South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam

SEOUL, April 16 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make state visits to India and Vietnam between April 19 and 24, a presidential adviser said on Thursday.

Will oil prices ever truly return to ‘normal’?

The fallout from war between the United States, Israel and Iran has dominated global oil markets. And not just because the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about 20% of global oil and gas, remains effectively closed to shipping traffic. Deep uncertainty about how long

China issues US safety alert over citizens citing ‘malicious questioning’ by US border officers

The Chinese scholars were holding valid US visas, the ministry said.

Indonesia arrests chief ombudsman on bribery charges after only six days in office

Hery Susanto allegedly received 1.5 billion rupiah (S$111,160) from a nickel company.

China issues US safety alert for citizens citing 'malicious questioning' by US border officers

BEIJING, April 16 - China's foreign ministry on Thursday issued a notice warning citizens of security risks traveling to the U.S. and advised citizens not to enter the country from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Ex-teacher in Japan gets 2½ years’ jail for sharing pupil’s image in voyeur group he set up

He secretly took a picture of a then 9-year-old girl that showed her underwear during an off-campus school activity.

China carefully navigating Iran’s tighter Hormuz grip

The Trump administration claims its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is working, with nine ships complying with orders to turn around. One of those was a Chinese-owned tanker called the Rich Starry that turned around in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday to head back through the

South Korean president to visit India, Vietnam

Like many Asian economies, South Korea has faced mounting risks to its energy supplies since US-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to effectively close Strait of Hormuz.

Indonesia to tap ASEAN, domestic tourism amid Iran war fallout

Despite its diverse tourist site potential, Indonesia still lags behind its regional peers.

University of Indonesia suspends 16 male law students over viral lewd chat

The sexually explicit group chat about their female peers sparked a debate about gender violence.

PM Anwar says Middle East states are using Malaysia to engage Iran

He signalled that Malaysia could play a role in ending the conflict in the Middle East.

Cops in Malaysia seize fentanyl-laced vape cartridges in $10m drug bust

One of the suspects worked as a transporter and the other as a storekeeper.

Prince Harry praises Australia’s leadership on social media ban as Meghan tells of online bullying

Australia in December became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16.

Malaysia's Petronas to supply excess fuel to Australia as leaders vow closer energy ties

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had obtained an assurance from Petronas on the matter following discussions with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on boosting agricultural and fuel trade.

Top Indonesian university suspends 16 law students over alleged sexual harassment

The case went viral after screenshots of vulgar remarks and sexually explicit jokes targeting at least 20 female students and seven lecturers, allegedly from a student chat group, were shared online.

Russia’s war on Telegram may ignite the very fire it fears

Russia is preparing for another phase of war in Ukraine, but the battlefield that matters most may no longer be in Donbas. It is inside the country’s own information space. As economic pressure mounts, battlefield gains remain limited and casualties continue to rise, the

‘Sharing the pain’: Domestic airfares in Indonesia soar, but who’s really feeling the pinch?

A recent fuel surcharge hike of up to 38 per cent announced by the government has sent airfares rocketing, disrupting travel plans and fuelling backlash online.

Sri Lanka arrests nine Chinese over attempt to smuggle in alleged cyberscam equipment

"The equipment was taped to the bodies of the suspects," a customs spokesman said, noting the haul was valued at 24 million rupees (US$78,000) and was confiscated.

Two kids gave $2.30 of Hari Raya money to Malaysia PM Anwar, and received iPads in return

The siblings, aged 10 and eight, gave him RM7 from their pocket money after waiting an hour at the airport to meet him.

Sri Lanka arrests nine Chinese over alleged cyberscam gear

Officers recovered equipment such as used mobile phones, tablet computers and Wi-Fi routers.

Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Tuapse port kills two children, governor says

MOSCOW, April 16 - A major Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse killed two children and sparked a large fire, Russian officials and media reported.

Australia secures extra diesel from Brunei, South Korea to bolster war-hit supply

It holds roughly 38 days’ worth of petrol in reserve, below the 90-day minimum dictated by the International Energy Agency.

Nepal panel to probe property, assets of politicians and officials

The probe is expected to cover hundreds of politicians and officials.

Leaked lewd chats expose problem of sexual violence in top Indonesian universities

Sexual violence has been a persistent problem on Indonesian campuses for decades.

Japan pledges $10bn to help Asian countries deal with oil crisis

The aid is roughly equivalent to a year's worth of crude oil imports by Asean countries.

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.

Whimsical sheep foam art of matcha latte in Shanghai causes stir online

A TikTok creative framing of drinking all the foam sheep in a mouthful as the “sheep-killing plan” ignited a viral trend.

Japan’s foreign minister urges diplomacy in call with Iranian counterpart

Toshimitsu Motegi reiterated the importance of keeping the ceasefire between Iran and the US in place.

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 rubbish 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

The meeting is currently scheduled for April 23, sources 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.

Man in Kyoto prefecture admits killing stepson, moving body several times to evade police search

The cause of the boy’s death, estimated to have occurred in late March, has yet to be determined.