AseanPlus News

Solar energy gains ground in Afghanistan amid persistent power shortages

KABUL: Customers moved from one display to another, comparing solar panels, batteries and inverters at a busy solar market in Kabul. Some asked about prices, while others sought advice on systems suitable for their homes or farmland

India

Indian police launch manhunt for West Bengal businessman Tulu Mondal

KOLKATA: The Birbhum Police have launched a massive, multi-team manhunt for local businessman Tulu Mondal following extensive raids on his multiple luxury residences and offices.

Bangladesh

Yaba and crystal meth emerge as new narco-currency in cross-border trade

DHAKA: Bangladesh faces a growing drug crisis, with an estimated 8.2 million users. As the country does not produce narcotics, most are smuggled in from abroad. In a four-part series, The Daily Star explores the trafficking routes, the threats and the impacts of drug abuse. The second instalment looks at how drugs are used as a currency for illicit cross-border trade.

Pakistan

Punjab appoints new prosecutor general

LAHORE: The provincial government on Saturday appointed Irfan Sadiq Tarar as the Prosecutor General of Punjab.

Nepal

Broad Peak avalanche wipes out a generation of Nepal's climbing greatsBroad Peak avalanche wipes out a generation of Nepal's climbing greats

KATHMANDU: When a massive avalanche swept down Pakistan's 8,051-metre Broad Peak on Thursday morning, it did more than claim six Nepali lives. It wiped out one of the most accomplished generations of high-altitude climbers the country has produced, taking with it decades of technical expertise, leadership and record-breaking achievement

Japan

A woman with apparent heat stroke found dead while taking shelter in a car in quake-hit Japan

TOKYO: An elderly woman who developed heat stroke while taking shelter in a car is the latest fatality from a powerful earthquake that struck Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto last week, officials said Sunday as concerns over heat-related illnesses grow in an area that is also suffering extreme temperatures.

South Korea

Korea's birth rebound offers hope, but demographic challenges remain

SEOUL: South Korea's fertility rate is extending a tentative recovery from its record low, raising hopes that the annual figure could top 0.9 for the first time in seven years.

China

AI keeps consumer prices high in 'RAMaggedon' chip crunch

Hong Kong: Catherine Lai, with Katie Forster in Tokyo Print-outs of articles about the global memory chip shortage are pinned beside a price list at a Hong Kong computer shop, offering an explanation to confused customers feeling the pinch.

Brunei

Four Brunei farms earn pesticide-free certification

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Brunei Pesticide Free (BPF) initiative was established to recognise agricultural producers who adopt crop production practices without the use of synthetic pesticides. Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture Haji Noor Azri Mohd Noor, representing the Director of Agriculture and Agrifood, said.

China

Chinese fossil shows internal organs of prehistoric marine reptile

BEIJING: Scientists have discovered a fossil in China of a long-necked marine reptile from 245 million years ago that is so well preserved that it reveals the animal's stomach, liver and intestines, providing an unparalleled look at reptilian internal anatomy before the age of dinosaurs

Nation

Issue clear directives on medicine price display, urges MMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the Health Ministry and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to issue clear and consistent instructions to enforcement officers nationwide about the display of medicine prices.

Myanmar

President backs odd-even vehicle policy, Wednesday work-from-home scheme to cut fuel use

NAYPYIDAW: President U Min Aung Hlaing has called on the public to support the government's fuel conservation measures, including the odd-even vehicle number plate system and the work-from-home scheme every Wednesday.

Nation

Selangor cops hunting for suspected child molester

PETALING JAYA: A young girl is believed to have been molested by a foreign man at a business premises in Sungai Buloh on Wednesday (July 29).

China

Tourists flock to Chongqing for viral motorbike video experience

CHONGQING: The roar of engines fills the night air in the city as tourists awkwardly clamber onto gleaming motorbikes and cling to muscular drivers to star in personalised videos.

Vietnam

Vietnam police arrest 65 over drug-laced e-cigarette trafficking ring

HO CHI MINH: The city police have arrested 65 people, including 10 foreign nationals, for allegedly operating a drug trafficking network that mixed the anaesthetic Etomidate into e-cigarette liquid and sold the products to Vietnamese and foreign customers, authorities said on Saturday.

Philippines

Tropical Depression Luis strengthens, could hit Northern Luzon in a day or two

MANILA: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted by state meteorologists in four areas on Sunday morning due to Tropical Depression Luis.

Nation

Ismail Lasim sworn in as new Negri MB

KUALA PILAH: Juasseh assemblyman Datuk Ismail Lasim has been sworn in as the new Mentri Besar of Negri Sembilan. The veteran 67-year-old Umno politician who is also Kuala Pilah Umno chief was sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir at Istana Besar Seri Menanti here.

Singapore

Nine to be charged over alleged sexual exploitation of minors

SINGAPORE: Eight men and one woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the sexual exploitation of two minors, police said.

Indonesia

Mixed-marriage families urge priority in Indonesia's dual citizenship plan

JAKARTA: The government's proposal to grant dual citizenship only to adults with expertise needed by the state has drawn criticism from mixed-marriage advocates, who say it lacks clear eligibility criteria and unfairly overlooks children with stronger legal claims under Indonesia's citizenship law.

Thailand

Rescued wild elephant calf in critical condition after being found alone in Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI: A very young male wild elephant calf was found alone, weak and stranded on a riverbank in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi, after being separated from its herd.