US wants an industrial hub in Luzon. Will this push Philippines up the supply chain?
Or will its role remain as just a supplier of raw materials?
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US is leading G20 initiative to ensure fertilizer access, sources say
WASHINGTON, April 17 - The U.S. is urging G20 members and the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to take coordinated action to ensure fertilizer access amid disruptions in food trade supply chains caused by the war in the Middle East, two sources familiar with the
Russian billionaire says Ukrainian drone attacks affect nitrogen fertiliser trade
MOSCOW, April 17 - Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months are having a significant impact on the Russian nitrogen fertiliser industry, billionaire Andrei Melnichenko, founder of fertiliser producer EuroChem, told reporters on Friday.
Pakistan power cuts double as hydro slump upends supply plans
Hydropower output was 48 per cent lower this week than the same period a year ago.
RFA welcomes release of Myanmar RFA contributor Shin Daewe
The news of Shin Daewe’s release from detention comes as a welcome relief.
Manacled Manus: the limits of ‘Singapore washing’ for China AI
On March 25, Manus co-founders Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao were barred from leaving China after a meeting with the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing, as the Ministry of Commerce launched a national security review of Meta’s US$2 billion acquisition of their
Kremlin says Europe's drone cooperation with Ukraine shows its growing involvement in the war
MOSCOW, April 17 - The Kremlin said on Friday that European countries were becoming more involved in the war in Ukraine, referencing a warning from Russia's Defence Ministry about drone production sites across the continent and in Britain.
Japanese fans gather to welcome BTS on world tour
The tour will span 85 shows across 34 cities worldwide.
Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks
ISLAMABAD, April 17 - Pakistan's air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the U.S. last weekend, launching a major operation after the Iranians said Israel might seek to kill them, three sources told Reuters.
Thailand dismantles Bangkok network producing fake MSG, seasoning powder
Authorities searched a house where counterfeit MSG and seasoning powder were allegedly being produced.
Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president
Aung San Suu Kyi's 27-year sentence was cut by one-sixth as part of an amnesty by Myanmar's new president.
A week of bustling diplomacy in Beijing as world leaders look to China for stability
The visits come amid energy shocks from the Iran war and the unpredictability of the Trump administration.
China says Japan stirs ‘trouble’ with vessel in Taiwan Strait
China is firmly opposed to the vessel’s presence and has protested to Tokyo.
China calls passage of Japanese warship through Taiwan Strait a 'provocation'
BEIJING, April 17 - A Japanese Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait, China's foreign ministry said on Friday, calling the move \"a deliberate provocation\" as Beijing's ties with Tokyo remain fraught.
Chinese president Xi welcomes slew of world leaders as Trump fights allies
Mr Xi has been positioning his nation as a source of stability and bulwark of respect for international rules.
Chinese travellers hit by wave of Southeast Asia flight cancellations, Singapore routes affected amid fuel crisis
Chinese holidaymakers heading abroad for the Labour Day break in May are scrambling to rebook plans as several airlines cancel flights to Southeast Asia amid a fuel crisis driven by the Iran war.
China hits food delivery platforms with $671 million fine for ‘ghost’ deliveries
The legal representatives of the companies were also fined a total of 19.7 million yuan, the market regulator said.
China Shock 2.0 jolts global economy as Trump does Xi’s work
TOKYO — On top of the tariffs, wars and inflation upending the global economy, US chieftains are grappling with a new question: which tech companies might get “BYD-ed” next? The reference here is to the Chinese electric-vehicle juggernaut that’s zoomed past Elon Musk’s Tesla
Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister resigns over coal import graft allegations
He is the first high-profile Cabinet minister to resign over corruption allegations.
Indonesia repatriates 45 in 3rd evacuation wave from Iran as fragile truce holds
Following the latest repatriations, the authorities said that 236 Indonesians remain in Iran.
Skin boosters made from cadavers raise ethical concerns in South Korea
Domestically donated bodies are not used to make the boosters, said South Korea's Health Ministry.
Filipino president says ex-MP being held in Czech Republic
Zaldy Co was charged alongside a number of public works officials and construction firm owners in November.
'Cruelly hot': Japan devises new term for heatwave days
Days with temperatures of 40°C and above will now be branded "kokusho-bi".
Disrupted supply chains, divided politics
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Merz’s paralysis and the EU’s anti-growth orderDiego Faßnacht reports that Chancellor Friedrich Merz is constrained by coalition politics and unable to deliver
From soju to craft brews, South Korean alcohol's growing popularity in Singapore
South Korean alcohol exports to Singapore reached US$6.1 million in 2024, making it the eighth-largest global market for South Korean spirits by value.
Malaysia may consider Cabinet pay cuts if Middle East conflict worsens, says PM Anwar
"If the economic situation becomes more severe, it can be considered," he said.
China says its military activities around Taiwan are ‘reasonable, justified’
China sends its warships and warplanes into the waters and skies around Taiwan almost daily.
Russia still tackling a blaze at Tuapse port
MOSCOW, April 17 - Firefighters continued extinguishing a blaze at Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse on Friday, more than 24 hours after Ukrainian drone attacks, local authorities said.
Myanmar’s ex-president Win Myint freed after pardon of post-coup convictions
He was convicted of a host of crimes that critics say were politically motivated.
Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, China moves to build leverage and limit risks
The convergence in timing of China’s recent flurry of diplomatic efforts with neighbours, as well as outreach towards Taiwan, has reinforced its broader effort to shape the ground ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, say analysts.
Iran war spurs hikes in rubber glove prices, raising caution at hospitals
Glove makers have already hiked the average price of synthetic rubber gloves by around 40 per cent.
First South Korean tanker transits alternative Red Sea route
Seoul said in April that it would send five ships to the Saudi Arabia to establish alternative routes.
Ex-bus driver in Malaysia jailed, fined after video of girlfriend seated on his lap goes viral
The ex-bus driver and his girlfriend were sentenced to 12 months' and six months' jail respectively.
Western Australia farmers turn to canola over wheat as fuel, fertiliser costs rise
Wheat earns a low price, while canola brings the best financial returns.
Will Russia attack Ukraine’s European drone suppliers?
Former Russian president and incumbent deputy chair of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned on X that “the Russian Defense Ministry’s statement must be taken literally: the list of European facilities that make drones and other equipment is a list of potential targets
Under blackout threat, Wikimedia to hold talks with Indonesia
Jakarta had threatened to block Wikipedia over rules the firm says departs from human rights norms.
War with Pakistan halts school for Afghan border children
There are no children in the Afghan border village of Barikot.
AI shrinking the margin for nuclear error in South Asia
The recent US-Israel-Iran conflict has confirmed a structural shift in warfare: artificial intelligence is no longer just enhancing military operations — it is compressing the time available to prevent escalation. In this conflict, AI-enabled decision-support systems processed
Chinese carmaker patents voice-controlled 'in-vehicle toilet'
Seres' plans show how stiff competition in the EV space is putting pressure on carmakers to innovate.
Prince Harry and Meghan meet survivors of Bondi Beach attack on final day of Australia trip
SYDNEY, April 17 - Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on Friday met survivors of December's Bondi Beach shooting that left 15 dead, on the final day of their visit to Australia.
Myanmar reduces ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, her lawyer says
April 17 - Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday.
Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s sentence and frees former president Win Myint
Her 27-year sentence has been cut by one-sixth, or around 4½ years
China to further diversify energy imports, boost reserves, state planner says
China's energy markets are steady owing to government measures to safeguard domestic oil supply to cope with the global price shock, said the state planner.
Iran’s low-cost drones democratizing precision warfare
Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have propelled drones into the headlines. The word “drone” now stretches to cover everything from hobbyist camera rigs available on Amazon to the Predator and Reaper systems the United States has relied on to fight terrorist organizations
China turns Taiwan’s own voices against it in information war
TAIPEI, April 17 - As Chinese warships and fighter jets staged massive drills around Taiwan in December, a parallel action was unfolding on smartphone screens.
Israel-Lebanon ceasefire won’t end the death and suffering
After weeks of bombardments in southern Lebanon that have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million residents, Israel has announced a ten-day ceasefire with Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, vowed to keep Israeli troops in
Trump says Iran war should end 'soon', both sides may meet at weekend
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 17 - U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could soon be reached to end the Iran war and urged the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah group to hold its fire as a 10-day truce went in to effect between Lebanon and Israel.
‘Cruelly hot’: Japan devises new term for days with temperatures of 40 deg C or more
A survey was conducted and "cruelly hot” was deemed the most popular term.