Developing Asia’s laggard Laos faces economic headwinds
Economists say the government hasn’t done enough to address inflation, currency weakness and debt.
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Dragon Ball scouter? Osaka Expo security guard’s headset goes viral
The headset shows information sent from the pavilion’s disaster prevention centre.
South Korea’s defence ministry says no talks held with US on troop withdrawal
One of the options is relocating some of the troops to other locations in the Indo-Pacific region, the WSJ report said.
Malaysia cracks down on counterfeit medicine, urges consumers to exercise precaution
Counterfeit supplements often do not contain the correct active ingredients.
Death toll in Australia floods rises to four, tens of thousands stranded
Authorities warned residents returning to their flooded homes to watch out for dangers.
Johor residents turn to petrol stations as city taps run dry
About 300,000 people in Johor Bahru have been affected by the water cut since 10am on May 21.
Plot against Diem in a house divided: Washington, Langley, Saigon
These materials are reproduced from www.nsarchive.org with the permission of the National Security Archive. Washington, DC, May 22, 2025 – Early in the morning of October 7, 1963, the top leadership of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) gathered in the office of the director
Homebound: The Indian film that got a nine-minute ovation at Cannes
The film, shot in India's rural North, follows two men from the Muslim and Dalit communities who form a bond.
North Korea launches probe into accident during warship’s launch
Pyongyang has said the incident on May 21 was caused by a loss of balance.
China’s Origin Quantum upgrades its software for chip debugging
A Chinese quantum computer maker has recently upgraded its self-developed quantum computing control system (QCCS) to improve debugging, a process to improve the performance of its machines. The Hefei-based Origin Quantum, or Benyuan Quantum, has launched its fourth-generation
Outcome in race for No 2 in Anwar’s party could pose political headache for him
Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, is touted as a favourite to beat incumbent Rafizi Ramli, who has said he would resign as Economy Minister if he loses.
Commentary: Weak rupiah could benefit Indonesia in Trump’s trade war
The rupiah had been sliding even before Trump's latest round of tariffs – but the country and the rest of Southeast Asia remain resilient in the longer-term, says UOB economist Enrico Tanuwidjaja.
In South Korea, even your cup of Starbucks could be too political
All six presidential candidates' names are banned in Starbucks stores to "maintain neutrality".
US lawmakers press hotel giants over ‘Taiwan, China’ label
Two Republicans ask Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott if they are using the term to placate Beijing.
G7 seeks to cut 'excessive imbalances' in global economy, may impose more Russia sanctions
BANFF, Alberta - Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven democracies papered over their differences on Thursday, pledging to address \"excessive imbalances\" in the global economy and saying they could increase sanctions on Russia.
Too big to conceal: North Korea fesses up to botched warship launch
Leader Kim Jong Un delivers harsh, public rebuke after 5,000-ton naval destroyer lists in the water.
Man stabs three police officers in South Korea: Reports
Police were responding to a domestic violence call when the attack occurred in Paju city.
Antisemitic and anti-Israeli attacks around the world since October 7, 2023
Two Israeli embassy staffers were killed by a lone gunman in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and a suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans is in custody, officials said.
Two Japanese soldiers confirmed killed in training plane crash
The T-4 training aircraft crashed in central Japan’s Aichi region immediately after taking off.
Key facts about Chagos Islands deal to be signed by UK and Mauritius
LONDON - Britain is set to conclude a multi-billion dollar deal over the Chagos Islands with Mauritius after a last-gasp injunction was overturned, allowing for the formal signing of the treaty that would secure the future of the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base.
Key facts about Chagos Islands deal signed by UK and Mauritius
LONDON - Britain signed a multi-billion dollar deal on the future of the Chagos Islands with Mauritius after a last-gasp injunction was overturned, securing itself a lease for the U.S.-UK Diego Garcia air base for the next century.
Indian soldier killed in Kashmir battle with militants: Army
The clashes come a month after a deadly attack on Indian tourists which sent the two nations spiralling towards a war.
Malaysia backtracks on Huawei chips project amid US-China AI rivalry
The about-turn on a Chinese-backed project reveals Malaysia's precarious balancing act.
Top Maoist leader killed as India cracks down on rebels
Twenty-seven rebels are reported to have been killed in a gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh.
UFO Catcher turns 40, with Japan still hooked on claw machines
Revenues from such games now exceed 300 billion yen annually, accounting for about 70 per cent of arcade earnings.
Asian markets shudder on US national debt fears
Asian equities tumbled Thursday (May 22) as investors absorbed a stark message from Washington: America’s fiscal burden is ballooning and the impact is rippling across the Pacific. The sell-off wasn’t isolated. From Tokyo to Mumbai, regional benchmarks turned red, tracking
A HK hotel famed for S’pore food is now a prohibited place. The reason: National security
New subsidiary laws allow Beijing’s national security office to operate more effectively and openly.
Israel accuses Europe of 'antisemitic incitement' after Washington shooting
JERUSALEM - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of \"toxic antisemitic incitement\" he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place.
Thailand to require medical certificates for buying cannabis
It was one of the first countries in Asia to decriminalise cannabis but did so without a law to govern its sale or usage.
Thai ex-PM Yingluck ordered to pay $393m in damages over rice scheme
Yingluck has been living overseas to avoid jail for failing to prevent corruption in the rice scheme.
Time ripe for talks between Myanmar junta and ousted government: Malaysia PM Anwar
This is the first time the military regime appears amenable to a dialogue since the 2021 coup.
Trump’s coming currency war has Asia in its sights
TOKYO – Asia’s latest bull market is in wishful thinking as governments around the region believe that they can avoid an epic currency clash with Donald Trump’s White House. Officials in Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and elsewhere claim to have it on good authority that they can keep
EU brands just four countries as 'high risk' under deforestation law
BRUSSELS -Commodities from just four countries will face the strictest checks under the European Union's anti-deforestation law, with major forest nations including Brazil and Indonesia spared the toughest rules.
Trump's Golden Dome plan could launch new era of weapons in space
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense concept revives a controversial, decades-old initiative whose ambitious construction could upend norms in outer space and reshape relations between the world's top space powers.
Four dead, 17 missing as heavy rains soak southern China, triggering landslides
One landslide that struck Qingyang village trapped 19 people from eight different households.
Stain of martial law bid deters use of South Korea Yoon's office
SEOUL - Just three years after South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol moved the presidential office from the historic Blue House, his potential successors are vowing to move again, as they seek to escape the taint of his martial law attempt.