A Singapore court has fined a 19-year-old French student S$600 (about $465) after he posted a viral video showing himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine before placing it back into the dispenser. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance following the incident, which sparked widespread public…
A powerful earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday, damaging buildings, disrupting services and injuring several people in Kumamoto Prefecture. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake measured magnitude 6.8 after initially estimating it at 7.1. It struck shortly before 4:30 p.m. local time at a depth of about six miles beneath Kyushu Island….
India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned after days of nationwide protests over alleged leaks of medical entrance examination papers. The demonstrations, led by the youth movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanded accountability and reforms to India’s examination system. Protesters accused authorities of failing to prevent exam papers from being leaked and…
At least 12 workers have been killed after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed following a methane gas explosion in India’s north-eastern state of Sikkim, officials said. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate 13 workers who remain trapped inside the tunnel after Monday’s accident. According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the…
Japan has approved major changes to its imperial succession system, but women are still barred from becoming emperor. The Japanese parliament has passed a bill that updates the country’s royal succession rules. The new law allows female members of the imperial family to keep their royal status after marrying commoners. It also permits the adoption…
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk says he will continue his fast despite growing concerns about his health. Educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike after 20 days of consuming only salt and water. The 59-year-old has reportedly lost more than 9kg while protesting in New Delhi in support of the…
The scientist has been held for nearly two years, according to his family. China has detained a US seismologist on espionage charges, according to his family and a hostage advocacy group. Chen Youlin, 54, was arrested in Beijing in November 2024 while visiting relatives. His family says they only spoke publicly after seeing no sign…
Heavy rains and flash floods have killed at least 51 people across Bangladesh, leaving more than one million residents affected. At least 51 people have died after days of heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Bangladesh. The disaster has displaced thousands of families and caused severe damage in several districts, including the capital,…
A devastating fire at a packed Bangkok bar has claimed at least 27 lives, with dozens more injured, prompting fresh concerns over fire safety standards in Thailand. At least 27 people were killed and 22 others were left in critical condition after a fire tore through Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak…
East Asia is preparing for Typhoon Bavi after deadly landslides in the Philippines left at least 15 people dead. Authorities across Taiwan, Japan, China, and the Philippines are on high alert as Typhoon Bavi moves across the Pacific, bringing the threat of destructive winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. In the southern Philippines, at least…
