Weeks after the United States (US) president warned China over Taiwan, Beijing has delivered its sternest rebuttal yet, saying it would "resolutely crush any attempt" at Taiwan's independence.On Sunday, China's Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe essentially accused the US of supporting the island's independence, saying it was "violating its promise on Taiwan" and "interfering" in China's affairs."Let me make this clear: if anyone dares t

Beijing will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence, China's defence minister warned his United States (US) counterpart Friday, the latest salvo between the superpowers over the island.The warning from Wei Fenghe came as he held his first face-to-face meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the side-lines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.Beijing views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to one day

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:Ukraine Strikes Kherson Ukraine said it has struck Russian military positions in the southern Kherson region where Kyiv's army is fighting to reclaim territory captured by Moscow early in the invasion."Our aircraft carried out a series of strikes on enemy bases...

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned Wednesday that the world economy will pay a "hefty price" for Russia's invasion of Ukraine as it slashed its 2022 growth forecast and projected higher inflation.The Paris-based organisation, which represents 38 mostly developed countries, is the latest institution to predict lower gross domestic product (GDP) growth due to the conflict, which has sent food and energy prices soaring.In its latest economic o

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.'Victory Will Be Ours': Zelensky' President Volodymyr Zelensky vows that Ukraine will prevail over Russian forces in a video marking 100 days since Moscow invaded its neighbour."Victory will be ours," a defiant Zelensky says in a video together with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and presidential advisor Mykhaylo Podolyak at the spot in Kyiv where they addressed the nation at the start of the war and promis

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:Pro-Russian Forces Claim Key Eastern Town Moscow-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine say they have captured Lyman, a strategic town between the city of Severodonetsk and the eastern administrative centre of Kramatorsk, which remain under Kyiv's control.The pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region say they have "liberated and taken full control of 220 settlements, including Krasny Liman", using an old n

Malaysia says it will cut the export of chickens from the start of June because of shortages in the country.Elsewhere in Asia, India has banned wheat exports, while Indonesia blocked overseas sales of palm oil.It comes as the world faces the worst food crisis in decades following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.One agriculture expert has highlighted concerns about the potential rise of so-called "food nationalism" by governments in the region.Malaysian shoppers have seen chicken p

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:Russia Homes In On Lugansk Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu says Moscow is nearing full control of the separatist region of Lugansk in eastern Ukraine."The liberation of the Lugansk People's Republic is nearing completion," Shoigu says.After some 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered at the besieged Azovstal steel plant in the port city of Mariupol, now under Moscow's control, Kyiv orders its remaining tr

Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cause global food shortages in the coming months, the United Nations (UN) has warned.Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had worsened food insecurity in poorer nations due to rising prices.The world could face famines that last for years if Ukrainian exports are not restored to pre-war levels, he added.The conflict has cut-off supplies from Ukraine's ports, which once exported vast amounts of sunflower oil as well as cereals such as mai

The European Union (EU) has resolved to step up its defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific region in light of fears about China’s growing presence and concerns for the international order sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“Our motto is always to cooperate whenever possible, but to defend whenever necessary as well,” said Gabriele Visentin, the EU’s special envoy to the Indo-Pacific.