Straits Times Asia

Cambodia’s leader Hun Manet pledges more to tackle evolving scam networks

Trump to impose forced labor duties on Friday as temporary 10% US tariffs expire

July 23 - The Trump administration on Friday will impose new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners, including…

‘Bored of just running’: How some young Indonesians found community

Traditional games and other analogue hobbies such as film photography are helping Indonesians reconnect offline.

Trump says Xi will visit US on September 24

WASHINGTON, July 23 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will discuss artificial intelligence with…

Bangladesh president, backed by ousted PM Hasina, to resign on Friday, say sources

NEW DELHI, July 23 - Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, a former ally of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, will…

How Abhijeet Dipke became the face of India's first Gen Z protest movement

NEW DELHI, July 23 - They were just six words posted on X in a moment of frustration:

US FBI director Patel returns looted Papuan artefacts to Prabowo

The Indonesian government has been working to repatriate artefacts stolen from the archipelago.

Landslide death toll rises to 11 in south-west China, 50 still missing

The death toll from a landslide in the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing has risen to 11.

Iran flew IRGC commanders, missile gear to Yemen's Houthis, sources say

July 23 - Iran flew Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, military advisers and missile- and…

From trade hubs to attractions: China’s wholesale markets are becoming tourist hot spots

This trend comes against the backdrop of Beijing’s broader push to stimulate flagging domestic consumption.

Singapore seeks to avoid becoming collateral damage from US tariffs: Vivian Balakrishnan

He also said tariff uncertainty reinforces the need for ASEAN to deepen economic integration and enhance its resilience.

Sweden declares mining national security interest to counter dependence on China

STOCKHOLM, July 23 - Sweden's government declared mining of critical metals and rare earth minerals a national security…

Myanmar leaders’ return to ASEAN meetings ‘still far off’: Grouping’s envoy

ASEAN barred Myanmar’s leadership from its top meetings after a military coup in 2021.

Congo's Ebola deaths top 1,000 as violence and shortages hamper medics

July 23 - Ebola has now killed more than 1,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, official figures show, as…

China resumes issuing robotaxi licences after long freeze

The resumption is occurring gradually in some cities after the completion of an industrywide review.

Pakistan's US funding push after Iran war role draws skepticism from economists

KARACHI, July 23 - Pakistan's push to convert some of its diplomatic goodwill with the Trump administration into…

South Korea shifting to ‘peace first’ North Korea policy, retains denuclearisation goal

SEOUL, July 23 - South Korea is abandoning a \"denuclearisation first\" policy in favour of a \"peace first\" approach…

Malaysia asks UNHCR to temporarily cease registration of refugees

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 - Malaysia has asked the U.N. refugee agency to temporarily stop registering new refugees in the…

Malaysia asks UN agency to temporarily cease registration of refugees

This would enable the government to implement its own refugee registration programme.

Rubio says US committed to helping end Ukraine war after meeting Lavrov

MANILA, July 23 - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play…

Thailand works on $920m EV plan to replace 80,000 commercial transport vehicles

Thailand is South-east Asia’s largest automotive production hub, but domestic vehicle sales slumped in 2024.

Shipowners halt vessel calls for farm exports at Ukraine's Black Sea ports, minister says

July 23 - Shipowners have temporarily suspended vessel arrivals at Ukraine's Black Sea ports for agricultural exports…

Leopard barges into liquor store in India, mauls worker in terrifying video

A clerk trapped the big cat inside the store after it attacked three people in a Rajasthan town.

Heavy rain and flooding kill 82 across India, Pakistan and Afghanistan

Flooding has also caused widespread damage to farmland, infrastructure and public facilities.

Five security personnel killed in attack in Thailand's south

BANGKOK, July 23 - Five Thai security personnel were killed and six civilians, including two young children, injured in…

Five soldiers killed in bomb attack in Thailand’s restive south

Six civilians were also wounded in the July 22 evening attack in Narathiwat.

China says it drove away Philippine vessels in fresh South China Sea incident

BEIJING, July 23 - China said on Thursday it tracked and drove away two Philippine vessels it accused of having…

China fires water cannon on Philippine ship at Scarborough Shoal, Manila says

It was the second incident this week involving both nations in the South China Sea.

Tokyo reports most heat-related hospitalisations since 2010, with one dead

The Tokyo Fire Department said 453 people were taken to hospital on July 22.

Death toll in Indian tunnel blast rises to 22

GUWAHATI, India, July 23 - At least seven more bodies were recovered from the tunnel of an under-construction…

China begins two days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait

BEIJING, July 23 - China began two days of live-fire drills from Thursday in some parts of the Taiwan Strait near the…

South Korea election office raided in fake turnout figures probe: Investigators

Dozens of polling stations experienced ballot paper shortages on the June 3 nationwide vote.

Top diplomats gather for security forum in S-E Asia

The war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are expected to dominate discussions at the plenary event.

Fresh violence at Delhi ‘cockroach’ youth protest over exam paper leaks

Protest leaders vow to continue their protest until the education minister resigns.

India’s Modi promises fast-track courts on exam leaks; protesters want education minister to quit

Protest leaders vow to continue their protest until the education minister resigns.

Woman dies while diving in Tioman waters

Police investigations found no criminal elements, and the case was classified as sudden death.