Straits Times Asia

Kremlin expresses concern over arrests of Armenia opposition leaders

MOSCOW, Aug 28 - Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Friday Russia was greatly concerned about the arrests of opposition…

US hits Egyptian bank branches with Iran sanctions as war marks six months

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 - The U.S. imposed Iran-related sanctions on an Egyptian bank on Friday, part of Treasury Secretary…

Japan’s commitment to the ‘rule of law’ is tested by US sanctions on its own citizen – the ICC chief

Tokyo needs to balance between championing the rules-based order and managing its alliance with the US.

‘I had to turn my eyes away’: Search for loved ones missing in Nepal flood turns grim in Kathmandu

Death toll from Wednesday’s flood in northern Nepal has crossed 500 and hundreds remain missing

Vietnam demands end to activity in Paracels after report of Chinese construction

HANOI, Aug 28 - Vietnam said on Friday it strongly opposed all foreign activities in the Paracels archipelago in the…

Singapore, Uzbekistan take first step towards free trade agreement

The proposed agreement aims to improve market access and create more opportunities for businesses.

Nepal monitoring two lakes, flood risk to remain until they're fully drained, official says

NEW DELHI/LONDON, Aug 28 - Nepal is monitoring two lakes upstream of the flood zone where hundreds died on Wednesday,…

Nepal floods trauma ‘enormous’, says Red Cross, with over 90,000 people affected

It fears the death toll from the Aug 26 disaster, already above 500, will continue to rise.

Taiwan election commission rejects caning referendum proposal

TAIPEI, Aug 28 - Taiwan's election commission on Friday rejected a proposal passed by parliament for a referendum to…

Families of South Koreans missing in Nepal floods seek urgent helicopter access

SEOUL, Aug 28 - The families of South Korean workers missing after a catastrophic flash flood in Nepal urged…

Over 90,000 affected by Himalayan landslide, Red Cross says

GENEVA, Aug 28 - More than 90,000 people are estimated to be directly affected by the Himalayan landslide and in urgent…

DAP remains, but should Anwar stay the same?

With DAP committed to the unity government, can Anwar Ibrahim reform his coalition before the next Malaysian general…

Mapping the 5.0-magnitude quake in China

View the location of the earthquake’s epicenter and shake area.

Typhoon Saudel makes landfalls on China's eastern coast, disrupts travel

BEIJING, Aug 28 - Typhoon Saudel made two landfalls on China's eastern coast on Friday morning, as authorities…

Typhoon Saudel makes landfalls on China’s eastern coast, disrupts travel

Peopleevacuated and trains halted as Typhoon Saudel made two landfalls on China's eastern coast.

Cambodia shuts down over 700 cyberscam compounds: Government

The authorities have detaining nearly 30,000 suspects, including a clutch of senior government officials.

Nepal will need billions for flood recovery, minister says

Multilateral institutions including World Bank and Asian Development Bank have committed funds.

Nepal declines foreign rescue help, South Korea says it is negotiating

KATHMANDU, Aug 28 - Nepal does not need foreign assistance for search-and-rescue operations following the devastating…

Nepal-Tibet floods: Nepal tourism faces another setback as Rasuwa disaster exposes mountain risks

Nepal’s exposure to climate-related disasters is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Nepal lake breaks banks, water level rising, district official says

KATHMANDU, Aug 28 - Officials in Nepal's Rasuwa district have received a notice saying a lake has broken its banks, two…

Nepal lake breaks banks, water level rising: District official

The authorities in Nepal said they had paused rescue operations.

Nepal’s only billionaire says rebuilding after floods to cost $6.3b

Binod Chaudhary says reconstruction will cost money, time and a lot of grit.

3 dead in fire at paint material factory in South Korea

The local government sent an emergency alert urging nearby residents to exercise caution.

India recovers 7 bodies swept downstream after Nepal floods

China’s ‘Usain Bot’ shows the limits of human speed

Parts of the robot’s torso and waist were redesigned to cut weight and reduce the effort needed.

Seoul fertility rate rebounds as births, marriages rise

The increase was the largest among South Korea's 16 major administrative regions.

Nepal-Tibet floods: Nepal struggles to store, identify bodies carried downstream by devastating flood

Hospitals reported that their morgues are filling up after bodies arrived from several districts.

On islands key to Taiwan's defense, troops prepare for a Chinese first strike

PENGHU, Taiwan, Aug 28 - In the pre-dawn darkness on an island in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese troops earlier this…

On islands key to Taiwan’s defence, troops train for a Chinese first strike

Taiwan is fortifying Penghu with missiles and civilian resolve to withstand the first blows of war.

Japan’s education ministry creates guidelines to help schools deal with overbearing parents

The guidelines provide examples of how schools should handle such situations.

Japan Airlines to introduce aircraft-washing robot at airport near Tokyo

The AW3 robot can clean an aircraft using a remotely operated telescopic arm.

Japan police to expand wearable camera use nationwide in FY2027

The National Police Agency has requested about 170 million yen (S$1.4 million) for the year starting April 2027.

Two arrested over $1.6 million luxury watch heist in Tokyo

They allegedly stole three Richard Mille watches and a Patek Philippe watch.

Over 2,000 remain in shelters one month after Kumamoto quake

The July 28 quake damaged an estimated 42,222 homes.

Malaysia’s former human resources minister Saravanan claims trial on graft charges

The 58-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out.

China halts rescue at Tibet disaster epicentre over flood risk

Emergency teams which had earlier accessed the area “have been ordered to withdraw 1km”.