Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Hong Kong experienced much-needed rainfall on Friday morning, bringing temporary relief from a week-long heat wave that set multiple temperature records. The city's weather service issued an amber rainstorm warning as thunderstorms swept through.
Seoul and two other South Korean cities recorded temperatures above 40°C on Friday as an intense heat wave grips the nation. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported it is the first time Seoul has exceeded 40°C since 2018.
South Korea has expanded severe heat wave warnings to cover 43% of the Greater Seoul region, with record temperatures exceeding 42°C claiming 19 lives and hospitalizing over 2,200 people since mid-May.
Heavy monsoon rains across India's Kerala state have claimed 26 lives, displaced over 27,000 people, and damaged crops across nearly 1,900 hectares. The India Meteorological Department warns of continued severe weather through August 11.
France has experienced an exceptionally severe wildfire season, with 119,000 hectares burned across the country since January. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that dangerous conditions remain despite some humidity improvements, with Mediterranean coastal areas and Corsica facing the highest alert levels.
South Korea has recorded its highest temperature in modern history—41.4°C in the southeastern city of Yangsan—as an intense heatwave continues to grip the peninsula for a third consecutive day.
South Korea faces a severe heat wave with southeastern cities setting all-time temperature records. Busan hit 38.8°C, its highest in 120 years, while Yangsan reached 40.3°C, with authorities warning conditions will persist through next week.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and eight states, with conditions expected to persist until mid-afternoon.