Natasha May

A ninth-grade student at a school attached to Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga, Philippines, livestreamed himself shooting a fellow student before killing himself. Authorities are investigating the motive, firearm ownership and how the weapons entered the campus; a customs agent allegedly linked to the guns has been preventively suspended. The incident follows a deadly June school shooting in Tacloban City and comes amid wider concerns about copycat violence and student access to firearms across Southeast Asia.

Steve Wyn-Harris and the Fireballs Aotearoa citizen-science network used camera data, wind speeds and flight-path projections to locate fragments from a fireball that crossed New Zealand’s North Island on 28 July. Wyn-Harris found an eight-gram stone that tested positive for meteoritic iron and nickel, and the search subsequently uncovered five additional fragments, including one weighing 39 grams and another found on a driveway. The pieces are believed to be ordinary chondrites originating in the asteroid belt and will be analysed and officially named by geologist Marshall Palmer, making them New Zealand’s 11th documented meteorite. Geoscientist James Scott says they may share a parent asteroid with New Zealand’s first meteorite, found near Masterton in 1863.

At the funeral of 12-year-old Naphat Chaimar in Nonthaburi, her parents mourned a daughter remembered for her enthusiasm, creativity and many extracurricular activities. Naphat died after a 14-year-old student, Patchat Yimruang, used his grandfather’s gun to kill his grandparents, six others and himself at Debsirin Nonthaburi school; the death toll reached nine, with more than 30 injured. Patchat’s father, Nithi Yimruang, attended the temple and tearfully asked Naphat’s parents for forgiveness, saying he felt guilty after losing both his son and his parents. Naphat’s father accepted the apology and said he did not blame the school. Thailand’s king and queen, the prime minister and other officials sent wreaths, while the palace granted royal patronage and support for medical treatment, funerals and cremations.

Hong Kong’s proposed name “Dim-sum” has been added to the official list of future tropical cyclone names for the western North Pacific and South China Sea. It was one of nine names approved in 2026 and came from a public consultation by the Hong Kong Observatory, where “milktea” ranked first. The UN-backed Typhoon Committee maintains 140 names contributed by its 14 member countries, retiring names linked to severe casualties or economic losses and replacing them with culturally familiar terms. Other newly approved names include contributions from North Korea, Vietnam, Micronesia, Japan, Cambodia, South Korea and Thailand. Names must be culturally appropriate and cannot carry offensive or negative meanings in other languages.

Malaysia is tightening hiking regulations after 52 lost-hiker cases were recorded in the first five months of 2026, nearly 30% more than during the same period the previous year. Authorities are making guides mandatory at 189 high-risk locations, strengthening health, medical-history and insurance screening, and banning some “compressed hikes,” which condense demanding routes into unusually short timeframes. Officials and mountain-guide representatives say social-media trends such as “hike-tok” and “bagging peaks” are encouraging insufficient preparation and risky behaviour, increasing the need for costly search-and-rescue operations.

Extreme rainfall, flash floods and typhoons have caused deaths, displacement and extensive destruction across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Taiwan and other parts of Asia. Floods have destroyed homes, crops, roads and livelihoods, while landslides and storms have killed or injured dozens and prompted mass evacuations in China. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and frequency of rainfall to human-caused climate change, as warmer air holds more moisture and fuels stronger storms. Humanitarian officials are urging governments to invest in locally led preparedness and mitigation before further disasters strike.

Hundreds of people gathered in Bangkok’s Lumphini Park for an event encouraging participants to sit quietly and do nothing for an hour, responding to a viral Facebook invitation promoting a break from productivity and constant screen use. Young attendees cited stress, fast-paced urban work culture and curiosity as reasons for joining, while the organiser framed the event as a reminder of the value of boredom and stillness. Reactions varied from finding the activity freeing and meditative to struggling with restlessness, yet many participants appreciated the rare opportunity to disconnect from daily pressures.

The impeachment trial of Philippine vice-president Sara Duterte will determine whether she remains eligible to run for the presidency in 2028 amid allegations of fund misuse, bribery, unexplained wealth and threats toward President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his wife. The case reflects escalating tensions between the Duterte and Marcos political camps and comes as public frustration with corruption grows. A Senate conviction requires a two‑thirds vote, with analysts assessing the outcome as uncertain. The proceedings are expected to last months, and reactions across the country reveal deepening political polarisation, with both anti- and pro-Duterte groups mobilising in protest.

Thai police arrested a 21-year-old British woman after finding her 34-year-old boyfriend dead from stab wounds in a Pattaya rental home. Investigators reported inconsistencies in the woman’s account, signs of a struggle, and a cleaned machete-like knife. The victim reportedly operated a cannabis farm. UK authorities said they are providing support to the families while remaining in contact with Thai officials.

An 11-year-old boy drove his parents’ pickup truck into a Buddhist procession in Mukdahan, killing nine monks and critically injuring at least three others. Authorities said the boy had taken the vehicle without permission and lost control after driving for several miles. Police have not yet filed charges as the child remains in shock and unable to give a statement. Local officials emphasized Thailand’s long-standing road safety problems and urged greater vigilance from parents and the public.

CCTV footage shows the friend of Thunchanok Donhomla visiting the Pattaya condo of Australian suspect Simon Peter Carman shortly after reporting the 17-year-old missing. Police say Donhomla was last seen entering the building with Carman, who was later recorded leaving with a suitcase before her body was discovered nearby. Investigators have charged Carman with murder and related offences after reviewing surveillance evidence and tracing movements within the condo complex.

Thai police are examining whether Australian suspect Simon Peter Carman, charged with murdering 17‑year‑old Thunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, may be connected to two similar unsolved cases involving women found dead in suitcases in nearby districts. CCTV footage allegedly shows Carman entering and leaving his condo with Donhomla and later transporting a large suitcase. Carman, arrested while attempting to leave Thailand, has denied the charges but allegedly admitted involvement after police confronted him with evidence. Authorities note similarities with prior cases involving women in the adult industry but say no direct link has been established. Donhomla, visiting Pattaya from Kalasin, was last seen with Carman before her body was found; a medical examiner reported suffocation as the likely cause of death.

Police in Pattaya charged Australian national Simon Peter Carman with murder, concealing a corpse and abducting a minor after the body of 17‑year‑old Thunchanok Donhomla was found in a suitcase near railway tracks. CCTV footage allegedly shows Carman with the victim before her death and later transporting the suitcase. Carman denied all charges, reportedly claiming self‑defense. The victim’s father expressed grief, and Carman remains in custody awaiting a court date.

Thai police arrested an Australian man at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport after identifying him as a suspect in the alleged abduction and murder of a 17-year-old girl found in a suitcase in Pattaya. CCTV footage reportedly showed him entering an apartment with the victim and later leaving with a large suitcase. Police located the body based on information he provided during questioning. Investigators are awaiting further evidence before filing charges, which could include abduction, murder, and concealment of a body. Australia’s foreign affairs department confirmed consular assistance for the detained man.

Philippine authorities temporarily blocked the violent gaming app GoreBox after a school shooting in Tacloban left three students dead and 20 injured, citing the need to investigate potential online influences. One of the teenage suspects was reported to be a regular player. Officials stressed the move was precautionary, while scientific studies continue to show no credible link between violent games and real‑world aggression. The game’s developer expressed sorrow and emphasised its adult‑only intent. Police indicated bullying may have motivated the attack, and broader concerns were raised about rising violence in schools.

Conflict in the Middle East and uncertainty over the strait of Hormuz are disrupting south‑east Asia’s access to energy and fertiliser, driving up costs and exposing deep economic vulnerabilities. Simultaneously, emerging El Niño conditions threaten to reduce agricultural output across Asia and the Pacific, with UN agencies warning that the combined effects could endanger 7–8 million tonnes of rice production. Rising food and energy prices are already hitting regional households, while broader geopolitical repercussions include Russia expanding influence through new energy agreements.

Crowds gathered in Bangkok as a royal funeral procession transported Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s body to the Grand Palace, where mourners remembered her humanitarian work and public service. Citizens lined the streets despite heat, paying tribute to her advocacy for underprivileged communities and disaster‑relief efforts. Government leaders joined Buddhist rites, and the public will be permitted to pay respects during the upcoming merit‑making period before a cremation date is announced.

A 7.8‑magnitude earthquake in Mindanao caused at least 55 deaths, more than 1,100 injuries, widespread building collapses and significant displacement, with tens of thousands fleeing after a tsunami alert. Rescue teams continue searching through destroyed structures in General Santos City while thousands remain missing. Government agencies are working to restore water access and supply basic necessities as infrastructure damage has disrupted essential services. The Red Cross is assisting with mental health support, emergency aid and livelihood assessments as communities face both physical devastation and emotional trauma. Recovery efforts are threatened by forecasted El Niño conditions and the monsoon season, raising concerns over agricultural production in a key rice- and coconut‑producing region.

Crowds gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok to mourn Princess Bajrakitiyabha, who died at 47 after nearly four years in a coma. Mourners carried portraits and expressed profound sorrow, while signs of national mourning appeared across Thailand. The Royal Palace announced funeral rites beginning with a procession to the Grand Palace and public ceremonies allowing people to pay their respects. Leaders praised her legal, diplomatic and humanitarian contributions, highlighting her work on justice and women’s rights.

A magnitude‑7.8 earthquake struck near Sarangani province, causing at least 37 deaths, hundreds of injuries and widespread structural damage across Mindanao, with tremors felt as far as Sulawesi. Authorities reported large-scale displacement, building collapses and disrupted healthcare amid aftershock risks. Tsunami warnings across the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia and Sabah were lifted after several hours. Government agencies mobilised rescue operations, evacuation centres and school closures, while emergency services and the Philippines Red Cross supported affected communities.