Counting a billion people: Inside India's mega census drive
The census is being held in two phases at a cost of US$1.25 billion, according to the government.
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Europe should focus on own security as global threats mount, Dutch intelligence agency says
THE HAGUE, April 21 - Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD said on Tuesday, citing pressure on long-standing Western alliances and China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
Bangladesh fuel crunch forces hours-long wait at the pump
The government insists there is no crisis.
Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests
Eleven people died during riots that saw some officials' homes and government buildings ransacked.
NATO criticises Russian and Chinese nuclear stances, urges cooperation with US
BRUSSELS, April 21 - NATO criticised Russian and Chinese nuclear arms policies on Tuesday and urged both countries to work with the United States to establish greater stability and transparency at an upcoming international conference.
Indonesia court throws out case against minister over 1998 mass rape denial
A fact-finding report found at least 52 alleged cases of rape in the unrest.
Ukraine hits Russian oil pumping station, part of Druzhba pipeline
April 21 - Ukrainian drones struck an oil-pumping and dispatch facility in Russia's Samara region overnight, an official from Ukraine's SBU security service said on Tuesday.
‘Zombie drug’ openly sold at some vape outlets in Malaysia
Furanylfentanyl, a derivative of fentanyl, is extremely dangerous and can cause severe addiction.
Taiwan leader postpones trip to Eswatini after overflight permits revoked
Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked the charter’s overflight permits, said a Taiwanese official.
Taiwan president cancels Africa trip blaming Chinese pressure
TAIPEI, April 21 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday he had cancelled his trip to Eswatini this week, after his government accused China of pressing three other African countries to revoke permission for his aircraft to fly over their territories.
Japan lifts evacuation orders for April 20 earthquake
The evacuation orders were issued for over 180,000 people across five prefectures.
Modi turns Parliament setback into campaign weapon in polls
Mr Modi has now seized on the defeat to cast himself as a champion of women’s representation.
Italian mail blunder and mistrust hinder crackdown on Chinese gangs
PRATO, Italy, April 21 - China's formal reply to an Italian request for mutual legal assistance never made it past a Rome mailroom.
China cuts petrol, diesel price caps for first time since Iran war began
Beijing has raised maximum retail prices for gasoline and diesel three times since March.
Malay ruler of Negeri Sembilan can be ousted. His chieftains are now trying to do just that
Negeri Sembilan's Menteri Besar also faces calls for removal amid the dispute over the Malay ruler's ouster.
Hong Kong government seeks to seize $16 million from jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai
HONG KONG, April 21 - The Hong Kong government is attempting to seize more than HK$127 million ($16.22 million) from jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai after the city's biggest national security case, according to a court document released on Tuesday.
Two Filipino workers held hostage, killed by employer in Lebanon
The employer has since been arrested and is now in police custody.
To sack or not: PM Anwar and PKR’s dilemma on fierce critic Rafizi
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s persistent attacks on the government and his party are likely to damage Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s standing ahead of national and state polls, but sacking him may not be an option, analysts say.
Middle East tensions push up costs, dampen sentiment in India’s housing market
Rising material prices and cautious buyers are weighing on India’s property sector, with developers warning of possible price hikes if global uncertainty persists.
Indonesia passes long-awaited law to protect domestic workers
The group was previously not legally classified as workers, meaning they were forced to operate in an informal and unregulated economy, exposed to exploitation and abuse.
World’s top condom maker Karex to raise prices sharply as Iran war strains supply chain
Karex plans to raise condom prices by 20 to 30 per cent and possibly more.
6 months after Japan’s Takaichi came to power, she faces challenges to achieve her flagship policies
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes growth plans amid stiff opposition, a weak coalition and other hurdles.
‘Strangled’: Pakistan faces economic imperative in Iran war peace push
A sustained supply and price shock could push the country’s nascent macroeconomic recovery back over the edge.
Russia to halt Kazakhstan's oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say
MOSCOW, April 21 - Russia is set to stop oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting from May 1, three industry sources said on Tuesday.
Indian plastic maker Alternicq says Iran war has pushed up costs
The weeks-long Middle East conflict has sent oil prices surging amid fears of supply disruptions.
Japan to carry out study on remote Pacific island for its fourth nuclear waste site
Minamitori Island is at the easternmost edge of the country’s territory in the Pacific and has no civilian population.
Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system
Such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers, with recruitment costs borne entirely by employers.
China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games
Beijing could start to use supply assistance as leverage against nations that have displeased it, analysts say.
Japan’s Takaichi chooses guns over butter — at her peril
TOKYO – One reason many economists were disappointed with Sanae Takaichi’s selection as Japanese prime minister last October was concern that economic policy isn’t really her thing. Sure, the long-time Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker assumed the position of a reformer. She
China’s foreign minister to tour South-east Asia this week
China hopes the visits to the three South-east Asian nations will deepen ties to the region.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi to tour Southeast Asia this week
China has been keen to present itself to its allies as a more stable alternative to US President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs and mercurial policies.
Taiwan says India migrant worker deal depends on industry demand
Political and public outcry over the plan appears to have put the government on the back foot.
Iran war leaves Asian nations weighing their nuclear options
This article first appeared on Pacific Forum and is republished with kind permission. Read the original here. The effects of the Iran war on regional nonproliferation efforts are likely to lie along three axes. First, Indo-Pacific states are likely to draw direct strategic and
Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer
Myanmar has been in turmoil following the coup that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Turkey arrests 110 coal miners on hunger strike
The lignite miners are demanding the payment of outstanding wages and redundancy pay from their employer.
Police officer injured after bear bites him on his face, right arm in Japan
The officer, who is in his 50s, was reportedly conscious while being transported to a hospital.
UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe
The 2019 suicide bombings killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.
Thai home buyers pull back as ‘Generation Rent’ gains ground
Renting is no longer simply a temporary option for those not yet ready to buy.
Song Min-ho from K-pop group Winner faces 18-month in jail over military service violations
The 33-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer admitted to all charges.
Another top Indonesian university suspends 16 students over alleged online sexual harassment
The case at IPB University in Bogor purportedly occurred in 2024 but came to the fore following a separate high-profile incident involving students from the law faculty at the University of Indonesia.
Nepal resumes issuing permits for workers headed to Middle East
This comes six weeks after Nepal suspended the procedure because of the Middle East conflict.
Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism
This clears the way for Japan to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.
