2026 Balikatan exercises will highlight Manila’s more ‘active defense posture’
Experts note that Philippines remains anchored in alliance with US, but will assert more agency over own defense.
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Who is calling the shots in Iran?
Following the last round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Iran’s foreign minister and negotiator Abbas Araghchi declared in a post on X on April 17 that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open.” This came after he also signaled that his government
Our Large Hadron Collider results hint at undiscovered physics
Recent findings from research we have been carrying out at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at Cern in Geneva suggest that we might be closing in on signs of undiscovered physics. If confirmed, these hints would overturn the theory, called the Standard Model, that has dominated
US commander warns Taiwan not to ‘starve the chicken’ on defence, pass stalled budget
A proposed US$40 billion (S$50 billion) in extra defence spending is stalled in Parliament.
US commander warns Taiwan not to 'starve the chicken' on defense
WASHINGTON, April 21 - The head of the U.S. command for the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday stressed the importance of Taiwan passing its stalled defense budget, saying the United States \"can't want Taiwan's defense more than they want it itself.\"
Singapore has to act to regulate social media use for adolescents: Ong Ye Kung
Its options for doing so are still open, he said at the close of his visit to China.
Israel punishes soldiers who desecrated crucifix in southern Lebanon
JERUSALEM, April 21 - Israel’s military removed two soldiers from combat duty and placed them in military detention for 30 days after they destroyed a crucifix in southern Lebanon, it said on Tuesday.
US did not move THAAD defence system from South Korea to Middle East, general says
The US-made THAAD system is used for high-altitude interception of ballistic missiles.
India firecracker warehouse blaze kills eight: Police
The local media said the fire broke out during preparations for a Hindu festival.
Taiwan firm speeds up drone development amid China pressure
Taipei plans to bolster the island’s air defence systems and is placing increased emphasis on the role of drones.
Sick American basketball player jailed in Indonesia over cannabis gummies pleads for early release
The Texan admitted to importing 132 cannabis gummies but to help relieve the symptoms of Crohn's disease.
The US counterterrorism czar without a counterterrorism plan
This article was first published by ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. March unfolded like a stress test for US counterterrorism authorities. The month opened with a gunman in an Iranian-flag shirt killing three people at a bar in Texas. Then,
Worker dies after being trapped in equipment at Tokyo Dome amusement park
The 24-year-old had been working on the “Flying Balloon” attraction at Tokyo Dome City Attractions.
Counting a billion people: Inside India’s mega census drive
The census is being held in two phases at a cost of US$1.25 billion, according to the government.
Europe should focus on own security as global threats mount, Dutch intelligence agency says
THE HAGUE, April 21 - Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security, the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD said on Tuesday, citing pressure on long-standing Western alliances and China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
Bangladesh fuel crunch forces hours-long wait at the pump
The government insists there is no crisis.
Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests
JAKARTA, April 21 - An investigation by Indonesian state-run rights bodies found widespread violations by security forces including sexual abuse of some minors during last year's deadly anti-government protests.
NATO criticises Russian and Chinese nuclear stances, urges cooperation with US
BRUSSELS, April 21 - NATO criticised Russian and Chinese nuclear arms policies on Tuesday and urged both countries to work with the United States to establish greater stability and transparency at an upcoming international conference.
Indonesia court throws out case against minister over 1998 mass rape denial
A fact-finding report found at least 52 alleged cases of rape in the unrest.
Ukraine hits Russian oil pumping station, part of Druzhba pipeline
April 21 - Ukrainian drones struck an oil-pumping and dispatch facility in Russia's Samara region overnight, an official from Ukraine's SBU security service said on Tuesday.
‘Zombie drug’ openly sold at some vape outlets in Malaysia
Furanylfentanyl, a derivative of fentanyl, is extremely dangerous and can cause severe addiction.
Taiwan leader postpones trip to Eswatini after overflight permits revoked
Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked the charter’s overflight permits, said a Taiwanese official.
Taiwan president cancels Africa trip blaming Chinese pressure
TAIPEI, April 21 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday he had cancelled his trip to Eswatini this week, after his government accused China of pressing three other African countries to revoke permission for his aircraft to fly over their territories.
Japan lifts evacuation orders for April 20 earthquake
The evacuation orders were issued for over 180,000 people across five prefectures.
Modi turns Parliament setback into campaign weapon in polls
Mr Modi has now seized on the defeat to cast himself as a champion of women’s representation.
Italian mail blunder and mistrust hinder crackdown on Chinese gangs
PRATO, Italy, April 21 - China's formal reply to an Italian request for mutual legal assistance never made it past a Rome mailroom.
China cuts petrol, diesel price caps for first time since Iran war began
Beijing has raised maximum retail prices for gasoline and diesel three times since March.
Malay ruler of Negeri Sembilan can be ousted. His chieftains are now trying to do just that
Negeri Sembilan's Menteri Besar also faces calls for removal amid the dispute over the Malay ruler's ouster.
Hong Kong government seeks to seize $16 million from jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai
HONG KONG, April 21 - The Hong Kong government is attempting to seize more than HK$127 million ($16.22 million) from jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai after the city's biggest national security case, according to a court document released on Tuesday.
Two Filipino workers held hostage, killed by employer in Lebanon
The employer has since been arrested and is now in police custody.
To sack or not: PM Anwar and PKR’s dilemma on fierce critic Rafizi
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s persistent attacks on the government and his party are likely to damage Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s standing ahead of national and state polls, but sacking him may not be an option, analysts say.
Middle East tensions push up costs, dampen sentiment in India’s housing market
Rising material prices and cautious buyers are weighing on India’s property sector, with developers warning of possible price hikes if global uncertainty persists.
Indonesia passes long-awaited law to protect domestic workers
The group was previously not legally classified as workers, meaning they were forced to operate in an informal and unregulated economy, exposed to exploitation and abuse.
World’s top condom maker Karex to raise prices sharply as Iran war strains supply chain
Karex plans to raise condom prices by 20 to 30 per cent and possibly more.
6 months after Japan’s Takaichi came to power, she faces challenges to achieve her flagship policies
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes growth plans amid stiff opposition, a weak coalition and other hurdles.
‘Strangled’: Pakistan faces economic imperative in Iran war peace push
A sustained supply and price shock could push the country’s nascent macroeconomic recovery back over the edge.
Russia to halt Kazakhstan's oil flows to Germany via Druzhba, sources say
MOSCOW, April 21 - Russia is set to stop oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting from May 1, three industry sources said on Tuesday.
Indian plastic maker Alternicq says Iran war has pushed up costs
The weeks-long Middle East conflict has sent oil prices surging amid fears of supply disruptions.
Japan to carry out study on remote Pacific island for its fourth nuclear waste site
Minamitori Island is at the easternmost edge of the country’s territory in the Pacific and has no civilian population.
Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system
Such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers, with recruitment costs borne entirely by employers.
China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games
Beijing could start to use supply assistance as leverage against nations that have displeased it, analysts say.
Japan’s Takaichi chooses guns over butter — at her peril
TOKYO – One reason many economists were disappointed with Sanae Takaichi’s selection as Japanese prime minister last October was concern that economic policy isn’t really her thing. Sure, the long-time Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker assumed the position of a reformer. She
China’s foreign minister to tour South-east Asia this week
China hopes the visits to the three South-east Asian nations will deepen ties to the region.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi to tour Southeast Asia this week
China has been keen to present itself to its allies as a more stable alternative to US President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs and mercurial policies.
Taiwan says India migrant worker deal depends on industry demand
Political and public outcry over the plan appears to have put the government on the back foot.
Iran war leaves Asian nations weighing their nuclear options
This article first appeared on Pacific Forum and is republished with kind permission. Read the original here. The effects of the Iran war on regional nonproliferation efforts are likely to lie along three axes. First, Indo-Pacific states are likely to draw direct strategic and