Roberto Coloma

Asia shivered today as a hurricane in the United States pushed oil prices beyond US$70 dollars a barrel, disrupting economic forecasts and threatening to fuel social instability halfway across the world.

Neighbouring countries urged Bangkok to prevent an escalation of the crisis, which erupted halfway into the holy fasting month of Ramadan and was likened by PAS to a "holocaust" for Thailand's Muslim minority.

The imminent retirement of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is part of a sweeping political makeover across East Asia, where a new generation of leaders is taking charge.