US names Vietnam as top concern country in intellectual property rights report

This raises the prospect of a new trade probe into the South-east Asian nation.

Ukraine sees path to Japanese arms after Tokyo eases export rules

TOKYO, May 1 - Japan's relaxation of its weapons-exports rules opens a path for talks that could one day lead to Tokyo supplying military equipment to help Ukraine resist Russia's invasion, Kyiv's ambassador to Japan told Reuters.

‘Everyone wants to come to China now’: Chinese universities draw more foreign students beyond Western countries

Foreign student enrollment rates in China are recovering post-pandemic, driven by rising demand from Asia and Africa as students are drawn by lower costs, scholarships and shifting global dynamics.

Commentary: Washington courts Manila, but the rest of Southeast Asia is watching

The region has a dilemma in engaging the US, as it faces the economic fallout of President Donald Trump’s actions in the Middle East, says Kevin Chen of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Trump prods GOP states to gerrymander after voting rights ruling

President Donald Trump on Thursday moved to capitalize on a US Supreme Court decision weakening the federal Voting Rights Act as he urged one governor to gerrymander his state and praised another for suspending an approaching primary. The court’s decision on Wednesday struck

A book in Taiwan prompts eldest daughters to rethink why they have to sacrifice for family

This phenomenon is especially noted in East Asia, where educated women often face traditional expectations.

Post-WW2 US wars killed 4 million civilians, cost $6 trillion

US President Donald Trump’s war in Iran has passed the two-month mark with little to show for it besides thousands of dead civilians, gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon, and tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer funds spent. It’s just the latest in a decades-long series of

Panama president says port caught in US-China dispute

PANAMA CITY, April 30 - Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said his country maintains a positive relationship with China despite being caught up in a dispute between the Asian superpower and the U.S., and defended Panama's takeover of port contracts held by Hong Kong's CK

China’s Manus AI case sets red lines to bar ‘Singapore washing’

Beijing is seeking to clarify its decision to block Meta’s proposed acquisition of Manus, a Chinese agentic artificial intelligence (AI) startup, stressing that it will continue to support domestic companies’ overseas expansion, provided the expansion is not structured as

Chinese hackers vulnerable to U.S. arrest if they travel, FBI official says

April 30 - The Chinese government’s hack-for-hire ecosystem has “gotten out of control” and provides cyber criminals with “a form of plausible deniability,” a senior FBI official said on Thursday, warning that Chinese hackers can be arrested when they travel outside their home

Russian city faces toxic aftermath of refinery attack

April 30 - Residents of the Russian port city of Tuapse were ordered not to drink tap water and schools remained closed on Thursday, as authorities grappled with the aftermath of the third Ukrainian drone strike on its oil refinery this month.

India is credible – but does it have the will to lead on Hormuz?

As the US-Iran conflict enters a volatile new phase, Indian analysts are sharply divided over the direction of New Delhi’s foreign policy. Much is on the line: economic vulnerability at home and reputational risk abroad, particularly across the Global South. How India responds

Venice Biennale thrown into fresh turmoil as art jury resigns

ROME, April 30 - The entire jury of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition has resigned, organisers said on Thursday, a week after the panel announced it would not hand out awards to artists from Russia or Israel.

Aung San Suu Kyi transferred to house arrest

Detained since Myanmar’s 2021 coup, junta sends her to a “designated residence” for the remainder of her sentence.

UAE refers Sudan general and others to court over ammunition shipment for Sudanese army

April 30 - The United Arab Emirates has referred the chief of staff of Sudan's army and 12 other defendants and six companies to its State Security Court over an alleged attempt to move ammunition through UAE territory to the Sudanese army, state news agency WAM reported on

Russia’s May 9 victory parade could be occasion for Ukraine truce

The Trump-Putin phone call on April 29 lasted 90 minutes, both sides report. The call was initiated by Russia. President Vladimir Putin told Trump that the current ceasefire in the Iran war was a good thing as it created space needed for negotiations. Russia formally offered

Pivotal US-Iran war deadline approaches with no end in sight for conflict

WASHINGTON, April 30 - U.S. President Donald Trump faces a deadline on Friday to end the Iran war or make the case to Congress for extending it, but the date is most likely to pass without altering the course of a conflict that has lapsed into a standoff over shipping routes.

China's foreign minister tells Rubio Taiwan is 'biggest risk' in ties

The phone conversation underscored Taiwan's place at the top of Beijing's agenda.

Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest, state media says

April 30 - Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest, state media reported on Thursday, over five years after the country's military ousted a civilian government led by the Nobel laureate and imprisoned her.

Detained Myanmar ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest

UN's Guterres says money owed by US is 'non-negotiable'

April 30 - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that the billions of dollars the United States owes to the world body is \"non-negotiable,\" after reports that Washington had placed conditions on releasing the funds.

How North Korea is supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine

North Korea may have supplied weapons and troops worth as much as US$14.4 billion (S$18.4 billion).

China, US economic chiefs raise complaints in 'candid' call ahead of Trump-Xi summit

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, April 30 - The top U.S. and Chinese economic officials held \"candid\" talks on Thursday ahead of a meeting set for May between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, with both sides raising complaints about the other's trade policies, the U.S.

‘Not our responsibility’: Govt agencies deny accountability in HK’s deadly fire

Hearings into Tai Po tragedy expose regulatory gaps, communication breakdown among enforcement agencies.

Afghan refugees stranded at Pakistan border amid renewed fighting

TORKHAM BORDER, Pakistan, April 30 - Saleha Bibi, 40, was one of hundreds of Afghan refugees waiting at the Pakistani border on Thursday to be repatriated to Afghanistan - a country she has never seen - as fears rise for their safety due to fresh fighting between the neighbours.

Russia says OPEC+ will continue after UAE exit, no price war expected

MOSCOW, April 30 - Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday that the OPEC+ group of leading oil producers would continue working together despite the departure of the United Arab Emirates, Russian news agencies reported.

Wikimedia completes Indonesia registration under threat of ban

It was given “a written assurance” from the communications ministry.

FAQ: What to know about new Singapore-Malaysia cross-border taxi rules from May 4

Grab will launch a new booking option on its app for customers in both Singapore and Malaysia.

Trump again criticizes Germany's Merz, tells him to stop interfering over Iran

April 30 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday continued his attacks on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying he was \"doing a terrible job\" with his own country and should spend \"less time on interfering\" with Washington's effort to tackle \"the Iran nuclear threat.\"

Manila landfill fire leaves Filipinos gasping for clean air

Residents and evacuees alike said the smoke was still impacting their health and livelihoods.

Paraguay president to visit Taiwan in May amid China pressure

BUENOS AIRES, April 30 - Paraguayan President Santiago Pena will travel to Taiwan from May 7 for a state visit aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties, his office and Taiwanese authorities said.

Ukraine to seek clarity from US on Russian ceasefire proposal

April 30 - Ukraine will seek clarification from U.S. President Donald Trump's team on details of a Russian proposal for a brief ceasefire next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.

Indonesia should think twice about China’s bauxite rush

Indonesia has seen this movie before. It begins with a surge of foreign capital, accelerates with a rush to build smelters and ends with an industry struggling under its own weight. This time, the metal is not nickel – it’s bauxite. And the driving force is not just global

India considers stronger safeguards as online fraud surges

Fraudsters cheated users of nearly $3.8 billion in 2025, a nearly 40-fold increase since 2021.

Megawatt ambition is darkening Bangladesh’s power future

On the banks of the Padma River, the twin domes of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant rise as a US$12.65 billion monument to Bangladesh’s soaring developmental aspirations. Built with Russian credit and technology, it promises 2,400MW of carbon-free baseload power. Yet, as the

Germany's Merz stresses commitment to transatlantic partnership

MUNSTER, Germany, April 30 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized on Thursday the importance of the transatlantic partnership with the U.S., just hours after President Donald Trump said his administration was looking at reducing the number of U.S. troops in Germany.

Japanese travellers to China drastically decrease amid diplomatic row

Japanese-speaking tour guides are facing lower income in places like Shaanxi, home to the Terracotta Army.

Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil facilities some 1,500 km away

April 30 - Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU, said on Thursday its drones struck an oil refinery deep into Russia near the city of Perm, marking a second consecutive attack on oil facilities in the area as Kyiv seeks to curb Moscow’s energy revenues used to fund the war.

Videogame platform Roblox rolls out measures to comply with Indonesia’s social media curbs

There is age verification through facial scanning for all under 16 Roblox users in Indonesia.

US seeks international help to reopen Strait of Hormuz as crude prices surge

WASHINGTON/DUBAI/ISLAMABAD, April 29 - The United States is pressing ahead with plans for an international coalition to open the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters, as oil prices surge on fears of lengthy disruptions to global fuel supplies.

Lithuania should join US coalition in Strait of Hormuz, president says

VILNIUS, April 30 - Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said he was supportive of his country joining the U.S. freedom of navigation mission in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that he would present the proposal to the Baltic state's defence council.

Asian economies should boost trade with each other to weather global shocks: IMF

As energy vulnerabilities persist, IMF’s Asia-Pacific director Krishna Srinivasan says stronger regional trade could help Asia sustain growth and create jobs.

S. Koreans’ meat-heavy diet carries bigger carbon cost than 10 return flights to Jeju, report finds

South Koreans eat more meat per person and consume a higher share of beef than people in China or Japan.

China threatens EU with retaliation if it bans Huawei gear

The move escalates tensions in the long-running clash over national security and Huawei's products.

Iran war splits Asian diesel market into haves and have-nots

Powerhouses have maintained healthy domestic supplies, but importers have suffered from shortages.

Some 287 nominated for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, Trump likely among them

OSLO, April 30 - Some 287 candidates will be considered for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, the secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Thursday, with U.S. President Donald Trump likely to be among the nominees.

Pakistan navy to add advanced Chinese submarines

A Pakistani government official said the fleet would consist of eight submarines.

China holds naval, air patrols near Scarborough Shoal as Philippines, US stage drills

The patrols come in response to annual regional drills from April 20 to May 8.