Taiwan’s political parties deadlocked over efforts to boost military drone capacity

Disagreements over funding and oversight threaten to undermine measures to improve the military’s capacity to wage unmanned warfare

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Taiwan’s military is looking to boost its drone stockpiles. Photo: AFP

A political row is threatening to undermine Taiwan’s efforts to increase its stockpiles of military drones and has raised questions about the future of its domestic manufacturers.

On Monday, lawmakers failed to agree on competing versions of a bill to buy and develop military drones after six hours of debate.

While the ruling


France, Italy tighten borders after 60,000 migrants enter Spain’s Ceuta

France is increasing its border police presence fivefold while Italy has suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain

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Migrants wade through the water near the border with Morocco as they attempt to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on Friday. Photo: AFP
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Massive Attack barred from Singapore for unfurling Palestinian flag on stage

The two band members who held the flag on stage were given ‘stern warning’ and banned from re-entering Singapore, police say

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Two members of Massive Attack hold up a Palestinian flag during its concert in Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: Reddit/blushie157

British trip-hop band Massive Attack has been barred from performing in Singapore after an investigation found two members unfurled a Palestinian flag during a concert, police said.

Two band members who held the

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4 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine as Zelensky pushes Trump for Patriot missiles

Russia has stepped up strikes ⁠on ⁠Kyiv in recent months, while Ukraine ‌is short of air defences capable of ‌downing ballistic ‌missiles

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Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: AP
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Japan’s ruling party MPs form group to protect US$2.1 billion trading card market

Lawmakers from Japan ’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have launched a group aimed at promoting the rapidly growing trading card industry, seeing its potential as a globally competitive content sector.

The group, consisting of some 20 lawmakers, is seeking to improve the trading card environment by setting up rules to address issues such as counterfeit cards and bulk purchases for resale. It is also keen to enhance market transparency to support the industry’s overseas expansion.

The popularity of trading cards featuring characters from popular Japanese game,

Seiji Kihara speaks at a meeting of a parliamentary group aimed at promoting the trading card industry in Tokyo on July 23. Photo: Kyodo

Going Dutch: why taste of Hong Kong-style milk tea is Black and White

A single canned ingredient imported from the Netherlands has quietly fuelled Hong Kong’s daily hustle for the past 85 years, evolving from a simple dairy product into the soul of local diner culture.

For decades, the Black and White brand of full-cream evaporated milk has been a crucial element in Hong Kong-style milk tea culture and craftsmanship, giving this popular drink in the city’s cha chaan teng – local cafes – its signature fragrance, thickness and smoothness.

“Everything starts from a cup of Hong

Jayden Looi enjoys a cup of milk tea at Lam Yuen Restaurant in Diamond Hill. Photo: Dickson Lee

Negeri Sembilan votes as Malaysia’s political allies lock horns again

This Week in Asia Politics

The state election comes on the back of a bruising loss for Anwar’s PH in Johor, in another test of the strength of his coalition government

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An aerial view of Port Dickson in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state. Just shy of 890,000 voters are registered to cast their ballots in the state election on Saturday. Photo: Shutterstock
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To reduce South China Sea friction, Beijing and Manila need it in writing

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Sophie Wushuang Yi holds a PhD in Chinese studies (international relations) from King's College London, where she specialised in Sino-US relations, military and strategic studies, and South China Sea geopolitics.

As the Philippines hosted Southeast Asian foreign ministers in late July, the sea would not stay quiet. On July 20 , Chinese and Philippine crews fought beside the BRP Sierra Madre with oars and batons; one Filipino sailor was reportedly injured while

Should Hong Kong regulate loot boxes as addiction issues arise in mobile gaming?

Playing strategic and role-playing mobile games has been a major leisure activity for Peter Lee* since he graduated in 2020, when social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic left him with little to do outside working hours.

Unlike console games, Lee gained a sense of belonging in the mobile gaming world, as he could interact and cooperate with players from different countries whenever and wherever he wanted.

To enhance his team’s performance in battles, the 28-year-old bought loot


China teen shares top university acceptance with hero who saved her from river 16 years ago

Sixteen years after being rescued from a river as a toddler, a young girl from eastern China earned a spot at the prestigious Peking University and shared this significant milestone with the man who saved her life.

Yu Xianguo, 66, from Taizhou in Zhejiang province, is a retired naval serviceman who served five years in the military, according to mainland media outlet Xinhuanghe.

In August 2010, two-year-old Zheng Yan was travelling with her grandparents on a three-wheeled vehicle as they prepared to

Pictured here with baby Zheng and her family immediately after the rescue. Maintaining a deep connection for over a decade, Zheng’s family has continued to celebrate the bond they share with Yu’s family. Photo: The Paper