China allows state oil firms to tap reserves as Middle East war drags

China has been preparing for a global energy crisis in light of the Middle East war.

Iran ceasefire: too many brokers, too little leverage

Pakistan, with China’s help, brokered it. Turkey and Egypt shuttled the proposals. Qatar had been working the phones for weeks. When the ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran was announced on April 7, Pakistan had stepped forward as the lead mediator, pulling the

Myanmar junta chief sworn in as president

Min Aung Hlaing took his presidential oath in Naypidaw, where he promised to "strive for further flourishing the eternal principles of justice, liberty and equality".

China’s trail running boom draws urban runners seeking challenge and escape

There are now about 500 trail running events held annually in China, up from just 65 in 2014, according to a report by fitness platform Joyrun.

Myanmar president says many challenges ahead, seeks to normalise ASEAN ties

ASEAN had barred the junta leadership from attending its summits.

Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing

Cheng Li-wun is the Kuomintang's first sitting leader to visit China in a decade.

Chinese, Taiwanese will unite, Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader

Cheng Li-wun, the Kuomintang's chairwoman, is the party's first leader to visit China in a decade.

Japan government launches subsidies review to cut inefficient spending

The Japanese government seeks to cut inefficient spending and increase investments in strategic areas.

Indonesia names Pertamina officials, oil tycoon as suspects in oil procurement probe

The suspects are accused of breaching Indonesia’s corruption laws, resulting in losses to the state.

Indonesia sends letter of reprimand to YouTube over breach of social media curbs, minister says

Google's YouTube has not fulfilled Indonesia's new law and has not outlined steps to comply, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said on Thursday (Apr 9).

Ending Israel’s war on peace

A two-week ceasefire has partially halted the Israel-US war on Iran. The war accomplished precisely nothing that a competent diplomat could not have achieved in an afternoon. The Strait of Hormuz was open before the war and it is open again now, but with more Iranian control.

People on both sides of the strait are Chinese, Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader

The chairwoman of Taiwan's KMT is in China on what she has called a peace mission.

Scoot adds Indonesia flights to Belitung and Pontianak, increases services across network

The low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines will launch new flights to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia and increase flight frequencies across Asia and Europe from April to June 2026.

Singapore and Cambodia sign agreement to bolster food security

Under the agreement, Cambodia will support the sale of rice on "mutually agreed terms" if Singapore requests it.

Japan to ban gene-edited embryos aimed at creating ‘designer babies’

There are concerns that genetic editing could lead to attempts to create “designer babies”.

Iran ceasefire won’t easily ease emerging Asia’s pain

TOKYO — Global markets are struggling to discern if the US-Iran ceasefire is real or happy talk. Yet emerging-market governments in Asia don’t have that luxury as capital outflows accelerate. Already, outflows to date put developing economies at the center of the collateral

Thai finance chief sees oil prices elevated for up to two years

Thailand has relied heavily on diesel subsidies to shield households and industry.

Indonesia deports alleged Scottish crime boss Steven Lyons arrested in Bali

He was arrested upon arrival from Singapore, after officers identified him on Interpol’s wanted list.

South Korea to send envoy to Iran as Hormuz remains blocked

South Korea currently has 26 ships stranded in the area.

Malaysians rethinking trips to Singapore due to 2027 VEP hike

For some daily commuters, the increase will significantly add to expenses.

Trolley thieves in Malaysia take a toll on grocers

Trolley thefts usually occurs at outlets near housing areas, a former employee said.

South Korea President Lee to hold summit with Polish PM Tusk on April 13, media reports say

SEOUL, April 10 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will hold a summit meeting with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on April 13, with defence industry cooperation and global security expected to top the agenda, media reports said on Friday.

Asia Pacific faces weaker growth and higher inflation from Middle East crisis, ADB warns

Japan plans to release extra 20 days' oil reserves from May

Japan is dependent on the Middle East for some 95 per cent of its oil.

America’s Soviet moment: Why Trump is looking like Yeltsin

Is US President Donald Trump closer to Boris Yeltsin or Vladimir Putin? The question is less about personality than about historical function: what kind of leader emerges when a system begins to lose its internal balance. For much of the 20th century, the world was defined by

Japan downgrades description of China in annual diplomatic report

The report said China has intensified “unilateral criticism and coercive measures” against Japan.

Stocks shaky as Israeli attacks on Lebanon tests Iran ceasefire

US-Iran ceasefire deal shows strain ahead of talks with oil flows squeezed

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT/ISLAMABAD, April 10 - A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran showed further strain on Friday, a day before they are to negotiate in Pakistan, as Washington accused Tehran of breaching promises on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel struck Lebanon

Japan to release extra 20 days’ worth of oil reserve from May

The plan follows the nation’s ongoing release of some 50 days’ worth of oil to the market.

Chinese President Xi to meet Taiwan’s KMT chief for first time in decade

Beijing seeks to build influence despite a freeze in relations with the island's government.

India proposes new rules to regulate news and political posts on social media

The changes will give government more power over news-related posts shared by podcasters and influencers.

Chinese foreign minister tells North Korean minister Pyongyang is making strides despite US 'oppression'

SEOUL, April 10 - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said North Korea has made remarkable accomplishments despite conspiracies by the United States and Western forces to oppress and isolate Pyongyang, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Friday.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi says N. Korea is making strides despite US ‘oppression’

The two neighbours have been trying to revive their active and robust political and economic ties .

Hot in the city: Energy crisis tests Singapore's air-con addiction

The rise in energy prices has hit Asia particularly hard as many nations are heavily reliant on Gulf oil.

Malaysia ramps up border crackdown on subsidised fuel, controlled goods as energy crunch bites

“Even small leakages effectively become a transfer of public funds beyond Malaysia’s borders,” says an economist.

A new airport, a ‘Merlion’ and a vow to clean up scams: Can Cambodia attract more tourists?

International tourist arrivals fell by almost 17 per cent from 6.7 million in 2024 to 5.57 million in 2025.

CNBC anchor mulls investor ‘upside’ of Trump civilizational threat

CNBC anchor Sara Eisen got dragged on social media this week over her on-air comments asking whether US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s civilization was good for investors. As the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Iranian military’s closure of the Strait of

Panama president seeks to calm China tensions

PANAMA CITY, April 9 - Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday sought to calm tensions with China, striking a conciliatory tone a day after his foreign minister called out the Asian superpower for an increase in inspections of Panama-flagged vessels as a tit-for-tat

With Middle East in flames, Trump eyes ‘next conquest’

US President Donald Trump said in a late-night boast that the American military is already looking ahead to its “next conquest” as the Middle East remains embroiled in a deadly military conflict that Trump and his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unleashed six

Pakistan’s high-stakes Iran peace bid is fraught with risk

Pakistan's success in April 11’s dialogue would go a long way toward maintaining its newfound prominence.

Pakistan's high-stakes Iran peace bid is fraught with risk

ISLAMABAD, April 9 - Pakistan is under huge pressure to pull off what some diplomats regard as mission impossible: broker a peace deal between Iran and the United States to stabilize the world economy while safeguarding delegates already arguing over a fragile truce.

Can Pakistan deliver as Washington’s go-to mediator with Iran?

An American delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance and including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, arrives in Islamabad Friday for talks with Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s speaker of parliament, who is a former mayor of Tehran and former

Dozens of states condemn attacks on U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon

April 9 - Dozens of states issued a joint statement at the United Nations on Thursday condemning \"unacceptable aggressive behavior\" toward U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon and calling for increased protections after the deaths there of three Indonesian soldiers.

Hong Kong offers diesel subsidy, toll waivers to lower fuel cost pain

The city has some of the world's highest gasoline prices.

A toll for using Hormuz would be a 'dangerous precedent', UN's ship agency says

LONDON, April 9 - Imposing a toll on ships sailing through the critical Strait of Hormuz would \"set a dangerous precedent\" and countries should not impede freedom of navigation, the UN's shipping agency said on Thursday.

BTS battle torrential rain to kick off $1bn world tour

The K-Pop band are battered by the elements as they launch their marathon world tour in Goyang.

Vietnam: all the power in To Lam’s grasping hands

To Lam’s assumption of the state presidency alongside his position as Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) general secretary is neither surprising nor unprecedented. Nguyen Phu Trong held both roles from 2018 to 2021 before relinquishing the presidency. To Lam himself briefly

Chinese foreign minister visits Pyongyang to advance relations

BEIJING, April 9 - Beijing stands ready to work with North Korea to further improve ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with his North Korean counterpart on a visit to Pyongyang, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.