Australia ramps up defence spending, sees parallels to WWII era

The government will spend an additional A$53 billion (S$48.39 billion) over the next decade.

Shear whimsy: Sheep-themed drink in China causes stir online

Initially, the beverage wasn’t heavily promoted within Shanghai.

US Big Oil earning $30 million per hour from Iran war

US President Donald Trump’s unprovoked war of choice in Iran has been a goldmine for America’s fossil fuels industry, which is earning massive windfall profits thanks to the rise in the price of petroleum. An analysis published by The Guardian on Wednesday estimated that the

Bali residents take to burning trash as landfill rules change

Organic waste accounts for about two-thirds of all waste produced in Bali.

Malaysia plans to use labour tycoon Aminul Islam’s new migrant worker system

Some say Mr Amin play a role in Malaysia's systemic exploitation of migrant workers.

Former US Marine pilot loses appeal against extradition from Australia

SYDNEY, April 16 - A former U.S. Marine Corps pilot on Thursday lost an appeal against his extradition from Australia to the United States on charges of violating U.S. arms control laws while training Chinese pilots.

Hopes for Middle East peace grow as Israel discusses Lebanon ceasefire

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, April 16 - Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

South Korea tourist arrivals hit record high in Q1 amid BTS comeback, up 23% from previous year

South Korea recorded a first-quarter record of 4.76 million foreign tourist arrivals.

Tokyo record leads Asia stocks higher as Iran peace hopes grow

Asian equities tracked Wall Street, which also saw all-time peaks.

US ex-Marine loses extradition appeal in China pilots case

Daniel Duggan has been held in prison since his arrest in 2022, shortly after he returned from living in China.

Composer jailed for defrauding investors in fake BTS business scheme in South Korea

He also claimed to have a personal relationship with Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk.

China's economy poised for Q1 rebound but Iran war jolts 2026 outlook

China's economy rebounds in Q1 but Iran war darkens 2026 outlook

As the world's biggest energy importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock already slowing trade, lifting factory costs and darkening the outlook for the year.

Penang cracks down on syringe toy due to safety concerns

A state official said the toy poses risks because of its resemblance to medical equipment.

Viral chat logs renew alarm over sexual violence on campuses in Indonesia

Student forums and petitions have been launched at several universities.

Hourly check-ins a hassle for Malaysian civil servants working from home

The hourly check-ins are done to ensure officers do not slack off.

Mangosteens now more expensive than durians in Malaysia because of supply shortages

Musang King durian prices have also dropped by 80 per cent.

South Korea, Vietnam leaders to meet in Hanoi next week, sources say

HANOI, April 16 - Vietnam's president To Lam is set to meet his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi next week, five people familiar with the matter said.

'Unprecedented' fire at Australian oil refinery to impact nation's petrol supplies

The fire has deepened fears over the nation's petrol supplies amid a global crunch.

Indian officials see Iran war oil shock as disruptive as Covid-19

Even if hostilities end soon, it could take years for supplies of energy products to normalise.

TikTok removes underage accounts after Indonesian government push

YouTube and Roblox remain the only high-risk platforms yet to fully comply, a minister said.

Littering in JB: Strict enforcement and mandatory community service lead to drop in cases

Consistent operations had led to noticeable improvements in public behaviour.

Father of missing boy in Kyoto Prefecture arrested after body found

The cause of death has yet to be determined.

JB food guide: 50-year legacy laksa yong tau foo and addictive fried banana treats in Stulang Laut

In this Makan Kakis series, Mediacorp GOLD 905’s Denise Tan explores a popular stretch of kiosks featuring 50-year-old heritage yong tau foo at Foon Yew Laksa, and Siti Sweet Banana Enterprise's sambal-dipped pisang goreng unique to Johor just minutes from the Causeway.

Sending combat troops to exercise, Japan leaves WWII ghosts behind

This year’s US-Philippines Balikatan Exercise provides plenty of evidence Japan is outdistancing the ghosts of World War II and subsequent decades of faux pacifism. Japan is deploying a large, multi-service force to participate in Balikatan. And it is not hiding behind an

Soft power ‘win’ for Beijing as Chinese medical ship treats 5,400 for free in PNG

Floating hospital Silk Road Ark’s 220-day goodwill humanitarian mission ends with Port Moresby port call

As Indonesia eyes electric conversion of 120 million motorcycles in 4 years, experts warn of potential bumps ahead

President Prabowo Subianto's programme promises long-term savings on fuel imports and subsidies, but limited infrastructure and low consumer confidence may hinder ambition, say analysts.

Chinese makers of sticky tape, bug zappers and fans feel the pinch as plastic costs soar amid Iran war

But the green tech sector is getting a lift as the energy crisis hastens a pivot towards renewables.

Can cheaper latte and starting the day early solve KL’s perpetual traffic jams?

Many commuters say they are already starting their day before sunrise.

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to tackle global water stress

LONDON, April 15 - The World Bank and other top development lenders launched a new global initiative dubbed Water Forward on Wednesday, aimed at improving secure water access for a billion people within the next four years.

Trump budget director defends 43% military spending boost

WASHINGTON — The White House budget director on Wednesday defended the administration’s latest request for Congress, testifying before the House Budget Committee that a 43% increase in defense spending and a 10% cut to domestic programs is the best path forward. Democrats on

Australia says refinery fire could hit petrol production

The refinery can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

Iran offers proposal allowing ships to exit Oman side of Hormuz free of attack, source says

DUBAI, April 15 - Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the United States if a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source

Kremlin says US has rejected its proposal that Russia take Iranian uranium stocks

April 15 - The Kremlin's spokesman was quoted as saying on Wednesday that the United States had rejected its proposal that Russia take all of Iran's enriched uranium out of the country as a way to help resolve the Middle East conflict.

Don’t believe claims Southeast Asia scam schemes were shut down

I was recently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and approached a group of young men in front of the Indian embassy. I told them I was a University of Toronto researcher. I asked: “Are you from the scam compounds?” Scam compounds are industrial-scale complexes where trafficked workers

Blockade v blockade fallout may be not just a world energy crisis

What a lively Sunday April 13 proved to be. We had the landslide defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán; the predictable failure of 24 – some reports say 21, but who’s counting? – hours’ worth of talks in Islamabad between America and Iran; Donald Trump’s announcement in response of

UN human rights office raises concern around trial of Chinese dissident artist

GENEVA, April 15 - The United Nations human rights office on Wednesday said it was concerned by the trial of Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong.

Australia to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

SYDNEY, April 15 - Australia on Wednesday said it would raise defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033 from about 2% currently, in response to the most \"complex and threatening\" circumstances since World War Two.

Four dead after Turkey's second school shooting in two days

ANKARA, April 15 - A student shot at least four people dead including fellow pupils and wounded at least 20 others at a middle school in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, the local governor said, marking the country's second school attack in two days.

Ukraine retakes 50 sq km of territory in March, army chief says

April 15 - Ukraine regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russia in March, its army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday, building on its gains since the start of the year.

2027 Asian Cup draw set for May 9 in Saudi Arabia

Singapore qualified for the tournament on merit for the first time in November 2025 after beating Hong Kong 2-1.

Trump says he asked China's Xi not to give Iran weapons

Trump last week threatened countries with an immediate 50 per cent tariff if they supplied Iran with weapons.

Hezbollah says Lebanon's talks with Israel widen national rift

BEIRUT, April 15 - Hezbollah said on Wednesday the Lebanese government's decision to hold talks with Israel was \"a national sin\" that would widen divisions in Lebanon, underlining deep polarisation in the country as the Iran-backed group wages war with Israel.

Erdogan says Turkey working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks

ANKARA, April 15 - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, and added Turkey was hopeful of negotiations despite stumbling blocks.

Countries must work together to strengthen energy resilience amid disruptions in the Middle East: PM Wong

“Resilience must be built collectively,” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, noting that Asia is particularly exposed to energy shocks due to its heavy reliance on imported energy.

Indonesia considering US overflight proposal, foreign ministry says

Any form of cooperation "is subject to applicable national mechanisms and procedures".

Rice prices in Asia soar as Iran war fallout threatens supply

Thai white rice jumped 10 per cent to US$423 a tonne in the week ended April 8, the biggest gain since August 2023.

Iran war putting China’s economy in a tight spot

TOKYO – Amid all the smoke surrounding a Chinese slowdown, economists are getting a view of some serious fire this week. Case in point: exports grew just 2.5% year-on-year in March, a rate markedly below the previous few months. It’s the clearest indication that fallout from