Pentagon official hails ‘stronger’ military ties with PLA at anniversary event
Speaking at the Chinese embassy, US deputy assistant defence secretary Alvaro Smith says ‘clear, steady progress’ is being made
· Nayan Seth
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Newest first · UTC+11:00In Focus: Magnitude-7.1 earthquake jolts Kumamoto
TOKYO -- An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.1 struck southwestern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture around 4:27 p.m. on Tuesday.
· Staff Writer
DMW monitors OFWs after 7.1-magnitude quake in Japan
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Wednesday it was closely monitoring the condition of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted Kumamoto in southern Japan on Tuesday afternoon.
· Dan Madrazo
Japanese mall had just reopened before earthquake and explosion
Wed 29 Jul 2026 at 2:13pm
· Erin Handley
By Erin Handley
Erin Handley is a journalist with the ABC's Asia Pacific Newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter: @erinahandley
DOTr, DENR ink deal to advance transport initiatives, promote environmental protection
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday sealed a partnership to advance aviation and maritime infrastructure development while promoting environmental protection.
· Arlie O. Calalo
Asian scam gangs snare educated English speakers with fake job ads: UN agency
Victims from over 80 different countries are being trafficked into cross-border scams, the International Organisation for Migration says
· Associated Press
Asian scam gangs snare educated English speakers with fake job ads: UN agency
Victims from over 80 different countries are being trafficked into cross-border scams, the International Organisation for Migration says
· Associated Press
Driver cheats death after metal pole pierces car windscreen on China highway | South China Morning Post
The freak accident happened as a truck struck a barrier in Suzhou, sending a metal bar through a nearby passing car.
Japan's Genki Robotics to launch first product this year, says CEO
Andy Rubin, chief executive of Genki Robotics, told Nikkei Asia that the company plans to open up its operating system to outside developers, allowing them to create and sell new robot behaviors through an app-store-like marketplace. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
· TSUBASA SURUGA
Public sector unions must speak out against corruption.— Leonen
MANILA, Philippines — Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen called on public sector unions to lead the fight for accountability and social justice, saying government workers must use their collective voice to strengthen public service and protect the vulnerable.
· William B. Depasupil
‘The heat took him from me’: India’s death toll rises amid escalating heat crisis
As extreme heat claims the lives of workers in India’s poorest areas, many fear the true mortality rate is being dangerously undercounted
· Hannah Ellis Petersen, Aakash Hassan
'Turn soju into a soft drink,' Han slams ruling party's prosecution reform
Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon, former chair of the People Power Party and chief prosecutor, called out the Democratic Party of Korea's prosecutorial reform drive, accusing the ruling party of jeopardizing public safety.
· Cha Min-jung
Chinese owners of UK private schools criticized after closures
Durham High participated in the 2025 Galaxy Global Education Schools Conference in Shanghai last November that was attended by education agents, school leaders and parents. (From the LinkedIn page of GGE)
· Staff Writer
South Korea's Kospi share index falls 8%, as investors dump more AI-related stocks
A screen shows the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Bourse operator issues circuit breaker for KOSPI on sharp fall
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bourse operator on Wednesday activated a circuit breaker for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) on an extended sell-off in tech shares.
· Choi Kyong-ae
PCG debuts at largest multinational naval drills
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) made its debut at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise as the United States and its allies concluded the world's largest multinational naval drills this week, with commanders saying the participation reflected the growing role of coast guards in regional sec…
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
LTFRB revives implementation of fixed pick-up fare for TNVS
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a memorandum reviving the implementation of the pick-up fare system for ride-hailing services in response to the concerns raised by Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers on rising operational costs.
· Arlie O. Calalo
Tiangco refiles bill removing systems loss charges
MANILA, Philippines — Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco has refiled a bill abolishing systems loss charges on consumers’ electricity bills, a response to the call made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
· Kristina Maralit
Japan quake death toll rises to 13 after newly reopened Aeon Mall collapses
The June 13 reopening was supposed to be a fresh start for the shopping centre, which had been damaged in a deadly tremor in 2016
· Associated Press
Japan quake death toll rises to 13 after newly reopened Aeon Mall collapses
The June 13 reopening was supposed to be a fresh start for the shopping centre, which had been damaged in a deadly tremor in 2016
· Associated Press
DOH taps former secretaries to accelerate Universal Health Care
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has convened its "council of experts" composed of former Health secretaries to accelerate the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and ensure that its benefits are more directly felt by ordinary Filipinos.
· Red Mendoza
Photos show a rare look inside Tibet, 75 years after what China calls a 'peaceful liberation'
The Potala Palace is reflected off a polished tile on a square in Lhasa in western China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as seen during a government organized visit for foreign journalists. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
N. Korea, China pledge closer ties at banquet marking Chinese military anniv.
BEIJING/SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and China called for closer bilateral friendship and cooperation at a banquet in Pyongyang, celebrating the 99th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the North's state media reported Wednesday.
· Woo Jae-yeon
Musk’s X says Australia social media ban crackdown undermines international law
ELON MUSK'S X. A 3D-printed miniature model of Elon Musk and the X logo are seen in this illustration taken January 23, 2025.
· Victor Barreiro Jr.
MARINA lauds launch of first Subic-built vessel by HD Hyundai
SUBIC BAY, Philippines — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) welcomed the launch of the first locally built vessel constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Philippines Inc. (HHIP) at its shipyard here, calling it a landmark milestone for the domestic shipbuilding sector
· Genivi Verdejo, Carmela I. Huelar
EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Philippines targets Asian ‘fault lines’
Analysts say the European Union considers Manila ‘the most important’ partner for its Indo-Pacific strategy
· Sam Beltran
EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Manila targets ‘fault lines’
Analysts say the European Union considers Manila ‘the most important’ partner for its Indo-Pacific strategy
· Sam Beltran
Childbirths rise 13.6 pct in May
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- The number of babies born in South Korea rose 13.6 percent in May from a year earlier, government data showed Wednesday, in another positive sign amid the country's demographic challenge.
· Deok-Hyun Kim
S. Korea formally completes development of homegrown KF-21 fighter jet
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Wednesday officially wrapped up the development of its first homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, more than a decade after launching the project to replace the country's aging fleet of fighter jets, the state arms procurement agency said.
· Kim Hyun-soo
Los Angeles Is Painting Its Streets To Fight Heat Waves
Researchers found that coating more than 700,000 square feet of asphalt in a Los Angeles neighborhood with a solar-reflective material helped reduce urban heat, though the benefits came with limitations, according to the Times of India.
· Tyler Durden
China has 6 of world’s 10 most innovative humanoid robot start-ups: report
The LexisNexis study identified a ‘clear shift towards China’ in the humanoid robot race, with the US falling behind
· Xinmei Shen
China has 6 of world’s 10 most innovative humanoid robot start-ups: report
The LexisNexis study identified a ‘clear shift towards China’ in the humanoid robot race, with the US falling behind
· Xinmei Shen
Chinese FM Wang likely to visit S. Korea next month for talks on N. Korea, bilateral issues
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit South Korea next month to discuss ways to advance bilateral ties and address issues related to North Korea, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
· Oh Seok-min
Former World Cup coach denies using company card for personal expenses
Hong Myung-bo, former head coach of the South Korean men's national soccer team, said Wednesday that he had not personally used the credit card issued by his employers, the Korea Football Association.
· Yoon Min-sik
Malaysia's one-off Formula One return promises windfall
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang in 2017. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
SK Hynix Q2 profit surges but misses market forecast; shares slide
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix has benefited from the ongoing boom in demand for semiconductors spurred by artificial intelligence. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
· Staff Writer
BOK signals continued monetary tightening amid rising inflation, sound economic growth
South Korea's central bank said Wednesday it is necessary to maintain a monetary tightening mode as inflation pressure remains high and the country's economy is likely to continuously grow.
· Yonhap
KRX activates sell-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp decline
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bourse operator on Wednesday activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) after the index fell sharply, led by tech losses.
· Choi Kyong-ae
HSBC to relocate senior executive to Hong Kong amid pivot to Asia: sources
Aileen Taylor is set to move to the city as the bank focuses on tapping Asian growth markets and rebuilding its local investment banking team
· Enoch Yiu
HSBC to relocate senior executive to Hong Kong amid pivot to Asia: sources
Aileen Taylor is set to move to the city as the bank focuses on tapping Asian growth markets and rebuilding its local investment banking team
· Enoch Yiu
BOK signals continued monetary tightening amid rising inflation, sound economic growth
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's central bank said Wednesday it is necessary to maintain a monetary tightening mode as inflation pressure remains high and the country's economy is likely to continuously grow.
· Park Sang-soo
13 confirmed dead after Kumamoto quake rattles Japan chipmaking hub
A building collapsed due to the earthquake in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto prefecture, shown on the morning of July 29. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
· YURIKA YONEDA
US posts photo of coastguard working with Taiwan after Beijing starts patrols
De facto American embassy says the two sides are coordinating on search, rescue, disaster relief and maritime law enforcement
· Lawrence Chung
US posts photo of coastguard working with Taiwan after Beijing starts patrols
De facto American embassy says the two sides are coordinating on search, rescue, disaster relief and maritime law enforcement
· Lawrence Chung
Listed firms' rights offerings dip in H1
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Rights offerings by South Korea's listed companies tumbled about 25 percent on-year in the first half of 2026, data showed Wednesday.
· Deok-Hyun Kim
Chinese gaokao student’s inspiring story captivates nation after losing last relative
Zeng expresses gratitude for donations but urges focus on those in greater need
· Fran Lu
Chinese gaokao student’s inspiring story captivates nation after losing last relative
Zeng expresses gratitude for donations but urges focus on those in greater need
· Fran Lu
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