Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with first-degree arson in connection with one of three major wildfires ravaging Washington state. The fires have destroyed over 700 structures and forced 65,000 residents to evacuate.
Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah has distributed RM30,600 in emergency assistance to 102 flood-affected households in Tawau, with each family receiving RM300 to help offset immediate losses following the late-July disaster.
A Danish pilot and Greek coordinator died when two Bell helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in western Attica on Sunday. A British pilot and another Greek coordinator survived the crash near Psatha.
Greek firefighting crews supported by international assistance battled massive wildfires west of Athens on Sunday, with flames advancing toward Megara. Authorities have arrested 13 people on arson charges.
A woman in her 70s died from apparent heat stroke while sheltering in a car in Kumamoto Prefecture following last week's magnitude 7.1 earthquake. The death underscores mounting health risks as survivors face extreme temperatures and deteriorating conditions.
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.
A fire in a Clementi HDB flat on Friday night claimed one life and left two firefighters injured. About 40 residents were evacuated as a precaution, with most returning home by early morning.
Malaysia's Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) seeks to maintain its prestigious Heavy Urban Search and Rescue certification from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, underscoring the country's disaster preparedness.
Two people lost their lives in a fatal traffic accident in Sibu, Sarawak, when their vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a drain. Emergency responders recovered the victims from the submerged car.
A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture triggered a gas explosion at a major shopping mall, killing two women and leaving dozens feared trapped in the collapsed structure.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, claiming at least 13 lives. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the toll as rescue operations continued and major transport networks remained disrupted.
A catastrophic smokestack collapse at a Nippon Paper facility in Kumamoto has left two people in cardiac arrest and nine workers missing following a powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan.
An explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in southwestern Japan has caused significant structural damage, trapping multiple people and injuring others. The blast occurred hours after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the region.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake centred in Kumamoto Prefecture has injured several people, caused widespread power outages affecting 48,000 households, and disrupted rail and air transport across southwestern Japan.
France is grappling with unprecedented wildfire devastation, with over 85 firefighters sustaining injuries while battling massive blazes. The Gironde department alone has forced evacuations affecting more than 220,000 people, with fires expected to rage for months.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid has emphasised the need for Malaysia to establish an integrated air disaster management system where all agencies operate under unified command, stressing that coordination matters more than asset quantity.
A residential fire in Schaerbeek, Brussels-Capital Region claimed two lives and injured eight others early Sunday. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause while providing support to evacuated residents.
Wildfires have consumed 1,700 hectares in France's Var department, forcing hundreds to flee and leaving thousands without power. Nearly 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze as France experiences its worst wildfire season since World War II.
The Selangor Wholesale Market has resumed full operations following a fire on July 23, with authorities confirming the main trading building was unaffected. Investigations into the cause are underway.
A 5.7 magnitude earthquake centred in North Sumatra prompted the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department to respond to three separate reports of tremors across the Klang Valley on Monday. All affected buildings were declared safe after inspections.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has clarified that School Liaison Officers handle comprehensive safety matters extending far beyond bullying, while announcing relief measures for 116 students affected by a hostel fire.
A massive fire at a Coupang logistics warehouse in Incheon, South Korea has been brought under initial control after burning for 61 hours. Hundreds of residents were evacuated and extensive firefighting resources were deployed.
South Korea's Seoul and Gangwon province were hit by intense overnight rainfall, with nearly 200mm recorded in several areas. The deluge caused around 540 instances of property damage, forcing closures of 10 national parks and flooding hundreds of homes and roads.
A sudden deluge swept through Petaling Jaya on July 18, overwhelming the Klang Valley region and inundating the 223 Food Court where diners found themselves stranded as water rapidly rose to waist level.
Malaysia's Airport Fire and Rescue Services led a first-of-its-kind exercise simulating an aircraft crash six kilometres from Subang Airport, involving 450 participants from 20+ agencies to strengthen off-airport disaster response capabilities.
A hornet nest attack near Redhill Market in Singapore sent four people to hospital on July 10. Authorities quickly cordoned off the area and removed the nest, with officials warning residents to avoid disturbing such nests.
A catastrophic fire at a Bangkok entertainment venue claimed the lives of at least 27 people late Sunday evening, with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirming the death toll to local news outlets.
Vietnamese authorities have mobilised extensive resources following a speedboat accident in Phu Quoc that injured Indian nationals. Sun Group International Hospital activated emergency protocols, stabilising critical patients while providing treatment to multiple victims.
Beijing's meteorological authority issued its first orange-level rainstorm alert of the 2026 flood season on Thursday, triggering an emergency response as the city braces for heavy rainfall expected to continue through the weekend.
A 10-tonne lorry driver in his 40s died after his vehicle plunged approximately 150 feet into a ravine near Pos Blau-Lojing Bridge in Gua Musang. Firefighting teams took nearly three hours to reach the remote crash site.
An Incheon police officer is under criminal investigation after accidentally running over a woman in her 60s whom she had been dispatched to assist. The officer claims she did not see the victim in the dark street.
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A 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled Gaoxian County in China's Sichuan Province early Monday, leaving 13 people with minor injuries and prompting authorities to launch relief operations.
A civilian aircraft crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, killing all 11 people aboard, including skydiving instructors and independent nurses participating in an initiation event. The plane went down shortly after takeoff from Nancy-Essey Airport.
Kentucky faces a major flooding crisis with at least four confirmed deaths after heavy rainfall inundated parts of the southern US state, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to declare a state of emergency.