TOP NEWS A fire, a test, a display of governance: Hong Kong’s response under ‘one country, two systems’Stalled reforms leave Bangladeshi journalists exposed amid poll security risksCorruption and political survivalMORE HEADLINES INDO-PACIFIC, AUKUS AND ASIA The Jakarta PostIndonesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea boost defence ties in first trilateral Viet Nam NewsVietnamese, New Zealand foreign ministers sign action programme on comprehensive strategic partnership The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan PM Takaichi calls for maintaining international order during address at G20 Summit Vientiane TimesLaos, Australia vow stronger partnership, detail key areas of cooperation The Straits TimesChina’s military build-up demands response, Australia defence minister says The Straits TimesSingapore, New Zealand elevate ties, commit to raising relationship to new heights The Straits TimesSingapore, Australia upgrade ties; will deepen cooperation in defence and energy, among others Viet Nam NewsVietnam Prime Minister receives Australian Governor-General, affirms strong ties Viet Nam NewsVietnam, Australia bolster strategic trust Viet Nam NewsVietnam PM meets New Zealand Parliament Speaker in Hanoi The Japan NewsJapan, Australia likely to hold 2+2 talks in Sept. in Tokyo amid China’s growing maritime presence The Jakarta PostJapan, US deepen Indo-Pacific ties through military drills with Indonesia Philippine Daily InquirerJapan, Australia to join Philippines-US military drills in 2026: Philippine army Viet Nam NewsSenior officials of Vietnamese, Australian foreign ministries hold first dialogue The Japan NewsJapan, Australia strengthen defence cooperation The Japan NewsAustralia chooses Japan to help develop new warship, setting stage for stronger defence tiesVIEW ALL NATIONAL AFFAIRS VIEW MORE Amid a volatile political climate, journalists are raising concerns about a hostile reporting environment, ranging from online harassment to physical threats, even at this early stage of election coverage, the writer observes. Home Page, National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINION, The Asian View, Top NewsForeign media and Korea ... Asian Editors Circle, Home Page, National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINIONUnlearned lessons: The Korea Herald ... Home Page, National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINION, The Asian View, Top NewsBeyond the outrage ...ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE The writer observes: "AI is powerful, expanding the frontier of prediction and enabling new forms of digital production. Yet its value depends on people: their judgment, their adaptation, and their capacity to integrate tools into meaningful systems of work." The government must exert more efforts in calming the political uncertainty and drumming up moves to grow the economy.REGIONAL AFFAIRS VIEW MORE As the Foreign Office's spokesperson noted, Pakistan intends no harm to the Afghan people. Therefore, while remaining firm on its demand for Kabul to end cross-border terrorism, Pakistan should continue to facilitate humanitarian and people-to-people exchanges with Afghanistan. In just seven years, nearly four-fifths of the bay's fish that live in the pelagic zone—neither close to the sea-bed nor the shore—have vanished. This is not a routine decline. It is a collapse—rapid, severe, and potentially irreversible. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINESBrunei launches five-year plan to drive maritime development ...Vietnam repatriates remains of 180 volunteer soldiers and experts from Cambodia ...Number of child abuse cases in Singapore up in 2024, primary school kids make up biggest group ...Philippines’ audit commission flags health department over expired, expiring drugs worth millions ...Seoul education chief outlines proposal to scrap college admission exam by 2040 ...Japan’s Empress turns 62, reaffirms pledge to peace ...HEALTH China DailyHong Kong blaze: 1-year mental support scheme launched for bereaved families DawnPakistan’s health minister launches last nationwide polio campaign of 2025, notes decline in cases Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines’ audit commission flags health department over expired, expiring drugs worth millions The StarPoor dental hygiene a growing issue among Malaysian children, say experts The Daily StarClinical trial of Nipah virus vaccine launched in Bangladesh The Kathmandu PostNepal’s far-western settlements rejoice as clean water reaches homes The Jakarta PostAir pollution blamed for nearly 2 million respiratory infections in Jakarta The Daily StarDengue deaths in Bangladesh reach 401, third-highest in 25 years Philippine Daily InquirerSlow approval of Philippine government foils access to new cancer treatments: pharma group The Straits TimesSingapore woman had daughter through IVF, ensuring baby would not inherit her genetic condition China DailyChina releases new insurance-covered medicine list The Korea HeraldThinness obsession prompts diet drug misuse in South Korea China DailyVaccination encouraged amid rising flu cases in China The Daily Star5 more die of dengue, 490 hospitalised in Bangladesh The StarMalaysia’s centenarians growing in numbers The Korea HeraldNearly half of South Korean teens regularly skip breakfast: dataVIEW ALL THOUGHT LEADERSHIPVIEW MORE The writer says: "Give forests a chance, and they will heal the climate — and us. This conviction is not naive optimism. It is the practical application of physics, deep ecology, and four billion years of evolutionary genius." The writer says: "In an international community that is increasingly divided by geopolitical confrontations, Japan must correctly recognise and steadily exercise its own 'latent power,' so that it may realise a 'diplomacy that flourishes.'"WORTH A READVIEW MORE The writer says: "Russia’s Vladimir Putin, not usually known for his love of peaceful resolutions, praised US President Trump for 'doing a lot to resolve complex crises.'" The three uprisings in three years were all organic, in the sense there was no party vanguard, no organising force making them happen. How did the trigger event lead to the formation of such a large mob so fast?SOCIETYVIEW MORE The writer observes: "The rise of social media preachers, unqualified "scholarly" lectures, and political activists using religion for influence is a new reality. This makes genuine Islamic scholarship more urgent than ever." Through efficient and decisive emergency efforts and compassionate, meticulous follow-up arrangements, Hong Kong has demonstrated that human life comes first.MORE HEADLINESNumber of child abuse cases in Singapore up in 2024, primary school kids make up biggest group ...Malaysian commission unveils new code of conduct allowing parents to have control over kids’ screen time ...Malaysia will strengthen territorial defence while keeping diplomatic channels open in South China Sea ...Vietnam launches handbook for child safety in cyberspace ...Japan’s foreign visitor count from Jan.-Nov. 2024 breaks 2023 record ...House OKs bill that lets foreigners lease land in Philippines for 99 years ...Batu Puteh issue: Malaysia transport minister stands his ground, maintains ex-PM Mahathir acted on his own ...Dismissed mayor Alice Guo, family slapped with falsification, anti-dummy law raps ...CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT The Straits TimesMalaysia to provide cash aid to Indonesian students affected by floods The NationFrequent earthquakes recorded around Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia The Straits TimesMagnitude 6.7 earthquake hits Japan’s northeast region, tsunami advisory issued The Jakarta PostIndonesia suspends four firms suspected of contributing to deadly North Sumatra flooding Viet Nam NewsHanoi chokes under severe pollution as AQI levels hit health-warning zone The Yomiuri ShimbunEarthquakes in northern Japan leave 30 injured, disrupt water and power supplies DawnEmissions from transport, industry top urban polluters in Pakistan: report The StarHot and dry weather spell good news for Malaysian farmers The Jakarta PostDeath strikes stranded evacuees in isolated Sumatra shelters The Japan NewsM7.6 earthquake hits northern Japan; tsunami waves observed in Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate The Phnom Penh PostMining operation in Cambodia shut down after fish, livestock deaths The Kathmandu PostSprings and groundwater shrinking across Nepal, ADB assessment warns The Jakarta PostSumatra tragedy: Calls grow for Indonesia to accept foreign disaster aid DawnSri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 618 The Kathmandu PostAir pollution spikes in Kathmandu. Experts stress coordinated action The Jakarta PostResidents climb over logs in walk to aid centre as flood deaths in Indonesia’s Sumatra rise over 900VIEW ALL SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA The Straits TimesFrom planes and cars to beer, factory tours a draw for young Chinese KuenselWoven in wool: A Bhutanese village’s enduring mat tradition Philippine Daily InquirerThe top hits of the last 40 years: A look at the evolution of original Pilipino music The Jakarta PostPaws for reflection: Jakartans tag strays as city mini-destinations The Straits TimesMultiple streams of income beyond a stable job? Yes, say Singapore’s Gen Zs The Kathmandu PostNepal’s far-western settlements rejoice as clean water reaches homes The Korea Herald‘Bizarre’ hanbok costumes at Saudi Arabia’s Korea Village spark backlash The Kathmandu PostNepal ornithologists confirm first breeding of black-necked cranes Viet Nam NewsPreserving ancient wooden boats unearthed in Vietnam’s Bach Ninh China DailyIn China, 13-year-old girl praised for heroic rescue of child from icy lake Philippine Daily Inquirer‘Queso de bola’: The symbol of a Filipino Christmas The Straits TimesDual concepts, one space: How Singapore eateries stretch rent and cut costs The Korea HeraldCultural ceremonies driving South Korea’s most addictive TV The Kathmandu PostNepal’s Yomari festival celebrates Newar culinary heritage in Tansen municipality The Jakarta PostWhy cacao-rich Indonesia is not (yet) a global chocolate producer DawnGoing back in time on the banks of the Indus RiverVIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANNANN NewsletterSign up hereTHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFETHE ANN DISPATCHANN LIFEFollow us: