Hundreds of firefighters were battling wildfires in the forests of northern Japan on Saturday, as authorities urged more than 3,200 people to evacuate their homes, government officials said.
As of Saturday morning, blazes in the mountainous areas of Iwate region had burned about 700 hectares (1,730 acres) since breaking out three days ago, local government officials said in a statement.
A large column of smoke, which could be smelled 30km (20 miles) away, was seen rising up the valley near the…
Malaysia gets new anti-corruption chief as protests mount against outgoing head
Malaysia on Saturday appointed a former judge as its new anti-corruption chief in an unprecedented move, as the government seeks to calm months of political turbulence over alleged misconduct linked to the watchdog’s outgoing head.
Allies and opponents have hit out against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since February following reports claiming that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) boss Azam Baki was involved in a share ownership scandal and the agency’s officers were allegedly working…
Will China’s deal with Australian mining giant BHP boost yuan internationalisation?
Australian mining giant BHP’s decision to adopt a yuan-denominated index for a major Chinese buyer poses a challenge to the US dollar’s long-standing dominance in iron ore pricing, delivering a hard-won victory for Beijing, analysts said.
But while the agreement marked a breakthrough in Beijing’s push to gain greater commodity pricing power at a time when the United States faces growing “geopolitical isolation”, analysts stressed that its broader efforts to reshape the old order remained far…
UAE Central Bank pursues single rulebook for financial services
Firms operating in the UAE’s financial services market should welcome plans for the development of a single rulebook governing a range of regulated financial services, experts have said.
Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race
A suspected Chinese underwater drone hauled out of Indonesian waters this month has sharpened global focus on a security race that analysts say has been years in the making across South and Southeast Asia: undersea surveillance.
The torpedo-shaped device was found near the Lombok Strait, one of the few deepwater channels through which submarines can transit submerged between the Pacific and Indian oceans and a passage closely watched by the United States and Australia.
Beijing said it did not…
How the Philippines became Japan’s closest security partner in Southeast Asia
The Philippines has emerged as the clearest example of what observers say is Japan’s shift towards a more active defence role abroad, with both countries deepening their military cooperation in areas ranging from joint drills to technological partnerships.
Japanese forces are taking part for the first time in this year’s Balikatan military exercises hosted by the Philippines, while bilateral cooperation is set to expand after Tokyo eased its defence export rules on Tuesday.
These activities…
University free speech complaints system to come into force in 2026
A new freedom of speech complaints system could result in England’s universities receiving significant fines if they fail to protect freedom of speech, an expert has said.
Malaysia’s durian growers in ‘survival mode’ as early glut and Iran war hit export trade
Malaysia’s durian growers say they are in “survival mode” as an early bumper harvest collides with a surge in fuel and freight costs, squeezing an export trade built around getting premium fruit into China fast.
Hot weather has brought harvests forward, swelling supply just as exporters face higher packaging, energy and transport costs, with the Iran war disrupting fuel supplies and making cargo more expensive.
The strain is exposing the vulnerability of Malaysia’s durian industry, which has…
World IP Day: How to maximise intellectual property on the global sporting stage
Major sporting events offer an unparalleled platform for companies to connect with audiences on a global scale – but the scale, speed and visibility of sport also amplify IP risk.
Nepal minister quits amid financial scrutiny after just weeks in office
Nepal’s home minister stepped down on Wednesday over growing criticism of his finances after less than a month in office he won on an anti-corruption platform.
Sudan Gurung, a key figure in the Gen-Z protests last September that toppled Nepal’s previous government, said he was stepping down to ensure a “fair investigation”.
“I have resigned from the position of Home Minister with effect from today,” the 38-year-old posted on his social media accounts.
“For me, morality is greater than a position…