Japan PM Takaichi plans Australia visit to discuss rare earths, Nikkei reports
Japan and Western governments want to diversify away from a supply chain largely dominated by China.
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Israel strikes Beirut, US warns Iran may hit Lebanese universities
BEIRUT, April 3 - Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes on Friday that the military said had targeted militant \"infrastructure\" in Lebanon's capital, as the U.S. warned that Iran may target universities in the country as the Middle East war rages.
AI’s fluency in other languages hides Western worldview
A friend in Indonesia recently told me about a conversation he had with ChatGPT. He had typed a question in Bahasa Indonesia about how to handle a difficult family dispute. The chatbot responded fluently, in perfect Indonesian, with advice about communication strategies and
Japanese, French and Omani vessels cross the Strait of Hormuz
TOKYO/OSLO, April 3 - Three Omani-operated tankers, a French-owned container ship and a Japanese-owned gas carrier have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since Thursday, shipping data showed, reflecting Iran's policy to allow passage for vessels it deems friendly.
Italy's Meloni visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE amid Gulf tensions, energy worries
ROME, April 3 - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, a government official said.
US removes Russian national Mikhail Zadornov from sanctions list
WASHINGTON, April 3 - The United States on Friday removed sanctions against Mikhail Zadornov, a prominent Russian banker and former finance minister, according to the U.S. Treasury Department website.
$1.5 trillion Pentagon budget would explode US debt by $7 trillion
The budget document that President Donald Trump’s White House is set to release Friday calls for $1.5 trillion in military spending for the coming fiscal year, an unprecedented sum that—if approved by Congress—would add nearly $7 trillion to the US national debt over the next
Pakistan announces free public transport as energy crisis bites
The move follows street protests prompted by a late-night decision to raise petrol and diesel prices.
Kazakhstan releases endangered saker falcons in Saudi-backed restoration drive
ALTYN-EMEL NATIONAL PARK, Kazakhstan, April 3 - With a loud thwack of their wings, the falcons took flight, quickly soaring high above the rocky desert landscape of Altyn-Emel National Park in southeastern Kazakhstan.
Japan aims to ease arms export rules, allow lethal weapons sales
Defence equipment would be divided into the categories of “weapons” and “non-weapons”.
Iran leaders join crowds on Tehran's streets to project control in wartime
DUBAI, April 3 - After more than a month of being stalked by targeted assassinations, Iran's leadership has adopted a new tactic to show it is still in control - with senior officials walking openly in the streets among small crowds who have gathered in support of the Islamic
Taiwan opposition leader’s China trip is fraught with risk
Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), plans to visit mainland China from April 7-12. Cross-Strait dialogue is crucial for managing tensions, which have risen sharply over the past decade, and the KMT has long played an important role in
Liberation Day tariffs celebrated a year out by Trump, few others
WASHINGTON — One year after President Donald Trump announced his now-illegal “Liberation Day” tariffs, he marked the anniversary by signing executive orders adjusting duties on pharmaceuticals and metals as Democratic critics slammed economic fallout from Trump’s trade
French-owned CMA CGM container ship passes Strait of Hormuz, data shows
PARIS, April 3 - A container ship belonging to French shipping group CMA CGM has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, MarineTraffic vessel tracking data shows, in a sign that Iran may not consider France a hostile nation.
Chinese Politburo member Ma Xingrui under investigation by anti-graft watchdog
Ma is under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation, according to a notice from China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
‘Afraid of weighing scale’: Olympic diver’s tearful interview spotlights cyberbullying in China
A 2022 study found that women are more likely to be targeted.
China tightens border controls, culls cattle amid foot-and-mouth outbreak
Industry analysts say it is the first time the SAT-1 serotype has been detected in China.
China probes Politburo member in widest purge since 1976
Mr Ma Xingrui was placed under investigation for “severe violations” of unspecified laws and party discipline.
‘Plastic bag chaos’: Shortage fears highlight Taiwan’s energy security concerns
The shortage comes amid a price hike for plastic goods, driven by surging oil prices due to the Middle East conflict.
Canada has the antidote to Asia’s energy anxiety
Silicon Valley futurist Roy Amara famously observed in the 1970s that we “tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.” That insight—later dubbed “Amara’s Law”—has since traveled far beyond the realm of
India’s $70 billion spiritual market fueled by bhajan clubbing
Discover how bhajan clubbing is transforming devotional music in India.
China urges respect for Palestinian rights after Israel passes death penalty law
The law allows for the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks.
Why Thailand is reviving its tourist entry fee plan
The plan is for foreignersto be charged 300 baht (S$11.80) when flying into Thailand.
Indonesia to repatriate slain peacekeepers as Lebanon violence escalates
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry warned of “significant challenges” during the repatriation process.
Hormuz blockade driving a Gulf logistics revolution
As I prepared the March issue of the Gulf Economic Diplomacy Update for the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi, I was reminded of a folk tale from my native Bulgaria, loosely translated as “The Hardship Lesson.” Two young brothers must step in for their father,
Japan’s order for Tomahawk missiles delayed by US use in Iran
Tomahawk missiles are a centrepiece of Tokyo’s new strategy of equipping itself with long-range strike capabilities.
Seven injured after part of ceiling at Manila airport collapses
A portion of the ceiling fell onto the airport’s waiting chairs..
Human remains found on Thai ship hit in Hormuz; families of 3 missing crew notified
Due to the extent of damage, the deceased have not been identified.
Zelenskiy says frontline situation best for Ukraine in the last 10 months
KYIV, April 3 - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the frontline situation for Ukraine was the best in 10 months, adding that Kyiv's troops had foiled a Russian offensive last month.
Rain, wind to shorten South Korea’s peak viewing window for cherry blossoms
Southern regions have been in full bloom since late March.
Trump turning China’s yuan into world’s next safe haven
TOKYO — As US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and military adventurism chip away at the dollar’s credibility, the privilege may be all China’s. The reference here is to the phrase coined by France’s finance minister in the 1960s, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, to criticize the
North Korea’s Kim pets puppies, kittens at Pyongyang pet shop
Local media reported Mr Kim as saying households rearing pets are increasing in the nation.
Australian drivers urged to refuel in cities as Mid-East war deepens fuel crunch
Hundreds of service stations had run out of diesel nationally and over a hundred were without unleaded petrol.
China says peace talks advance between Afghanistan, Pakistan
BEIJING, April 2 - Negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are advancing steadily, China said on Friday following reports that the South Asian neighbours were meeting there to try to end their worst conflict since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
From full houses to five customers a day: How the Iran conflict has hollowed out Bangkok tourism
The sudden absence of Middle Eastern visitors, combined with airspace disruptions, has laid bare the sector’s vulnerability.
Streaming channel PetTV for pets launched in China
Tencent Video described it as a “24-hour happiness hub specially designed for your furry kids".
Blood clots, burning eyes: Pollution chokes north Thailand
Some monitors recorded pollution levels 60 times higher than WHO's recommended exposure.
Malaysia court sets May 7 to hear Najib’s stay of execution bid on $1.6b payment to former 1MDB unit
The court will also hear submissions on costs in the lawsuit brought by the unit against the former premier.
Thai PM Anutin blames stockpilers for fuel shortage
Evidence of hoarding and profiteering among large and medium-sized oil traders has been found.
