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.
A woman in her 70s has died from heat stroke while sheltering in a car in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture following a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The death underscores mounting health risks facing survivors amid extreme summer temperatures and inadequate shelter conditions.
South Korea is grappling with an intense heat wave that has pushed temperatures to a historic 42.5°C in Yangsan, surpassing all records since 1904. The government has declared emergency status.
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.
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.