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 blames Chinese pressure for cancelled Africa trip

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

The seizure case is due to be heard on July 8.

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's Victory Giant jumps 50% in Hong Kong debut after US$2.6 billion offering

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

Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer

Myanmar has been in turmoil following the coup that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Turkey arrests 110 coal miners on hunger strike

The lignite miners are demanding the payment of outstanding wages and redundancy pay from their employer.

Police officer injured after bear bites him on his face, right arm in Japan

The officer, who is in his 50s, was reportedly conscious while being transported to a hospital.

UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe

The 2019 suicide bombings killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.

Thai home buyers pull back as ‘Generation Rent’ gains ground

Renting is no longer simply a temporary option for those not yet ready to buy.

Japan PM Takaichi sends offering to Yasukuni war shrine

Song Min-ho from K-pop group Winner faces 18-month in jail over military service violations

The 33-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer admitted to all charges.

Another top Indonesian university suspends 16 students over alleged online sexual harassment

The case at IPB University in Bogor purportedly occurred in 2024 but came to the fore following a separate high-profile incident involving students from the law faculty at the University of Indonesia.

Nepal resumes issuing permits for workers headed to Middle East

This comes six weeks after Nepal suspended the procedure because of the Middle East conflict.

Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism

This clears the way for Japan to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.

South Korea police seek detention warrant for BTS agency founder Bang

SEOUL, April 21 - South Korean police have requested a detention warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of Kpop agency HYBE, over alleged illegal trading tied to the company's initial public offering.

Iran executes man over burning of mosque during January protests, Mizan reports

DUBAI, April 21 - Iran executed a man on Tuesday who was accused of being a leader of a network linked to Israel’s intelligence service and of setting fire to a mosque in Tehran during January protests, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported.