Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) meets his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on March 18. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

44 minutes ago

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) meets his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on March 18. Photo: AFP

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

44 minutes ago

Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

12 minutes ago

Can a new South Korea-Japan agreement take bilateral ties to the next level?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

3 hours ago
Taylor Swift performs on stage during a concert as part of her The Eras Tour in February. Photo: AFP

Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

12 minutes ago
Japan

Can a new South Korea-Japan agreement take bilateral ties to the next level?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

3 hours ago
Thailand

Thailand revokes visas of New Zealand tourists after roadside brawl with police

The police officer tried to film the two men after he rejected their bribe, and they allegedly tackled him and wrestled the gun away from him, causing a bullet to be fired.

The police officer tried to film the two men after he rejected their bribe, and they allegedly tackled him and wrestled the gun away from him, causing a bullet to be fired.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:51PM

Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:23PM
Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

‘Grave threat’: Pakistan justifies air strikes on Taliban rebels in Afghanistan

Monday’s operation targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant faction, which claimed responsibility for the attack on a military outpost that left seven soldiers dead.

18 Mar 2024 - 11:17PM
‘Grave threat’: Pakistan justifies air strikes on Taliban rebels in Afghanistan

Thailand revokes visas of New Zealand tourists after roadside brawl with police

The police officer tried to film the two men after he rejected their bribe, and they allegedly tackled him and wrestled the gun away from him, causing a bullet to be fired.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:51PM

Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:23PM

‘Grave threat’: Pakistan justifies air strikes on Taliban rebels in Afghanistan

Monday’s operation targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant faction, which claimed responsibility for the attack on a military outpost that left seven soldiers dead.

18 Mar 2024 - 11:17PM
Israel-Gaza war

Netizens slam K-pop singer for drinking Starbucks coffee: ‘educate yourself’

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:56PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

UN warns of ‘imminent’ famine in Gaza as some resort to eating animal fodder

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:15AM
Israel-Gaza war

Netizens slam K-pop singer for drinking Starbucks coffee: ‘educate yourself’

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:56PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

UN warns of ‘imminent’ famine in Gaza as some resort to eating animal fodder

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:15AM
Asia | OPINION
Illustration: Craig Stephens

Opinion | Rising tide of ethno-religious nationalism threatens civilisation

From the US grilling of TikTok’s CEO over his nationality to Israel’s intractability over the Gaza war, ethno-religious nationalism threatens to split our world into antagonistic civilisation enclaves.

16 Mar 2024 - 5:47AM

My Take | Malaysia’s outrage over cultural sensibilities is the new normal in politics

Calls for several Chinese “new villages” to get Unesco status and a pork rib soup to be a heritage dish have sparked a cultural clash in Malaysia.

Calls for several Chinese “new villages” to get Unesco status and a pork rib soup to be a heritage dish have sparked a cultural clash in Malaysia.

15 Mar 2024 - 10:00AM
Malaysia’s outrage over cultural sensibilities is the new normal in politics

Opinion | Australia summit shows Asean wants climate partners. Hong Kong, step up

Melbourne meeting reaffirmed Asean’s carbon neutrality strategy and unveiled partnerships with Australia. Asean’s climate investment gap is a chance for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Melbourne meeting reaffirmed Asean’s carbon neutrality strategy and unveiled partnerships with Australia. Asean’s climate investment gap is a chance for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

15 Mar 2024 - 9:30AM
Australia summit shows Asean wants climate partners. Hong Kong, step up

Asia | Explore more