Indian man's lime shoes have been a grim trail marker for many climbing the world's highest peak.