US trade complaint triggers Vietnam piracy crackdown: 5 things to know
Economy

US trade complaint triggers Vietnam piracy crackdown: 5 things to know

Hanoi's clampdown on fake goods seen as move to secure access to US export market Counterfeit products openly on sale in a Ho Chi Minh City mall. Some experts believe Vietnam's trade surplus might have made it a U.S. target for intellectual property scrutiny. © Reuters HO CHI MINH CITY -- The U.S. released a report on intellectual property abuse last week, reserving its harshest label for just one country: Vietnam.

Australia unveils gas reservation system aimed at lowering domestic prices
Economy

Australia unveils gas reservation system aimed at lowering domestic prices

Government says plan will help create 'downward pressure' and ward off shortages Australian LNG Tanker Northwest Sandpiper is at anchor in Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on April 12, 2022. © AP CANBERRA -- The Australian government on Thursday announced a plan that will require east coast gas producers to reserve a portion of their supply -- equivalent to 20% of their exports -- for the domestic market with the goal of lowering prices for local users and easing shortfalls in the country's southeast.

Japan stocks close at historic high on hopes for progress in US-Iran talks
Economy

Japan stocks close at historic high on hopes for progress in US-Iran talks

Nikkei average posts largest single-day point increase; tech stocks hit upper trading limit Japanese stocks jumped on Thursday morning after Japan's Golden Week holidays. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama) TOKYO -- Japanese stocks leaped to a historic high on Thursday as optimism grew around Iran and the U.S. possibly nearing an agreement to end their war.

Berkshire increases stake in two Japanese trading houses above 10%
Economy

Berkshire increases stake in two Japanese trading houses above 10%

Long-term investor boosts Sumitomo, Marubeni holdings under new CEO Greg Abel Warren Buffett, chairman and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, speaks with Nikkei in Tokyo in 2023. (Photo by Shinya Sawai) TOKYO -- Prominent U.S. investment firm Berkshire Hathaway has raised its stakes in two Japanese trading houses to over 10%, cementing its position as the largest shareholder in the companies it has continued to champion.

Japan suspected of near $30bn interventions in thin Golden Week trading
Economy

Japan suspected of near $30bn interventions in thin Golden Week trading

Possible interventions add to more than $30bn suspected last week Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has been warning that she is prepared to take "decisive action" against speculative yen selling. Market participants wonder if she might become overzealous. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Lejun Wang and Sae Kamae) TOKYO -- Money market data released by the Bank of Japan on Thursday suggests around 4.5 trillion yen ($28.8 billion) worth of yen-buying interventions took place during the first six days of May, largely coinciding with Japan's Golden Week string of holidays.

ASEAN ministers vow to strengthen regional energy and food security
Economy

ASEAN ministers vow to strengthen regional energy and food security

Discussions ahead of summit also included development of "crisis communication protocol" ASEAN foreign ministers pose for a group photo during their meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on Thursday morning ahead of a leaders' summit in the city on Friday. © Reuters CEBU, Philippines -- ASEAN foreign and economic ministers promised on Thursday to respond to the regional impacts of the Iran war by "strengthening energy security, safeguarding food security, and coordinating humanitarian responses."

First Turkey-Japan defense event in Istanbul signifies closer cooperation
Economy

First Turkey-Japan defense event in Istanbul signifies closer cooperation

The first Turkey-Japan Defense Industry Cooperation Day took place on the sidelines of the 5th edition of the biennial SAHA International Defense & Aerospace Exhibition that is ongoing until Saturday. (Photo by Kana Watanabe) ISTANBUL -- More than 10 Japanese companies, including Terra Drone, participated in the first defense business matchmaking event with Turkish counterparts at a major arms show on Wednesday, when state organizations also signed a letter of intent for further cooperation.

China’s Huawei launches ‘world’s thinnest tablet’ and diamond smartwatch
Economy

China’s Huawei launches ‘world’s thinnest tablet’ and diamond smartwatch

Latest gadgets get global unveiling in Bangkok as tech group banks on Asian growth Huawei has enjoyed success with wearables, and its latest smartwatch lineup, unveiled in Bangkok on Thursday, included a $4,400 diamond-encrusted timepiece. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BANGKOK -- Huawei Technologies unveiled a range of consumer products, including "the world's thinnest tablet," at a global launch on Thursday staged in Bangkok, as the Chinese tech group increasingly sees Southeast Asia as its next growth engine.

AirAsia orders 150 fuel-efficient Airbus planes amid rising oil costs
Economy

AirAsia orders 150 fuel-efficient Airbus planes amid rising oil costs

Malaysian carrier pushes for fleet overhaul as way to also expand network AirAsia planes at the Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru, pictured on Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) KUALA LUMPUR -- AirAsia has signed an order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft worth about $19 billion, the Malaysian budget carrier announced Thursday, in an ambitious fleet overhaul amid rising fuel costs.

India’s military turns to green energy options as Iran war prompts new strategy
Business

India’s military turns to green energy options as Iran war prompts new strategy

The Indian army is looking to green sources for its cooking, vehicles and installations due to surging oil prices India’s military is exploring alternative energy sources amid surging oil and gas prices caused by supply disruption from the Iran war, a trend that analysts say is set to accelerate among Asian countries heavily dependent on energy imports. According to local media reports, the Indian army plans to get biogas stoves to replace natural gas-fired appliances for cooking. It is also exploring the use of green fuels for army vehicles and administrative work, as well as solar and wind power for military installations. “The Indian Armed Forces’ proactive strategy to explore alternative energy solutions like biogas, solar, and wind is a direct response to the global energy crunch and market volatility linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia,” said Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. Oil prices have eased to below US$100 in recent days on expectations of a pact to end the Middle East conflict. Washington presented a proposal to Iran this week, and analysts expect Tehran to respond in the coming days.

Appeals court overturns murder conviction of man who killed girlfriend, orders retrial
Business

Appeals court overturns murder conviction of man who killed girlfriend, orders retrial

Court of Appeal rules in favour of Law Wai-man, saying trial judge had not properly directed jury to fully consider his violent personality traits A Hong Kong appellate court has quashed the murder conviction of a jobless man who allegedly beat his girlfriend to death and hid her body under a mattress seven years ago, ruling that the trial judge had not properly directed the jury to fully consider the alleged perpetrator’s violent personality traits. The Court of Appeal on Thursday ruled in favour of Law Wai-man, who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Lau Lee-chi in 2019, overturning his conviction and ordering a retrial. Law, now in his mid-50s, argued in the 2022 High Court trial that he was provoked into beating his then 34-year-old girlfriend after the two had been quarrelling for a few days in 2019. Lau was found dead in a public housing flat in Tseung Kwan O on or around March 17, 2019. The trial revealed that Law had a long history of drug abuse and was easily provoked when he increased his use of methamphetamine, known as Ice. He admitted that he was agitated at the time of the killing as he had taken a higher dose of the drug.

Xiaomi Kunlun SUV Spied During Holiday: Range-Extender and Fastback Design Target BYD Yangwang U8
Technology

Xiaomi Kunlun SUV Spied During Holiday: Range-Extender and Fastback Design Target BYD Yangwang U8

Xiaomi's Kunlun brand SUV has been photographed testing in China, featuring a range-extender powertrain and fastback silhouette, signaling the tech giant's push into the premium electric SUV market.