As South Koreans tighten their belts, budget retailers like Daiso ride the wave
Daiso’s success has pushed other retailers to double down on their budget offerings too.
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Iran diplomat leaves Islamabad, Trump cancels US delegation trip
US President Donald Trump on Saturday abruptly canceled a planned visit by two of his administration’s negotiators to the Pakistani capital for diplomatic talks to end his war on Iran, complaining that the trip would be “too much work.” The president announced his decision
Four killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, state media say
April 25 - Four people were killed on Saturday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, Lebanon's state news agency reported, while the Israeli military said Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel, the latest challenges to a tenuous, recently extended ceasefire.
Iran says it will not accept 'maximalist' US demands as Pakistan pursues peace
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, April 25 - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi laid out Iran's demands and its reservations about U.S. positions on Saturday as Pakistan made a new push to end a war that has killed thousands and shaken global energy markets.
Malaysia’s Anwar to drop anti-graft chief, but protesters want deeper reforms after corruption saga
Former judge Halim Aman will replace Mr Azam Baki as MACC chief, but demands for public inquiry continue.
China condemns EU’s inclusion of Chinese entities in sanctions package against Russia
The EU sanctions package targets third-country suppliers of critical high-tech items.
China condemns EU's inclusion of Chinese entities in sanctions package against Russia
BEIJING, April 25 - China's commerce ministry on Saturday expressed \"firm opposition\" to the European Union's inclusion of Chinese entities in its 20th round of sanctions against Russia, demanding their immediate removal from the list.
Indian police say 47 Maoist rebels surrender
Their surrender comes nearly a month after India was declared free of the decades-long insurgency.
Russian parliament speaker in North Korea to mark Pyongyang's troop deployment in Ukraine war
SEOUL, April 25 - The speaker of Russia's parliament, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, arrived in North Korea on Saturday to attend an event to commemorate Pyongyang's deployment of troops to help Moscow in the Ukraine conflict, Tass news agency reported.
Graft, girlfriends and government officials: Indonesia’s other corruption problem
The fact that many government officials lavish wealth on their mistresses is something of an open secret in Indonesian society.
Filipino pageant contestant struts in ‘non-pageant body’, sparking debate over male beauty
His pageant walk sparked praise, mockery and a debate over male body standards.
Bodybuilders, sumo wrestlers, MMA fighters recruited as care workers in Japan
It gives steady work to athletes, who typically have short careers and struggle to find high-paying jobs.
Nepal demolishes squatter settlements in capital that were home to thousands of people
The demolition was carried out under a directive from newly elected Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
'Panda bond' continues as China sends giant pandas to US zoo
Two giant pandas from China are headed to Atlanta on a new 10-year conservation deal.
Turkey may consider role in Hormuz demining after Iran-US deal, minister says
ANKARA, April 25 - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Turkey could consider taking part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following a possible peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
US negotiators to go to Islamabad, but Iran says no direct talks
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, April 25 - U.S. negotiators are scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Saturday, but Iran said its officials did not plan to meet the Americans to discuss ending the war that has killed thousands and roiled global markets.
Iran war is accelerating SE Asia’s drift from America
Southeast Asia is watching the US-Israel conflict with Iran — and quietly drawing conclusions. Most countries have adopted a policy of non-interference, but behind the cautious and neutral stances, they are accelerating efforts to reduce their defense dependence on Washington.
Three killed in clashes in India’s troubled north-east
Longstanding enmity between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolves around competition for land and public jobs.
Man admits to abandoning wife’s body in zoo incinerator in Hokkaido
An acquaintance of the wife reported her missing to the police on April 23, said investigative sources.
The Russian resistance no one is talking about
You could be forgiven for thinking everyone in Russia either supports the war in Ukraine or is too scared to do anything about it. A dominant narrative is that Russian civil society is passive, complicit or has been quashed to the point of being neutralised. Some elements of
Australia refuses to help repatriate its citizens in Syria camp
It followed a report that some Australian families are trying to return home from a camp in Syria.
In unprecedented move, Malaysia names former High Court judge as new anti-graft chief
Abdul Halim Aman, 69, will lead the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission from May 13, succeeding Azam Baki, 63.
US chasing AGI myth while China builds the AI future
The United States is increasingly organizing its artificial intelligence strategy around a concept it cannot clearly define, cannot reliably measure and may never achieve in the singular, decisive form imagined. That concept is Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI. In
China says US export Bills risk disrupting chip supply chains
Beijing described the move as a broadening of national security to justify trade curbs, according to a statement on April 25.
Firefighters struggle to contain blazes in northern Japan, over 3,000 evacuated
The combined area affected amounts to the third largest recorded in Japan, where forest fires intensified in recent years.
Firefighters in Japan struggle to contain Iwate blazes with over 3,000 evacuated
TOKYO, April 25 - Two forest fires in northern Japan's Iwate Prefecture burned into a fourth day on Saturday as ground and aerial firefighting efforts expanded to more than 1,000 personnel.
Under blackout threat, Wikimedia reaches compromise with Indonesia
Jakarta has threatened to block Wikipedia over domestic registration rules.
Beggars in Kuala Lumpur growing more assertive
An unsettling trend is emerging: groups of women, accompanied by young children, who are targeting passers-by for money.
Malaysia picks former judge to lead anti-graft agency
Mr Abdul Halim Aman will begin as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on May 13.
Asian travellers can expect higher fares, flight disruptions as Iran war chokes jet fuel supply
While alarm bells are ringing in Europe over a physical shortage, analysts say Asia has a different trajectory.
Taiwan fears it will be ‘on the menu’ at Xi’s summit with Trump
The Chinese President is likely to press the US President to agree to change its status by opposing Taiwan independence.
Japan sushi chain sets Guinness record for most expensive tuna at auction; it costs $4.08 million
Sushizanmai operator bought the 243kg fish at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on Jan 5.
DeepSeek unveils new AI model tailored for Huawei chips as China pushes for tech autonomy
The close collaboration with Huawei contrasts with DeepSeek’s past reliance on Nvidia’s AI chips.
Japan bathhouses in deep water as energy costs boil over
They are already struggling with a shrinking customer base and ageing owners without successors.
Thousands at risk after multi-million dollar Everest flood warning system left to rust
The flood warning system at Imja glacial lake has not been maintained since 2016, fearful locals tell BBC.
DC preparation for King Charles visit goes Down Under with Australian flag error
WASHINGTON, April 24 - The District of Columbia mistakenly placed several Australian flags instead of British flags near the White House ahead of King Charles' U.S. visit, although the error was quickly corrected, a D.C. Department of Transportation official said on Friday.
The Kashmir town trying to win back tourists after a deadly attack
A year after the Pahalgam attack, tourism has slowed in Indian-administered Kashmir, hitting lives and livelihoods.
Commentary: Japan lifts ban on arms exports – can it build the free world’s defence industry?
No one doubts the nation has the skill. What it needs now is the will, says Gearoid Reidy for Bloomberg Opinion.
