What the Mecca military pact means for China
Thursday, August 13,2026,21:30
When Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca defence agreement, they executed a structural overhaul of the Middle East’s security architecture. The pact codifies a defence commitment, where an armed attack on one is treated as an assault on all. Building upon September’s Saudi-Pakistan defence agreement, this tripartite arrangement bridges the financial capital of the Gulf, the... .. read more..
South Korea's Kospi swings from bear to bull-market territory in just over a ...
Thursday, August 13,2026,13:37
South Korean stocks rallied on Thursday, pushing the benchmark Kospi into a technical bull market. .. read more..
Goldman says Japan's $1 trillion of reserves leaves 'plenty of capacity' for ...
Thursday, August 13,2026,13:33
Japan has enough cash at its disposal for a couple more rounds of yen-buying on the scale of last month's intervention, Goldman Sachs says. .. read more..
Medical capacity reduction, internet slowdowns conclude civil resilience drills
Thursday, August 13,2026,12:56
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) A New Taipei hospital held a medical capacity reduction drill Thursday on the last day of nationwide civil defense drills, while Taipei and other parts of northern Taiwan simulated degraded internet environments for the first time. .. read more..
Ex-Nanya engineer indicted for illegally obtaining confidential data
Thursday, August 13,2026,12:37
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office on Monday indicted a former senior engineer at Nanya Technology Corp. for secretly filming confidential company information in an alleged effort to secure a high-paying job in China, the office said Thursday. .. read more..
As floods devastate Mekong communities, economic strain, conflict compound cr...
Thursday, August 13,2026,12:31
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by surging waters across Myanmar and Laos, with Thai farming communities along the Mekong River bracing themselves for difficult days ahead as authorities warn persistent heavy rains may bring flash floods. Each year monsoon rains bring extensive flooding across the region. Environmental campaigners say the damage is exacerbated by changing weather patterns and deforestation, as well as the string of dams across arterial rivers – like the Mekong –... .. read more..
Taitung magistrate won't be penalized over Straits Forum video: MAC
Thursday, August 13,2026,12:21
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan's central government will not penalize Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling (饒慶鈴) over her prerecorded appearance at China's Straits Forum after determining she did not violate the Cross-Strait Act, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday. .. read more..
Taiwan basketball star Benson Lin returns home to join Taipei Mars
Thursday, August 13,2026,11:52
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan basketball star Benson Lin Ting-chien (林庭謙) has returned home to join the TPBL's Taipei Taishin Mars after six seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). .. read more..
Military simulates tunnel blockade to stop Chinese advance on Taipei
Thursday, August 13,2026,11:40
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan's military on Thursday conducted an exercise in Yilan County to simulate the blocking of Hsuehshan Tunnel and prevent Chinese forces from using it to advance on Taipei, as part of the annual Han Kuang exercises. .. read more..
PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition
Thursday, August 13,2026,11:10
Malaysia’s foremost Islamist party has set an early pace ahead of national polls, calling on the country’s Malay-Muslim majority to endorse its renewed efforts to broaden the reach of sharia law. On Wednesday, the Kelantan state assembly – which is dominated by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) – unanimously passed amendments to the Kelantan Syariah Offences Enactment Bill, in a bid to circumvent constitutional barriers that have prevented the criminalisation of certain acts under Islamic... .. read more..
Starlux Airlines starts selling tickets on Taichung-Nagoya route
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:57
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Starlux Airlines began selling tickets on its new Taichung-Nagoya route on Thursday, with the maiden flight scheduled for Oct. 25. .. read more..
Indian Shares End Mixed After Choppy Session
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:35
Indian shares cut early losses to end mixed on Thursday. Investors heaved a sigh of relief as cooling U.S. inflation prompted bets the Federal Reserve would leave its policy rate unchanged at its September meeting. .. read more..
Uganda demands Chinese passports from Taiwanese: MOFA
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:26
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Ugandan immigration officers withheld the passports of three Taiwanese travelers and demanded that they produce Chinese passports, citing the country's "One China principle," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday. .. read more..
In pictures: Europe's best solar eclipse since 1999
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:06
A total solar eclipse crossed Iceland and Spain on Aug. 12, while much of Europe saw a partial eclipse and businesses benefited from demand. .. read more..
Cabinet passes draft to strengthen crypto money laundering controls
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:02
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The Executive Yuan on Thursday passed draft amendments to the Money Laundering Control Act aimed at strengthening oversight of cryptocurrency-related activities and stablecoins and preventing them from being used for money laundering. .. read more..
Ukraine attacks Russian grain export terminals in Black Sea, prompting warnin...
Thursday, August 13,2026,10:01
Ukraine has launched a heavy drone assault on warships and major Russian grain export terminals in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk. .. read more..
Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men
Thursday, August 13,2026,09:35
An Australian jury on Thursday convicted a former Catholic bishop renowned for hosting alcohol-fuelled house parties of sexually abusing two young Indigenous men. The District Court of Western Australia jury convicted Christopher Saunders, 76, of 13 out of 19 charges of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2019 in his sprawling diocese on the country’s tropical northwest coast. Prosecutors alleged he lured young Indigenous men to his church-owned house with free alcohol and... .. read more..
Former Winter Olympian among 14 indicted in Yunlin drug case
Thursday, August 13,2026,09:27
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Prosecutors have indicted a former Winter Olympian and 13 others for allegedly operating a cross-border heroin trafficking network, with the 70-year-old man accused of directing the group's operations by cellphone while bedridden with a serious illness. .. read more..
Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028
Thursday, August 13,2026,09:26
Indonesia hopes to start the mass production of home-grown electric cars no later than 2028, President Prabowo Subianto said on Thursday, in an effort to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. The president said the government is currently building a huge factory complex to manufacture the electric cars in the Subang region of West Java province. Prabowo was referring to a 60-hectare development that aims to produce up to 50,000 vehicles annually and... .. read more..
Vietnam’s warship project signals modernisation, bamboo diplomacy balance
Thursday, August 13,2026,09:19
Vietnam’s construction of its most ambitious warship to date signals its ambition to develop a self-sufficient defence industry and assert its maritime interests. However, the country is expected to remain dependent on foreign technology for high-end engines, sensors and other critical systems even as it builds its defence manufacturing capabilities, according to analysts. The frigate is being built at the Vietnamese defence ministry’s Song Thu shipyard in Da Nang City, the military newspaper... .. read more..
Asian Shares Mixed Amid Hormuz Impasse
Thursday, August 13,2026,08:39
Asian stocks ended mixed on Thursday even as technology shares extended gains on renewed optimism over artificial-intelligence spending. .. read more..
U.S. dollar closes lower on Taipei forex market
Thursday, August 13,2026,08:23
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The U.S. dollar fell against the Taiwan dollar Thursday, shedding NT$0.078 to close at NT$32.168. .. read more..
McDonald's suspends new shrimp burgers after banned antibiotics found
Thursday, August 13,2026,08:20
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) McDonald's Taiwan on Thursday suspended the sale of its newly launched "Sea Flavor Shrimp Cutlet Burger" and "Sea Flavor Double-Layered Shrimp Cutlet Burger" after residue from banned antibiotics was detected in the shrimp cutlets. .. read more..
Nuclear power plants are being shut down as Europe’s drought becomes an energ...
Thursday, August 13,2026,08:10
Heat and drought are curbing nuclear output across Europe, with Romania starting the process of disconnecting its sole working reactor from the power grid. .. read more..
Will Thailand’s potential BrahMos deal fuel ‘mini-arms race’ with Cambodia?
Thursday, August 13,2026,08:01
Thailand’s possible acquisition of a supersonic cruise missile from India would help the Southeast Asian country defend its interests against Cambodia and could even fuel a “mini-arms race” between the two neighbours, analysts have said. The BrahMos system could strengthen Thailand’s deterrence at sea while giving Bangkok more options as tensions with Cambodia persist and neighbouring navies modernise, they add. Several defence-focused news outlets have reported that Thailand is evaluating the... .. read more..
AI agents used in cyberattacks on Taiwan government websites: MODA
Thursday, August 13,2026,07:43
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Overseas hackers used artificial intelligence agents to target Taiwan government agencies in a July cyberattack, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) said Thursday, following a Financial Times report on the incident. .. read more..
Mobile internet slows, northern Taiwan streets empty during resilience drill
Thursday, August 13,2026,06:36
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Mobile internet services slowed in northern Taiwan on Thursday as an urban resilience drill is being held from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to test emergency responses and public preparedness for potential disruptions. .. read more..
Taiwan study links early bariatric surgery to lower breast cancer risk
Thursday, August 13,2026,06:11
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Severely obese women who undergo bariatric surgery early may have a 20 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who do not undergo the weight-loss procedure, according to a study led by physicians at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital. .. read more..
Taiwan military police stage bridge blockade drill to secure capital
Thursday, August 13,2026,05:56
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan's military held a defensive blockade drill in Taipei's Wanhua District in the early hours of Thursday to prevent enemy armored units from advancing further into the heart of the capital as part of the annual Han Kuang exercises. .. read more..
Taiwan shares close up 1.11%
Thursday, August 13,2026,05:49
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) Taiwan shares ended up 503.41 points, or 1.11 percent, at 46,021.48 Thursday on turnover of NT$1.05 trillion (US$32.60 billion). .. read more..
South Korea’s Kospi has staged a stunning comeback. How long will the bull ma...
Thursday, August 13,2026,05:22
South Korea's Kospi has staged a reversal from its latest rout, returning to bull-market territory as investors piled back into the semiconductor giants that dominate the index. .. read more..
Russia’s Putin makes first visit to Kuril Islands claimed by Japan
Thursday, August 13,2026,05:19
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the far-eastern Kuril Islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting a “strong” protest by Japan which also claims the territory. Russian-Japanese relations have long been dogged by tensions over the contested islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories and seized by the Soviet Union in 1945. The Kremlin posted a video of Putin in the Kuril Islands, with Russian media saying he visited a fish-processing plant where he was given caviar. Putin... .. read more..
Weather alerts issued across parts of Taiwan as unstable weather looms
Thursday, August 13,2026,05:07
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The Central Weather Administration (CWA) on Thursday issued heat, heavy rain and strong wind alerts for parts of Taiwan, while a meteorologist warned that unstable weather is likely to bring severe conditions beginning this weekend. .. read more..
Indian Shares Extend Losses As Iran War Talks Hit Impasse
Thursday, August 13,2026,04:57
Indian shares opened lower on Thursday, with key benchmark indexes extending losses for a third day running as attacks on ships in the Middle East continued and the U.S. and Iran remained deadlocked over efforts to permanently end their five-month-old war. .. read more..
Malaysian mothers defend emergency leave amid single workers’ gripes
Thursday, August 13,2026,04:52
Employed mothers in Malaysia have defended emergency leave rights amid debate over unfair workplace expectations and the challenge of balancing family and long hours. The dispute erupted after a woman complained on live radio that colleagues with children were taking emergency leave too often, piling extra work on their single counterparts. The anonymous caller told the hosts of Hot FM’s breakfast show on Tuesday that she was fed up with a female colleague repeatedly using emergency leave when... .. read more..
Nirupama Rao and Lin Minwang on India-China fault lines
Thursday, August 13,2026,03:56
Welcome to Open Dialogue, a series from the South China Morning Post where we bring together leading voices to discuss the stories and subjects occupying international headlines. In this edition, we invited a leading Chinese scholar of South Asian affairs and a former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to China to reflect on the deep fault lines in India-China relations. They debate whether the biggest barrier is history or politics, clash over the border, Pakistan and India’s ties with the... .. read more..
U.S. urges China to halt military pressure on Taiwan after naval drill
Thursday, August 13,2026,03:43
Washington, Aug. 12 (CNA) The United States on Wednesday urged Beijing to end its "military pressure against Taiwan" after China claimed to have conducted naval exercises with an Indonesian warship in waters east of Taiwan. .. read more..
Australian Market Extends Early Losses In Mid-market
Thursday, August 13,2026,03:16
The Australian market is extending its early losses in mid-market moves on Thursday, adding to the losses in the previous session, following the mixed cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is falling well below the 9,200 level, with a mixed performance across most sectors. .. read more..
Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands
Thursday, August 13,2026,03:00
Surrounded by a clutter of carton boxes, bottles of dishwashing liquid and rows of dry snacks, Ramasamy Vellasamy holds court behind a cashier. For nine hours a day since 1986, he has been running a provision shop on the ground floor of a housing block in northern Singapore and knows the neighbourhood and its residents like the back of his hand. Despite Samy Provision Shop’s enduring presence, it was barely breaking even, said Ramasamy, who lamented the struggle of adapting to the ever-shifting... .. read more..
Law Society of Singapore strikes Pritam Singh off the rolls
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:58
Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh was struck off the rolls on Thursday after the Court of Three Judges decided on the disciplinary action initiated by the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc). This follows his conviction for giving false evidence under oath. Apart from being a Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC, Singh was also a non-practising lawyer. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon presided over the hearing, alongside Justice Kannan Ramesh and Justice See Kee Oon. The Court of Three Judges... .. read more..
Asian Markets Trade Mixed
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:58
Asian markets are trading mixed on Thursday, following the mixed cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders remain cautious amid the resurgence of Middle East tensions and the resulting recent spike in crude oil prices, fueling inflation concerns. Fairly tame US consumer price data eased concerns about the outlook for interest rates as inflation rose in line with estimates. .. read more..
Taiwan headline news
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:46
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The lead stories in major Taiwan dailies on Thursday are as follows: .. read more..
Indian Shares Seen Tad Higher At Open On Softer U.S. Inflation Data
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:44
Indian shares look set to open a tad higher on Thursday after the annual rates for both U.S. headline and core inflation eased slightly from June, prompting bets the Federal Reserve would leave its policy rate unchanged at its September meeting. .. read more..
U.S. dollar down in Taipei trading
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:21
Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) The U.S. dollar was traded at NT$32.165 at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Taipei Foreign Exchange, down NT$0.081 from the previous close. .. read more..
Thai Stock Market Tipped To Remain Rangebound On Thursday
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:00
Ahead of Wednesday's holiday for Queen Sirikit's birthday, the Thai stock market had alternated between positive and negative finishes through the last four trading days since the end of the three-day slide in which it had fallen more than a dozen points or 0.7 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now sits just above the 1,610-point plateau and it's likely to see little movement on Thursday. .. read more..
Why India is eyeing France’s next-generation combat aircraft tech amid jet sh...
Thursday, August 13,2026,02:00
India is looking to join France’s sixth-generation fighter programme in a long-term bid to secure a role in the next era of air warfare, from advanced aircraft technology to the industrial work of designing and building future combat systems. But analysts said the move, while potentially a major step in India’s defence partnership with France, would do little to ease the country’s immediate shortage of combat jets. The defence ministry told Indian lawmakers last week that it had “initiated... .. read more..
Indonesia Stock Market May Sputter On Thursday
Thursday, August 13,2026,01:30
The Indonesia stock market on Tuesday snapped the two-day slide in which it had retreated more than 140 points or 2.2 percent. The Jakarta Composite Index now rests just beneath the 6,375-point plateau although it may hand back some of those gains on Thursday. .. read more..
Japanese Market Sharply Higher
Thursday, August 13,2026,01:27
The Japanese market is trading sharply higher on Thursday, extending the gains in the previous two sessions, following the mixed cues from Wall Street overnight. The Nikkei 225 is moving well above the 68,450 level, with gains in technology and financial stocks partially offset by weakness in automaker stocks. .. read more..
Japan wholesale inflation eases slightly to 7.2%, undershooting expectations
Thursday, August 13,2026,01:25
The PPI reading was lower than the 7.4% expected by economists polled by Reuters, and was down from a revised 7.3% seen in June. .. read more..
Hong Kong Shares May Halt Slide On Thursday
Thursday, August 13,2026,01:15
The Hong Kong stock market has tracked lower in consecutive trading days, shedding almost 500 points or 1.9 percent in that span. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 25,440-point plateau although it may find support on Thursday. .. read more..