Kim Jong Un opens memorial for N Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war

Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov unveiled the memorial in Pyongyang.

ChatGPT passes Japan top universities’ entrance exams with highest scores

The answers were graded by teachers from major cram school Kawai Juku.

Asian Games years could be moved in shake-up: Reports

The reported proposal would mean Asia's biggest sporting spectacle doubling up as qualifying and preparation for the Olympics, giving it added significance.

French teen who licked vending machine straw faces jail in Singapore

The teen, who posted on social media a video of himself licking the straw, could be jailed for more than two years.

Japanese public wants energy-saving steps as Takaichi holds back

Some 74 per cent of those surveyed in a recent poll said energy-saving is needed.

‘Joint venture in reverse’: Foreign carmakers seek edge with China partners

Legacy overseas brands are now seeking out collaborations in China to boost competitiveness.

Lightning strikes kill 14 as Bangladesh lashed by seasonal storms

Most of the victims were farmers working in open fields and labourers caught in exposed areas.

The rising Chinese carmaker not named BYD

Geely is rising at a pivotal moment, having built a business model designed to handle volatility.

Iran war disrupts the circuit board supply chain, raises costs for tech firms

The disruption is a fresh blow to electronics manufacturers.

Free-to-air events, swanky stadium: What HK’s sports push is really about

The city seeks to boost the economy and unite society.

DeepSeek slashes fees for new AI model in Chinese price war

The move threatens to re-ignite a price-based war that erupted after DeepSeek up-ended the industry with the R1 in 2025.

Malaysia's jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, local media reports

The ex-premier launched a legal bid for home detention after his sentence was halved by a pardons board decision chaired by Malaysia's former king in 2024.

Iranian foreign minister heads to Russia, Trump says 'call us' to negotiate

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, April 27 - U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war, as Tehran's foreign minister landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin.

Farmer charged with murder over fatal shooting of 3 at Johor restaurant

Lim Lian is accused of murdering two Malaysian men and a foreign woman.

US presses Taiwan parliament to pass 'comprehensive' defence budget

TAIPEI, April 27 - The top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan on Monday pressed the island's opposition-majority parliament to pass a \"comprehensive\" defence budget, saying integrated air and missile defence systems and drones are critically important and in high demand globally.

US presses Taiwan Parliament to pass ‘comprehensive’ defence budget

The top US diplomat in Taiwan said integrated air and missile defence systems are in high demand globally.

China vows countermeasures if EU enacts 'Made in Europe' plan

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU said this month the plan marked a shift towards protectionism that would affect trade cooperation between the EU and China.

Orang utan uses Indonesia canopy bridge in ‘world first’: NGO

UK-based charity Sumatra Orangutan Society chief executive said it was a “huge milestone for conservation”.

Malaysian petrol station under probe after S’pore-registered car caught pumping RON95 petrol

Since April 1, drivers of foreign-registered vehicles are banned from buying subsidised RON95 petrol.

Spring bear hunting fully under way in Japan amid earlier-than-usual sightings

Reducing bear numbers during the spring is expected to help prevent the damage they can cause.

Tsunami survivor battles wildfire to protect hometown in Japan’s north-east

"The fire is spreading and our exhaustion is at a limit, but it’s our hometown," said volunteer Ryota Haga.

Tsunami survivor battles wildfire to protect hometown in Japan's northeast

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 27 - Ryota Haga was in high school when the biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan triggered a deadly tsunami and swept away his family home in the quiet northeastern town of Otsuchi in March 2011.

Indonesia calls for stronger protection for peacekeepers in Lebanon

A fourth Indonesian peacekeeper died on April 24 due to injuries in an Israeli strike on March 29.

Australia adds to weapons build-up with new armoured vehicle deal

Canberra will spend A$1.2 billion (S$1 billion) to buy almost 300 new armoured vehicles and upgrade armoured trucks.

Bangladesh risks new inflation surge by printing money

Bangladesh, South Asia’s second-largest economy and one of the world’s fastest-growing garment exporters, has spent much of the past two years trying to tame inflation after a prolonged cost-of-living squeeze. Now it risks undoing some of that work the old-fashioned way — by

Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib withdraws appeal on house arrest, local media reports

The withdrawal of his appeal for home detention would mark yet another setback for Najib.

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi rules out extra budget, for now

She said the government still had sufficient funds set aside to pay for fuel subsidies.

Only one way to stop accelerating nuclear arms race

This week in New York, diplomats from almost every nation will convene for a four-week review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the most comprehensive nuclear arms agreement in the world. The stakes could hardly be higher. Russia, Israel and the

China vows countermeasures if EU enacts ‘Made in Europe’ plan

Beijing had submitted comments to the European Commission, expressing China’s “serious concerns”.

From massages to cinema naps: China’s ‘lunch-break economy’ takes off as workers find healing window

More urban professionals in China are actively spending to use their mid-day breaks for wellness.

Taiwan says China sanctions on European arms makers will not hit weapons sourcing

TAIPEI, April 27 - Taiwan's defence minister downplayed on Monday the impact of Chinese sanctions on seven European companies over arms sales to the island, saying it was not the first time China had taken such action and it would not affect Taipei's ability to source weapons.

North Korea's Kim reaffirms support for Russia's 'sacred' Ukraine war

North Korea has sent missiles, munitions and thousands of troops to assist Russia in Ukraine, and analysts say Moscow is sending financial aid, military technology, food and energy to the diplomatically isolated country in return.

Negeri Sembilan’s Chief Minister loses majority after UMNO assemblymen withdraw support

This comes after he waded into an attempt by the state’s traditional chieftains to oust the ruler.

China's industrial profit growth quickens even as Iran war heightens risks

Data of 100,000 leaked from golf club; North Korean hackers suspected

Leaked data includes names, dates of birth, gender, user IDs, passwords, numbers and addresses.

North Korea strengthens nuclear push as US flails in Middle East

Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began, Pyongyang has conducted 5 missile launches, including 4 in April.

Missing 5-year-old girl likely abducted from Outback home, police say

Police are searching for a man recently released from prison over her disappearance.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un says he will continue to support Russia’s policies: KCNA

Pyongyang sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight with Russian forces in their war against Ukraine.

North Korea's Kim says he will continue to support Russia's policies, state media reports

SEOUL, April 27 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will continue to support Russia's policies and he discussed the international political situation with Russia's defence minister, state media KCNA reported on Monday.

How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific

Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.

How China has expanded its economic toolkit during its trade truce with the US

BEIJING, April 27 - China has used its trade truce with the United States to broaden its legal leverage, supply chain and critical technology controls, and expand its toolkit of retaliatory economic measures ahead of a summit between the nations next month.

Under cover of trade truce with Trump, China expands economic pressure toolkit

BEIJING, April 27 - When U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping last October, he rated the summit a \"12 out of 10,\" and the White House said China would \"effectively eliminate\" rare earth export controls and cease retaliation against U.S. firms.

Indian Dalit man's alleged custodial death and a family's wait for justice

Akash Delison's death in Tamil Nadu state has revived concerns about alleged custody killings in India.

The Chinese sports brand taking on Nike and Adidas

Now one of the biggest sportswear firms, Anta's rise follows a playbook adopted by many Chinese giants.

From local spirits to regional identity: 7 trends shaping Asia’s cocktail bars

Across the region, bartenders are embracing flavour-led minimalism, regional ingredients, local spirits and fuller bar experiences that go beyond the drink.

6.2-magnitude quake in Hokkaido latest to shake Japan; no tsunami warning issued

The US Geological Survey predicted that damage to property and threat to life was minimal.

They come with tools and wait to be chosen. Inside one of China’s ‘gig stations’

Thousands of state-backed “gig stations” have sprung up across China, linking workers - many older and shut out of stable jobs - to low-paid manual work. This report focuses on those pushed into it, rather than those drawn to the broader gig economy.

Ditching rote learning: India’s affluent parents send kids to international schools

A growing number of affluent parents are shifting children from schools that have an exam-based focus.