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A boy in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has proposed to evacuate 1,000 wounded or orphaned Palestinians from Gaza. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Can Indonesia’s Prabowo succeed in plan to evacuate Gaza’s Palestinians?

The Indonesian president has said that his plan would happen only with agreement from ‘all parties’.

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Singapore

Singapore’s ‘sugar daddy’ scammer jailed for exploiting underage victims

Malaysia

China’s Xi ends Malaysia visit with jet, chip deals before heading to Cambodia

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The Philippines

As Sara Duterte backs Imee Marcos, will it sway Philippine Senate elections?

A last-minute political gamble sees the president’s sister seeking to revive her campaign by tapping into the vice-president’s popularity.

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Philippine Senator Imee Marcos presides over a Committee of Foreign Affairs hearing on March 20 following Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest. Photo: AFP
Philippine Senator Imee Marcos presides over a Committee of Foreign Affairs hearing on March 20 following Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest. Photo: AFP
Cambodia

Cambodia’s descent into madness remembered, 50 years after the Khmer Rouge

Frenchman Roland Neveu witnessed the victorious Khmer Rouge enter Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, heralding a savage era for Cambodians.

Singapore general election 2025

Trump tariffs don’t worry Singaporean voters. Here’s what matters more to them

Domestic issues and more perspectives in parliament likely to be on voters’ minds for next month’s election, analysts say.

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Singapore

Singapore PM says US tariff delay ‘little comfort’ amid global uncertainty

Trade war has prompted governments to reassert greater control over resources ‘in case help doesn’t arrive on time’, Lawrence Wong says.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks at the S Rajaratnam Lecture 2025 on Wednesday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks at the S Rajaratnam Lecture 2025 on Wednesday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information
The Philippines

Philippines warns US tariffs could jeopardise US$5.6 billion fighter jet deal

The proposed tariffs’ impact on global supply chains is likely to raise the already hefty price tag on the jets, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Xi’s visit: Malaysia ‘stands with China’ amid US tariff threat, Anwar says

The two countries signed a raft of deals spanning AI, infrastructure and agriculture as both leaders spoke out in defence of open trade.

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Japan

Trump claims Japan security treaty is ‘one-sided’. What does he really want?

The US president’s ‘one-sided deal’ rhetoric is aimed at extracting trade concessions and higher defence payments from Tokyo, observers say.

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US President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

South China Sea: can Malaysia deliver breakthrough in code of conduct talks?

Talks resumed in Manila earlier this month in search of a ‘substantive and effective’ framework to manage tensions in the disputed waterway.

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Philippine coastguard personnel look on as a China coastguard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea last year. Photo: Reuters
Philippine coastguard personnel look on as a China coastguard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea last year. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

5 drones with ‘Chinese markings’ found in Philippine waters: navy official

The drones were used to collect data for various applications, including for ‘underwater warfare’, a Philippine navy spokesman said.

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Japan

Why Japan’s PM Ishiba is becoming unpopular with a ‘very disappointed’ public

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is struggling in opinion polls as voters fret about rising prices, stagnant wages and tense regional security.

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The Philippines

Philippines vows ‘Super Bowl’ of exercises in coming military drills

The exercises will feature ‘an interesting mix of equipment’, including the China-opposed Typhon missile system.

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Philippine Army Brigadier General Michael Logico (left) and US Marine Corps Colonel Doug Krugman during a press briefing for the Balikatan drills at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

China’s Xi arrives in Malaysia as Asean grapples with Trump tariff threats

Chinese president will meet Malaysia’s king and prime minister, with visit expected to usher in a rush of deals and increased cooperation.

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Bunga Raya complex in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Malaysia’s Department of Information
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Bunga Raya complex in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Malaysia’s Department of Information
Indonesia

Indonesia’s new rule for foreign reporters raises concerns about press freedom

The introduction of police certification is yet another indication of the challenges of reporting in Indonesia, critics say.

The Philippines

Manila praises Google’s move to put ‘West Philippine Sea’ on the map

A senator says the move by Google Maps proves the correctness of Manila’s policy to defend its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

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Singapore general election 2025

Singapore election set for May 3

The election will ultimately be seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership.

Top of voters’ minds will be cost-of-living pressures in Singapore, which has grappled with global inflationary pressures. Photo: Reuters
Top of voters’ minds will be cost-of-living pressures in Singapore, which has grappled with global inflationary pressures. Photo: Reuters
Asean

How Malaysia’s Anwar risks legitimising Myanmar junta through diplomacy

The Asean chair hopes for progress from his meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, but will it give the isolated junta a propaganda boost?

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The Philippines

Majority of Filipinos want Duterte held to account in ICC drug war case: survey

Support for Duterte’s drug war once exceeded 80 per cent, but a new poll indicates 62 per cent now want him to stand trial for it.

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Singapore

Singapore ex-president Halimah Yacob to file police report over deepfake video

She warns users on Facebook to be wary of ‘how AI is being used to influence voters during this critical period’.

Singapore’s then-president Halimah Yacob delivers a speech at an overseas conference in 2019. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo opens up but did interview help boost transparency?

Prabowo clarifies that recent reforms are misunderstood and promises greater communication but analysts say his responses are ‘misleading’.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8. Prabowo engaged the media in a round-table session held at his private residence on April 6. Photo: AFP
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaks during an economic event in Jakarta on April 8. Prabowo engaged the media in a round-table session held at his private residence on April 6. Photo: AFP
United States

Is Global South poised for worldwide reset as faith in multilateral blocs wanes?

New mechanisms are needed to vest more powers to emerging countries, say participants at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

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Malaysia

Malaysia to host China’s Xi as Asean seeks shelter from Trump tariff storm

Xi’s three-day visit to Malaysia will give local firms the chance to look for better access to China to offset potential tariff pain, analysts say.

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Indonesia

How far should Indonesia go to appease Trump on tariffs?

Jakarta is weighing trade concessions, but analysts warn the cost may be long-term harm to local industries.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto gestures as he delivers a speech during an economic gathering on “Strengthening the Resilience of the National Economy” in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 8. Photo: Reuters
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