Asia - South China Morning Post

Japan’s transport ministry on Wednesday reprimanded Japan Airlines and urged it to report back on preventive measures it will take after an incident in which a pilot was unable to fly from Hawaii to Japan after failing a preflight alcohol screening, delaying three flights for hours.

The major Japanese air carrier has in recent years faced multiple similar drinking incidents involving its pilots, and it comes after a previous warning given to JAL in December by the Ministry of Land,...

Concerns are mounting among South Koreans planning trips to the United States amid fears that immigration authorities may tighten entry procedures after the recent detention of hundreds of South Korean workers in Georgia.

Goo, a 33-year-old office worker preparing for a honeymoon in Hawaii next month, said he is worried his Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) approval may be delayed or denied.

“It used to come through in a day or two without problems, but this time I’m nervous it...

A new era in North Korea’s missile programme may be dawning, as analysts warn of an imminent test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads to the US mainland.

Fresh from his appearance at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the trial of a lighter, more robust solid-fuel ICBM engine, state media reported on Tuesday, touting the achievement as a “strategic” breakthrough.

Reportedly built...

Malaysian singer Eda Ezrin has opened up about her time at the Narathiwat Provincial Central Prison in Thailand, a month after her release on August 6.

In a TikTok live stream last week, the 30-year-old said she shared a room with 50 other inmates.

She added that detainees were allowed to buy food and personal items – including toiletries, toothbrushes, make-up and even perfumes – provided they had money in their bank account.

Eda, whose real name is Wan Norsahidah Azlin Wan Ismail, said she...

Australia will invest A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) to develop and manufacture a long-range autonomous vehicle, known as “Ghost Shark”, as the nation boosts its naval capabilities, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

Ghost Shark will be built under a contract with Anduril Australia, Marles told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday, flanked by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy and the CEO of Anduril Australia.

“This is the highest tech capability in the world,” Marles added. “It...

An immigration raid on a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in the US that saw hundreds of South Korean engineers detained in shackles has triggered “a major diplomatic incident” and shaken Seoul’s confidence in Washington’s commitment to their alliance, analysts say.

US officials said 475 people – most of them South Korean nationals – were detained when federal agents raided Hyundai’s manufacturing site in the state of Georgia last Thursday.

It is the latest in a long line of workplace raids...

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly later this month when he is expected to share his views on the causes of World War II, prompting concerns among conservatives that he may offer a more sweeping apology than any previous Liberal Democratic Party leader.

Ishiba announced on Sunday that he would step down, with an election to replace him as party president and prime minister of the nation expected to take place in early...

US President Donald Trump said he intends to speak to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “in the coming weeks” and expressed optimism that the two leaders would be able to reach an agreement to resolve a blistering trade fight.

“I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations,” Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday.

“I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi,...

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet reshuffle is a “tactical” step to restore public trust in the government, according to analysts, but they argue it will not be enough to quell the unrest among protesters if it does not lead to more systemic reform.

The shake-up on Monday saw the departure of high-profile officials such as Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, alongside the creation of a stand-alone...

A former police ally of ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is a step closer to giving what lawyers have described as “smoking gun” testimony to the International Criminal Court linking Duterte to extrajudicial killings during his war on drugs.

At the same time, Duterte’s defence team is seeking to delay the ICC case against him and secure his interim release on health grounds.

Royina Garma, an ex-police colonel who served Duterte while he was mayor of Davao City, was reportedly scheduled to...