Today's news: China releases (positive) economic data and reaches agreements with Pakistan to sell new, state-of-the-art jets. Vietnam has completed new construction on the disputed Spratly Islands. Two Singaporeans have been found after the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia.
Today’s headlines: first fatality of 2026 in Japan following a bear attack. Two Singaporean nationals in isolation after travelling on the cruise ship MV Hondius, the epicentre of the Hantavirus outbreak. Six dead, including two children, in north-west Pakistan after a mortar shell struck a market. Beijing sentences two former defence ministers to death.
Today’s headlines: War, energy, and Myanmar take center stage at the 48th ASEAN summit opening today in Cebu. Three Iranian Christians arrested for promoting an “evangelical network.” Beijing harshly criticizes Eswatini for meeting with Taiwan’s president. Jakarta plans to ban e-commerce for those under 16. Four people killed in post-election unrest in West Bengal.
Today’s headlines: Hanoi announces a new crackdown on online piracy and counterfeit goods in response to US pressure; Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate (and prisoner) Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life; Record growth for the Indonesian economy, driven by public spending; Nepal’s new prime minister rejects criticism and deems the ban on student unions legitimate.
Today’s headlines: New flashpoints in the conflict between the US and Iran in the Gulf, with missiles and drones targeting the UAE; Singapore’s Education Minister says caning as a disciplinary measure should be used when other options are “ineffective”; Record electricity production in India, with further peaks expected in summer linked to El Niño; Turkey and Armenia have reached an agreement on the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge.
Today’s headlines: Prime Minister Modi’s party is heading for victory in several key states in the local legislative elections; The ADB is ready to assist Pacific nations affected by the war in the Middle East; Police in Sri Lanka have arrested 37 Chinese nationals on suspicion of cyber fraud; Taiwanese President Lai in Eswatini following Beijing’s attempts to block the trip; A man arrested for assault during a service at Singapore Life Church.
Today’s headlines: Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is in Vietnam to strengthen economic and security cooperation; A Cambodian appeals court has upheld a 27-year sentence for opposition leader Kem Sokha on charges of “conspiring with foreign powers”; In Iran, Narghes Mohammadi has been transferred from prison to hospital after suffering two episodes of loss of consciousness; Controversy over stereotypes against Asians in the sequel to the film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.
Today’s headlines: the family of Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi: “She has lost 20 kilos in prison and her life is at risk”; Eswatini excluded from China’s zero-tariff policy in Africa due to its relations with Taiwan; A new gambling zone has been established in Russia on the border with China.
Today's headlines: Oil prices hit 2022 highs amid rumours of possible US military action in the Strait of Hormuz; Further sentence reduction for Aung San Suu Kyi (but prison term remains 18 years with no proof of her survival); China bans the sale and entry of drones into Beijing for ‘security reasons’; Ambani’s son wants to bring Pablo Escobar’s hippos from Colombia to India.
Today's headlines: Diplomatic crisis between Ukraine and Israel over a Russian grain ship from the occupied territories docked at the port of Haifa; China extends duty-free status to all African countries, previously limited to the 33 poorest nations; In Orissa, a man takes his sister’s skeleton to a bank to obtain funds from her bank account that had previously been denied.
Today’s headlines: Further bombing by the Pakistani army in Afghanistan; Businessman Ali Al Zaidi has been appointed as Iraq’s prime minister following a prolonged deadlock; Report reveals: with borders closed due to the pandemic, North Korea has seen a record number of executions; China blocks Meta’s acquisition of a local artificial intelligence start-up.
Today’s headlines: Two Americans among the victims of a Philippine army operation against the NPA in Negros. Hanoi revokes unpopular measure against Honda on the eve of the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit. Taiwan imposes sentences of up to 10 years for industrial espionage at TSMC. In Russia, a staunch Putin loyalist implicated in the deportation of Ukrainian children has been appointed as the new Human Rights Ombudsman.
Today’s headlines: in Sri Lanka, hackers have stolen .5 million from the Ministry of Finance. South Korea-Vietnam: 73 trade agreements and 12 cooperation pacts following Lee’s visit to Hanoi. Thailand: 44 MPs on trial for attempting to amend the lèse-majesté law. Xi Jinping: first comments on the war in the Middle East.
Today’s headlines: a Taiwanese minister’s exceptional visit to the islet of Itu Aba, claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines; The US is reportedly negotiating with the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding the resettlement of 1,100 Afghans following the visa ban; Beijing: new proposal for youth-friendly urban living. Lebanon and Israel in Washington as the truce nears its end.
Today's headlines: Indonesia passes legislation legalising domestic workers. Myanmar: the “Proof of Life” initiative goes online, calling for concrete evidence that Aung San Suu Kyi is alive. Pakistan suspends a .5 billion arms deal with Sudan. Hong Kong government attempts to seize over million from Jimmy Lai.
Today’s headlines: 25 killed in explosion at fireworks factory in Tamil Nadu. South Korea and India to double trade volume. At least 10 Maoist guerrillas killed by government forces in central Philippines. New report estimates billion over 10 years for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Today’s headlines: Indonesia, commission investigates 12 civilians killed in army operations in Central Papua; Case of abuse and forced conversions at Indian multinational following employee complaints; 60% of birth bonus paid out in Hong Kong as rate drops from 2025; Fourth ballistic missile test launch of the month in North Korea.
Today’s headlines: some tankers appear to have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, but the situation remains unclear; Jordan calls for coordinated regional and international efforts to support the ceasefire in Lebanon. Bangkok encourages the recycling of water pistols during the Songkran celebrations; Japan has a new term for record-breaking heatwaves.
Today’s headlines: Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel comes into effect; Robots allow Hong Kong fire survivors return home for first time in four months to retrieve personal belongings; Indian Supreme Court has ordered an additional voter list for the elections to be held next week in West Bengal.
Today’s headlines: Lebanon and Israel are set to hold direct talks later today. Nine Chinese nationals involved in online scams have been arrested in Sri Lanka; Macau's finance minister resigns; Two seminarians are among those killed in road accidents during the Buddhist New Year celebrations in Thailand; A Kazakh billionaire has issued a chess challenge to the president of the Mongolian Chess Federation.
Today’s headlines: Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to facilitate another round of negotiations between the United States and Iran, while delegations from Lebanon and Israel met in Washington. Vietnamese President To Lam is in China. Indonesia is strengthening military cooperation with France.
Today’s headlines: North Korea has conducted further missile tests; In Pakistan, diplomatic talks between the US and Iran are continuing despite the country’s instability; In Thailand, the Songkran celebrations have been marred by hundreds of road accidents; Philippine President Marcos jumps up and down to prove he is in good health.
Today’s headlines: the Spanish Prime Minister has called on China to play a more active role in global affairs; Israel has approved the appointment of the new head of the Mossad; Next week, the President of Taiwan will visit Eswatini. Since late March, floods in Afghanistan have killed at least 189 people; With Orban’s defeat, Hungary is distancing itself from Russia.
Today's news: Talks between Lebanon and Israel to end the conflict between the two countries will be held in Washington on Tuesday. Yesterday, North Korea’s strongman Kim Jong-un met with the Chinese Foreign Minister. In the Philippines, the cost of Chinese-made solar panels has “skyrocketed”. Indonesia wants to boost palm oil production using insects from Africa.
Today’s headlines: renewed exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, whilst Trump accuses Tehran of manipulating the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of talks in Pakistan. Tokyo wants to outlaw human genome ‘editing’ in the context of fertilisation. Singapore and Cambodia sign an agreement to strengthen food security. Dhaka sentences two police officers to death for the killing of the first protester during the 2024 anti-government riots.
Today’s headlines: the Chinese Foreign Minister’s two-day visit to Pyongyang, the first since 2019; Arrest warrant issued for corruption against Nepal’s former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (and his wife): Jakarta plans to ban vapes and e-cigarettes; The Moscow Academy of Sciences revives the idea of ‘reversing the flow’ of Siberian rivers.
Today’s headlines: New appointments in Vietnam, from the Prime Minister to the Governor of the Central Bank; In Urumqi, “useful” progress between Afghanistan and Pakistan towards ending the conflict; Thailand set to close petrol stations at night in response to the energy crisis; New ballistic missile launches from North Korea dash hopes for diplomacy with Seoul.
Today’s headlines: fresh fire between Israel and Iran, as Tehran rejects ceasefire and continues blocade Strait of Hormuz; Taiwan’s opposition leader makes her first official visit to China; Over 110 people have died in Afghanistan due to landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains; New campaign for the release of sick political prisoners held in Russian jails.
Today's news: The United States and Iran said to be brokering a 45-day truce, but Tehran denies negotiations and threatens retaliation. South Korea’s president expresses "regret" to North Korea for a drone incursion in the north. Afghanistan is seeking to boost trade with Central Asia to US$ 10 billion. The Gulf War is causing unsustainable price hikes for Thai families.
Today’s headlines: US and Iranian forces continue the search for the American pilot who went missing after his aircraft was shot down; Tokyo wants to ease restrictions on defence exports, opening the door to lethal weapons; At least eight people have died in Afghanistan following a 5.9-magnitude earthquake; The Phnom Penh Parliament approves first legislation to combat online scam centres.
