US soldier in Okinawa referred to prosecutors for sexual assault

There have been a series of sexual crimes involving US service members in Okinawa since 2024.

Hundreds rally in Taipei for defence spending after parliament cuts funds

The Taipei protest was organised by several human rights and pro-independence groups, who waved flags and shouted slogans in support of defence spending.

Thai police raid luxury condo, arrest six Nigerians over romance scams

Police seized devices that contained alleged scam scripts and AI-generated profile images.

Hundreds rally in Taipei for defence spending after Parliament cuts funds

The protest was organised by several human rights and pro-independence groups.

Japan trade minister holds brief talks with Chinese counterpart amid diplomatic row

A meeting between Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa and a senior Chinese official would have marked the highest-level engagement since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered the row by saying a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from Tokyo.

US diplomat dangles energy diversification to APEC group

The region has long depended on the Middle East for oil and gas.

China set for latest space launch, with Hong Kong astronaut aboard

The Shenzhou-23 mission will carry 3 astronauts to the Tiangong space station.

At least 90 killed in Chinese coal mine explosion, state media reports

The explosion took place at 19:29 local time on Friday at a coal mine in northern China.

How a ‘cockroach’ jibe united India’s disgruntled jobless youth

The Cockroach Janta Party has already overtaken the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the number of followers on Instagram.

US arms sales to Taiwan unrelated to Iran war, source says

The official says the US has more than enough munitions to serve all of Trump’s strategic goals.

Rubio visits India to sell energy as Iran oil shock persists

The top US diplomat has made statements offering to support India’s energy needs - but should Delhi give in?

US Secretary of State Rubio starts first visit to India on heels of US-China summit

He will also take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the so-called Quad - Australia, India, Japan and the US - four democracies seen as a counterweight to China's presence in the Indian Ocean.

Malaysia rolls out new rules for digital platforms to better protect minors from Jun 1

Online service providers will need to include safeguards that limit account registration and ownership by those under the age of 16. They will also need to implement stronger content governance on their platforms.

Rubio’s trip to India signals US need to repair ties

Mr Rubio's trip will include stops in Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi.

Death toll jumps to 90 in China coal mine blast

May 23 - The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China's Shanxi province has jumped to 90, state media CCTV reported on Saturday.

‘A minute’ to get around it: Australia’s social media ban still has plenty of holes

Many younger Australians say that their social media usage has hardly changed.

China coal mine blast kills at least 90; more missing

A total of 247 workers were underground at the time of the blast.

Xi Jinping’s praise of ‘Make America Great Again’ a major signal

Western mainstream media and podcasters have dismissed the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. When you listen to Jake Sullivan and Aaron Friedberg, China hawks from diagonally opposite political background – the liberal elite of the Democratic party and the Republican neoconservative

North Korea's powerhouse women footballers are in Seoul to fight for title

They beat the South Korean club to progress to the final of the Asian Women's Champions League.

New Zealand unveils defence boost for fleet and drones

WELLINGTON, May 23 - New Zealand's government has allocated NZ$1.58 billion ($924.62 million)  in new defence funding in its 2026 budget, with a strong focus on maritime security, including drone systems and fleet renewal, Defence Minister Chris Penk said on Saturday.

New Zealand to invest in drones, fleet to shield maritime routes

New Zealand will hand down its annual budget next week.

Could biofuels be the antidote that Asia needs for oil shocks?

The shift to biofuels raises risks of higher food prices, deforestation and massive water consumption.

China uses for the first time new rules to counter ‘improper’ foreign jurisdiction over its firms

The shift towards enforcement comes as foreign pressures on its companies grow.

ULVAC to make rare earth melting furnaces in Japan

If you’ve been following the slow-motion strategic panic over critical minerals, you know that Japan, Australia, the US, Canada, Europe and others are busy talking about China’s dominance both of rare earth mining and refining and of the production of rare earth magnets. Those

Trump call with Taiwan’s Lai not yet planned, sources say

A call between the two leaders would be unprecedented and risks roiling Washington’s ties with Beijing.

Bangladesh’s paramilitary problem cannot be rebranded

Bangladesh’s rulers have a habit of renaming institutions when they become politically radioactive. Roads are renamed after coups, and laws after public outrage. The practice is usually useless. Now, the same survival instinct is being applied to the Rapid Action Battalion

Greenlanders boo new US consulate, urge Trump envoy to ‘go home’

Hundreds of Greenlanders demonstrated outside the new US Consulate in Nuuk on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s envoy signaled that Trump still seeks to control the self-governing Danish territory that straddles the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Various Greenlandic politicians

How Xi Jinping is rewriting the rules of global power

There is an old Chinese proverb that says the skilled hunter does not chase the rabbit — he positions himself where the rabbit must eventually run. Xi Jinping, whatever his many critics may argue, has been extraordinarily patient. And now, in the span of a few remarkable weeks,

Third Qatari LNG tanker heads through Hormuz to China, data shows

LONDON, May 22 - A Third Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker is transiting the Strait of Hormuz and heading to China, ship-tracking data showed on Friday, as a Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran to try to help secure a deal to end the war with Iran.

Two-state Israel-Palestine solution is Washington’s empty liturgy

When the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres declares, once again, that “the only way” out of the Israeli-Palestinian impasse runs through two states, one is reminded less of a policy proposal than of a Latin Mass. The words are sacred. They are repeated on

Rahman’s first foreign trip will shape Bangladesh’s new direction

Three months into his premiership, Tarique Rahman still hasn’t left Bangladesh on an official foreign visit. That restraint is itself a diplomatic act. For a leader who spent 17 years in London exile, returned to win a landslide election, and now governs a country of 170

Thailand tightens Ebola checks for Congo and Uganda arrivals

Thailand was currently receiving around six to seven travellers a day from the two countries.

Bangladesh’s rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo becomes Eid sensation

DHAKA, May 22 - A rare albino buffalo with flowing blond hair has become an unlikely celebrity in Bangladesh ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival, drawing crowds of curious visitors who say the animal bears a striking resemblance to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Formula milk inclusion in Indonesia’s free meals programme draws opposition

Paediatricians have urged the government to reassess the inclusion of formula milk in the programme.

China to crack down on ‘illegal’ cross-border securities activities

The move intensifies scrutiny of capital outflows, which are strictly controlled by China.

China to expand public service access for migrant workers

The move could help more migrant workers access urban public services.

Inflation, instability, and escalation

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Japan faces a long, hot summer of inflation and tighteningScott Foster reports that Japan is entering a difficult period of inflation, rising bond yields and monetary

S’pore-China ties based on mutual benefit, with opportunities in AI, ageing: SM Lee

Issues of economic dependence and national identity can be managed, he said.

China restricts more drug precursor exports to US

China is the primary origin of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a highly potent opioid underpinning a deadly drug epidemic in the United States.

Thousands clash with Bangladesh police over alleged child rape

Pakistan’s balancing act in focus as PM Sharif heads to China

Analysts say Islamabad is seeking to strengthen ties with Beijing while navigating relations with the United States and Iran.

AI used to fake evidence that ended Korean actor's career, say police

Police are seeking an arrest warrant for a YouTuber who allegedly fabricated evidence to defame actor Kim Soo-hyun.