What you need to know
A quick roundup of the most important news from around the region.
Nepal
The death toll in rain-induced disasters since Friday night in Nepal's southern flatlands has risen to 52 with 37 people missing, the Home Ministry said Sunday. – The Bangkok Post
India
At least 30 children died Thursday and into Friday at a hospital in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh after its supply of liquid oxygen was disrupted over an unpaid bill, officials said. – The Washington Post
China
Facebook, blocked in China for years, is trying a different way into China: by authorizing the release of a new app there that does not carry the Facebook name. – The New York Times
China’s three most popular social media platforms have been placed under investigation on suspicion of violating the country’s new cybersecurity law, the top internet watchdog said on Friday, as it seeks to tighten its grip before the party congress in the autumn. – South China Moring Post
The last surviving Chinese woman to sue the Japanese government for sex slavery during the World War II died on Saturday. – South China Morning Post
A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson has slammed the latest 'freedom of navigation operation' conducted by the US Navy, claiming that the move infringed upon Beijing's sovereignty and endangered lives. – IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
An image appearing on a People's Liberation Army Air Force-linked webpage suggests China may have developed a new optically guided version of the KD-20 land attack cruise missile. - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
China on Thursday moved to clamp down on any unauthorized reporting of the earthquake in its southwestern Sichuan province, ordering news outlets to stick to the official line. – Radio Free Asia
Hong Kong
A Democratic Party member has claimed that mainland law enforcement agents put 21 staples into his legs for being “unpatriotic” after they abducted him on Thursday. A lawmaker has called the incident “unacceptable and outrageous.” – Hong Kong Free Press
Taiwan
Close to 10,000 police and security officers have been readied in Taiwan ahead of what organizers believe will be “inevitable” protests during the biggest international event to be held in the country. - The News Lens
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) held a rally in Taipei on Sunday to call for local support of a Japanese-initiated petition stating that Taiwan should use the name "Taiwan" to participate in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. – Focus Taiwan
North Korea
If North Korea goes ahead with its threat to fire ballistic missiles toward the U.S. territory of Guam, the order will come from Kim Jong Un himself. – The Washington Post
South Korea
Civic organizations and activists have held a series of events in honor of victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, including the display of hundreds of mini statues symbolizing the so-called "comfort women." – The Korea Times
Japan
One man was killed and another was seriously injured over the weekend when they were hit by a roller coaster that was being tested at Kijima Kogen Park in Oita Prefecture, the police said. – The Japan Times
A year after being sold to Taiwan’s Hon Hai (Foxconn), Japan’s Sharp has achieved a sharp recovery in earnings under the meritocracy-based culture of its new Taiwanese parent. – The Japan Times
Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.0 percent in April-June, posting a sixth straight quarter of expansion led by private consumption and capital expenditure, government data showed on Monday. – Reuters via The Japan Times
Philippines
A new Senate bill seeks to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in schools, government offices, public utility vehicles, churches, and hospitals. – Rappler
Globe Telecom on Friday, launched a US$250-million submarine cable system providing a link between Davao and the United States. – Rappler
Indonesia
Indonesia has urged officials to stand up to mob pressure after Muslim and nationalist protesters called for a 30-meter-tall statue of a Chinese deity erected in a temple complex in an East Java town to be torn down. – Jakarta Globe
Cambodia
A frequent government critic was arrested on Sunday in the wake of a brief border dispute with Laos that saw armored vehicles paraded around Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument and Prime Minister Hun Sen fly into Vientiane to negotiate a resolution. – The Cambodia Daily
Myanmar
Hundreds of Buddhists took to the streets in Rakhine State on Sunday to protest against aid organizations they accuse of giving support to Muslim Rohingya militants, police and a protest leader said. – Reuters via The Irrawaddy