asia

Top Stories

epa12038858 An aerial photo shows Shanghai Container Terminal, in Shanghai, China, 18 April 2025. China announced 125 percent tariffs on US goods effective 12 April, raising its previous rate of 84 percent, in response to the latest US tariffs, which effectively total 145 percent. EPA-EFE/ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Beijing slams ‘appeasement’ of US in trade deals that hurt China

Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected, a Chinese govt spokesman says.
The explosion on April 1 destroyed 81 houses, leaving another 81 partially destroyed and 57 affected but not suffering any structural impact.

Still no update on cash aid, say victims of Subang Jaya fire in Malaysia

Mega-city Chengdu bucks trend, drawing young Chinese with jobs, work-life balance and lower costs

Its resident population rose by 71,000 in 2024, amid a fall in China's population for the 3rd consecutive year.

Analysts warn US could be handing crucial chip market to China

New US licensing rules for chips exported to China are incentivising Chinese tech firms to become even more competitive.
A crane loads shipping containers on a truck at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla in India's Gujarat state on April 5, 2025. US President Donald Trump ignited a potentially ruinous global trade war on April 2 as he slapped 10 percent tariffs on imports from around the world and harsh extra levies on key trading partners. (Photo by Sam PANTHAKY / AFP)

India-Bangladesh trade spat stings at a time of global tariff uncertainty

Bangladesh's restrictions on land imports of Indian cotton yarn will hurt both sides.

Malaysia’s trade minister heading to US, seeks to avert tariff war ‘that benefits none’

Tariff wars spark panic buying of K-beauty products in the US

‘Pandora’s box’: Alarm bells in Indonesia over rising military role

MORE HEADLINES

Insight

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr waves the Philippine flag along with his senatorial candidates, many of whom are tied to political clans in the Philippines.

Some 200 political families rule the Philippines. They are set to tighten their grip further

How Malaysia’s looming fish trawling ban could affect your dining options

GE2025: Where political parties here stand on the key issues

Life coaches (clockwise from top left) Ruchi Parekh, Tina Padia, Tan Yan Mei, and Ambra Liew.

Life coaching: Help, hype or hustle?

MORE

Letters from Bureaus

From peony seed oil to peony toothpaste, peony tea, peony cosmetics and even peony eggs, you name it and Heze has it.

‘No other flower compares’: China’s unofficial national flower helps third-tier city to blossom

hzpickle - Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh (3rd from right) at the launch of a programme offering primary school students free access to pickleball courts, equipment, and training on March 10. Credit: Hannah Yeoh FB

Seniors were first to play pickleball in Malaysia. Now it’s so hip, even hotels offer it

After nine straight years of losses, the theme park in February reported a net profit of S$145 million for the 2024 financial year.

‘Not just another ride’: The HK Disneyland attraction that helped turn its losses around

The production of Darjeeling tea has fallen consistently from 14.49 million kg in 1990 to 5.6 million kg in 2024.

Dar(jee)ling no more: Why India’s most expensive tea has fallen on hard times

More

Podcast

Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and the entire rebel leadership were killed on May 18, 2009 by Sri Lankan government troops.

Podcast: Author M R Narayan Swamy on Sri Lanka’s now-vanquished militant group Tamil Tigers

A conversation with M R Narayan Swamy, veteran South Asian journalist and biographer of slain Tamil Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Podcast: Xi'an - China's city known for its terracotta warriors and pollution

Podcast: Dr Anji Sinha - Trump's mystery pick for ambassador to Singapore

Podcast: Why are so many mainland Chinese making Malaysia their second home?

MORE

LATEST

  1. China warns countries against striking trade deals with US at its expense

  2. South Korea's acting president says tariff talks with US may not be easy

  3. Beijing slams ‘appeasement’ of US in trade deals that hurt China

  4. Malaysia bids goodbye to pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi, which are returning to China

  5. South Korean military under fire for ‘lack of discipline’ after series of major accidents

  6. Still no update on cash aid, say victims of Subang Jaya fire in Malaysia

  7. US, Philippines open ‘Super Bowl’ of military drills amid China tensions

  8. South Korea’s leading presidential candidate vows to address ‘Korea Discount’

More

Climate Change

Extreme weather can also have indirect influence on the blood chain, increasing demand for blood transfusions.

Climate change threatens world’s supply of blood, study warns

Audrey Tan and David Fogarty in the ST podcast studio.

Podcast: Is it time to focus more on climate adaptation? 

FILE PHOTO: Gastech 2023 participants gather at the Australia's Woodside Energy's booth in Singapore September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Tan/File Photo

Looming decision on $28.4b gas plant shows Australia’s energy dilemma

ST Picks: Can China’s clean-tech industry save the world?

MORE

Most Popular

  1. Social media helps fuel growing sex tourism in Japan

  2. Chinese executive linked to Bangkok building collapse arrested

  3. Boeing jet returns to US from China, a victim of Trump’s tariff war

  4. 2 Singaporean men arrested in Manila after police set up sting op to nab them selling guns

  5. Analysts warn US could be handing crucial chip market to China

  6. Mega-city Chengdu bucks trend, drawing young Chinese with jobs, work-life balance and lower costs

  7. Tariff wars spark panic buying of K-beauty products in the US

  8. Malaysia’s trade minister heading to US, seeks to avert tariff war ‘that benefits none’

  9. Pakistan police arrest 160 people over spate of KFC attacks

  10. At least 11, including 3 children, killed in India building collapse

OUR CORRESPONDENTS

Bringing you the insider insight on Asia and the world

With a network of some 30 correspondents reporting from across the Asia-Pacific, the United States and Europe, The Straits Times brings you the latest news, sharp analyses and informed commentaries.