China changes agriculture chief for second time in two years
Mr Zhang Zhu replaces Mr Han Jun, who served less than two years in the role.
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Strait of Malacca could be next Hormuz-like flashpoint
While recent global attention has focused on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively held closed since late February in a move that has disrupted world energy supplies, a quieter but also important development has been taking shape in south-east Asia. On April 14, the
Flight cancellations and high fuel prices help keep Chinese close to home for May holidays
The Iran war impact also extends beyond cancelled flights.
China suspends new autonomous driving permits after Baidu outage
The suspension prevents self-driving companies from adding new robotaxis to their fleets.
Tropical forest loss eases in 2025 from record high, report shows
SAO PAULO, April 29 - Destruction of the world's tropical forests eased in 2025 from a record high, a report showed on Wednesday, underscoring how decisive policy can help keep trees standing despite pressures from a warmer climate and expanding agricultural frontiers.
Japan cleaner goes viral with spa-like service for plushies
Some tourists visit Japan specifically for the purpose of having their sofy toys cleaned.
Japan’s Shizuoka launches unified tea brand, logo to up global recognition
The region wants to promote visibility and boost its competitiveness overseas.
Hotel stay offers new way to support animal welfare in north-east Japan
A fundraising campaign with an initial target of $39,990 to outfit the themed room runs till May 24.
South Korea’s watchdog names Coupang founder as controlling entity
The move could subject it to more strict regulatory scrutiny.
Toll the Malacca Strait — and price out American hegemony
On April 22, Indonesia’s finance minister went off-topic during a symposium and raised the possibility of tolling the Strait of Malacca in light of the current Hormuz crisis, drawing swift rejections from the foreign ministers of Singapore, Malaysia and even Indonesia. All
Cheaper, cleaner electric trucks overhaul China’s logistics
Manufacturers expect the vehicles to make up the majority of domestic truck sales in a few years.
Sarawak is betting millions on free tertiary education. Will it keep its brightest from leaving?
The state is building the talent pipeline needed to reach high-income status by 2030.
India airlines warn of flight suspensions as war drives up fuel cost
Speculation is mounting that fuel prices will be raised after state elections end on April 29.
Australian mother who faked son's cancer to fund 'lavish' lifestyle jailed
The mother-of-two shaved her six-year-old's son's head and eyebrows as part of the deception.
Whoosh or wait? Will fatal Indonesia train crash put brakes on its high-speed rail ambitions?
The crash has also raised questions over why automatic train protection systems remain incomplete.
Tourists told to cut air conditioning, save fuel on Cook Islands
The island depends on imported diesel for electricity, making it highly vulnerable to fuel shortages.
Taiwan minister says she visited second islet in disputed South China Sea
The minister said complaints by Vietnam about her trip would not cause any regional tensions.
Trump says King Charles does not want Iran to have nuclear weapon
WASHINGTON, April 28 - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Britain's King Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, introducing the fraught subject of the Middle East conflict into comments at a White House state dinner for the visiting royal.
Nepal wants to become a data centre hub. It has no rules for how
An environment ministry official also said that the pollution aspects have not yet been envisioned.
Indonesia daycare abuse exposes oversight failures
The police said excessive workloads appeared to push caregivers to resort to violence.
Philippine tax agency orders probe on V-P Sara Duterte’s businesses
The agency said it has found probable cause to examine tax records of Ms Duterte and her spouse Manases Carpio.
Kim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine
It confirms suspicions that North Korean soldiers are being told to detonate their grenades to kill themselves.
Rising anti-vaccine sentiment in Indonesia undermines child immunisation efforts
Concerns of whether vaccines are halal and low public trust are among factors driving the sentiment.
Why nationality is more than a personal choice in South Korea
South Korea ties citizenship closely to duty, most notably mandatory military service for men.
Indonesia deadly train crash renews railway safety concerns
As of April 28, at least 15 people were confirmed killed in the incident, while 88 others sustained injuries.
A faraway conflict threatens livelihoods in India's glass hub
Supply disruptions due to Middle East tensions have pushed up costs in India’s glass industry, putting workers at risk.
Charles’s speech cites ‘checks and balances’ on executive power
WASHINGTON — King Charles III did not name President Donald Trump Tuesday when he acknowledged before a joint session of Congress the transatlantic tension between the United States and the United Kingdom, but he stressed that “America’s words carry weight and meaning” as he
US, allies release joint statement supporting Panama's sovereignty
April 28 - The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago released a joint statement in support of Panama's sovereignty on Tuesday, saying recent actions by China are an attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of
Flying cars and 5-minute charges: China's EV industry sees opportunity in Iran crisis
As the US-Iran has sent the world scrambling for fuel, China is positioned to benefit from its rapid shift into electric vehicles.
Bangkok set for region-topping temperatures in years to come: Study
Experts say the Thai capital must act now or face a much hotter future, with projections of up to 120 extreme heat days a year by 2050.
Commentary: Beijing intensifies diplomatic isolation of Taiwan’s president
Denying airspace transit is a new tactic – and its effectiveness may encourage China to use it again, says an academic.
Satellite imagery reveals increased activity at North Korean nuclear complex
Steam plumes and construction at Yongbyon suggest Kim Jong Un is making good on his five-year nuclear buildup plan.
Fuel shock hits Philippine truckers as basic goods price hikes loom
A report warned that the current oil shock could evolve into a broader food shock for ASEAN countries.
Three ways South Korea can buy alliance insurance
The case for South Korea hedging its relationship with the United States may have become harder to dismiss. Washington’s trade policies and the economic consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran have raised the cost of close alignment at the same time they have weakened
US conditions for paying U.N. dues include China curbs -report
April 28 - The United States has placed specific conditions on releasing billions of dollars it owes to the United Nations, including further cost-cutting, and moves to counter China's influence at the world body, a development news wire reported on Tuesday.
Indian billionaire's son offers to save Escobar's hippos
Anant Ambani - son of Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani - says he can take care of the animals roaming free since the drug lord's death.
UK summons Iranian ambassador over embassy's 'unacceptable' comments on social media
LONDON, April 28 - Britain said on Tuesday the Iranian ambassador to London had been summoned over what the government described as the Iranian embassy's \"unacceptable and inflammatory\" comments on social media.
North Korea's Kim praises soldiers who committed suicide to evade capture in Ukraine
SEOUL, April 29 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised soldiers who committed suicide while fighting against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region, confirming an extreme battle policy.
N. Korea’s Kim praises soldiers who died by suicide to evade capture in Ukraine
North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight with Russian forces in the Kursk region.
US envoy says Belarus may free more prisoners in next month
WARSAW, April 28 - U.S. special envoy John Coale said on Tuesday he expects to secure the release of additional prisoners from Belarus within the next month, adding that further sanctions relief for Minsk could be possible if that happens.
Under Trump, record numbers say personal finances getting worse
Just over a year after President Donald Trump promised the US was entering a “golden age,” Americans are expressing unprecedented pessimism about the state of the economy. Gallup on Tuesday released a poll showing that 55% of Americans say their personal finances are getting
Hidden Chinese history of Australia’s gold rush is going global
Taiwanese pop music superstar Jay Chou, known in Mandarin as Zhou Jielun (周杰倫), has put Australia’s Sovereign Hill on the map. A nationally renowned tourist attraction in Golden Point, a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria, Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum that depicts the first
Mali military leader Goita meets Russian ambassador after attacks, office says
BAMAKO, April 28 - The leader of Mali's military government, Assimi Goita, met on Tuesday with the Russian ambassador, according to a social media post from his office, his first public appearance since insurgents carried out simultaneous attacks on Saturday.
Pro-Kurdish party criticises Turkey's 'hesitant' steps toward PKK peace
ANKARA, April 28 - Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party issued one of its strongest criticisms yet of the government's handling of a fragile peace process, highlighting on Tuesday a growing stand-off between Ankara and Kurdish militants over next steps to end a decades-long conflict.
Iran’s Guards seize wartime power, blunting Supreme Leader's role
DUBAI, April 28 - Two months into a war with the U.S. and Israel, Iran no longer has a single, undisputed clerical arbiter at the pinnacle of power — an abrupt break with the past that may be hardening Tehran’s stance as it weighs renewed talks with Washington.
Monk ends barefoot Sri Lanka trek with a dog and plea for peace
The week-long trek was 210km long.
Italy's parliament backs donation of aircraft carrier to Indonesia
ROME, April 28 - Italy's parliament on Tuesday backed a government plan to donate an ageing aircraft carrier to Indonesia, a move the administration said would strengthen relations with an ally while avoiding the costly dismantling of an obsolete asset.
Measles cases in Japan rise past 360 so far in 2026, with many reported in Tokyo
By prefecture, Tokyo was at the top with 153 cases.
Trump says Iran wants US to open Hormuz Strait as soon as possible
WASHINGTON, April 28 - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran has said it was in a state of collapse and wants the United States to open the Strait of Hormuz while it sorts out its leadership.