Asia
Philippines sees surge in EV demand as high fuel prices drive shift
EV sales in the Philippines jumped 36 per cent in the first quarter this year as motorists sought alternatives to soaring petrol prices.
Live stream
Asia Radio Listen to this section's headlines in an AI voice
Now:
Press play to start the stream
This browser does not support voice playback. Try Chrome, Edge or Safari.
Asia
Malaysia’s social media account ban for under-16s kicks in on Jun 1, but questions remain
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had previously announced the social media ban on May 22, which sought to reduce youths’ exposure to harmful content on digital platforms.
Asia
‘Insane scale’: A close-up look at scam compounds along Cambodia’s border with Vietnam
In the second of a two-part series that looks into scam operations in Cambodia, CNA travels along the country’s eastern border with Vietnam, where new roads, casino zones and guarded…
Asia
Endangered crested ibises return to Japanese wild decades after extinction
Known as Toki in Japan, the distinctive birds feature striking orange-pink hues beneath their wings and bright red markings around their eyes
Asia
More than 45 killed in massive explosion in Myanmar village
The blast reportedly struck a building used for storing mining explosives
Asia
Raids, stranded victims and new criminal tactics – inside Cambodia’s fight against scam centres
Cambodia says it is carrying out its toughest crackdown yet on online scam centres, with hundreds of facilities targeted. In the first of a two-part series, CNA goes on the…
Asia
Philippines defence chief backs US calls for higher military spending, says allies must pull their weight
Speaking to CNA's Leong Wai Kit on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr also defended recent military exercises with allies, and blames China's "expansionism"…
Asia
AUKUS undersea drones development boosts regional security: Australia deputy PM
Growing threats to critical underwater infrastructure, such as telecommunications cables and energy pipelines, underscore the need for stronger maritime defence capabilities, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told CNA's Tan Qiuyi…
Asia
New Zealand can no longer take its security for granted, says defence minister as military spending rises
New Zealand could move faster towards its target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence if security conditions warrant it, Defence Minister Chris Penk tells CNA.
Asia
‘Detective Chinatown’ Helmer Chen Sicheng’s Palliative Comedy ‘Being Towards Death’ U.K.-Bound With Trinity CineAsia
Trinity CineAsia has acquired U.K. distribution rights to “Being Towards Death,” the latest feature from “Detective Chinatown” franchise director Chen Sicheng and one of mainland China’s first palliative comedies, with…
Asia
Korea Forms Committee to Hammer Out Six-Month Theatrical Window Deal
South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) have launched a public-private consultative body to negotiate a voluntary theatrical holdback agreement, aiming to finalize…
Asia
‘Exhuma’ Spinoff Webtoon ‘Maengjong’ Sets Naver Debut
Naver Webtoon will debut “Maengjong,” a prequel spin-off expanding the supernatural world of Korean occult blockbuster “Exhuma,” on May 30. The vertical-scroll series comes from Haemuri, the artist behind “Olgami,”…
Asia
‘She Means Justice 2: Breakout’ Launches on FlareFlow, GammaTime as Sequel to Microdrama Hit
“She Means Justice 2: Breakout,” a prison break microdrama sequel, has launched on FlareFlow and Hollywood-backed GammaTime, positioning the title among the earliest franchise follow-ups to an original Western vertical…
Asia
Singapore, Vietnam expand tech and manufacturing ties
Both countries highlighted growing collaboration in science, technology and innovation during Vietnamese President To Lam's state visit to Singapore.
Asia
Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre’s ‘Raakh’ Sets June Prime Video Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
Prime Video has set June 12 as the global premiere date for “Raakh,” the Hindi-language investigative thriller starring Ali Fazal (“Mirzapur”), Sonali Bendre (“The Broken News”), and Aamir Bashir (“Tiger…
Asia
Tens of thousands delayed at Malaysia immigration checkpoints after five-hour system crash
Thursday’s disruption follows a similar incident on Apr 23. An official said “problems are bound to happen” with the decades-old Malaysian Immigration Systems (MyIMMs), which will be replaced by 2028.
Asia
‘It’s like diving into coffee’: Rescuers in Laos describe risky mission to free men trapped in cave
Cave diving experts warn of tight and dangerous conditions in the cave, including mud walls at risk of collapse and the potential for more flooding.
Asia
‘Real increase in violence’: What’s behind rising domestic abuse rates reported in Southeast Asia?
Experts say there is a need for governments to allocate resources to support the long-term recovery, rehabilitation and empowerment of domestic violence survivors.
Asia
‘Euphoria,’ ‘The End’ to Bookend Balinale’s 19th Edition
Julian Rosefeldt’s “Euphoria” will open Balinale’s 19th edition, with Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The End” closing the program. The festival is adding a new competitive category: Best Indonesian Short Tapestry of Indonesia,…
Asia
Pakistan commuters switch to EV scooters as petrol prices soar
The shift towards electric bikes has accelerated following sharp increases in fuel prices linked to volatility in global oil markets amid tensions in the Middle East.
Asia
Cannes Palme d’Or Winner ‘Fjord,’ Grand Prix Pick ‘Minotaur’ Head to India With Impact Films (EXCLUSIVE)
India’s Impact Films has pulled off a rare double at Cannes, with both the Palme d’Or winner and the Grand Prix winner – Cristian Mungiu’s “Fjord” and Andrei Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur”…
Asia
Derek Yee, Keane T.K. Wong’s ‘Afterpiece’ to Open Shanghai Film Festival
“Afterpiece,” a Hong Kong drama produced by Derek Yee and directed by debut filmmaker Keane T.K. Wong, will world premiere as the opening film of the 28th Shanghai International Film…
Asia
Rescuers in Laos say more oxygen needed to save 7 divers trapped in cave
Five of the seven divers have been found alive so far, but none have been rescued yet.
Asia
Gardenia move: As Malaysia draws more Singapore manufacturers, experts flag competition fears
Companies like Gardenia, Yeo’s and APB Singapore are moving production operations from Singapore to Malaysia. While boosting investment, this could intensify competition for labour, industrial land and other limited resources,…
Asia
Rare albino buffalo nicknamed ‘Donald Trump’ spared Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh
The nearly 700-kg (1,543 lb) animal had already been sold for ritual slaughter when authorities stepped in
Asia
‘Gurugram School Murder’ Book Gets Screen Adaptation From Matchbox Shots
India’s Matchbox Shots has acquired the screen rights to “The Gurugram School Murder,” crime journalist Leena Dhankhar’s account of the 2017 killing of a child at an elite school in…
Asia
10 hours and 1 surgeon: The quiet hero of Indonesia’s train crash tragedy
He was supposed to head home after a night out with his family but Muhammad Iqbal El Mubarak ended up coordinating efforts to save the lives of those trapped in…
Asia
Zee Launches Unite8 Sports Channels, Eyes Soccer World Cup Rights for India
India’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises has unveiled a four-channel linear sports portfolio under the Unite8 Sports banner and confirmed it is in discussions with FIFA over broadcast and streaming rights to…
Asia
Ties sour further between Malaysia’s key opposition parties – is this enough for Anwar to call snap polls?
The increasingly public spat between PAS and Bersatu is pushing their relationship to the brink, but Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim may be facing bigger problems within his ruling coalition,…
Asia
Search continues for 7 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave
Experts from Thailand who aided the dramatic 2018 retrieval of a youth football team from a Thai cave joined rescue efforts on Monday to extract the seven people, Laotian state…
Asia
Malaysian police arrest 51 men, seize drugs in raids linked to ‘gay party’
Authorities also seized about RM103,070 (US$26,000) worth of illicit drugs, including MDMA, ecstasy pills and powder, and ketamine, narcotics investigations department director Hussein Omar Khan said in a statement late…
Asia
Naseeruddin Shah, Jim Sarbh Amazon MX Player Series ‘Made in India: A Titan Story’ Sets June Premiere Date (EXCLUSIVE)
Amazon MX Player has set a June 3 premiere date for “Made in India: A Titan Story,” a six-part drama charting the founding and rise of Indian watchmaker Titan. The…
Asia
Motorists to pay new Genting Highlands road charges from May 28, starting at US$0.80
Genting Malaysia Berhad previously said the charges were necessary due to steep and escalating costs of maintaining the road and its slopes, which were paid for by the firm since…
Asia
Motorists to pay new Genting Highlands road charges from May 28, starting at US$0.80
Genting Malaysia Berhad previously said the charges were necessary due to steep and escalating costs of maintaining the road and its slopes, which were paid for by the firm since…
Asia
Vietnamese Video Game Horror Adaptation ‘The Scourge’ Launches Triple Green CineCapital, Chanh Phuong Films Partnership
Singapore-based film investment group Triple Green CineCapital (TGC) has formalized a partnership with Chánh Phương Films on “The Scourge” (Tai Ương), the Vietnamese video game horror adaptation that Skyline Media…
Asia
Singapore Microdrama Outfit RisingJoy Hits 50-Platform Milestone, Eyes Move Into Original Production (EXCLUSIVE)
Singapore-based microdrama distributor RisingJoy has struck content licensing deals with more than 50 apps and platforms across 30-plus countries, the company said, as it positions itself for a broader role…