Straits Times Asia

Haze hits unhealthy levels across 30 areas in Malaysia

There were 37 areas nationwide that recorded moderate air quality.

Dog abuse incident in southern China sparks protests

Calls for better legal protection for animals have grown in more than 100 Chinese cities.

Man thrown off spinning ride at Incheon amusement park, taken to hospital

He fell to the ground and complained of pain in his head and neck.

India wanted red flags on chip packets and soda. Big Food fought back

Big food companies argue that warning labels confuse consumers and are ineffective.

Pakistan and Iran made 'significant progress' in talks on conflict, minister says

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 - Pakistan and Iran made \"significant progress\" in talks that focused on the U.S.-Israeli war on…

New Zealand's main opposition party supports social media ban for under-16s

SYDNEY, Aug 25 - Labour, New Zealand's main opposition party, said on Tuesday it would support a ban on social media…

New Zealand’s main opposition party supports social media ban for under-16s

The support removes a major obstacle for PM Luxon after his coalition partners said they would block the legislation.

Families of detained Chinese Christians cling to faith in legal limbo

Chinese authorities detained more than 20 of Zion’s members in October 2025.

Malaysian university fires professor who said Romans learnt shipbuilding from Malays

Solehah Yaacob, who previously served as a linguistics professor, was terminated on April 27.

K-meat gains ground in Singapore as premium beef and pork exports expand

The products made their full-scale market debut in January with a launch event at Marina Bay Sands.

Thai teen Nene Royal’s viral guitar solos on America’s Got Talent fuel hopes for tourism boost

The Thai PM has instructed the tourism authorities to explore ways to support the 16-year-old singer-musician.

Homes submerged, tens of thousands relocated in China’s south as flooding intensifies

Saudel is expected to pass to the north of Taiwan and dump water on its north starting late on Aug 27.

China’s hackers use DeepSeek for attacks, researchers say

State-affiliated cybergroups have more than doubled the number of attacks.

A 115% jump: Tourist wallets power South Korea’s convenience store growth

What visitors bought also reflected the character of each district.

South Korea’s SK Hynix union members reject wage agreement in vote

The agreement included a 6.3% wage increase and a revision to its profit-sharing bonus scheme.

Australia’s top music charts ban AI songs

The move follows growing concern in the music industry over a surge in AI-generated music hitting the air waves.

India’s ‘cockroach’ group plans march in September over unmet demands

The group said the march would be peaceful and urged students and youth organisations across India to take part.

China develops missile to target planes thousands of kilometres away

It is part of a larger effort by China to use its missile arsenal for nearly every military task.

New Zealand market watchdog finds Maori face insurance gaps, cost barrier

The research also found significant levels of distrust stemming from experiences of racism and bias.

Snoring, subways and stealth ads: How big pharma targets China's waistline

China’s rate of overweight or obese people could reach more than 65 per cent by 2030.

Hyundai Motor’s union reaches tentative wage deal, averting more strikes

Seoul says South Korea and US vow close cooperation on North Korea

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Aug 24.

Malaysia’s PKR faces existential threat as disenchanted veterans drift to splinter party Bersama

The exodus leaves PKR facing a leadership gap as party president Anwar nears 80.

HK actor Mat Yeung’s Selangor restaurant temporarily closed by city council 10 days after opening

The authorities discovered that its kitchen was occupying part of a public space.

Japan’s beaches are emptying out – and vanishing

The decline is cultural and environmental, due to changing lifestyles and sand erosion.

US Treasury to broaden scope of secondary sanctions on Iran, source says

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 - The U.S. Treasury is expected on Monday to broaden the scope of secondary sanctions it can impose…

China’s Xi Jinping looks set to visit India with big delegation for first time in seven years

Beijing and New Delhi’s efforts to stabilise relations will be closely watched during BRICS summit.

Bangladesh court upholds death sentence over teacher who burned teen alive

A teen was doused in kerosene and set on fire after a harassment complaint against the head of her school.

Death toll from eastern Indonesia earthquake rises to 100

More people undergoing treatment succumbed to their injuries, while more than 1,600 are injured.

Indonesia will build trustworthy commodity exchange, chief supervisor candidate Sarjito says

The commodity bourse is set to start operations on Jan 1.

India’s security chief Ajit Doval visits China for border talks ahead of BRICS meeting

He will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Aug 25, as well as Vice-President Han Zheng.

Indonesia to open airspace for cloud seeding to tackle haze, Malaysia says

Malaysia is prepared to offer assistance to Indonesia in extinguishing fires, said a Cabinet minister.

Pakistan's Munir spoke to Trump ahead of Tehran visit, sources say

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 - U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir last week ahead of Munir's…

Taiwan indicts nine over alleged illegal export of AI servers to China

The defendants included employees of Nvidia and Super Micro.

Japan lawmakers visit China seeking to patch up ties

Iran warns vessels violating Hormuz transit rules of fines, detention

Aug 24 - Iran has issued a warning that vessels violating its arrangements for transiting the Strait of Hormuz could…