Philippines seeks extension from US on waiver to buy Russian oil

Japan to limit power banks on flights to 2 per person from April 24

Passengers are also not allowed to charge power banks from in-flight outlets.

China's Xi says rule of law must be upheld for Middle East peace

BEIJING, April 14 - The international rule of law must be upheld for peace and stability to prevail in the Middle East, China's President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday, in a rebuke of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Malaysia’s dry spell to persist until June, with temperatures soaring to 37.5 deg C: Minister

He also confirmed that the country has officially entered a high-risk weather phase.

Japan construction firm searched after 3 die in crane demolition accident

The construction firm is suspected of professional negligence resulting in death.

South Korea jails 90-year-old woman for laundering son's drug money

The woman has been sentenced to a year in jail for laundering money for her son who is imprisoned in Cambodia.

US Defense Secretary Hegseth announces 'major' defence partnership with Indonesia

The partnership covers "military modernisation and capacity building", "training and professional military education" and "exercises and operational cooperation", according to a joint statement.

236 measles cases in Japan since January, up 3.6 times from 2025

A hundred cases were recorded between March 9 and April 5.

Humanity isn’t ready for AI’s biological threat

Artificial intelligence is rapidly learning to autonomously design and run biological experiments, but the systems intended to govern those capabilities are struggling to keep pace. AI company OpenAI and biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks announced in February 2026 that OpenAI’s

South Korea to start building Sejong presidential office in August 2027

SEOUL, April 14 - South Korea will begin construction of a presidential office in the administrative city of Sejong in August next year, the presidential Blue House said on Tuesday, as President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ensure the complex can be used within his term.

China Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan pleads guilty to fraud

Hui and Evergrande also face charges of illegally extending loans, fraudulently issuing securities and bribery, says a Shenzhen court.

Quad needs to break China’s rare earth hold on Myanmar

The Indo-Pacific’s quest for critical mineral security is colliding with an uncomfortable reality: the geography of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) does not map neatly onto internationally recognized sovereignty. As the Quad — comprising the United States, India, Japan and

US, Philippines plan biggest-ever military drills as war threats grow

Balikatan 2026 is being held amid the Iran war and unresolved disputes over the South China Sea.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visits China to discuss Middle East war

China also welcomed other leaders of countries that have been impacted by the war and its economic fallout on Tuesday, including Vietnamese President To Lam and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Iran war revs up electric car demand in Asia

Oil prices surged past US$100 again on April 13.

Founder of China's Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud

Evergrande was once China's biggest real estate firm, with a stock market valuation of more than $50bn.

Iran war threatening to shatter the global economy

The world economy survived the shocks of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has had limited impact on economic growth. But the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East has transformed what had been, until early 2026, a surprisingly benign outlook into a far more uncertain

World order ‘crumbling into disarray’ as Iran war drags: Xi Jinping

Spain has emerged as one of China's closest friends in Europe.

Leaders of China, Spain pledge closer ties amid 'crumbling' world order

BEIJING, April 14 - China and Spain pledged on Tuesday to deepen ties and safeguard global peace and development amid an international order that President Xi Jinping called \"crumbling\" in remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing.

US begins Iran port blockade, oil prices ease on hopes for dialogue

WASHINGTON/DUBAI, April 14 - The U.S. military began a blockade of Iran's ports, angering Tehran and adding uncertainty around the crucial waterway, although hopes for dialogue to end the war provided some relief to oil markets nL1N40W14D where benchmark prices fell below $100

US Air Force unready for a prolonged war with China

Warnings are mounting that the US Air Force lacks the capability and capacity to defeat China in a high-end conflict. But the deeper problem is not whether American airpower can strike China hard and fast enough — it is whether the US can sustain a fight without exhausting

Asian stocks rally, crude drops on lingering hope for a peace deal

The US military has begun its blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears for energy supplies from the Middle East.

Student assault videos expose new face of bullying in Japan

An attorney said that online posts targeting individuals can constitute crimes in their own right.

Bongbong Marcos fights ill-health rumours with star jumps

The Philippine President challenged anyone questioning his fitness to join him in the gym.

EU firms rethinking China operations over rare earths curbs: Lobby

"In many cases the licensing process remains slow, unpredictable, uncoordinated and lacks transparency," the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said.

Runaway South Korea zoo wolf spotted but capture attempt failed, tracking efforts resumed

About 60 police officers have been deployed to the area, while six drones are being used to monitor the wolf’s movements.

Indonesia kicks off measles vaccination for healthcare workers amid outbreak

Indonesia has recorded more than 16,000 confirmed measles cases since the start of 2026.

South Korea launches surveillance against deadly ticks as peak season begins

About 180 infections have been reported annually, with a fatality rate of around 18 per cent.

Intern doctor fatalities in Indonesia fuel concerns over heavy workload, low welfare

The death of three intern doctors in March has fuelled discussion about excessive workloads.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia to a muted welcome

SYDNEY, April 14 - Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan landed in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day visit with engagements covering sport, mental health and veterans' affairs.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at Australia to a muted welcome

In contrast to their previous visit, the Sussexes will also undertake commercial activities there.

Australia to spend billions on drones as warfare changes

Australia has reshaped its defence force in recent years to focus on its missile strike capability.

Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for four-day tour

It is the couple's first visit to Australia since 2018 when they were working royals.

‘I don’t know why they’re coming’: Australians on Harry and Meghan's visit

The BBC spoke to people in Sydney to hear their thoughts on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip to Australia.

Hospital at centre of child HIV outbreak caught reusing syringes in undercover filming

Footage shows staff injecting without gloves and reusing syringes, but the hospital boss refuses to acknowledge it is genuine.

US Hormuz blockade, tariffs jolt China

China has urged the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table after Washington launched an operation to close the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and threatened to impose 50% tariffs on countries providing weapons to Tehran. US President Donald Trump, on April 12,

Indonesia’s Board of Peace dilemma: Prabowo caught between domestic backlash and US ties

Indonesia is facing mounting pressure to reconsider its membership in the US-led Board of Peace (BoP), but leaving comes with risks, analysts say.

North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer

SEOUL, April 14 - North Korea conducted another test-fire of strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles on Sunday as part of operational efficiency trials of its destroyer Choe Hyon, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.

US, Iran leave door open to dialogue after tense Islamabad talks

ISLAMABAD/DUBAI/WASHINGTON April 13 - After a sleepless and at times tense night in Islamabad, Iranian and U.S. officials ended their highest-level talks in decades https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/ without a breakthrough, but 11 sources familiar with the negotiations said

Trump needs A-10s to go after Iranian speedboats and patrol ships

The Trump administration is putting in place a military blockade of all of Iran’s ports and coastal areas. The blockade came into effect at 10 am US Eastern time on Monday. As it is currently defined, the blockade will allow ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz if traveling

Philippines accuses Chinese fishermen of dumping cyanide in South China Sea

Beijing rejects the allegation as a "farce", while Manila claims the poison was used to kill fish and deprive troops stationed in the area of food.

NATO allies bash Trump’s Hormuz blockade as oil passes $100 a bbl

Contrary to President Donald Trump’s claim that “other countries will be involved” in imposing a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks ended over the weekend without a deal with Iran, North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries on Monday made clear they

Trump: with God on his side?

Well, it was quite a Sunday, what with Péter Magyar beating Viktor Orbán by a landslide in Hungary’s election, Rory McIlroy seeing off Scottie Scheffler to win his second US Masters and Donald Trump announcing that the US Navy will blockade Iran’s own blockade of the Strait of

Top Iran diplomat: Deal ‘inches away,’ Trump team sabotaged talks

Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that the Trump administration’s representatives derailed marathon talks in Pakistan’s capital with maximalist demands, just as the two sides were “inches away” from a preliminary agreement to end the six-week conflict. “In intensive talks at

Prabowo meets Putin as US blockade turns his Russia trip into energy mission

Despite its vast reserves of coal, gas, nickel and palm oil, Indonesia imports large volumes of crude, petrol, diesel and LPG.

India forecasts sub-par monsoon after two years of above-average rains

The forecast stoked concerns over farm output and growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.

South Korea launches renewed search at 2024 Jeju Air crash site

The government aims to ensure no remains or personal belongings are left unrecovered.

‘On again, off again’: Taipei wary of Beijing’s incentives to boost cross-strait exchanges

The Chinese measures are intended to intensify political divisions within Taiwan, say analysts.