Japan

Fukushima beach reopens for first time since 2011 earthquake and nuclear accident

NAMIE: The laughter of children enjoying themselves with inflatable rings returned to Ukedo Beach in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, on Saturday for the first time in about 16 years.

South Korea

North Korea says NATO fuel plan shows alliance preparing for war

SEOUL: North Korea accused NATO on Saturday of preparing for war by expanding military fuel infrastructure across Europe, saying the alliance's plans show it is becoming a more aggressive military bloc.

Nation

Negri polls: Twin brothers keep voting tradition alive

SEREMBAN: Twin brothers Izzat Izwan Mohd Noor and Izzat Ismir have made it a tradition to vote together in every election since becoming eligible, viewing it as a shared constitutional duty.

Brunei

Brunei-Japan student exchange strengthens cultural and educational ties

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A total of 29 students from Tokyo Metropolitan Minami-Tama School and Tokyo Metropolitan Hakuo High School in Japan took part in an educational visit and student exchange programme at Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SM SMJA) on Thursday, fostering cross-cultural understanding and educational collaboration between Brunei Darussalam and Japan

Cambodia

Battery recycling site fire raises public health concerns after 2,000 chickens die

PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Environment has fined the owners of a battery and metal recycling plant in Kampong Speu and ordered it to pay compensation for environmental damage after a fire broke out at the site on July 29.

Nation

Negri polls: 92-year-old voter proud to fulfil civic duty

JELEBU: A 92-year-old senior citizen was among the earliest voters to cast his ballot in the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election for the Chennah state constituency on Saturday (Aug 1).

Laos

Attapeu court sentences 15 officials, 10 to life imprisonment, in major corruption case

ATTAPEU: On July 30, the Attapeu Provincial People's Court sentenced 15 provincial officials for corruption, handing down life imprisonment to 10 of the defendants in one of the province's most sweeping corruption verdicts in recent years.

Nation

Negri DKU recognises new Sungei Ujong, Rembau ruling chiefs, declares Jelebu office vacant

PETALING JAYA: The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negri Sembilan (DKU) has recognised the appointments of the new ruling chiefs of Sungai Ujong and Rembau and declared the office of the Undang of Luak Jelebu as vacant.

Nation

Police track e-hailing driver over viral video of passenger insulting Islam

JOHOR BARU: Police are looking for an e-hailing driver whose dashcam recording went viral after capturing a passenger allegedly making insulting remarks about Islam and the Quran.

Bangladesh

Nine Rohingya missing after boat capsizes in Bangladesh

Cox's Bazar: At least nine Rohingya were missing after a boat carrying them capsized in the Naf, a shared waterway between Bangladesh and Myanmar, police said Friday.

Nation

Police seize RM1.9mil in duty-unpaid liquor, arrest five in Selangor raids

PETALING JAYA: Police have busted a syndicate involved in the smuggling and distribution of duty-unpaid liquor worth RM1.9mil following raids in Puchong and Klang, Selangor, on Thursday (July 30).

Nation

Hybrid workday policy for civil servants takes effect today

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hybrid Workday (HBH) Policy comes into force on Saturday (Aug 1), allowing civil servants to work three days in the office and two days from home or alternative locations.

Vietnam

Vietnam targets advanced materials industry to boost technological self-reliance

HANOI: Vietnam is drafting a national strategy for the materials industry through 2030, with a longer-term vision to 2045, as it seeks to shift the country's competitive advantage from abundant natural resources to technological capability and high-value manufacturing.

Philippines

Crocodile believed extinct in Pampanga found and rescued

SAN FERNANDO CITY: A crocodile believed to be extinct in Pampanga was "safely rescued" in the northern part of the province on Saturday (Aug. 1).

AI

Are AI translators ready to replace humans? Not nearly, study shows

Warnings have been sounded that artificial intelligence could lead to mass layoffs for software developers, finance professionals and customer service agents, among other office workers.

TV

Actor Nam Joo-hyuk attempts comeback with supernatural K-drama 'The East Palace'

Netflix is anchoring its summer slate with a period K-drama that doubles as the industry comeback for Nam Joo-hyuk, whose career had been overshadowed by school bullying allegations before his military enlistment in 2023.

Indonesia

Floods hit North Sumatra despite intensifying dry season across Indonesia

MEDAN: Several regions in North Sumatra were hit by floods over the past few days despite the intensifying dry season across much of the country

Singapore

Massive Attack banned from Singapore over Palestinian flag display

Singapore: British trip-hop band Massive Attack has been barred from performing in Singapore after an investigation found two members unfurled a Palestinian flag during a concert, police said.

Thailand

Thailand celebrates 9th UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription

BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is joining hands with southern Thailand's Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and other public and private agencies in celebrating Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nation

Crackdown needed on illegal employment, says employers federation

PETALING JAYA: The government should intensify enforcement against illegal employment and business activities, unlawful occupation of land and any other activities that undermine the rule of law and create unfair competition for legitimate businesses, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).