US slams China’s pressure on African countries to block Taiwan president’s trip
Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked permission for Taiwan's presidential plane to cross their airspace.
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US slams China's pressure on African countries to block Taiwan president's trip
WASHINGTON, April 22 - The United States is concerned that several African countries revoked overflight clearances for Taiwan's president at China's behest, the State Department said on Wednesday, calling the incident an abuse of the international civil aviation system.
French soldier dies of wounds after attack on UN force in Lebanon
PARIS, April 22 - President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a second French soldier had died following an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon last week, which he said was carried out by Iran‑backed Hezbollah.
Heat maps show largest greenhouse farm in North Korea at less than half capacity
The farm was said to be the area’s rebound from severe flooding, but it's not fully operational, analysts say.
Russia to stop Kazakh oil flows to German PCK refinery via Druzhba
FRANKFURT/MOSCOW, April 22 - Russia will stop the supply of Kazakh crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany from May 1, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, forcing a major refinery near Berlin to make up the shortfall from elsewhere.
Trump extends ceasefire but continues blockade of Iran
President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire for his and Israel’s war on Iran, but the US leader also said that a naval blockade of the Mideast nation will continue, and fears of fresh attacks remain high. Two weeks after threatening to take out the “whole civilization”
Indonesia finance minister floats, then backs off on Strait of Malacca levy
Finance minister says no to Malacca Strait fees despite Hormuz comparison.
Myanmar considering ‘good things’ for detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai minister says
Myanmar’s new president told him detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was being well looked after.
Fed chair nominee vows he’ll be independent of Trump
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, vowed in congressional testimony that the central bank will remain “strictly independent” if he’s confirmed to the top spot, even as the president has broadcast his demand for the new Fed chair
Petroyuan will mature in bursts of crisis
The petroyuan — oil and energy trades settled in Chinese yuan rather than US dollars — is not emerging exclusively because countries want to ideologically hammer the dollar, although that it is inevitably part of it. It is emerging as a financial force because, under pressure,
YouTube complies with Indonesia’s social media curbs, minister says
YouTube has changed the minimum age in its guidelines to 16, Indonesian Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said.
Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power
South Korea is Vietnam’s biggest source of foreign investment and one of its top trading partners.
Thailand ceremony at disputed border temple draws Cambodia rebuke
The two South-east Asian countries have been at odds for decades over the demarcation of their 800km border.
Moldovan tycoon Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years in fraud case
CHISINAU, April 22 - A Moldovan court sentenced business magnate and former political powerbroker Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison on Wednesday in a fraud case involving the theft of $1 billion from the country's banking sector.
US halts Iraq dollar cash shipment after militia strikes, sources say
BAGHDAD/DUBAI April 21 - The United States has halted a shipment of about $500 million in cash bound for Iraq and suspended parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, in a move aimed at pressuring the Iraqi government over the actions of Iran-backed militias, Iraqi sources
US in talks to resettle 1,100 Afghans in Congo, group says
DAKAR, April 22 - The Trump administration is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to resettle 1,100 Afghans who have been stranded in Qatar awaiting U.S. visas, according to an advocacy organisation that works on their behalf.
EU prepares finalisation of Ukraine loan and new Russia sanctions, Cyprus says
BRUSSELS, April 22 - EU ambassadors approved on Wednesday the disbursement of a promised 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia, after Hungary lifted its veto, the bloc's Cypriot presidency said.
Lebanon hopes for extension of ceasefire at Washington meeting
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 - Lebanese and Israeli envoys will meet for the second time in two weeks in Washington on Thursday, building on nascent contacts between the states, with Lebanon hoping for the extension of a shaky ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
In pole position: Cross-legged pole hugging challenge goes viral on Chinese social media
It involves people sitting cross-legged with a pole between their legs and trying to free themselves.
Iran dissidents bemoan European silence after latest execution
DUBAI/PARIS, April 22 - An Iranian opposition leader criticised European countries on Wednesday for doing too little to halt executions in Iran, after Tehran carried out another execution in what opponents say is a wartime crackdown on dissent.
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte’s wealth scrutinised in impeachment probe
A hearing zeroed in particularly on her alleged lack of any declarations of cash on hand or in banks from 2019 to 2024.
Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigns in midst of criticism over financial allegations
Mr Dipa Dahal, press advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, said his resignation has been received.
UK must brace for rise in state-backed cyberattacks, security chief says
LONDON, April 22 - Britain should brace for a rise in cyberattacks linked to hostile states, the head of the country's cybersecurity agency said on Wednesday, as the government urged tech firms to help build defences powered by artificial intelligence.
Sleep next to tigers? Hotel inside Chinese zoo offers controversial ‘tiger-view rooms’
A worker from the zoo told local reporters that the floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms are bulletproof and blast-resistant.
OpenAI is burning billions — and an IPO won’t stave off bankruptcy
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is gearing up to launch its initial public offering (IPO) this year. This financial maneuver would represent a pivotal shift for a project originally designed for the “common good” towards a market-driven logic. Established in 2015, OpenAI
EU envoys poised to adopt 20th package of Russia sanctions, diplomats say
BRUSSELS, April 22 - European Union envoys are set to adopt a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, with Slovakia and Hungary expected to drop their opposition to the move following the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.
Turkey's foreign minister to visit Britain for talks on Iran, Ukraine, source says
ANKARA, April 22 - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will make an official visit to London this week for talks on the wars in Iran and Ukraine, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Wednesday, adding that he will also discuss cooperation between the NATO allies.
334,000 litres of fuel saved with Malaysia’s work-from-home move: Government spokesman
Officials said the number of civil servants who have applied for WFH exceeded 155,000.
China denies US-detained ship in Middle East contained 'gift' for Iran
US President Donald Trump had said that the Iranian-flagged ship seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday contained "a gift from China", which "wasn't very nice".
ICC judges reject bid to release former Philippine president Duterte
Rodrigo Duterte is accused of orchestrating mass murders in his decades-long drug war.
Indonesia’s finance minister suggests imposing levy on ships transiting Malacca Strait
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the idea to impose a levy was inspired by Iran’s plan to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Singapore and Malaysia have however said that there must be freedom of navigation through the Strait of Malacca.
McDonald’s Japan to rehire ex-workers for flexible ‘spot’ work hours
The company aims to tap a pool of around 3 million former staff under a new programme.
US-based Buddhist monks bring peace walk to Sri Lanka
The monks shot to international fame during a longer 108-day walk of 3,700km from Texas to Washington.
South Korean fighter jets collided due to pilots taking pictures, report finds
One of the pilots has been fined thousands of dollars by the military to cover repair costs.
Three vessels hit by gunfire in Strait of Hormuz, crews safe
DUBAI, April 22 - At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
Diet Coke loses its fizz in India as Iran war hits can supply
The Gulf accounts for around 9 per cent of global aluminium production.
China unveils plan to make cities more youth, child friendly
The blueprint, released on Wednesday (Apr 22), aims to deepen the construction of "youth-development-oriented cities" - with measures spanning jobs, housing, healthcare, family support and urban services.
Japan eyes using decontaminated Fukushima soil at 2027 green expo in Yokohama
The decontaminated soil has been dubbed “reconstruction and revitalisation soil”.
Australia’s Queensland invests in biodiesel to cut reliance on fuel imports
Waste, vegetable oils and animal fats will be turned into 20 million litres of renewable diesel a year.
Three mysterious missile-like objects found in Indonesian waters
This comes just weeks after a torpedo-like object was found near the waters of Gili Trawangan.
Arts groups in South Korea protest against ‘celebrity’ appointments to cultural posts
Criticism has centered on what observers describe as a pattern of non-specialist appointments.
Trump’s Iran war: three goals, three failures, one debacle
Trump chose to believe Netanyahu. Announcing the US-Israeli assault, Trump told Iranians that this was their opportunity to reclaim their country. To win the war on Trump’s terms, the Iranian theocracy needed only to survive. The attack killed the Supreme Leader of Iran and top
Schools in India to ring bells reminding students to drink water amid heatwave
Open-air classes are also not allowed to be conducted in schools.
Asian stocks mixed as investors weigh Mideast ceasefire doubts, fallout worries
"The conflict appears to have moved into a prolonged standoff rather than towards a swift or durable resolution," MUFG analysts wrote in a note.
Malaysia police seize vapes containing ‘zombie drug’ in raids on KL shops
The joint enforcement operation - named Op Vape 1.0 - was conducted from Apr 13 to Apr 17.
