Philippine forces kill at least 10 Maoist rebels in raids: Army

Troops were fighting “remnants” of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebel group.

Turkey says COP31 will push for more global action under its presidency

ANTALYA, Turkey, April 20 - This year’s U.N. climate summit will seek to turn past decisions into action, with financing the main focus, Turkey’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum told Reuters, as the country prepares to host and chair COP31 in November.

Busan’s AI port ambitions: Will it rival Singapore’s Tuas mega port?

Busan port is launching a major AI-driven expansion but analysts say its ambitions are unlikely to challenge Singapore.

Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait, Taipei says

TAIPEI, April 20 - The Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Monday, the Taiwanese defence ministry said, in the first transit of the sensitive waterway by such a vessel since late last year.

Iran executes two accused of Israel spy links, opposition rejects claim

DUBAI, April 20 - Iran executed two men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and planning attacks inside the country, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday, a charge denied by the opposition group they were linked to.

Philippines, US and allies start military exercises testing 'real‑world' readiness

MANILA, April 20 - Philippine and U.S. forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine island near Taiwan during annual exercises that started on Monday, which Manila’s military chief said would test their readiness under \"real‑world conditions\".

China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust

BEIJING, April 20 - China on Monday warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region, as the United States and the Philippines begin annual military exercises with expanded participation from Japan.

India’s truckers brace themselves for first diesel price hike in four years

The Indian government has been shielding consumers and state-run refiners absorbing losses.

‘Friendship to all’ no longer good enough for Bangladesh

Non-alignment once carried enormous moral prestige. For newly independent states emerging from colonial rule, it was not just a foreign policy, but a fierce declaration of identity. However, the international system has fractured. Global politics is no longer divided into Cold

Consensus shifting on China-style industrial policy

I’ve long been an industrial policy enthusiast. My favorite popular nonfiction book is Joe Studwell’s “How Asia Works”, a synthesis of decades of research about the economic miracles in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. I wrote a whole series of posts examining the successes and

Cambodian king has ‘successful’ surgery after cancer diagnosis

He had surgery at a Beijing hospital on April 20, the royal palace in Phnom Penh said.

South Korea targets syringe hoarding as war rattles supply chain

Syringes are the latest everyday item in South Korea to be hit by spillover from the Iran war.

Eight taken to hospital after South Korea marathon held in 30 deg C

Twelve runners fell ill, including suffering convulsions, dizziness and hyperventilation, officials said.

Terminator now: Robots just seized a Russian position in Ukraine

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that ground robots (also known as unmanned ground vehicles) had captured a Russian position. Zelenskyy said it was the first time in the Ukraine war that an enemy position had been taken exclusively by robots. Ukraine’s

China voices concern over US seizure of Iranian cargo ship, urges further talks

The US said earlier it fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to ‌run its blockade of Iranian ports.

Major 7.5-magnitude quake hits off Japan, triggers tsunami warnings

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of a tsunami as high as 3m in Iwate prefecture and parts of Hokkaido.

Major 7.5-magnitude quake strikes off northern Japan, triggers tsunami warnings

The tremor was strong enough to shake large buildings as far as Tokyo.

Major 7.5-magnitude quake hits off northern Japan, tsunami warning issued

The tremor was strong enough to shake large buildings as far as Tokyo.

Min Aung Hlaing’s PR pardon a script written in Beijing

On April 17, the first day of the Myanmar New Year, Win Myint walked out of Taungoo Prison. He had been arrested in the small hours of February 1, 2021, the morning the military seized power from the government he led. He is Myanmar’s last democratically elected president.

Most South Koreans want to die at home but few do due to legal risks, medical support gaps

Critics say patients spending their final days in shared hospital wards alongside others nearing death face emotional strain.

Russia detains German citizen for 'terrorist' plot, Russian media report

MOSCOW, April 20 - A German citizen has been detained in Russia's Stavropol region for planning a \"terrorist attack\" at a law enforcement facility, Russian media reported on Monday.

Iran's president stresses importance of diplomacy while noting distrust of U.S

DUBAI, April 20 - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the U.S., but added that vigilance and distrust in interactions with Washington were an \"undeniable necessity\", according to the

South Korea's Lee in India for talks on shipping, AI

Sri Lanka Easter bombings victims still seek justice seven years on

No one has been convicted since the attack, which killed 279 people.

US warship passes through Malacca Strait, Indonesian Navy says

The transit through the major sea route was in accordance with international law.

Anxiety lingers in divided Kashmir a year after shooting attack

The conflict in 2025 between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan was their worst in decades.

Gulf poised to move closer to China after the war

The Iran war has delivered a profound and systemic shock to the Gulf, fundamentally challenging two assumptions that have underpinned regional stability for the better part of a century. For decades, the Gulf’s economic model thrived on a perception of stability, reinforced by

Farmer remanded for seven days over fatal shooting that killed three in Johor

The suspect was handcuffed as he was brought in by police officers to a court complex.

Indonesia rights body criticises military after 12 civilians killed in Papua

It was not immediately clear whether the civilians were killed by Indonesian or rebel fire, or both.

Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Tuapse port kills one

MOSCOW, April 20 - A major Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse sparked a fire and killed at least one person, Russian officials said on Monday, just hours after a blaze was doused in the wake of a similar attack on April 16.

Baby America’s hegemony is no match for old worlds

When US President Donald Trump said, “A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight,” he hardly knew the profundity of his words. Iran, formerly Persia, has a history that goes back at least 7,000 years, and has a long list of great contributions to the world. Among these

New Zealand declares state of emergency in Wellington as floods hit

Footage online shows vehicles submerged, trees uprooted and houses hit by landslides.

Taiwan business group urges Beijing, Taipei to keep politics out of trade

TAIPEI, April 20 - The head of one of Taiwan's top business groups said on Monday both Beijing and Taipei should leave politics out of resuming normal trade and tourism exchanges, after China unveiled new incentives for the island.

Saying no to ‘ponteng’: Malaysian activist starts petition against absenteeism in Parliament

Several senior politicians are among those with the worst attendance records

Over 200 Japanese firms paid ransomware attackers, 60% fail to recover data

But over 140 firms reported being hit by ransomware attacks but were able to restore their systems without paying.

Japan PM Takaichi’s ratings stay high, with some wavering amid Iran impact

One poll noted a bigger drop in support among people aged 60 and over compared with those from younger generations.

Pill and pipeline: US drug supply needs a China reality check

A quiet vulnerability sits at the heart of American health care. The United States — home to the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical sector — depends heavily on China for the active pharmaceutical ingredients used to manufacture its medicines. How heavily is debated. Some

Fresh food prices in Thailand surge as cost pressures spread wider

Fresh protein products are leading the increase as producers struggle with energy price volatility.

Residents return to ravaged homes months after Hong Kong fire

Around 6,000 residents of Wang Fuk Court were given three-hour windows to retrieve their belongings for the first time since the fire.

Indian celebrity couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh expecting second child

In an Instagram post on Sunday (Apr 19), Indian actress Deepika Padukone revealed that she was expecting her second child with her husband, actor Ranveer Singh.

Stablecoins, RWAs and Hong Kong’s interface moment

Why the real contest is no longer about crypto enthusiasm, but about payment rails, trade finance and the architecture of cross-border liquidity The loudest reading of stablecoins is still the wrong one. They are not becoming important because cryptocurrency has finally won

China’s clean tech exports jump as Iran war spurs demand

Manufacturers are seeking alternative sources amid a shortage of traditional supplies.

Hong Kong fire victims scour scorched homes for keepsakes

HONG KONG, April 20 - Victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades began government-supervised visits to their ravaged former homes on Monday for the first time since the November blaze, looking to retrieve personal items that might have survived.

US begins ‘biggest ever’ Philippines war games in thick of Middle East war

They are joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces.

Some residents in New Zealand’s capital urged to evacuate due to further flood risk

A search was also under way for a man living at a property that was flooded in the suburb of Karori.

Some residents in New Zealand's capital urged to evacuate due to further flood risk

WELLINGTON, April 20 - Residents in low-lying areas of New Zealand’s capital city Wellington were urged to evacuate on Monday, as heavy rain continued to drench the city, which experienced flash flooding overnight.

US begins 'biggest ever' Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conflict

More than 17,000 soldiers, airmen and sailors are taking part in the 19-day exercises, including contingents from Australia, New Zealand, France and Canada.

South Korea's Lee to seek big boost in economic ties in summit with India's Modi

SEOUL, April 20 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung heads into talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday, aiming for a big boost in economic cooperation, particularly in areas such as shipbuilding.