World / Asia

Developing nations face 'tidal wave' of China debt: report 27 May 2025 - 11:39 am

Sydney: The world's poorest nations face a "tidal wave of debt" as repayments to China hit record highs in 2025, an Australian think-tank...

Nepali 'Everest Man' breaks own record with 31st summit 27 May 2025 - 10:46 am

Kathmandu: A 55-year-old Nepali climber dubbed "EverestMan" reached the peak of the world's highest mountain for a record 31st time on Tuesday, more...

In Japan, two Yubari melons sell for 1 million yen (or $7,000) 27 May 2025 - 12:16 am

A pair of Yubari melons, the so-called king of Hokkaido's summer fruit, were purchased for 1 million yen in this year's first auction...

Smoking in Beijing drops sharply after 10 years of strict ban 26 May 2025 - 10:06 pm

Beijing: Beijing has reduced its adult smoking rate to 19.2 percent among residents aged 15 and older, reflecting a 4.2 percent decline since...

South Korea Starbucks' nickname service causes political headaches 26 May 2025 - 09:59 pm

Seoul: Starbucks stores in South Korea have banned customers from using certain names as their own when they order their coffees - specifically,...

Japan's rice prices hit record high 26 May 2025 - 08:07 pm

Tokyo: The average retail prices of rice sold at supermarkets across Japan rose to a new high, reaching 4,285 yen (about 29.97 U.S....

Southeast Asian leaders meet to talk tariffs, truce and East Timor 26 May 2025 - 05:43 pm

Kuala Lumpur: Southeast Asian leaders met Monday in Kuala Lumpur for their first summit since US President Donald Trump's tariffs upended global economic...

Filmmaker Panahi cheered on return to Iran after Cannes triumph 26 May 2025 - 02:10 pm

Paris: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Pahani was given a hero's welcome on his return to Tehran Monday by supporters after winning the top prize...

Japan's Narita Airport to build third runway 26 May 2025 - 12:42 pm

Tokyo: Tokyo's Narita Airport has begun the construction of a third runway to help cope with an explosion in foreign tourist arrivals. The...

India's monsoon lashes Mumbai as rains arrive early 26 May 2025 - 11:35 am

Mumbai: Lashing rains swamped India's financial capital Mumbai on Monday as the annual monsoon rains arrived some two weeks earlier than usual, according...

'It's in our blood': how Vietnam adopted the Latin alphabet 25 May 2025 - 11:39 pm

Hanoi: At a calligraphy class in Hanoi, Hoang Thi Thanh Huyen slides her brush across the page to form the letters and tonal...

Türkiye, Pakistan to strengthen bilateral cooperation 25 May 2025 - 11:12 pm

Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met here on Sunday with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which they vowed to strengthen...

China, Indonesia sign MoU to expand local currency settlement cooperation 25 May 2025 - 10:43 pm

Beijing: The People's Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding...

Pakistan launches national polio vaccination drive 25 May 2025 - 10:16 pm

Islamabad: Pakistan launched its third National Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2025 on Sunday to immunize more than 45 million children under the age...

Bangladesh tax workers end strike after government backtracks 25 May 2025 - 07:39 pm

Dhaka: Bangladesh's tax authority workers ended a two-week partial strike on Sunday after they said the interim government would address their demands to...

Malaysia urges ASEAN to speak up against 'double standards' on Gaza 25 May 2025 - 04:29 pm

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has called on theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to speak firmly and collectively in defense of international law, pointing...

At least 14 killed in Pakistan storms after heatwave 25 May 2025 - 01:40 pm

Lahore, Pakistan: "Destructive" windstorms that raged across central and northern Pakistan after an intense heatwave have killed at least 14 people and injured...