ASEAN ministers pledge to safeguard regional energy security amid Middle East tensions

The regional bloc agreed to safeguard regional energy security through strengthened cooperation, timely policy responses and engagement with dialogue partners.

Swiss money laundering trial of Uzbekistan's Karimova and Lombard Odier begins

ZURICH, April 27 - The trial of Gulnara Karimova, daughter of a former Uzbek president, and Swiss private bank Lombard Odier on money laundering charges began on Monday in Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court, in a case dating back two decades.

Beijing blocks Meta's acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus

Meta, which owns Facebook, acquired Manus in December 2025 for more than US$2 billion in a bid to boost its capabilities in AI agents.

South Koreans split food, grocery deliveries with strangers amid rise in single-person households

The trend also comes as the cost of living continues to rise.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant worker killed in Ukraine drone attack, management says

MOSCOW, April 27 - An employee of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, controlled by Russian forces, was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack, the Russian-installed management of the station said in a Telegram post on Monday.

Japan lifts advisory a week after 7.7-magnitude quake

Thailand plans to update medical cannabis framework after US eases restrictions

A Thai minister said cannabis will be developed for medical purposes within the health economy.

Indonesia appoints labour union chief as new environment minister

JAKARTA, April 27 - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed a labour union chief as the country's new environment minister, the palace said on Monday, replacing Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, who oversaw several high profile environment-related probes since taking office in

Philippines warns agencies not to send seamen to Persian Gulf

With nearly 590,000 seafarers globally, the Philippines is the biggest source of mariners in the world.

Suspected pirates steer cargo vessel towards Somalia, security groups say

GAROWE, Somalia, April 27 - Suspected pirates have boarded a St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged general cargo vessel off Somalia's waters and were sailing it towards the Somali coastline, British maritime security groups Vanguard and Ambrey said.

Indonesia-US overflight debate misses the strategic point

When Indonesians hear the phrase military overflight, the image that often comes to mind is simple: foreign military aircraft freely crossing the skies without permission. It is a powerful image because it directly touches on sovereignty, one of the most sensitive elements of

Trump’s ‘madness’ masks calculated quest for a bipolar world

Since Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025, his foreign policy has often appeared chaotic and mercurial. He has repeatedly insulted longstanding US allies, threatened them with tariffs and pursued aggressive military actions abroad. He has left the

Fishermen in northern Japan impacted by forest fires; sea urchin season delayed

With no clear timeline for the resumption of fishing, people in the industry are growing frustrated.

Google to build AI campus in South Korea, presidential office says

The Google AI campus will be the first of its kind in the world for the US company.

US presses Taiwan parliament to pass 'comprehensive' defence budget

China blocks Meta’s $2.5b acquisition of Singapore-based AI start-up Manus

Beijing has tightened scrutiny of key AI firms in the wake of the deal, which has been largely completed.

Taiwan jails ex-TSMC engineer in trade secrets case

Chen Li-ming, an engineer who joined Tokyo Electron after leaving TSMC, was convicted.

Construction starts to restore former imperial rest house at Tokyo park

The project aims for completion by the end of March 2028.

Japan govt panel members urge review in education to better adapt to AI

They warned that schools are teaching skills with a “short shelf life” due to the rapid rise of AI.

Remembering Raghu Rai: The photographer who showed India to itself

With Rai's passing, India has lost a visual historian who was a chronicler of its most defining and often painful moments.

India turns to Russian missiles to counter China-backed Pakistan

India’s planned purchase of Russian ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles aims to counter Pakistan’s China-backed air network but exposes deeper integration and escalation challenges. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that India has signed a US$1.2 billion

Clashes in Indonesia’s Papua as hundreds protest against military presence

A military operation conducted in Papua earlier in April allegedly resulted in the death of 15 people.

Clashes in Indonesia's Papua as hundreds protest military presence

JAKARTA, April 27 - Students and civilians clashed with law enforcement personnel in Indonesia's insurgency-hit Papua on Monday during a protest attended by hundreds of residents demanding the withdrawal of military personnel from the region, a police official said.

‘Kindness is in the Philippines' DNA’: Communities offer meals, aid to drivers hit by soaring fuel prices

Calls are growing for more concrete government action, including increased subsidies for drivers.

China’s sovereign debt to debut in SE Asia’s largest economy

A landmark agreement allowing China to issue sovereign bonds in Indonesia’s domestic market on a reciprocal basis signals a deliberate push for regional financial integration. The reciprocal sovereign bond issuance agreement between China and Indonesia marks a strategic

Modi’s BJP gains ground in India’s Upper House after AAP lawmakers defect

The BJP is now 10 short of a simple majority in the Rajya Sabha house.

Modi's BJP gains ground in India’s upper house after AAP lawmakers defect

NEW DELHI, April 27 - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party strengthened its position in parliament’s upper house after seven opposition lawmakers joined it, a parliamentary list showed on Monday, a shift that could ease the government’s passage of legislation.

India’s power demand hits record as heat wave batters nation

The surge in consumption is being driven by searing temperatures across the country.

Kim Jong Un opens memorial for N Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war

Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov unveiled the memorial in Pyongyang.

ChatGPT passes Japan top universities’ entrance exams with highest scores

The answers were graded by teachers from major cram school Kawai Juku.

Asian Games years could be moved in shake-up: Reports

The reported proposal would mean Asia's biggest sporting spectacle doubling up as qualifying and preparation for the Olympics, giving it added significance.

French teen who licked vending machine straw faces jail in Singapore

The teen, who posted on social media a video of himself licking the straw, could be jailed for more than two years.

Japanese public wants energy-saving steps as Takaichi holds back

Some 74 per cent of those surveyed in a recent poll said energy-saving is needed.

‘Joint venture in reverse’: Foreign carmakers seek edge with China partners

Legacy overseas brands are now seeking out collaborations in China to boost competitiveness.

Lightning strikes kill 14 as Bangladesh lashed by seasonal storms

DHAKA, April 27 - At least 14 people were killed after lightning strikes hit several parts of Bangladesh, officials said on Monday, as seasonal thunderstorms swept across the country.

The rising Chinese carmaker not named BYD

Geely is rising at a pivotal moment, having built a business model designed to handle volatility.

Iran war disrupts circuit board supply chain, raises costs for tech companies

The disruption is a fresh blow to electronics manufacturers which are already grappling with soaring memory chip costs.

Free-to-air events, swanky stadium: What HK’s sports push is really about

The city seeks to boost the economy and unite society.

DeepSeek slashes fees for new AI model in Chinese price war

The move threatens to reignite a price-based war that erupted after DeepSeek upended the industry with the R1 in 2025.

Malaysia's jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, local media reports

The ex-premier launched a legal bid for home detention after his sentence was halved by a pardons board decision chaired by Malaysia's former king in 2024.

Iranian foreign minister heads to Russia, Trump says 'call us' to negotiate

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 27 - U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war, as Tehran's foreign minister landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin.

Farmer charged with murder over fatal shooting of 3 at Johor restaurant

Lim Lian is accused of murdering two Malaysian men and a foreign woman.

US presses Taiwan Parliament to pass ‘comprehensive’ defence budget

The top US diplomat in Taiwan said integrated air and missile defence systems are in high demand globally.

China vows countermeasures if EU enacts 'Made in Europe' plan

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU said this month the plan marked a shift towards protectionism that would affect trade cooperation between the EU and China.

Orang utan uses Indonesia canopy bridge in ‘world first’: NGO

UK-based charity Sumatra Orangutan Society chief executive said it was a “huge milestone for conservation”.

Malaysian petrol station under probe after S’pore-registered car caught pumping RON95 petrol

Since April 1, drivers of foreign-registered vehicles are banned from buying subsidised RON95 petrol.

Spring bear hunting fully under way in Japan amid earlier-than-usual sightings

Reducing bear numbers during the spring is expected to help prevent the damage they can cause.

Tsunami survivor battles wildfire to protect hometown in Japan's northeast

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 27 - Ryota Haga was in high school when the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan triggered a deadly tsunami and swept away his family home in the quiet northeastern town of Otsuchi in March 2011.