How a joke about rice cost a Japan cabinet minister his job
Soaring rice prices are a powerful trigger in Japan, where shortages have caused political upsets before.
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Different parts of Ukraine still united against a common enemy
When Russia invaded Ukraine in the spring of 2022, President Vladimir Putin incorrectly assumed it would be a swift takeover. Three years on, it turns out, negotiators from both countries are tentatively exploring the idea of a negotiated way out of a largely stalemated
Unpaid Chinese workers protest over unpaid wages as economic woes persist
Tightening government finances impact workers around China, across multiple sectors.
China’s flawed narrative on India’s Indus Water Treaty abeyance
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, India, and military clashes that followed between India and Pakistan have reignited fears of a renewed spiral of tensions between the two neighbours. Even though the two sides have agreed to a US-mediated ceasefire for now, India has not
G7 finance leaders try to downplay tariff disputes, find consensus
BANFF, Alberta - Finance leaders from the Group of Seven industrialized democracies sought on Wednesday to downplay disputes over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and find some common ground to keep the forum viable as they met in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Julian Assange open to political action as Cannes hosts documentary
CANNES, France - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is at the Cannes Film Festival this week for the documentary \"The Six Billion Dollar Man,\" is thinking about how to become politically active again once he has fully recovered from prison, said his wife, Stella.
North Korean escapees speak at UN General Assembly, drawing anger from Pyongyang
The two women address an unprecedented plenary session on North Korean human rights at the UNGA.
Hong Kong journalists face tax audits in latest pressure on independent media
Journalists’ association says 8 news outlets and 20 individuals are targeted, casting a shadow over press freedom.
Israel Supreme Court says decision to sack Shin Bet chief was illegal, Israeli media report
Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that a government decision to sack the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet was \"illegal and contrary to law\", Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
Petronas, Petros to jointly develop Malaysia's oil and gas sectors as federal, Sarawak governments resolve dispute
Sarawak holds about 60 per cent of Malaysia’s gas reserves and accounts for 90 per cent of Malaysia’s liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.
Filipino mayor and wife arrested for killing of vice-mayor
The duo were part of a group of 12 accused of planning and orchestrating the ambush.
PM Anwar seeks to tighten grip on Malaysia’s ruling PKR despite cries of nepotism
Victory for his daughter and allies at party polls will cement his control but likely become fodder for the opposition.
China and Pakistan reaffirm ironclad ties in FM Dar’s first trip after conflict with India
China said it would firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
British soldiers make Everest history using new method
The former special forces troops used xenon gas to acclimatise to climbing at high altitudes more quickly.
Indian professor who was jailed for comments on women military officer is released on bail
NEW DELHI - A professor who was jailed after making comments perceived as critical of women officers in the Indian army was ordered released on bail by the country's top court on Wednesday, his lawyer said.
Russia denies stalling peace talks, says no decision yet on venue
MOSCOW - Russia on Wednesday rejected Ukrainian and European accusations it was trying to drag out the peace process around Ukraine, but said that no decision had yet been made on a venue for talks when asked if they could be hosted by the Vatican.
Asean to dedicate two meetings to Myanmar conflict next week, chief says
The grouping has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities between the rebels and the ruling junta.
China can't decide whether we are a country, Taiwan foreign minister says
TAIPEI - China has no right to decide whether or not Taiwan is a country given it chooses its own government, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Wednesday, adding that he would be happy to shake the hand of his Chinese opposite number in friendship.
ASEAN to dedicate two meetings to Myanmar conflict next week, chief says
JAKARTA - The Southeast Asian grouping ASEAN will hold two meetings specifically on the civil war in army-ruled Myanmar ahead of its summit next week, the bloc's secretary-general said on Wednesday, in a bid to advance its faltering peace effort.
Obesity could become public health crisis in India if left unchecked, say health experts
Many are turning to weight-loss drugs, but doctors said they have their limitations and that the long-term side effects are still unknown.
Operation Sindoor: India’s new normal dominance of Pakistan
The recently announced ceasefire – referred to as an “understanding” by New Delhi – has drawn considerable criticism within India. Many argue that it failed to impose a sufficient cost on Pakistan, particularly when India held a dominant position across multiple domains – land,
India’s lion population rises by a third
India's lion population is steadily rising after years of concerted government efforts.
The Nvidia way of building a great company
Nvidia is now worth about three trillion US dollars, making it the second most valuable public company in the world. By establishing leadership in AI technology chips, Nvidia is in a unique industry position for growth and profitability. This accomplishment, under the
Local government in Japan mulls whether to charge for cost of Mt Fuji helicopter rescues
Yamanashi prefecture hopes to discourage climbing during the off season by having those who are rescued cover the costs.
Iraq's oil minister has 'reservations' about energy agreements signed by Kurdish region
BAGHDAD - Iraq's oil minister said that the federal government has reservations about energy agreements signed by the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, after Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani oversaw the signing of two deals with U.S. companies worth a combined $110
Japan flexes defence ambitions at one of its largest-ever arms shows
The show marks the pacifist nation’s deepening push for overseas defence cooperation and weapons exports.
Beloved strongman: Support for Pakistan army chief surges after India conflict
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents.
China the biggest winner of India-Pakistan air fight
The loudest cheers of victory in the brief India-Pakistan war are congratulating the Pakistani pilots who flew Chinese-built jets firing impressive PL-15 missiles, purportedly enabling them to shoot down six of India’s French and Russian warplanes. China is sharing Pakistan’s
China ‘seriously concerned’ over US Golden Dome defence system
Trump said he had selected a design for the US$175 billion programme aimed at blocking threats from Russia and China.
A look at recent deadly attacks in Pakistan as it battles rising militancy
Following are some recent deadly attacks in Pakistan, where the government is facing insurgencies on two fronts - militant attacks in the northwest and a growing separatist insurgency in the south.
Indian troops kill at least 25 Maoist rebels: Police
India is waging an all-out offensive against the last vestiges of the rebellion.
China opposes EU’s Russia-related sanctions on its firms, cites ‘double standards’
The EU and Britain announced new sanctions against Russia that target some Chinese firms.
China opposes EU's Russia-related sanctions on its firms, cites 'double standards'
BEIJING - China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to the European Union's \"unreasonable\" sanctions on Chinese firms, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Malaysia minister retracts remarks on Huawei AI deal amid US-China tech rivalry: Report
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching had said Malaysia was using Huawei chips and servers for a groundbreaking AI project. The government clarified on Wednesday evening (May 21) the project was “privately driven”.
The US factor in India-Pakistan tensions: a Kautilyan perspective
This commentary first appeared on Pacific Forum and is republished with permission. Read the original here. Following the deadly terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, Delhi and Islamabad engaged in immediate diplomatic and security measures and
Beijing says Afghanistan and Pakistan aim to upgrade diplomatic ties
The neighbours have agreed in principle to send ambassadors to each other’s country as soon as possible, among other things.
Tokyo to waive water fees to lower living costs so air-conditioners will be used amid extreme heat
About 8.2 million households are expected to benefit from the plan.
School bus attack kills at least five in Pakistan
The bus was carrying around 40 school children when it exploded just outside the town of Khuzdar.
Russian missile attack kills Ukrainian servicemen in training
KYIV - A Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military shooting range killed six servicemen and wounded at least 10 more during training on Tuesday, Ukraine's national guard said on Wednesday, adding that the commander of the unit had been suspended.