India

Seven workers crushed to death at stone quarry in Southern India

HYDERABAD, (India): (Bernama) At least seven workers were crushed to death by a boulder at a stone quarry in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on Thursday (July 2).

Indonesia

Indonesia seizes 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds intended for vapes

JAKARTA: The Indonesian authorities seized 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds this week, the country's national narcotics agency said on Thursday (July 2)

Nation

Malaysia assures Belgium that South China Sea will remain open

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has assured Belgium that maritime access through the South China Sea will remain open, saying Asean remains committed to maintaining peace, neutrality, and open access in the region amid heightened concerns over global shipping disruptions

Singapore

70-year-old man dies after falling into waters off Singapore's Pulau Ubin; no foul play suspected

SINGAPORE: A 70-year-old man died after he reportedly fell into the waters off Pulau Ubin on Wednesday (July 1) afternoon.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (July 2, 2026)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (July 2, 2026)

Singapore

New heritage trail, stamps mark 200 years of Singapore’s modern legal system

SINGAPORE: Immersed in the nation's rich architectural heritage, Singapore's newest heritage trail is the first of its kind to explore how the rule of law has shaped not only national development, but also the everyday lives of Singaporeans

Japan

Japan deploys bear cameras in mountains as attacks surge

TOKYO: Japan has begun installing hundreds of cameras in its northern mountains as part of a nationwide survey of the bear population following a surge in maulings, an official told AFP on Thursday (July 2)

Thailand

Thailand seizes 24.38kg heroin in parcels bound for Australia, Taiwan

BANGKOK: (Bernama) Thai authorities have seized 24.38 kilogrammes (kg) of heroin concealed in five parcels containing local handicrafts, silk clothing, coffee sachets and winter jackets bound for Australia and Taiwan.

Entertainment

HK star Lawrence Ng sells image rights for AI film, gets paid without having to act

The former TVB actor believes AI could create new opportunities in the film industry.

Metro News

US gives Malaysia RM1mil to restore Tugu Negara

THE United States has approved a RM1mil grant to help restore Malaysia's Tugu Negara, in a move the US Embassy said reflected deepening ties between Washington and Putrajaya.

India

Ketan Agarwal murder: Accused Siya Goyal, her boyfriend Chetan rehearsed cliff-push, say investigators

NEW DELHI: In yet another shocking revelation in the Pune realtor Ketan Agarwal murder case, investigators have claimed that accused Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary conducted practice on how to push Ketan off the cliff.

Nation

Malaysia to enhance cooperation with BFA in various fields, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to work closely with the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in the areas of trade and investment, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition, food security, education and talent development, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nation

RM66mil wildlife crossing in Johor to be ready by Feb 2028

JOHOR BARU: The RM66mil wildlife crossing project in Jalan Kahang-Mersing is expected to be completed in February 2028 and is believed to be able to reduce wildlife collisions, thus protecting property and saving the lives of road users.

Indonesia

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua kill American pilot, burn plane, spokesperson says

JAKARTA: Rebels in Indonesia's restive easternmost region of Papua on Thursday (July 2) shot dead an American pilot and set a civilian plane on fire in what a spokesperson for a local separatist group described as a "message" to the US and Indonesian governments.

Singapore

16-year-old among 230 under probe over scams in Singapore involving S$9mil in losses

SINGAPORE: A 16-year-old is among 230 people being investigated for their suspected roles in scams involving reported losses of about S$9 million, following a two-week police operation.

Philippines

President Marcos: Philippines’ upper-middle-income status validates economic policies

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday (July 2) said the Philippines' new status as an upper-middle-income country is an affirmation of the effectiveness of the government's economic policies and validation of the resilience of Filipinos.

Nation

Lim Guan Eng, Tony Pua explain LRT3 revision

KLANG: Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and his former aide Tony Pua have given an explanation regarding the revision of the LRT3 project budget during the former's tenure.

India

India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

NEW DELHI: India said on Thursday (July 2) that its deputy foreign minister and a state governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Sabah & Sarawak

Labuan airport operations disrupted again after suspected WWII bomb found near runway

LABUAN: Operations at Labuan Airport were disrupted on Thursday (July 2) after an old bomb, believed to be from the Second World War, was found at 3.45pm about 200m from the airport runway on land owned by the Air Force near Kerupang.

Thailand

Thai fresh durian exports to China exceed THB100bn in first half

BANGKOK: Thailand's fresh durian exports to China set a new milestone in the first half of 2026, with value exceeding THB100 billion and volume of more than 870,000 tonnes.