Chinese producers braced for tough times as Middle East crisis hikes costs, squeezes profits

But the green tech sector is getting a lift as the energy crisis hastens a pivot towards renewables.

Can cheaper latte and starting the day early solve KL’s perpetual traffic jams?

Many commuters say they are already starting their day before sunrise.

World Bank launches 'Water Forward' programme to tackle global water stress

LONDON, April 15 - The World Bank and other top development lenders launched a new global initiative dubbed Water Forward on Wednesday, aimed at improving secure water access for a billion people within the next four years.

Trump budget director defends 43% military spending boost

WASHINGTON — The White House budget director on Wednesday defended the administration’s latest request for Congress, testifying before the House Budget Committee that a 43% increase in defense spending and a 10% cut to domestic programs is the best path forward. Democrats on

Fire out of control at Viva Energy refinery in Australia

The refinery can process up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

Iran offers proposal allowing ships to exit Oman side of Hormuz free of attack, source says

DUBAI, April 15 - Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the United States if a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source

Kremlin says US has rejected its proposal that Russia take Iranian uranium stocks

April 15 - The Kremlin's spokesman was quoted as saying on Wednesday that the United States had rejected its proposal that Russia take all of Iran's enriched uranium out of the country as a way to help resolve the Middle East conflict.

Don’t believe claims Southeast Asia scam schemes were shut down

I was recently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and approached a group of young men in front of the Indian embassy. I told them I was a University of Toronto researcher. I asked: “Are you from the scam compounds?” Scam compounds are industrial-scale complexes where trafficked workers

Blockade v blockade fallout may be not just a world energy crisis

What a lively Sunday April 13 proved to be. We had the landslide defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán; the predictable failure of 24 – some reports say 21, but who’s counting? – hours’ worth of talks in Islamabad between America and Iran; Donald Trump’s announcement in response of

UN human rights office raises concern around trial of Chinese dissident artist

GENEVA, April 15 - The United Nations human rights office on Wednesday said it was concerned by the trial of Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong.

Australia to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2033

SYDNEY, April 15 - Australia on Wednesday said it would raise defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2033 from about 2% currently, in response to the most \"complex and threatening\" circumstances since World War Two.

Four dead after Turkey's second school shooting in two days

ANKARA, April 15 - A student shot at least four people dead including fellow pupils and wounded at least 20 others at a middle school in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, the local governor said, marking the country's second school attack in two days.

Ukraine retakes 50 sq km of territory in March, army chief says

April 15 - Ukraine regained control of nearly 50 sq km (19 sq miles) of its territory from Russia in March, its army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday, building on its gains since the start of the year.

2027 Asian Cup draw set for May 9 in Saudi Arabia

Singapore qualified for the tournament on merit for the first time in November 2025 after beating Hong Kong 2-1.

Trump says he asked China's Xi not to give Iran weapons

Trump last week threatened countries with an immediate 50 per cent tariff if they supplied Iran with weapons.

Hezbollah says Lebanon's talks with Israel widen national rift

BEIRUT, April 15 - Hezbollah said on Wednesday the Lebanese government's decision to hold talks with Israel was \"a national sin\" that would widen divisions in Lebanon, underlining deep polarisation in the country as the Iran-backed group wages war with Israel.

Erdogan says Turkey working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks

ANKARA, April 15 - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Ankara was working to extend a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, ease tensions, and ensure the continuation of talks, and added Turkey was hopeful of negotiations despite stumbling blocks.

Countries must work together to strengthen energy resilience amid disruptions in the Middle East: PM Wong

“Resilience must be built collectively,” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, noting that Asia is particularly exposed to energy shocks due to its heavy reliance on imported energy.

Indonesia considering US overflight proposal, foreign ministry says

Any form of cooperation "is subject to applicable national mechanisms and procedures".

Rice prices in Asia soar as Iran war fallout threatens supply

Thai white rice jumped 10 per cent to US$423 a tonne in the week ended April 8, the biggest gain since August 2023.

Iran war putting China’s economy in a tight spot

TOKYO – Amid all the smoke surrounding a Chinese slowdown, economists are getting a view of some serious fire this week. Case in point: exports grew just 2.5% year-on-year in March, a rate markedly below the previous few months. It’s the clearest indication that fallout from

Xi tells Vietnam’s Lam keeping socialist path is ‘top priority’

It is rare for the Chinese President to make such a strong case for the Communist Party’s rule when he meets foreign leaders.

Meghan to appear as guest judge on MasterChef Australia

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a four-day visit to Australia - their first since 2018.

Pakistan announces power cuts in bid to control energy prices

Karachi, the country's largest city home to 20 million people, is exempt from the cuts.

Pakistan PM heads to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey to push for US-Iran talks

A ceasefire remains in place until next week, despite the US ordering a naval blockade of Iran.

Taiwan jails 6 ex-soldiers for spying for China

Five of them were recruited by a Hong Kong resident from China surnamed Ding, the court said in a statement.

South Korean teachers struggle with malicious complaints from overprotective parents

Protective measures for teachers remain elusive despite recent reinforcement through legislation.

Indonesia’s narcotics agency seeks tighter vape control amid drug concerns

Health experts support the ban while vape workers warn of economic fallout.

‘Observer inflation’: Indonesia’s Cabinet secretary sparks debate with remarks targeting analysts

“These observers, their data does not match the facts. Their data is wrong,” said Cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya at a press briefing on Apr 10.

Philippines’ Marcos urges ASEAN to activate fuel-sharing pact

He is also suggesting a regional study on joint oil stockpiling.

Indonesia police arrest six for Komodo dragon smuggling

7 French tourists arrrested in Phuket over disruptive Songkran water play

The suspects were taken in, fined and warned not to repeat the offence.

Japan tourism hits record in March despite China spat, Iran war

The number of international visitors was 3.6 million, up 3.5 per cent year on year.

Japan tourism hits record despite China spat, Iran war

Premium or budget travellers? Hong Kong’s tourism chief wants both

The city is committing three-quarters of its 2026 tourism budget to attracting more foreign travellers.

HK’s Symphony of Lights will be reborn. Guess where?

The light show has been part of the city since 2004, but it is no longer novel, said the tourism minister.

Thai authorities warn of spiked drinks in nightspots after nightclub case

The substances most commonly misused include GHB, alprazolam, ketamine and flunitrazepam.

China moves to block entrance to disputed South China Sea shoal, images show

China appears to be employing ships and a barrier to tighten control of the entrance to the shoal.

Government services in Malaysia operating as usual as civil servants start WFH policy

Most government buildings are now in a low-power state, with dimmer lights and just half the lifts in operation.

Malaysian court decision on lawsuit against Rosmah over missing jewellery lawsuit set for June 10

Global Royalty was instructed to file written submissions by May 13, and Rosmah must respond by May 28.

The US wants blanket access to Indonesian skies. Jakarta is now in a dilemma

Regular US overflights could reduce Indonesia’s control and draw the region into tensions, say analysts.

New resistance alliance built to win Myanmar’s civil war

Myanmar’s civil war is now 78 years old — the longest-running civil war in modern history. For most of that time, it has been a fragmented, grinding struggle with about a dozen ethnic armed groups fighting the repressive military state, each largely on their own, in their own

Thailand closes high-risk forests nationwide to fight wildfires and haze

Support plans are also being prepared for areas where PM2.5 levels continue to rise.

Hong Kong’s ban on possession, use of e-cigarettes to kick in on April 30

Those found carrying large quantities could face a fine and up to six months in prison.

Japan parties hold talks on imperial family, first under Prime Minister Takaichi

The talks come amid concerns about the shrinking size of the imperial family.

Rules tightened for Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop motorbike tours after British teen’s fatal accident

The 19-year-old died in an accident while on a motorbike tour along the popular tourist route.

Indonesia finance chief takes his growth bet to a world on edge

Prudence is one of Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's key messages.