Trump says Japan’s Takaichi his ‘biggest fan’ among world leaders
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, has refrained from criticising Trump over the Iran war.
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Full MOU text revealed as Trump justifies ending Iran war
Foreign policy analysts and peace advocates expressed relief Wednesday that the end of the unprovoked US-Israeli war on Iran could be in sight, as the US government released the text of the memorandum of understanding reached this week by the Trump administration and Iranian
Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, Defence Minister Koizumi tells BBC
Japan needs to revisit the pacifist posture that has defined it since World War Two, Shinjiro Koizumi says.
‘Fear of being left behind’: Why Thailand is joining Indonesia in OECD membership push
Bidding to join the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shows Southeast Asian economies are trying to use global standards to raise credibility, attract investment and lock in domestic reforms, experts say.
World Cup: After 'massive confidence booster' from first win, South Korea targets victory over Mexico
With home advantage and fervent support, Mexico seems to be the favourite for the top-of-the-group clash against South Korea. CNA's Matthew Mohan is in Guadalajara ahead of the match.
Why is India betting on coal gasification and could progress be a slow burn?
India recently approved a US$3.9 billion scheme to turn more of its vast coal reserves into gas. Even as its energy security ambitions gather pace, experts warn that scaling up the centuries-old technology will likely be a slow burn.
Commentary: Beijing cracks down on cross-border investment but it is up to something grander
Hong Kong is being repositioned as a controlled gateway between two worlds, says Enodo Economics’ Diana Choyleva.
Trump thanks China's Xi, Russia's Putin for being 'neutral' in Iran war
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, June 17 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday described Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as \"neutral\" during the war with Iran, saying they had not thwarted his efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
UK says three-quarters of cyberattacks on critical systems are linked to hostile states
LONDON, June 17 - Three-quarters of cyberattacks targeting Britain's critical infrastructure can be linked to hostile state actors, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre, Richard Horne, said in a speech on Wednesday.
US‑Iran deal should see oil and LNG begin to flow again – slowly
US President Donald Trump hailed the deal ending the US-Israel war with Iran with a triumphant message: “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” he wrote on his online social media platform. But how realistic is a swift resumption of ship movement through the
Ukraine's Zelenskiy meets India's Modi, says closer ties will make both countries stronger
June 17 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that he hoped closer ties and undertaking joint projects with India would make both countries stronger.
US official says parties can still walk away from Iran deal, sequencing will be key
WASHINGTON, June 17 - Both Iran and the U.S. can walk away from the memorandum of understanding they are set to sign on Friday, and upcoming talks are likely to focus on the precise sequencing of the steps previewed in the preliminary accord, a senior U.S. official told
Musk’s AI tool Grok was used to help fire 2,000 munitions at Iran
A Pentagon official revealed in a court filing earlier this week that the US military used a version of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence tool, Grok, to help carry out attacks on Iran. Cameron Stanley, the Pentagon’s chief digital and AI officer, wrote in a sworn statement to
Trump says he will visit India as frosty relationship with Modi thaws
Trump made the announcement during chat where he also vowed to protect India.
Russian greatness unrestored, Ukraine is Europe’s new rising power
Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine is often, and misleadingly, characterized as a great power conflict. The narrative goes like this: Russia went to war against Ukraine because it felt threatened by NATO’s enlargement into eastern Europe after 1991; the real enemy is the
The young woman at the handball gymnasium
On June 16, outside Seoul’s Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, an extraordinary scene unfolded. For days, the venue had been at the center of controversy surrounding South Korea’s June 3 nationwide local election, with participants in the election transparency movement alleging
Trump-Netanyahu war aims clash – can Iran peace deal survive?
The clock is ticking on the Iran peace deal. A memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US is due to be signed in Geneva on June 19, allowing for a 60-day ceasefire extension and the opening of the strategically vital waterway, the Strait of Hormuz. But key questions
China, Myanmar pledge mutual support in joint statement
BEIJING, June 17 - China on Wednesday issued a joint statement with Myanmar following meetings between their leaders earlier this week in Beijing, saying the two nations will continue to support each other in areas of core interest and major concern.
G7 leaders vow closer ties on AI as they hash out 'trusted partners' scheme
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, June 17 - G7 leaders on Wednesday pledged closer coordination on the risks and opportunities of advanced AI, while also discussing the creation of a \"trusted partners\" scheme granting access for non-U.S. nations to advanced U.S. AI models from firms
Belfast unrest including racist attacks shows social media power
Footage of a horrific knife attack in Belfast began to circulate on social media on Monday evening. A Sudanese asylum-seeker in his 30s, who entered the UK in 2023, has been charged with attempted murder. Meanwhile, the far-right was quick to exploit the situation to further an
Tokyo-Osaka bullet train private-room seats to start from $337
The private rooms will be introduced on the shinkansen departing Tokyo Station on Oct 1.
Trump, Modi discuss trade, safety of Indian sailors in Gulf region
EVIAN, France, June 17 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had held a \"very good\" conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 summit in France and that their two countries were working on trade deals.
The G7 needs India more than India needs the G7
The 2026 G7 summit, in Evian, France, marks India’s 13th participation as a guest nation and Prime Minister Modi’s seventh appearance as India’s representative since 2019. These repeated invitations highlight a central reality: India is too important to be excluded from major
After war losses, Hezbollah seen gaining from Iran-US deal
BEIRUT/DUBAI, June 17 - Iran's interim deal with the U.S. looks set to bolster Hezbollah's political and financial hand in Lebanon, with Tehran promising more funding for its ally once cash starts to flow, according to four sources familiar with ties between Tehran and the group.
Taiwan says its delegates have been barred from ocean conference in Kenya
Taipei said visas issued to the Taiwanese scientists were revoked at the last minute.
Digital boom must translate into real economic gains, says Indonesia minister
Rapid growth alone is not enough if profits, data and economic gains continued to flow overseas.
Al-Mirsad: the new, modern face of Taliban propaganda
For much of the last two decades, the Taliban fought its war with rifles, roadside bombs and guerrilla ambushes. Today, one of its most important battlefields lies not in the mountains of Afghanistan but in the information domain. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA)
Trusted journalism vital amid AI and geopolitical shifts: SPH Media CEO
The ability of businesses to make sound decisions depends on "accessing the right information interpreted with context”.
‘Brotherly bonds’: Political recognition is top prize for Myanmar leader’s China visit
President Xi said China supported Myanmar’s new government in "finding the correct development path".
Son of Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa arrested over corruption
He was already an accused in two money-laundering cases and subject to a foreign travel ban.
Drought grips parts of Java as dry season intensifies
The prolonged dry conditions have already caused clean water shortages across parts of Java.
US scholar of Myanmar detained in China was on academic visit, think tank says
June 17 - An American scholar of Myanmar detained in China in early June had travelled to the southwestern city of Kunming to attend an academic workshop, a think tank that he founded said on Wednesday, calling for his release.
Cambodia scam centre leader extradited to China
Liu Ren established the Jin Bei Group in Cambodia in 2016, with the company operating "telecom fraud parks" in the country and committing "large-scale telecom and online fraud involving massive sums of money".
Only Trump can say when he might follow through on proposed phone call to Taiwan leader, Taiwan says
TAIPEI, June 17 - Taiwan said on Wednesday it was up to U.S. President Donald Trump to decide when to follow through on a proposal to speak with Taiwan's leader, adding that the idea made China nervous.
Malaysian army suspends grenade training in Kedah after fatal camp blast
Two army personnel were killed in the blast.
Sightseeing ship left abandoned for 8 years near Tokyo to be removed
The ship resembles a pirate vessel.
Lululemon apologises for featuring Japanese Taiko drum during promotional event in China
The event, held at the Great Wall in May, was meant to pay tribute to Chinese culture - but has been harshly criticised for “stirring up historical memories” at a site with “massive symbolic meaning”.
Indonesia’s nickel nationalism falters in the face of China’s tech
On May 12, 2026, the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia issued a sharply worded open letter to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, saying that Chinese firms operating locally have been burdened by stringent regulations, arbitrary law enforcement, and corruption and
G7 leaders demand ceasefire in Lebanon, welcome Iran deal
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France/DUBAI, June 17 - Leaders of the G7 countries demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon on Wednesday and said they will diversify energy supply routes to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz in response to the war in Iran, as they welcomed an interim deal to
Authorities investigating cyberattack on Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation
Hackers claiming to be from the group FulcrumSec say they stole 4.8TB of data, including students' passport details, staff-parent correspondence and salary records, according to reports on cybersecurity news sites.
Japan raids ice cream giants over price-fixing allegations
The investigation on alleged cartel pricing of ice cream comes as Japan faces record summer temperatures.
A place among the stars: Asteroid named after firefighter who died in deadly Hong Kong blaze
Ho Wai-ho died while rescuing residents during the 43-hour Wang Fuk Court fire in November 2025.
Japan puts the heat on suspected ice cream cartel
Several ice-cream companies are being investigated following record sales during Japan's hottest summers, and after years of near-simultaneous price hikes across the industry.
Peace deal won’t end Thailand-Cambodia’s humanitarian crisis
On May 28, 2025, a localized skirmish along the Thailand-Cambodia border rapidly escalated into one of the region’s most significant military conflicts in recent decades. More than a year later, a tenuous ceasefire is in place, and recent talks — both at the ASEAN Leaders
Philippines says China has removed structure in disputed South China Sea shoal
China said the floating structure was a temporary scientific research facility.