SCMP Asian News

While Australia’s housing market has proved resilient, the rebound in prices has only served to heighten concerns about the fall in affordability. Bold zoning reforms by Auckland’s government that aimed to encourage the development of medium-density housing offer a way forward for Australian cities.

‘Today, we can no longer focus on Europe only … we have to position ourselves much more broadly,’ Germany’s army chief said as hundreds of troops were dispatched to Australia for training for the first time ever.

In the capital New Delhi, more rain was recorded in a single day than at any time in the past 40 years. Authorities across several states urged residents to stay inside their homes.

In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at the reaction to Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive waste water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and ponder what is next.

Long-time Cambodian leader Hun Sen implored Ukraine not to use cluster munitions, citing how his country had yet to rid itself of the bombs dropped on it by the US more than half a century ago, which have left tens of thousands maimed or killed.

The South Asian island nation has offered a month-long amnesty for the return of historical treasures stolen by protesters who stormed the presidential palace a year ago, forcing the then-leader to flee.

Visitor statistics suggest Southeast Asia isn’t attracting anywhere near the number of Chinese travellers it used to, as China’s slower-than-expected recovery leaves its citizens more hesitant to spend money heading abroad.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party aims to increase its popularity in August’s state elections by using TikTok to pummel PM Anwar Ibrahim and his multi-ethnic coalition.

North Korea said the move creates a situation that brings a nuclear conflict closer to reality. It also claimed US reconnaissance planes recently violated its air space near the east coast.

The Global Sikh Trail aims to promote knowledge and understanding of Sikh culture, and dispel the stereotype of Sikhs being ‘separatists and terrorists’.

A Pakistani woman took her four kids and made a dangerous trek to India to be with her lover she met through the popular video game PUBG.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said he understands concerns remain over plans to release treated nuclear water into the ocean, but added that a review released last week found it was “in conformity with international safety standards”.

Some fans of K-pop are turning to Thai music and dramas, lured by creative plot lines, ‘less repetitive’ songs, and the ‘more well-rounded’ talent.

Despite tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, Vietnam’s ‘No 1 priority’ is maintaining stable bilateral ties, analysts say. But that hasn’t stopped Hanoi hedging its bets via some ‘diplomatic balancing’.

Despite the IAEA saying that Japan’s plans for the water release would have a negligible impact on the environment, South Korean protesters turned up in force to protest the visit of IAEA chief.

Almost half of HIV transmission could be via mother to child, but stigma means many do not get tested for it or for syphilis and other dangerous STIs, or receive treatment.

An elated Nia said she was ‘still processing everything and currently in pinch-me mode’.

Police have made significant changes to the ways they handle politicians’ security after the ex-prime minister was gunned down on July 8 last year.

The Move Forward Party leader said the kingdom is ‘back on track to be fully democratic and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours’.

As in Britain, and increasingly the US, mortgage stress is mounting, but Australia isn’t awash with desperate for-sale signs. Though that may be about to change if unemployment spikes – and defaults inevitably follow.