Indonesia says Isis militants plan cyanide attacks on security forces

Islamic state operatives could use cyanide to spread terror, inspired by the scandalous cyanide coffee murder in Jakarta.

Feb 17, 2016

Oil inches up as Iran holds key to output freeze agreement

Iran's output is at least one million bpd below its capacity while Saudi Arabia and Russia are producing at the higher limits of capacity.

Feb 17, 2016

Beijing deploys missile systems in Paracel islands of South China Sea

The move comes after President Obama called for action to ensure freedom of navigation in disputed waters

Feb 17, 2016

South China Sea: No mention of China in Asean-US summit joint statement

Obama says need to form a regional order where international rules and norms and the rights of all nations are upheld.

Feb 17, 2016

Lee says Asean should 'expand and deepen' ties with US

Lee highlights the advantages of the united bloc, saying the combined population of 600 million will emerge as a significant consumer market.

Feb 16, 2016

China dismisses Asean summit saying new 'US-led regional order' impossible

'The Americans are talking up this summit, with some media even calling for a "Sunnylands Principle," which exaggerates the importance of the meeting'.

Feb 16, 2016

Syria: Truce hopes in shambles as Russia accused of war crimes after hospital bombing

President Assad, whose position has been shored by the relentless Russian air strikes, says even a truce doesn't mean topping the use of weapons.

Feb 16, 2016

Australian police seize $700 mln worth of liquid meth in biggest drug bust

The seized liquid would have been enough to make about 500 kilograms of high-grade crystal meth, police said,

Feb 15, 2016

Japanese economy contracts 1.4% in Q4 as consumption, exports slump

The more than expected contraction in the economy also spurred speculation about further monetary easing.

Feb 15, 2016

Malaysia starts criminal investigation against ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad

The former PM is being probed under Section 500 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum two-year jail term and a fine.

Feb 15, 2016

Singapore airshow 2016: Industry outlook bright says minister

Lower oil prices and rising demand for travel can be used to open the skies further, Tharman said.

Feb 15, 2016

US-Asean talks begin as Obama seeks to dress up Asia pivot legacy

The focus of the talks will be the territorial disputes in the region, the rising threat of Isis militancy and North Korea's weapons programme.

Feb 15, 2016

North Korea forms new military unit to deploy ICBM - Yonhap

The KN-08 has lethal potential, the US security establishment had warned last year, as the missile is believed to have a range of at least 10,000 kilometers

Feb 14, 2016

China 'targets' Christians with wider clampdown on house churches

China officially grants freedom of religion, but religious activities are under strict watch of the state machinery.

Feb 13, 2016

Singapore's DBS among banks in bid to buy Barclays' Asian wealth unit

Barclays managed $36 billion in private banking assets in Asia while DBS manage twice as much at $73.2 billion

Feb 13, 2016

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kiril hold historic meeting in Cuba

The historic rendezvous awash in symbolism as leaders of two of the biggest branches of Christianity holding a rare meeting in Communist Cuba.

Feb 13, 2016

Indonesia LGBT clampdown: 'No gay emoticons on messaging apps'

Homosexuality still remains a highly sensitive matter with several reported incidents of irate public targeting gay people.

Feb 12, 2016

Zika updates: Venezuela reports third death from virus

In Venezuela, 68 patients are being treated in intensive care for complications from the infection.

Feb 12, 2016

Pyongyang says Kaesong shutdown a 'declaration of war' as Seoul cuts off power and water

North Korea says it was "kicking out" all South Koreans from the jointly run industrial zone and designates Kaesong as a 'military zone'.

Feb 12, 2016

Singapore sentences man who evaded conscription to 45 days in jail

National Service, or military training followed by reservist status until 40 years was made compulsory in 1967.

Feb 11, 2016