From surplus to strain: Global rice supply threatened by Iran war, El Nino

The effects of the Iran war are impacting farmers in top exporters Thailand and Vietnam.

Ukraine's army chief orders time limit for frontline troops

KYIV, April 30 - Ukraine's top general on Thursday ordered a mandatory two-month time limit for front-line troops serving in forward positions, aiming to address a key challenge for Kyiv's outmanned military in the fifth year of war with Moscow.

ASEAN vows to avoid export bans, share fuel as oil prices soar

The bloc is also working on an agreement that enables coordinated emergency fuel sharing.

26 foreigners rescued from alleged scam compound in Bali

Most of the victims held at the site were Philippine and Kenyan nationals.

Will UAE’s exit spell the end of OPEC?

The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave the oil producers’ cartel OPEC after 59 years is more than a symbolic break. It highlights a growing divide among major oil producers over how to respond to a changing energy landscape, and will weaken the group’s ability to

Indonesia shows the non-aligned way through US-China rivalry

On April 13, 2026, Indonesia executed a rare feat of high-stakes diplomatic choreography. On one side of the planet, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stood at the Pentagon to sign the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Indonesia train crash: Minister apologises after suggestion to move women-only rail carriages sparks backlash

Indonesia’s Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Choiri Fauzi had suggested placing women-only carriages in the middle of trains, “so men would be at the ends”, following the fatal train crash that killed 16 women near Jakarta.

Singapore court fines women for pro-Palestinian walk

This reverses an earlier acquittal of the activists, who had led a walk to support the Palestinian cause.

Military officer in Malaysia charged with murder over fatal drink driving crash

At a separate Magistrate’s Court, he claimed trial to two counts of driving under the influence.

Myanmar commutes ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence again, lawyer says

Decade-long study reveals whale shark hotspots in Indonesia

Researchers tagged 70 whale sharks at sites in Indonesia, tracking some of them for nearly three years.

Thai TikToker sparks online buzz by cashing in on dead mosquito keychains

The trinket is popular among foreigners who buy them as souvenirs from Thailand, its creator said.

New Zealand public broadcaster's political editor suspended from parliament after breaching press rules

April 30 - The political editor for New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ has been banned from covering the parliament for five days after breaching press gallery rules, Speaker Gerry Brownlee said on Thursday.

No ‘meaningful’ shift from social media sites after Australia teen ban: Govt report

A chief concern driving Australia’s social media ban was the desire to stamp out cyberbullying.

China to ban drone sales in Beijing citing security concerns

Drone users will also be required to register their devices and secure permits before flying them.

Shanghai’s pet-friendly policies put back on leash

The tightening of pet-friendly policies in the city has become a hot topic among pet owners.

Myanmar rolls out mass prison sentence cut, trimming ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention

A presidential office statement said prisoners will 'have their remaining sentences cut by one-sixth'.

Turkey is Iran war’s biggest winner — without firing a shot

When US and Israeli aircraft struck Iran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and decapitating much of the senior Iranian leadership, Turkey’s reaction was striking for what it withheld. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the US-Israeli attacks on Iran as a

Mother in South Korea arrested after beating 8-month-old son to death with TV remote

During questioning, the mother said she abused the child because he would not sleep and kept crying.

White House quiet as China ramps up trade leverage before Trump-Xi summit

WASHINGTON, April 30 - Beijing rolled out new trade rules this month that have alarmed U.S. businesses and which analysts say could seriously undercut American efforts to reduce supply chain dependence on China.

S. Korean man’s taxi ride in Vietnam sparks buzz with pocket money for driver’s daughter

The driver took his daughter with him as there was no one else to look after her that day.

Johor Regent urges fast-track approval for RTS Link rail project

“There is a pressing need to ensure Johor is ready to handle the increased movement of people,” he said.

Leader of Cambodia's defunct opposition loses appeal against treason conviction, lawyer says

PHNOM PENH, April 30 - A Cambodian appeals court on Thursday upheld a 27-year sentence for former opposition leader Kem Sokha for his treason conviction, his lawyer said, another blow to an opposition decimated by the ruling party's long-running crackdown.

US seeks new coalition to get ships moving again in Hormuz, internal cable says

WASHINGTON, April 29 - President Donald Trump's administration is seeking the participation of other countries to form an international coalition to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters.

Growing US-South Korea tensions spill over into intelligence, business fronts

A series of speed bumps have unsettled the alliance since Mr Trump’s return to office in January 2025.

Cambodian court denies appeal by detained opposition leader Kem Sokha

The judges also added an additional five-year international travel ban to Kem Sokha's sentence.

Christchurch mass killer loses bid to overturn conviction

White supremacist Brenton Tarrant's appeal is "utterly devoid of merit", a New Zealand court has ruled.

S. Korea to remove ‘out-of-wedlock child’ term from welfare forms

The move comes as births outside legal marriage are becoming more common in South Korea.

2 dead, 5 injured in S. Korea apartment fire

A man died after falling to the ground, while his wife was found dead in the unit that caught fire.

Malaysia to slash 2026 federal operating spend over Iran war costs

The finance ministry suggested RM5.4 billion (US$1.36 billion) in budget cuts for health and higher education ministries, according to local media reports.

New Zealand mosque shooter's bid to appeal convictions denied by court

WELLINGTON, April 30 - New Zealand's Court of Appeal on Thursday denied convicted Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant's bid to appeal his convictions, ruling his attempt to overturn guilty pleas for the country's deadliest mass shooting was \"utterly devoid of merit\".

Residents of Australia’s ‘most beautiful’ street fed up with viral fame

Tasman Drive in Gerringong has attracted attention on social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok and Xiaohongshu.

New Zealand mosque shooter loses bid to overturn convictions

He had appealed to the Court of Appeal in February citing “torturous and inhumane” detention conditions.

Indonesia’s Riau, South Sumatra brace themselves for forest fires as El Nino looms

The two provinces are particularly prone to recurring fires.

Fire razes five houses in Kuala Lumpur, killing one

The fire completely destroyed one of the houses, while the four others were damaged to varying degrees.

Indonesia fatal train crash: Accidents mount as crossings left unchecked

The Indonesian President has pledged to build an overpass near the station.

Vehicle workshops in Malaysia steering into scams

Many such workshops are out to make a quick buck by “repairing” problems that do not exist.

Bali drowning in trash after landfill closed

Bali's largest landfill was declared off-limits for organic waste from the beginning of April, as the government moves to enforce a longstanding ban on open tips.

Bali drowning in rubbish after landfill closed

Bali's largest landfill was declared off-limits for organic waste from the beginning of April, as the government moves to enforce a longstanding ban on open tips.

Malaysia civil servants’ sick days drop by 30% after work-from-home policy rolls out

The WFH arrangement currently involves 390 employees or 50 per cent of the workforce.

North Korea faces severe drought: State media

The extreme weather comes as food shortages are already a key concern in the country.

Bali drowning in trash after island’s largest landfill shuts

Rubbish is piling up in the streets and attracting rats, or being set alight by frustrated residents.

Initial Australian inquiry into Bondi Beach shooting calls for counter-terrorism reforms

SYDNEY, April 30 - An interim report into last year's Bondi Beach mass shooting on Thursday advised increased security around Jewish public events and further gun reforms among 14 initial recommendations, but found Australia's legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder

No more three-hour traffic crawls: Johor residents pin hopes on upcoming RTS Link

Some noted that affordability of the RTS Link will be a key consideration for commuters.

Taiwan activates backup communications for outlying island after undersea cable breaks

Repairs to the cable are expected to be completed by the end of July, depending on weather conditions.

‘Vehicle plate, not nationality’: Official says foreigners can still pump RON95

Non-Malaysians can buy unsubsidised RON95 petrol if they use a vehicle with a local registration plate.