Asia & Philippines news

The day's most relevant stories from the Philippines and Asia's major countries. Links to original sources.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 19, 2026

Singapore and Qatar renew energy pact to strengthen LNG cooperation, move towards strategic partnership

The two countries also agreed to work towards elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with the Qatari Emir's future state visit to Singapore seen as an opportunity to launch it.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 18, 2026

Malaysia’s BN to announce candidates for Melaka polls on Oct 28: State chairman

Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka’s caretaker chief minister, said the candidates would carry the responsibility of continuing the coalition’s mandate and securing victory at the polls.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 17, 2026

India's 'cockroach' movement founder released a day after detention

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, rose to prominence this year when a weeks-long sit-in contributed to India's education minister resigning.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 17, 2026

North Korea says tested AI-assisted torpedo system

The announcement came days after Pyongyang said it had test-fired two types of cruise missiles from a submarine after weeks of friction with Seoul over a landmine explosion along their border.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 16, 2026

China says can 'easily win' confrontation with Philippines

The remarks by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan came a day after Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro labelled Beijing a regional "troublemaker".

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 15, 2026

Japan denies spying after Russia arrests journalist

Japan denies spying after Russia arrests journalist

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 14, 2026

Taiwan must 'bear the consequences' of water cannon incident, China says

Taiwan must 'bear the consequences' of water cannon incident, China says

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 14, 2026

New China-North Korea bridge to open on Oct 15

The opening of the new bridge signals further progress in bilateral relations between Beijing and Pyongyang, weeks after North Korea opened its first road bridge with Russia.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 13, 2026

Malaysia to raise transboundary haze issue at ASEAN meeting, says existing disaster mechanisms do not cover it

“We already have an ASEAN mechanism for natural disasters but haze is not included or classified as a natural disaster,” says Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 13, 2026

South Korea says US raises intelligence cooperation concerns, Yonhap says

South Korea says US raises intelligence cooperation concerns, Yonhap says

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 12, 2026

China announces sanctions on Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties

The measures against Paraguay's Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca include the freezing of their property and assets in China, visa denials and the banning of organisations in China from doing business with them.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 11, 2026

Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to 'energy ceasefire'

Trump says Russia and Ukraine agree to 'energy ceasefire'

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 11, 2026

Protesters seeking India election chief's ouster detained, as 'cockroach' leaders released

Protesters seeking India election chief's ouster detained, as 'cockroach' leaders released

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 8, 2026

North Korea demands South show 'utmost respect' to restore relations

North Korea demands South show 'utmost respect' to restore relations

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 8, 2026

Okinawa governor wants discipline for US military in Japan after murder linked to Marine

"Okinawa has requested preventive measures every time similar crimes were repeated in past, and now we have this case again," said its governor Genta Koja.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 7, 2026

South Korea weighs cuts to military exemptions for athletes, artists following Asian Games controversy

South Korea’s men’s football Asiad triumph was quickly overshadowed by controversy after some players appeared to celebrate securing military service exemptions.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 7, 2026

US forces face curfew, alcohol ban in Japan's Okinawa after murder case

The presence of US forces has repeatedly stirred resentment among residents in Okinawa over issues such as noise, aircraft crashes and the conduct of its troops.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 7, 2026

Activist Kokila Annamalai contests charge of allegedly defying POFMA order in first such trial

After she received the correction direction, Kokila Annamalai put up an article titled, "I Defy: Why I am not complying with my POFMA Correction Direction".

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 7, 2026

Indonesia's Constitutional Court dismisses petition to disqualify VP Gibran over education credentials

Indonesia's election law requires presidential and vice-presidential candidates to have completed senior high school or hold an equivalent qualification.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 6, 2026

South Korea exports eased Russia fuel crisis caused by drone strikes, Ukraine says

South Korea exports eased Russia fuel crisis caused by drone strikes, Ukraine says

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 6, 2026

8 public officers referred to police after review of 191 property transactions near unannounced MRT stations

Further checks are continuing and the government will study what the review shows about gaps in existing safeguards, says Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 6, 2026

Singapore to table law reinforcing deterrent sentences for scam offenders, including youths: Shanmugam

A High Court ruling in September had given several young money mule offenders probation and community sentences. "This is not the time to go soft," says Senior Minister K Shanmugam.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 5, 2026

China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea aircraft encounter

China accused a Philippine military aircraft of illegally entering airspace over the disputed area in the South China Sea, while Manila said a Chinese fighter jet interfered with its routine patrol by repeatedly flying in close proximity.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 4, 2026

India, Pakistan summon top diplomats over border incident

India, Pakistan summon top diplomats over border incident

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Oct 3, 2026

Indian police detain several people in Gen Z-led protests against voter roll changes

About 100 demonstrators removed security barricades before police forcibly detained some of them.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 28, 2026

More than S$1 million worth of drugs seized following initial detection at Tuas Checkpoint

Two men, a Malaysian and a Singaporean, were arrested.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 26, 2026

Trump rejects Iranian proposal to open Hormuz and end fighting

"They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they're losing so badly," US President Donald Trump said.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 25, 2026

Two Singapore chefs are putting homegrown flavours on the menu in Hong Kong

At Michelin-starred Whey, Barry Quek and new head chef Keith Teo are drawing on hawker favourites, Indonesian influences and shared food memories to shape the restaurant’s next chapter.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 21, 2026

South Korea troops among three injured in DMZ blast: Report

South Korea troops among three injured in DMZ blast: Report

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 19, 2026

South Korea justice nominee withdraws in Lee's second cabinet setback as polls slide

Kim Seung-won's exit is the latest fallout from President Lee Jae Myung's cabinet reshuffle in late August.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 19, 2026

Trump plans to greet Xi at airport on arrival, officials say

Other planned events include an arrival ceremony at the White House, a Rose Garden military review and a state dinner with a number of tech CEOs.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 19, 2026

North Korea says its nuclear status is ‘irreversible’ after UN atomic agency rebuke

Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of double standards after it adopted a resolution criticising Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 18, 2026

Former Malaysia PM Najib to serve remaining jail term at home — if he pays US$12.26 million fine

A Pardons Board meeting chaired by the Malaysian king on Friday (Sep 18) reached this decision after an appeal by Najib Razak, who's serving a six-year jail sentence till Aug 23, 2028.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 16, 2026

Saudi says Houthis target Mecca, warn of 'red line'

Saudi Arabia reported that it shot down a drone from the rebels heading towards the Saudi city of Mecca.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 14, 2026

Government reviewing study alleging civil servants 'disproportionately' bought homes near unannounced MRT stations

The Public Service Division says it is reviewing the data and methodology of the working paper by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research and will refer the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau if necessary.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 14, 2026

Bangsamoro votes for first parliament in historic test of Philippines peace process

For former rebels who spent decades fighting the Philippine state, the new parliament also represents a shift from armed struggle to policymaking.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 13, 2026

Trump says 'very negative forces' raising exaggerated concerns over AI

The public debate about AI has heated up in the US after two Anthropic researchers issued warnings that the rapidly progressing technology could lead to the extinction of the human race ‌in the not-too-distant future.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 13, 2026

Modi and Xi 'expressed commitment' to resolving border issue: India

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both countries should “stay committed” to resolving the boundary question and “maintain peace and tranquility in border areas”.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 12, 2026

PM Wong warns economic frustrations can deepen social, racial divisions in Singapore

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says Singapore is not immune to such pressures, pointing to racist comments online and divisions between foreigners and Singaporeans.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 12, 2026

Xi Jinping heads to India for BRICS summit overshadowed by war

Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with global trade turbulence and energy security, are expected to dominate the two-day meeting of the 11-nation bloc.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 11, 2026

Former Malaysia PM Najib to remain in jail as pardons board defers application

The Federal Territories Pardons Board met on Friday (Sep 11) but deferred Najib’s application for a pardon to a future meeting. Najib is currently in Kajang Prison and scheduled to complete his current jail term on Aug 23, 2028.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 10, 2026

Singapore parliament debates changes to political salary framework

The changes include a one-off pay increase of up to 9 per cent for political office holders and wider salary ranges for ministers.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 4, 2026

China's Xi to bring large CEO delegation on US visit: Sources

China's Xi to bring large CEO delegation on US visit: Sources

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 3, 2026

Xi Jinping urges new Middle East security framework during Egypt visit

Countries in the Middle East region should be "masters of their own destiny" and explore a new regional "security architecture", says the Chinese president.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Sep 1, 2026

China warns of 'consequences' over Taiwan's attendance at Pacific leaders meeting

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung was invited to meetings and side events held alongside the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 31, 2026

Tribunal says India cannot withdraw from water treaty with Pakistan

A Hague tribunal orders India to curb work on two Kashmir hydropower projects, saying the Indus Waters Treaty stays fully in force.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 31, 2026

Putin, Xi hold talks in Kyrgyzstan as regional summit begins

"Cooperation is successfully developing on all fronts," Russian President Vladimir Putin said to his Chinese counterpart.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 29, 2026

North Korea defence minister dismissed: State media

No Kwang Chol was not only dismissed as defence minister but also demoted in the ruling party leadership to "first vice-director of the Munitions Industry Department", KCNA said.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 29, 2026

Leaders of Russia, China, Iran to attend summit in Kyrgyzstan

Leaders of Russia, China, Iran to attend summit in Kyrgyzstan

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 28, 2026

GE2025 backup candidate Firdaus Daud to take on grassroots duties in Kembangan, Faishal Ibrahim's former ward

Mr Ahmad Firdaus Daud, who currently serves as second adviser in Punggol, is not new to grassroots work, says Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 26, 2026

South Korea says Russian military planes entered its air defence zone

South Korea said it scrambled fighter jets in response to multiple Russian aircraft entering its air defence identification zone over the East Sea.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 25, 2026

Pakistan and Iran made 'significant progress' in talks on conflict, minister says

Pakistan and Iran made 'significant progress' in talks on conflict, minister says

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 24, 2026

China's Xi likely to visit India with big delegation for first time in seven years

India-China relations have remained strained for years, largely due to ongoing border tensions and territorial disputes.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 24, 2026

Singapore urges Israel to halt planned West Bank settlements

The proposed construction in the E1 area would "further fragment the West Bank and severely undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution", says a spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 18, 2026

Japan defence minister says US, South Korea cooperation 'critical' for security

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's comments came after US President Donald Trump downsized military drills with South Korea, praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and lashed out at Seoul for not helping Washington fight Iran.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 18, 2026

China lowers flags, tightens security for former premier Zhu Rongji's funeral

As vice premier from 1991 to 1998 and premier from 1998 to 2003, Zhu Rongji helped drive China's hard-edged economic overhaul during the 1990s.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 17, 2026

Iran threatens to go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails

"Within the short period of a few weeks set by Iran, all the agreement's provisions must be implemented by the US. This is a precondition for further negotiations with the US," an Iranian official said.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 17, 2026

Ex-Senior Minister of State Lee Yi Shyan, WP MPs spar over party's stance on foreign firms

The exchange follows a Workers' Party parliamentary motion on Singapore's economic future tabled by MPs Kenneth Tiong and Jamus Lim on Aug 5.

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 16, 2026

Bangladesh says PM will not visit India until ex-premier Hasina extradited

Bangladesh says PM will not visit India until ex-premier Hasina extradited

🇸🇬 Singapore•Politics•Aug 15, 2026

South Korea president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War

"Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Saturday (Aug 15).

Summaries link to the original story. ArchipelagoExpat is not the source of these news items; each article belongs to its author and outlet.