Robots compete in the 100m race during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Chinese humanoid robots beat human records in Beijing robot games

Humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt's 100-metre sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

6:30pm

First responders from the Tokyo Fire Department stand on a street partially flooded in the early hours of August 23

More than 30 injured after 5.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Tokyo

The quake, centred in Ibaraki prefecture, caused dozens of minor injuries as people fell or hit furniture while trying to get out of bed, and disrupted some train services in and around Tokyo.

5:00pm

Tesla vehicles line a parking lot at the company's Fremont, Calif., factory on Aug. 5, 2025. (file image)

Tesla recalls millions of cars in China over door handle safety risks

Carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities.

9:15am

A deadly fire at a pachinko parlour in Osaka, western Japan, July 5, 2009. (Source: Kyodo News via AP)

Japan executes man who set fire, killing 5 at pachinko parlour

Sunao Takami set fire to the crowded parlour in Osaka in 2009.

Fri, Aug 21

The Spacia X express train stopped after coming into contact with four workers at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line in Kanuma, north of Tokyo. (Source: Kyodo News via AP)

Express train hits and kills four workers at Japan railway station

Six other people at Shin-Kanuma Station – two other workers, three on lookout duty and an on-site supervisor – were unharmed.

Fri, Aug 21

US Army soldiers try to dismantle a floating bridge during a training exercise on a river in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea.

North Korea fires missiles at sea after rebuffing Trump overture

North Korea fired a barrage of ballistic missiles after dismissing a US move to scale back military drills with South Korea.

Fri, Aug 21

Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan, centre, is sentenced for large-scale fraud. (Source: Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court)

Chinese court sentences Evergrande founder to life in prison for fraud

Hui Ka Yan pleaded guilty in April to a series of charges, including illegal absorption of public deposits, fraud and corporate bribery.

Thu, Aug 20

A still from Niu Lai (The Cow is Coming).

'Terrible' Chinese animated film becomes a box-office hit

Niulai, a film about a calf who had a dream about himself growing up with the help of his family, was made over five years by just two people.

Tue, Aug 18

The President called the reporter a "boisterous person" after facing questions about his decision to scale back military exercises with South Korea.

'Be quiet': Trump snaps at reporter over Kim Jong Un question

The President called the reporter a "boisterous person" after facing questions about his decision to scale back military exercises with South Korea.

Tue, Aug 18

A road overlooking Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district, India. (Source: Google Maps)

Temple stampede and hotel fire in India kill at least 14

A deadly stampede broke out at a Hindu temple just hours after a fire swept through a hotel housing pilgrims.

Mon, Aug 17

US President Donald Trump.

Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

The US President said South Korea had declined to help denuclearise Iran.

Mon, Aug 17

A building collapsed due to an earthquake, in Reok, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.

Indonesia quake death toll climbs to 53 as six more bodies found

Rescuers dug through debris looking for anyone buried beneath landslides triggered by the quake across six regencies on Flores.

Mon, Aug 17

Workers assemble the Zeekr 001 EV models at the Chinese automaker Zeekr assembly plant in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 17, 2025.

Chinese automaker Chery buys Nissan plant in Africa amid EV market shift

Chinese automakers are increasingly shifting from exporting vehicles to building them in Africa.

Sun, Aug 16

Rescuers attempt to clear debris at building damaged by an earthquake in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

At least five killed after 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesian coast

The 10km-deep tremor caused severe damage and collapsed buildings in Indonesia's Flores region.

Sat, Aug 15

Anthony Albanese gestures on the Bush Deep podcast.

Albanese says his 'melons' hand gestures misinterpreted

"The interpretation that some have put on this is simply not correct, and the Japanese ambassador has made that clear as well."

Fri, Aug 14

Shang Guan, a writer and activist from China who moved to Taiwan in 2021, visits 97 years old military veteran Li Guo-dong, right, in Taipei

China-born spouses face rising loyalty scrutiny in Taiwan

Fears of a military invasion by China have complicated Taiwan's policy toward so-called "mainland spouses".

Thu, Aug 13

A relative sits near a coffin containing the body of a victim of Friday's shooting at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School

Thai government vows tougher gun controls after two deadly shootings

A student opened fire at his high school and family home on Friday, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20.

Wed, Aug 12

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. File photo.

North Korea launches a suspected ballistic missile, Japan says

The reported launch came two days after South Korea and the United States said they will kick off their annual large-scale military drills next week to beef up readiness against North Korean threats.

Wed, Aug 12

Residents pass by vehicles damaged by a fallen wall in the aftermath of Typhoon Dolphin in Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province.

Flights cancelled as Tropical Storm Dolphin causes flooding in China

Authorities warned of risks of severe flooding and landslides in some areas.

Tue, Aug 11

Visitors gather at a display booth for Chinese technology firm Tencent at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing on Sept. 5, 2020

Chinese users of AI companions bereft after government tightens regulations

Several major Chinese tech companies recently pulled the plug on their popular AI companion services to comply with new government restrictions.

Mon, Aug 10

Elderly residents perform tai chi near the portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders at the Chengguan District Day Care Center for the Elderly in western China's Tibet autonomous region on July 20, 2026

A rare glimpse into Tibet, where some hope to preserve cultural identity

This year, China is marking the 75th anniversary of what it calls the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet — an event many Tibetans in exile regard as an invasion.

Sun, Aug 9

A relative sits near a coffin containing the body of a victim of Friday's shooting at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School

Death toll rises as 12-year-old girl dies after Thailand school shooting

The school had posted a message on Facebook seeking blood donations for two students, including the girl, who was in seventh grade.

Sun, Aug 9

A schoolgirl walks past a policeman standing guard after a shooting at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Thailand's Nonthaburi province, Friday, August 7, 2026.

Grandparents among seven killed by student in Thailand shooting

Authorities said the 14-year-old, who killed five at a high school outside Bangkok, also appeared to have killed his grandparents at the family home earlier in the morning.

Sat, Aug 8

Taiwanese soldiers conduct shooting drills in Taipei.

Taiwan’s military drills suggest deeper alignment with the US

Through this year’s military drills, Taiwan has chosen to emphasise its army's and society’s flexibility and resilience as opposed to primarily putting advanced weapons on display.

Fri, Aug 7

A schoolgirl cries outside her school where deaths and injuries were reported after a shooting in Thailand's Nonthaburi province, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026

Six dead after shooting at school in Thailand

Local police said three teachers and three students were killed and multiple people were hospitalised, some in critical condition.

Fri, Aug 7