International

The Straits Times reports on diverse Asian news, including Johor parking issues, environmental crises in Nepal and Sarawak, regional political summits, and economic developments across the continent.

Japan requested a record US$55.6 billion defense budget, prioritizing AI, drones, and advanced missiles to counter rising regional security threats from China, North Korea, and Russia.

European leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and Britain condemned Israel’s new West Bank settlement tenders, warning the project threatens a two-state solution and violates international law. Israel rejected the criticism.

The Trump administration’s crackdown on tariff evasion through transshipment risks escalating global trade tensions, potentially forcing a major confrontation over manufacturing origins and international supply chain rules.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister believes President Trump is scaling back joint military drills to pressure Seoul regarding Iran war support and pending investment commitments.

Russia and North Korea plan to increase North Korean troop deployments to 50,000 by November to support Russia’s offensive in Ukraine’s Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Japan-claimed Kuril Islands for the first time, prompting a formal protest from Tokyo over the long-standing territorial dispute.

Global export controls on AI chips are fragmenting the tech ecosystem into rival compute blocs. This geopolitical divide threatens to slow innovation, increase costs, and destabilize international relations over semiconductor supply chains.

A proposed deal between Iran and Oman could grant Tehran control over Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic, marking a major shift in regional power despite ongoing negotiations and unresolved disputes over transit fees.

A Bangladeshi captain and his crew were stranded for 115 days in the Gulf after war broke out between Iran, the US, and Israel, forcing them to ration supplies amid missile attacks.

Japan is investing trillions to revitalize its domestic defense industry, aiming to counter regional threats while boosting economic growth through technological innovation and expanded global arms exports.

While a major US cyclosporiasis outbreak raises concerns, experts deem the risk in Singapore low due to strict food import inspections and robust parasite control systems. Good hygiene remains the best prevention.