Asia News – Politics, Culture & Economic Updates

Michelin restaurateur faces jail over ant garnish

Two-Michelin-star restaurant allegedly served nearly 49,000 imported ants over four years

2m read

A two-Michelin-star restaurant owner in South Korea admits serving ants on sorbets but prosecutors say the garnish broke food safety laws. Photo for illustrative purposes only

Philippines lodges protest over China's racist AI video

Manila has called for the immediate removal of a China Daily video, editorial cartoons

Some screenshots of scenes from China Daily's AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys

UAE, ASEAN advance joint action plan to boost alliance

Fourth ACAD session reviews progress with focus on trade, investment, regional stability

UAE, ASEAN advance joint action plan for stronger regional partnership

China, India, Iraq...: Where Iran's $100b is frozen

Iran seeks access to billions held abroad as sanctions relief takes centre stage in talks

Iranian rial banknotes. Frozen overseas assets have become a key issue in negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

What the new Asia-GCC platform means for workers

New initiative to help countries work together for better access to social protection

From left to right: Valerie Schmitt, Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli, Hans Cacdac, and Gladys Cisneros

Three months of paralysis: Hormuz remains a ghost route

Shipowners and insurers await stronger security guarantees as traffic remains sparse

A tractor tows a small boat through shallow water as cargo ships and industrial vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, June 1, 2026.

Droughts, extreme heat: Is ‘super’ El Nino coming?

UN forecasts 80% chance of El Nino emerging between June and August as Pacific waters warm

Head of climate prediction services at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Wilfran Moufouma-Okia points on graphs displayed on a computer screen at the WMO headquarters in Geneva, on June 1, 2026.

India seals BrahMos deal with Vietnam, Indonesia next

Supersonic missile sales strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific

The Vietnam deal is reportedly worth about Rs5,800 crore and includes coastal defence missile batteries, an initial batch of missiles, training and logistics support.

Thailand airport fee hike: What travellers need to know

Departure fees jump over 50% at Thailand’s six busiest international airports

Outbound travellers to pay higher fees as Thailand upgrades key aviation hubs

Visiting Thailand? You may soon need health insurance

Move aimed at curbing unpaid hospital bills and easing burden on healthcare system

Premium levels are still under discussion, but authorities insist affordability will be key to maintaining tourist inflows.

ICC schedules first status conference for Duterte case

Court orders detailed trial planning; detention review, appeal request also underway

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte

ASEAN takes firm stand to protect supply chains

Bloc pushes energy security, food resilience, and uninterrupted flow of essential goods

ASEAN economic ministers exchanged views on energy, food security, and supply chain resilience

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