Hong Kong sees ‘sharp rise’ in illegal fuel trading

Customs authorities seized nearly 19,500 litres of illicit fuel in March.

China police detain man accused of cyberbullying Olympian: state media

Ms Quan revealed in an interview that she had considered retiring after scrutiny over her weight.

China’s producer prices rise amid global energy shock, exiting long deflationary streak

But imported inflation unlikely to boost the economy, could dampen domestic consumption.

Why overtures by President Xi, KMT chair to other Taiwanese parties are unlikely to see breakthrough

In his meeting with visiting Kuomintang (KMT) leader Cheng Li-wun on Friday (Apr 10), Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was willing to work with all political parties in Taiwan to advance cross-strait ties.

USTR: China involvement in Iran would complicate matters

WASHINGTON, April 10 - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that the United States is trying to maintain a stable relationship with China, but if Beijing gets involved with Iran in a way that is counter to U.S. interests, that would complicate matters.

China's top diplomat meets North Korea's Kim, calls for closer coordination

BEIJING, April 10 - China and North Korea should further enhance communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs, China's foreign minister said in a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday, a Chinese official statement showed.

India says deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon

NEW DELHI, April 10 - India is \"deeply concerned\" by reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon, the Indian foreign ministry said on Friday, two days after Israel's worst bombardment in its war with Lebanon killed more than 300 people.

UK's Starmer and Trump discussed military options for Strait of Hormuz

LONDON, April 10 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that he discussed military capabilities and the logistics of moving vessels though the Strait of Hormuz when he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump a day earlier.

Indonesia’s Prabowo calls for criminal charges against firms resisting forest crackdown

He warned that anyone who refused to cooperate would be seen as going against the president.

Cambodia’s king undergoing treatment for prostate cancer

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has been the monarch since the 2004 abdication of his late father.

South Korean court says no reason not to release documents related to 2014 Sewol sinking

The Seoul High Court ruled the Presidential Archives had no grounds to keep Sewol documents undisclosed.

US pushes to renew ties with Peru ahead of uncertain election

LIMA, April 10 - As Peru heads into the first round of its presidential election on Sunday, Washington is mounting its most assertive push in years to shore up influence in the major copper producer that has become a key strategic partner for China, according to business

Crisis creates openings: Why Asia will stand out after a post-Iran conflict

The Iran war is an unprecedented crisis but South-east Asia is better placed to handle it.

Japan downgrades 'intimidating' China as ties sour

Parliamentary election to be held in Kazakhstan in August, president says

ALMATY, April 10 - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday that a parliamentary election in the resource-rich Central Asian country would take place in August, but stopped short of naming an exact date.

India’s reverse brain drain gathers pace as professionals return home

More Indian professionals are returning home, drawn by strong growth in startups and tech, as tighter immigration policies and rising costs overseas reshape career choices.

Indonesia’s Finance Minister calls World Bank GDP growth downgrade a 'serious mistake'

The World Bank has lowered Indonesia’s economic growth forecast to 4.7 per cent, down from 4.8 per cent it projected in October last year, citing external pressures including higher global oil prices and increased investor caution.

Runaway wolf in South Korea inspires meme coin and presidential concern

The wolf Neukgu appeared to have slipped out of the zoo by burrowing under a fence.

Malaysia has enough fuel stocks till May; RON95 fuel subsidy to stay, says Anwar

On diesel, he confirmed that subsidies would continue to prevent further inflationary pressure.

Rock band Deep Purple thrills Japan’s superfan Prime Minister Takaichi with a quick visit

Ms Takaichi has referred to Deep Purple as one of her favourite bands.

US isn’t losing soft power in SE Asia — it’s ceding it to China

Commentators increasingly warn that the United States is losing its soft power – and the data backs them up. The Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2026 ranked the US as the steepest decliner among the 193 countries surveyed, with China now less than 1.5 points behind.

Taiwan sees only warships and warplanes as China talks peace with opposition KMT

Taiwanese officials are tracking a rise in Chinese naval activity and military pressure against the island.

Vaccine gaps fuel Bangladesh’s deadly measles crisis

At least 143 people have died in the outbreak since March 15, the most of them children.

KMT’s ‘imperialist’ rhetoric shifts Taiwan’s democratic fault line

Words matter in cross-strait politics. Every phrase is weighed, every omission noticed. So when Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun described “imperialist forces” as the cause of Taiwan’s separation from the mainland during her visit to China this week, something cracked

Indonesia urges 'thorough' probe on Lebanon peacekeeper deaths

Three Indonesian peacekeepers died in two separate blasts in southern Lebanon in late March.

The deal to reopen Hormuz is nowhere near done

Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement by President Donald Trump, linked to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, prompted immediate optimism shipping would quickly resume. It didn’t. The following morning, traffic remained minimal. A handful of vessels, largely linked to Iran, made

‘Give me 1 million rupiah’: What you should do if asked for a bribe when entering Batam

Singaporeans do not need a visa for short visits, so any demand for cash at the counter should raise concern.

Batam’s bribery problem keeps coming back. Can reforms stick after extortion crackdown?

Alleged systemic corruption raises doubts over lasting change.

China allows state oil firms to tap commercial reserves as Middle East war drags

These commercial volumes are separate from the country’s strategic petroleum reserve, which remains untouched.

Iran ceasefire: too many brokers, too little leverage

Pakistan, with China’s help, brokered it. Turkey and Egypt shuttled the proposals. Qatar had been working the phones for weeks. When the ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran was announced on April 7, Pakistan had stepped forward as the lead mediator, pulling the

Myanmar junta chief sworn in as president

Min Aung Hlaing took his presidential oath in Naypidaw, where he promised to "strive for further flourishing the eternal principles of justice, liberty and equality".

China’s trail running boom draws urban runners seeking challenge and escape

There are now about 500 trail running events held annually in China, up from just 65 in 2014, according to a report by fitness platform Joyrun.

Myanmar’s new president sees challenges ahead, eyes ASEAN detente

ASEAN had barred the junta leadership from attending its summits.

Taiwan opposition leader meets Xi Jinping in Beijing

Cheng Li-wun is the Kuomintang's first sitting leader to visit China in a decade.

Chinese, Taiwanese will unite, Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader

Cheng Li-wun, the Kuomintang's chairwoman, is the party's first leader to visit China in a decade.

Japan government launches subsidies review to cut inefficient spending

The Japanese government seeks to cut inefficient spending and increase investments in strategic areas.

Indonesia names Pertamina officials, oil tycoon as suspects in oil procurement probe

The suspects are accused of breaching Indonesia’s corruption laws, resulting in losses to the state.

Indonesia sends letter of reprimand to YouTube over breach of social media curbs, minister says

Google's YouTube has not fulfilled Indonesia's new law and has not outlined steps to comply, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said on Thursday (Apr 9).

Ending Israel’s war on peace

A two-week ceasefire has partially halted the Israel-US war on Iran. The war accomplished precisely nothing that a competent diplomat could not have achieved in an afternoon. The Strait of Hormuz was open before the war and it is open again now, but with more Iranian control.

China will not tolerate independence for Taiwan, Xi tells island’s opposition leader

The chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party Kuomintang is in China on what she has called a peace mission.

Scoot adds Indonesia flights to Belitung and Pontianak, increases services across network

The low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines will launch new flights to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia and increase flight frequencies across Asia and Europe from April to June 2026.

Singapore and Cambodia sign agreement to bolster food security

Under the agreement, Cambodia will support the sale of rice on "mutually agreed terms" if Singapore requests it.

Japan to ban gene-edited embryos aimed at creating ‘designer babies’

There are concerns that genetic editing could lead to attempts to create “designer babies”.

Iran ceasefire won’t easily ease emerging Asia’s pain

TOKYO — Global markets are struggling to discern if the US-Iran ceasefire is real or happy talk. Yet emerging-market governments in Asia don’t have that luxury as capital outflows accelerate. Already, outflows to date put developing economies at the center of the collateral

Thai finance minister sees oil prices elevated for up to 2 years due to Middle East conflict

Thailand plans to quicken adoption of solar power and other renewables.

N Korea building a new war playbook from Iran and Ukraine

North Korea’s latest weapons tests suggest it is rapidly integrating battlefield lessons from Iran and Ukraine into a playbook designed to strain missile defenses and fight through a regional war in Asia. This month, the New York Times (NYT) reported that North Korea conducted

Indonesia deports alleged Scottish crime boss Steven Lyons arrested in Bali

He was arrested upon arrival from Singapore, after officers identified him on Interpol’s wanted list.

South Korea to send envoy to Iran as Hormuz remains blocked

South Korea currently has 26 ships stranded in the area.

Malaysians rethinking trips to Singapore due to 2027 VEP hike

For some daily commuters, the increase will significantly add to expenses.

Trolley thieves in Malaysia take a toll on grocers

Trolley thefts usually occurs at outlets near housing areas, a former employee said.