Record heatwaves across East Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, have caused widespread crop failures, livestock deaths, and record-breaking temperatures, prompting calls for urgent climate action.
Hong Kong's economic ties with Asean are growing, but experts argue the city must capture high-value services like trade finance and legal contracts rather than just high trade volumes to maximize real profits.
A severe heatwave in central and eastern Europe has broken temperature records, fueled wildfires, and caused low water levels, impacting energy production. Meanwhile, Typhoon Dolphin hit China, and Typhoon Chan-hom is expected to make landfall in Japan.
A wildfire scorched 550 hectares in Indonesia's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park over the weekend, sending smog across Malaysian Borneo and pushing the air pollution index to unhealthy levels.
Indonesia's top Islamic clerical body warned men against wearing women's clothing during Independence Day festivities, declaring the practice haram amid rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the nation.
ASEAN's 2021 peace plan for Myanmar remains unimplemented, with Min Aung Hlaing barred from top meetings. Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest since 2018, had her first international humanitarian contact in five years via the Red Cross.
Vietnam struggles with labour shortages at home due to annual emigration of 130,000-150,000 workers, despite significant remittance revenue of $6-7 billion/year, impacting key sectors like seafood export.
A 21-year-old Myanmar refugee in Bangkok blames Junta Chief Min Aung Hlaing for her country's devastation post-2021 coup, vowing to return and rebuild once he's ousted.
US President Trump has personally urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to address transnational criminal organizations involved in Southeast Asia's online scam industry and fentanyl trafficking, with the US pushing for Chinese crime bosses to face international accountability.
Researchers using airborne laser scanning discovered a remote, unknown forest in Taiwan featuring trees exceeding 70 metres and massive carbon reserves.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced increased cooperation and trade with ASEAN members, with trade volume rising from US$6.5 billion to US$16 billion since 2010. He expressed belief in further deepening political and economic ties with the region.
Aris Marsudiyanto, head of the Agency for Development Control and Special Investigation, stated on July 23 that the nation is technologically behind despite rich natural resources. This comes amidst questions regarding a state-backed institution, URI, and potential resource diversion from existing campuses for its development.
The Philippine Sea, traditionally seen as a gateway for US and allied forces defending Taiwan, is now viewed as a critical battleground. Experts suggest its strategic location could maximize carrier operations and establish a regional buffer against foreign maritime forces, potentially allowing China to intercept or deter enemy ships.
A raid in Malaysia revealed how cryptocurrency mining is increasingly linked to electricity theft and organized crime across Southeast Asia, causing billions in losses for utilities and prompting governments to enhance enforcement and legislation.
Jake Werner, an expert from the Quincy Institute, suggests China could halt rare earth exports and impose retaliatory tariffs/sanctions on the US if Washington enacts new large-scale restrictions against Russia and its key trading partners, potentially triggering a crisis in US-China relations.
China, after a surprising five-set victory over the United States, has advanced to the Women's Volleyball Nations League semi-finals in Macau. They are set to face Turkey on Saturday, a team that has consistently defeated them in recent major tournaments, including the 2023 VNL final and the Paris Olympics quarter-finals.
China and Asean foreign ministers released a joint statement in Manila, addressing the ongoing energy crisis and the Middle East conflict, calling for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution, and welcoming US-Iran negotiations.
Southeast Asian governments face renewed energy shocks and trade disruptions due to revived US-Iran hostilities, prompting ASEAN foreign ministers to express grave concern and urge an immediate cessation of fighting.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Manila, offering China's support for Brazil's sovereignty, security, and development interests. In return, Wang requested Brazil's support for China's "core interests," including Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, following new US tariffs on Brazilian goods.
China achieved a stunning upset victory over top-seeded USA in a five-set thriller at the Women's Volleyball Nations League Finals in Macau, advancing to the last four for the first time since 2023 amidst a roaring home crowd.
A UN report reveals Southeast Asia's scam industry has evolved into an interconnected criminal economy, with losses estimated at $88.3 billion to $114.1 billion in 2025. It details transnational networks, forced labor from 80 countries, crypto laundering, and the use of advanced tech like AI and satellite internet, urging international cooperation.
China's durian imports increased by 47% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching 1.07 million tonnes, as Southeast Asian exporters, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, offloaded a fruit glut that led to a price drop.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rebuffed a threat from eight US lawmakers to suspend military training funds unless Kuala Lumpur reverses its long-standing restrictions on Israeli nationals, asserting Malaysia's sovereign right.
Italy and Brazil secured their spots in the Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals semi-finals in Macau, with Italy beating the Netherlands 3-0 and Brazil overcoming Japan 3-1. Ana Cristina was key for Brazil, scoring 30 points. Turkey, Canada, China, and the USA will compete for the remaining semi-final places.
