Straits Times Asian News

BEIJING (AFP) - China launched on Sunday (July 24) the second of three modules needed to complete its new space station, state media reported, the latest step in Beijing's ambitious space programme.

BEIJING (REUTERS) - China's banking regulator on Sunday (July 24) said it is investigating an inspector at its bureau in Henan province, which has seen protests by depositors unable to retrieve funds following suspected fraud at a number of rural lenders.

KUMAMOTO, JAPAN (AFP) - Inside Mr Koichi Miyatsu's blue, child-sized backpack are neatly folded cartoon-print sweatshirts and a pair of white sneakers - all he has from before he was left at Japan's only "baby hatch".

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's besieged presidential office will reopen on Monday (July 25), police said, days after anti-government demonstrators were flushed out in a military crackdown that triggered international condemnation.

MANILA (AFP) - As the war in Ukraine pushes up wheat prices and a weaker peso raises the cost of imported edible oil, many Philippine bakers are shrinking the size of a popular breakfast roll to cope with higher inflation.

US President Joe Biden said he plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping by the end of the month.

Six test planes have finished the testing tasks.

The fresh excavation started in January 2021 at the Houbaijiabei Cemetery in the city of Handan.

The Nigerian man went on the run after being diagnosed with monkeypox in resort city Phuket.

The chief says "unwarranted" market concerns about its financial position will dissipate in weeks.

The Chinese leadership is "highly confident" in domestic vaccines, said a health official.

Pyongyang said it would continue to stand against what it called US aggression towards it.

Tourists are unlikely to return till mid- or late-August.

The minister was allegedly making money off recruitment for state-run schools.

The Belize-flagged vessel, SB Cramoil Equity, is owned by toxic waste collection company Cramoil Singapore Ltd.

BEIJING (AFP) - Embattled Chinese real estate giant Evergrande has ousted its chief executive and chief financial officer following an internal investigation into why banks seized over 13.4 billion yuan (S$2.8 billion) from the firm's property services arm.

SYDNEY (BLOOMBERG) - Australia is on high alert for foot-and-mouth disease in its cattle herds after traces of the virus were found on imported animal products.

Kids aged 10 among region’s worst performers in reading comprehension.

Extreme weather blanketing region ‘has been particularly long lasting and widespread’.

Vote provides tailwind as he heads to a general election next year.