1 week ago ‘I’m sad’: Blackpink fans in Malaysia lament tour snub, slam censorship

Heartbroken Malaysian fans of Blackpink have blamed their government’s censorious streak for the K-pop supergroup omitting to stop in Kuala Lumpur on their highly-anticipated world tour. On Tuesday, the chart-topping and YouTube record-breaking quartet comprising Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, announced their first world tour since 2023 with shows scheduled across North America, Europe and Asia from July this year through to January 2026. The news threw Blinks – a term used to describe the...

Politics

1 week ago Macron touts defence ties in Indonesia, backs Prabowo’s push for Palestine

President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s deepening defence and economic ties with Indonesia during a visit to Jakarta, where the two countries signed a raft of major agreements and pledged to expand cooperation in areas ranging from arms procurement to nutrition and investment. The war in Gaza was also discussed, with President Prabowo Subianto signalling a potential diplomatic shift by stating that Indonesia could recognise Israel – if it first acknowledges a sovereign Palestinian state –...

Politics

2 w. ago France’s President Macron arrives in Vietnam, kicking off Southeast Asia tour

Macron, who is also to visit Indonesia and Singapore, will pitch his country as a reliable alternative partner to the US and China.

Politics

2 w. ago France’s president kicks off Southeast Asia tour seeking deals in Vietnam

Emmanuel Macron, who is also to visit Indonesia and Singapore, will pitch his country as a reliable alternative partner to the US and China.

Politics

2 w. ago France’s president kicks off Southeast Asia tour sealing deals in Vietnam

Emmanuel Macron is also set to visit Indonesia and Singapore. His visit to Hanoi coincided with a new VietJet order for planemaker Airbus.

Politics

3 w. ago China’s rising Mideast engagement looms as Trump seeks investment, security deals

As US leader begins high-stakes regional trip, Gulf states may hedge bets through further economic, currency collaboration with Beijing, analysts say.

Politics

4 w. ago Trump starts Middle East tour in Saudi Arabia seeking major business deals

Saudi Arabia is the first leg of a four-day tour that will also take the US president to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Politics

4 w. ago Trump signs historic US$142 billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia during Gulf trip

The White House described the deal as the “largest defence sales agreement in history”.

Economics

4 w. ago Trump signs US$142 billion weapons deal with Saudi Arabia during Gulf trip

The White House described it as the largest-ever weapons deal, although Trump in his first term trumpeted a larger, longer-term figure.

Economics