North Korea strengthens nuclear push as US flails in Middle East

Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb 28, North Korea has conducted five missile launches, including four in April.

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 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.

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 on Hokkaido island latest to shake Japan, no tsunami warning issued

USGS predicted that damage to property and threat to life was minimal, given the limited population in the region.

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 piece 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.

Commentary: Singapore Airlines’ Indian ambition has an Air India problem

The Indian airline has reportedly asked Singapore Airlines for financial support. Shareholders will need some convincing, says former financial journalist Ven Sreenivasan.

Trump says he speaks with Putin and Zelenskiy -Fox News

WASHINGTON, April 26 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he has \"good conversations\" with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he aims to settle the Ukraine war.

Trump tells Fox News Iran can call US if it wants to negotiate

WASHINGTON, April 26 - President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran can reach out to the United States if it wants to negotiate an end to the war between the two countries.

Thai police arrest Indonesian in Phuket wanted for $12.8m cyberfraud

The suspect allegedly hired models to lure targets into phony investment schemes over video calls.

Israel issues evacuation warning for seven Lebanese towns beyond 'buffer zone'

April 26 - Israel's military issued new evacuation orders for southern Lebanon on Sunday, ordering residents to leave seven towns that lie beyond the \"buffer zone\" it occupied before a ceasefire that has failed to bring a full halt to hostilities.

Acid attacks highlight growing danger for Indonesian activists

An increasing number of activists and government critics rights groups are being targeted.

Australia’s Foreign Minister to visit Japan, China, South Korea to discuss energy security

Australia has experienced localised shortages during the Middle East conflict.

Australia's Wong to visit Japan, China, South Korea to discuss energy security

SYDNEY, April 26 - Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday said she would visit Japan, China, and South Korea this week for talks on energy security in the face of disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

China formalises labour rules for gig workers on online platforms

Platforms must increase transparency, consult worker representatives, according to new guidelines.

Sri Lanka detains 22 Buddhist monks for drug smuggling

The monks were mostly young students from temples across Sri Lanka.

Philippines says two US citizens among 19 killed in raid

The two Americans, identified as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem, arrived in Negros Occidental province about a month before they were killed, officials said in a statement late on Saturday (Apr 25).

Sri Lanka seeks buyers for white elephant airport

The Chinese-funded Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport has no regular flights and has failed to generate enough revenue to cover even electricity bills since opening in 2013.

Sri Lanka seeks buyers for airport built with Chinese loans

Country has sought to privatise unprofitable state-owned enterprises.

Swiss International says five injured after flight aborts takeoff in India

Two US citizens among 19 killed in raid on alleged communist stronghold: Philippine army

The US embassy has yet to respond to a request for comment.

12 injured in Bangkok after car crashes into KFC outlet in petrol station

A BMW driver was identified as Chen, 47, a Chinese national, who was also injured in the crash.

Russian defence minister visits North Korea

MOSCOW, April 26 - Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has arrived in North Korea, Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday, the second senior Russian official to visit Pyongyang in recent days.

AirAsia posts videos of staff speaking Mandarin after clip of passenger scolding cabin crew draws attention

A passenger scolds the airline's cabin crew for not speaking Mandarin in the viral video.

Swiss International says 5 injured after flight aborts take-off in Delhi

One of the engines caught fire as the plane was accelerating down a runway.

Six Swiss International passengers injured after flight aborts takeoff in India, source says

April 26 - A Swiss International flight from Delhi to Zurich had to abort its takeoff early on Sunday and six passengers were injured during an emergency evacuation, a source familiar with the matter said.

Fertiliser plant in Russia's Vologda region damaged in Ukrainian drone attack, governor says

MOSCOW, April 26 - A fertiliser plant in Russia's Vologda region was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, local governor Georgy Filimonov said.

Japan deploys 1,400 firefighters to battle raging wildfires in the north

The fires are now burning for a fifth straight day on Sunday (Apr 26), threatening a town that has already lost nearly a tenth of its population in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Thai and Vietnamese farmers may stop planting rice because of the Iran war. Here's why

The Middle East conflict has meant increased freight costs for food exporters.

As costs rise amid Iran war, rice farmers in Thailand and Vietnam feel the strain

The Middle East conflict has meant increased freight costs for food exporters.

Geocultural forces reshaping China’s economic map

On April 1, the National Bureau of Statistics of China released the latest GDP rankings for the country’s various provinces and municipalities. The data showed consistent growth across major metropolises, but also revealed a significant geographic shift in the Chinese economy.

Exiled Tibetans to elect government in vote condemned by China

“We need voices that reflect where our community is going, not just where it has been”, a first-time voter told AFP.

Trump’s war: the kind of military misadventure that ends empires

Writing more than 2,000 years ago, the Greek historian Plutarch gave us an eloquent description of what modern historians now call “micro-militarism.” When an imperial power like Athens then, or America now, is in decline, its leaders often react emotionally by mounting

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells Myanmar leader Beijing will back its security, sovereignty

Beijing supports Myanmar “in forging a successful development path that aligns with its national conditions and enjoys the support of its people”, Wang said, according to a Chinese ministry readout on Apr 25.

Malaysia’s Fire and Rescue Department riled by prank calls

On average, the department gets a prank call every other day.