Commentary: Deepening Iran war and Hormuz crisis have left India sidelined

The US-Israel war on Iran has undermined New Delhi’s delicate balancing of ties in the Middle East, says RSIS’ Sinderpal Singh.

Commentary: The heat is on Thailand to not just muddle through

Problems are piling up for Thailand's once booming economy and decision-makers need to rise to the occasion, says Daniel Moss for Bloomberg Opinion.

Nearly $1 billion in oil shorts bet just before Iran peace report

Observers are once again raising concerns about insider trading on Wednesday after a trader took a colossal crude oil short position just over an hour before a US-Iran peace deal was reported to be on the horizon, causing prices to fall. The Kobeissi Letter, a financial

Mira Rapp-Hooper

Mira Rapp-Hooper joined RFA’s board in April 2026. An expert on national security and strategy issues in Asia, she currently serves as a partner at The Asia Group, and is a visiting fellow at Brookings Institute. She has held a number of positions at the highest levels of

Olivia Enos

Olivia Enos joined RFA’s board in April 2026. She currently serves as a Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute, writing on a wide range of human rights and national security issues in Asia, and as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She previously worked as Washington

‘I feel so stupid’: How young Indonesians get stuck on the debt treadmill

The ease of use of online peer-to-peer lending services has sparked concerns.

Cambodia’s scam crackdown creates a new problem: Foreigners left jobless and stranded

They are unable to return to their home countries without passports or money.

China has played key role in Iran war and will continue to do so

Donald Trump has paused “Project Freedom”, the US operation aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on social media just days after the operation was first announced, Trump said he had made the decision to give US negotiators time to reach

Victory in Iran is nothing short of finishing it off

In the part of the world that includes Iran, if you have to explain that you won you have in fact lost. President Trump’s announcement that he is pausing, after a day, Project Freedom, which had the US Navy escorting cargo ships through the Straits of Hormuz, is puzzling. As

India’s top factory hub hopeful, wary as film star Joseph Vijay set to take reins

Many businesses are anxious over his party’s lack of political experience.

Trump says Iran wants to make a deal

WASHINGTON, May 6 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran wants to negotiate and make a deal, adding that the U.S. was doing very well in Iran and that it was going very smoothly.

China vows to play bigger role in restoring peace in the Middle East during talks with Iran

This came amid a shaky US-Iran ceasefire and ahead of an expected meeting between the Chinese and US presidents.

Heavy rain causes flash floods in parts of Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur

Floodwater was seen overflowing drains onto the walkways fronting several shophouses in Malaysia's capital.

Thailand vows strict tourist oversight after public sex incidents

India’s energy risk surges as sea routes turn strategic

When Indonesia recently signaled that it may monetize transit through the Strait of Malacca, it heralded a fundamental shift in how maritime geography is being used or misused. What Indonesia is deliberating in Malacca, Iran has already demonstrated in Hormuz, though it has not

Why has pig farming in Malaysia’s Selangor state become a hot political issue?

The Selangor Sultan decreed in February that pig farming should not be allowed in the Malaysian state, but a politician’s recent suggestion that a modern farming system be allowed instead has sparked a political storm.

Malaysia's RTM, Unifi TV to broadcast World Cup: Reports

The Malaysian government allocated RM24 million to secure broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Bus-tanker crash kills 16 in Indonesia: Disaster official

Four people were hospitalised, three of them with serious burns.

Malaysia to impose new rules on imports of electric vehicles assembled overseas from July

The government had previously granted a full import and excise duty exemption from January 2022 to December 2025.

US report China Eastern jet fuel supply was off ahead of deadly 2022 crash

WASHINGTON/SHANGHAI, May 6 - The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board released data this week indicating the fuel supply was switched off to both engines of a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 jet before the aircraft plunged into a hillside in southern China in March 2022,

Indonesia eyeing e-commerce ban for those under 16, says minister

The Indonesian ban initially targeted eight “high risk” platforms.

Philippines first to lose a grip on Iran war-stoked inflation

TOKYO — The Philippines’ shock inflation spike in April is a serious warning sign — an economic canary in the coal mine that shouldn’t be ignored. The 7.2% year-on-year jump is roughly double the first-quarter 3.4% growth rate. Clearly, the Philippines falling into the

G7 trade talks target critical minerals as US-EU tariff rift strains unity

PARIS, May 6 - Group of Seven trade ministers meeting in Paris on Wednesday sought common ground on securing critical mineral supplies that are dominated by China, but fresh U.S. tariff threats against European Union-made cars risked straining unity.

China condemns Eswatini for being 'kept and fed' by Taiwan in travel row

China and Taiwan have long traded accusations of "dollar diplomacy" to win support from developing countries.

Japan fires missile in joint drill with US and allies in northern Philippines, facing South China Sea

Japan's Self-Defense Forces fired an anti-ship missile at a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship about 75km off the coast of Paoay in the northern Philippines, which faces the South China Sea.

China calls for Strait to be reopened 'as soon as possible' in Iran talks

Wang Yi is holding talks with Iran's foreign minister Aragchi who is on his first trip to China since the war began.

Cambodia says strife in South-east Asia could crimp response to global crises

Internal friction over tension between Thailand and Cambodia has complicated the energy crisis.

China condemns Eswatini for being ‘kept and fed’ by Taiwan in travel row

Former Swaziland is one of just 12 countries with formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan.

Japan fires missile in joint drill with US, allies in northern Philippines, facing South China Sea

The drill took place as Manila and Tokyo began talks on a potential defence equipment transfer.

Rubio is right about Iran’s economic nuke — that’s the problem

A German naval vessel named the Fulda is in the Mediterranean, ready to do the one thing without which the Strait of Hormuz cannot physically reopen: find and clear the mines Iran planted and has since lost track of, the ones the US Pentagon told Congress could take six months

Middle East conflict set to test ASEAN unity as leaders gather in Cebu for summit

Tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted energy supply chains, raising fresh risks for Southeast Asia.

Man in Kyoto served murder warrant after stepson’s body found following 3-week search

Police suspect the stepfather strangled the boy in a public restroom around late March.

South Korea suspends review of Trump’s call to participate in ‘Project Freedom’

South Korea ⁠has been cautious about becoming too directly embroiled in the Middle East conflict.

Four killed in post-election unrest in India’s West Bengal

Police said clashes between rival party supporters erupted in state capital Kolkata.

Courting anxious allies, Japan pitches stability and strength in Asia

Japanese PM Takaichi seemed eager to tap growing anxiety in Asia and Australia over Beijing.

Four killed in post-poll unrest in India's West Bengal

Japan strikes combat role in South China Sea in post-war pivot

Shared concerns over China have drawn Manila and Tokyo together.

Iran foreign minister meets Chinese counterpart a week before Trump's Beijing trip

BEIJING, May 6 - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met China's top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday, underscoring close ties between the two countries shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to meet with Xi Jinping.

Syrian forces detain Uzbek fighters in security sweep

LONDON, May 6 - Syrian forces have arrested Uzbek fighters during a security sweep in the northwest, after a dispute involving one of them escalated into protests outside a government security facility, two Syrian security officials said.

Modi, Lam meet as India and Vietnam deepen AI, defence ties

This comes as Washington remain unpredictable and the Iran war continues to disrupt trade.

Bangkok set to be ASEAN’s hottest major city by 2050, with temperatures crossing 38 deg C: Report

By 2050, the number of days when temperatures exceed 35 deg C is expected to rise to 120 a year.

Iran’s Foreign Minister meets Chinese counterpart before Trump’s Beijing trip

Before the war, China bought more than 80 per cent of Iran’s shipped oil.

How China quietly erased Taiwan from coffee’s world stage

When Bala stepped onto the podium in San Diego in April, holding the trophy for the 2026 World Latte Art Championship, the backdrop behind him said “Luckin Coffee” — the Chinese chain that was an official sponsor of the event. He had just poured a raccoon, a giraffe and red

North Korea drops references to unification from constitution

The revision codifies leader Kim Jong Un’s push to treat the two Koreas as separate states.

Iran says it wants a 'comprehensive agreement' with US

May 6 - Iran will only accept \"a fair and comprehensive agreement\" in its negotiations with the U.S. on ending the war in the Middle East, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump cited \"great progress\" in the process.

Three tourists detained in Bali over alleged online sex ring operations on island

Officials discovered a website allegedly advertising sexual services involving foreign nationals.

Child protection workers stood down after alleged murder of Australian girl

The 5-year-old was found dead five days after she went missing from an Aboriginal town camp in Alice Springs.

China to probe deadly fireworks factory blast

CHANGSHA, China, May 6 - Senior Chinese officials took charge of rescue and relief efforts after a fireworks factory explosion killed 26 and injured 61, flattening buildings and burying people in mounds of debris, as they pledged to punish those responsible.