Myanmar’s new president Min Aung Hlaing faces genocide complaint in Indonesia

The complaint was filed by a Rohingya woman who fled Myanmar, and several Indonesian figures.

Silicon and steel contest for the Bay of Bengal

Classical maritime strategy has long shaped our perception of the Bay of Bengal. For decades, naval analysts measured regional influence by counting ships, tracking submarine capabilities and debating the logic of the “String of Pearls.” But a more consequential transformation

AirAsia X to raise fares, cut capacity over Middle East war

But it stressed that the demand for flights remained high.

Sri Lanka raises cooking gas prices by 23%

This increase in cooking gas prices is on top of an eight per cent hike in March.

South Korea says ‘credible intelligence’ indicates North Korean leader’s daughter is successor

It cited a recent public display of her driving a tank that was likely intended to dispel any doubts.

South Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor

SEOUL, April 6 - South Korea's spy agency now believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor, lawmakers said on Monday, citing a recent public display of her driving a tank that was likely intended to dispel any doubts.

Move over, running clubs. Bookstores are the new dating spots in South Korea

Some experts say books are increasingly seen as an effective tool for finding a compatible match.

Japan-owned tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

It was the third Japan-linked ship to transit the strait.

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi seeks talks with Iran’s leader before ultimatum

She also suggested that she was seeking a phone call with Mr Trump, though nothing has been finalised yet.

Thailand to control crude palm oil exports, bottled prices starting April 7

The year-long measures will not impact farmers, who will continue to be protected by the government.

China overtakes US in R&D, but genesis spark still lags

It finally happened. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, China invested US$1.03 trillion in research and development in 2024—surpassing the United States’ $1.01 trillion for the first time in history. After two decades of double-digit annual

UAE says the use of Hormuz must be guaranteed in any US-Iran deal

Dubai, April 6 - UAE official Anwar Gargash said any settlement of the U.S.-Iran war must guarantee access through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that a deal that fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear programme and its missiles and drones would pave the way for “a more dangerous, more

This is not China’s war, but Beijing started preparing for it years ago

Beijing boosted energy security as US President Donald Trump raised the stakes.

Sport or study? South Korea divided over student-athlete rules

More than 80 per cent of student-athletes supported abolishing or revising the system.

India car dealers warn Iran war may hit supplies

They warned of possible supply or dispatch disruptions in the near term.

North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for US talks, Seoul says

SEOUL, April 6 - North Korea appears to be distancing itself from longtime partner Iran and carefully managing its public messaging to preserve the possibility of a new relationship with the U.S. after the Iran war, South Korean lawmakers said on Monday, citing the spy agency.

North Korea working on carbon-fibre ICBM for multi-warhead delivery, Seoul says

SEOUL, April 6 - North Korea's test of a solid-fuel rocket engine is intended for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) built with carbon fibre to extend range and allow for delivery of heavier and possibly multiple warheads, South Korean lawmakers said on Monday.

Iran executes man over attack on military site during January protests, Mizan reports

DUBAI, April 6 - Iran executed a man named Ali Fahim convicted over an attempt to storm a military facility and access an armoury during unrest in January, state media said on Monday, after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence.

Japan’s govt creates first road map for bear population control

The government is aiming for “coexistence between bears and humans” by fiscal year 2030.

China mourned an education influencer. The grief was a quiet revolt

The public mourning was by no means an organised protest, but it carried an unmistakable social charge.

Newly upgraded Kelantan airport turns into illegal racing spot

Transport Minister Anthony Loke instructed local authorities to conduct enforcement operations.

Expensive fuel and war fears hit Thai confidence for Songkran trips

The war in the Middle East is casting a shadow over travel during the Songkran festival.

All AI, all the time

But before I do that, here’s a roundup full of short takes and stories about AI. First, though, an episode of Econ 102! Officially, the podcast is over, but we still occasionally do a reprise episode. This one, fittingly, is about AI biosecurity. Anyway, here are six other

China issues e-commerce guidance after EU lawmakers press country on unsafe products

EU lawmakers had pressed China about a ‌surge of dangerous products that entered the bloc.

AirAsia X committed to opening Bahrain hub despite Middle East conflict

South Korea’s Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies

Like many other Asian economies, South Korea relies heavily on energy imports.

South Korea's Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies

SEOUL, April 6 - South Korea must accept a degree of risk in importing crude oil from the Middle East amid blockages of the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday.

Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up ‘reunification’ push

Ms Cheng Li-wun is travelling at a time of increased Chinese military pressure on Taiwan.

Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up 'reunification' push

TAIPEI, April 6 - Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun leaves on Tuesday for China and a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping on what she says is a peace mission as Beijing makes a renewed push to convince Taiwanese to support \"reunification\".

Singaporean man hit by car while crossing road in Johor Bahru

The victim had injuries to his hands, feet and head.

Indonesian military considers reducing peacekeepers to Lebanon

The 753 Indonesian soldiers currently stationed in Lebanon are set to be replaced by a new batch.

South Korea's Lee expresses regret to North Korea over drone incursion

North Korea previously said that drones sent from the South had violated its airspace, accusing Seoul of a serious provocation and saying it had shot them down.

Vietnam’s Parliament convenes to confirm new state leaders

Members were elected in March in a vote which the Communist Party won almost 97 per cent of seats.

South Korea Presidents Lee says regrets ‘reckless’ drones sent to North

He said a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved.

Asia markets brace for Trump's promised assault on Iranian infrastructure

Trump's threats to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not open by Tuesday have put traders on edge for reciprocal attacks by Tehran.

How one factory in China learnt to live with Trump, tariffs and turmoil

Agilian Technology saw its US orders, accounting for more than half its revenue, frozen for months.

How one factory in China learned to live with Trump, tariffs and turmoil

DONGGUAN, China, April 6 - U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sought to hurt Chinese manufacturing, but for one electronics maker, a turbulent 2025 ended with a belief that China is a location that is difficult to replicate - as long as things don't change too drastically.

Trump’s trade war with China in focus ahead of May summit

The confrontation between the world’s two top economies includes slapping tit-for-tat tariffs.

Trump's trade war with China in focus ahead of May summit

BEIJING, April 6 - U.S. President Donald Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in May during his first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip that comes just a year after Washington rolled out sweeping and at times erratic global tariffs.

Japan’s plus-size industry holds strong despite weight stigma, rise of AI

Debuting in 2013, la farfa magazine helped normalise plus-size fashion and visibility in mainstream media.

How China fell for a lobster: What an AI assistant tells us about Beijing's ambition

The AI agent sparked a frenzy of "raising lobsters" in March, with users training the tool to suit their needs.

Two protests, two elections: How Nepal's Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh's stumbled

How did a youth movement triumph in one country but fall so short in another?

You can hire house help in 15 minutes in India - is it fair?

Instant house help brings speed and structure, but workers face tighter control and rising pressure in their jobs.

Not just symbolism: What the KMT chair’s China trip signals for Beijing, Washington and Taipei

Cheng Li-wun will be the first sitting chair of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to visit the mainland in a decade, in a trip analysts say is laden with political signalling ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Beijing next month.

Commentary: What South Korea’s belated participation in the ‘Hormuz coalition’ reveals

President Donald Trump’s call for US allies to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz is a test for South Korea, says RSIS’ Jaehan Park.

Asia’s EVolution: How Mongolia became a dumping ground for Japan’s hybrid electric vehicles

Over the decade, Mongolia has been flooded with cheap, end-of-life hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from Japan. The final instalment of a CNA series on Asia’s EVs looks at how the country could be turning into a green technology dumping ground.