Alleged Bondi gunman loses court bid to suppress names of his family

Lawyers for Naveed Akram had argued his mother, brother and sister live in 'constant fear'.

Reactions as Artemis II astronauts lift off on historic lunar mission

April 1 - Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a 10-day trip around the moon that would be the farthest humans have ever traveled and a major step toward returning people to the lunar surface this decade.

Alleged Bondi gunman loses bid to give family anonymity

SYDNEY, April 2 - A man accused of one of Australia's worst ever mass shootings on Thursday lost a bid to prevent media from reporting the identities of his family.

Australian state triggers emergency powers amid Middle East fuel crisis

The powers will force fuel suppliers to provide detailed information on their supply chains.

Tsunami warning issued after earthquake strikes Molucca Sea near Indonesia

April 2 - A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of Ternate, Indonesia, on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering a tsunami warning for neighouring countries.

JB food guide: Railway-themed briyani and seafront treats in Stulang Laut

In this new Makan Kakis series that takes you across the Causeway, Mediacorp Gold 905’s Denise Tan tries eating tawa chicken briyani served on banana leaves with her hands – under the guidance of Oli 968's RJ Vimala – at an eatery inspired by a railway station.

1 dead as 7.4-magnitude quake hits Eastern Indonesia; tsunami warning issued for S-E Asia, Japan

Indonesian broadcaster Metro TV reported one person had died from falling rubble in the Manado area.

New Zealand, Cook Islands sign defence and security declaration, reset relationship

WELLINGTON, April 2 - New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a new defence and security agreement on Thursday, seeking to reset ties after months of tension over the Cook Islands' dealings with China and clarifying how the two sides will consult going forward on defence and

Major earthquake in Molucca Sea near Indonesia triggers tsunami warning, waves

Tsunami waves 0.3m high hit Indonesia's North Maluku after the quake.

New Zealand signs Cook Islands agreement to counter China deal

A strategic partnership agreement signed with Beijing in February 2025 caused that relationship to fray.

Trump to tell wary public that Iran war goals have been accomplished in prime-time address

WASHINGTON, April 1 - U.S. President Donald Trump will address the nation in a televised speech at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT) on Wednesday as his administration signals it is moving toward a possible exit from the month-long war with Iran.

Luxon appoints Penk to lead New Zealand defence in Wellington reshuffle

WELLINGTON, April 2 - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday appointed Chris Penk as defence minister in a Cabinet reshuffle, handing a former naval officer responsibility for the armed forces.

Commentary: India’s gas shortage will make dal compete with data

Silicon Valley firms want to tap India’s solar power, but New Delhi must prioritise human welfare over artificial intelligence, says Andy Mukherjee for Bloomberg Opinion.

The Iran vs US-Israel war and the end of the unipolar moment

As the Middle East war between Iran, the United States, and Israel, enters its 34th day, it has become evident that we are witnessing more than just another chapter in the long and bloody annals of Middle Eastern strife. The preceding 33 days have already accomplished what

Starmer to host 35-nation talks on Strait of Hormuz – without US

With President Donald Trump lambasting European allies over their reluctance to be dragged into his war against Iran and reportedly mulling leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday that Britain will host talks involving

China-US competition for rare earths sparks plan to mine Pacific seabed near Guam

‘Largest seabed mining proposal in US history’ would cover an area the size of Nevada

French navy chief says China will have to engage more in Strait of Hormuz discussion

PARIS, April 1 - China will at one point have to engage more directly on how to restore oil traffic flows in the Strait of Hormuz because the number of vessels it has going through is probably insufficient, France's navy chief said on Wednesday.

Italy recovers 19 bodies from migrant boat, survivors taken to Lampedusa

ROME, April 1 - Italy's coast guard recovered the bodies of 19 migrants and rescued 58 survivors from a boat that broke down while trying to cross to Europe from Libya, rescue officials and migrant rescue charities said on Wednesday.

A war meant to break Iran could leave Tehran stronger, and Gulf exposed

DUBAI, April 1 - If President Donald Trump ends the war with Iran without a deal, he risks leaving Tehran with a stranglehold over Middle East energy supplies and Gulf Arab oil and gas producers grappling with the fallout of a conflict they did not start or shape.

Zelenskiy, Rutte hold talks with US negotiators, source says

KYIV, April 1 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. negotiators are holding online talks on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said, as Kyiv tries to keep President Donald Trump's administration focused on its fight against Russia amid the Iran war.

Corruption probe against former Kyrgyz security chief widens with arrest of his brother

BISHKEK, April 1 - Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have arrested the brother of a powerful security chief who was abruptly dismissed in February, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

Trump’ll declare victory in Iran – will it be on April Fools’ Day?

Not fake news but real news: US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver an evening prime-time television address to the entire nation on April 1 to provide “important updates” regarding the escalating conflict with Iran. While the White House has not revealed details,

Russia warns citizens not to travel to states that have extradition treaties with US

MOSCOW, April 1 - Russia warned its citizens on Wednesday not to travel to countries that have extradition treaties with the United States.

US Vice President Vance spoke to intermediaries about Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, source says

WASHINGTON, April 1 - U.S. Vice President JD Vance communicated with intermediaries from Pakistan about the Iran conflict as recently as Tuesday, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters, a sign of his expanding role in efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

China’s property slump far from over despite embattled developer Country Garden’s return to profit

Analysts say the sector is still grappling with uneven price recoveries, a supply glut and weak home-buyer confidence.

Malaysia’s public sector, govt-linked firms to work from home from April 15

The government is moving early to cushion the impact of a global energy crisis.

Pakistan, Afghanistan open fresh talks in China to end conflict, say sources

The new round of talks coincides with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Beijing.

Deforestation surge, El Nino raise fears of repeat of Indonesia’s 2015 haze crisis

Deforestation in Indonesia reached 433,751ha in 2025, compared with 261,574ha in 2024, said a Jakarta-based think-tank.

Investigations into Indian singer Zubeen Garg's death have concluded; foul play ruled out: Police

Mr Zubeen Garg, 52, died in September 2025 following an incident during a yacht trip in the waters off Lazarus Island.

4 high-value paintings linked to 1MDB case, including a Picasso, to arrive in Malaysia on April 6

The artworks are among the most valuable art assets successfully recovered so far.

Thailand to force cannabis shops to adopt medical model as numbers plunge

Any cannabis shop seeking a licence renewal would have to upgrade into a medical facility.

Philippines seeks safe passage for oil in Iran meeting

Manila has requested that Iran formally designate the Philippines as a 'non-hostile country' and ensure safe passage for PH-flagged vessels and oil shipments.

20 local governments in Japan, including Hokkaido, introduce new lodging tax

The move highlights a growing effort to address overtourism as the number of foreign visitors rises.

Malaysia starts enforcing total ban on e-waste imports

Malaysia saw more than 7,500 containers of suspected e-waste sent to the country from the US between January 2023 and February 2025.

Pakistan says it is holding talks with Afghan government in China

Four paintings linked to 1MDB, including a Picasso, to return to Malaysia on Apr 6

Valued at nearly US$140,000, the artworks are being repatriated with US cooperation - with more still under recovery and possible public display planned, said Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

More ASEAN states could negotiate with Iran on letting their ships cross Strait of Hormuz, but at what cost?

While Iran’s selective approach to allowing access to the Strait of Hormuz could push more countries to the negotiating table, the bigger issue is having to engage on Tehran’s terms rather than on the basis of a purely commercial right of passage, analysts say.

Iran war economic shocks will last 'months', says Australia's PM

Anthony Albanese used a rare TV address to tell Australians that the "months ahead may not be easy" amid the global effects of the war.

Accused money laundering leader extradited from Cambodia to China

BEIJING, April 1 - Li Xiong, a former leader at a Cambodian financial conglomerate accused of laundering money for crime organisations, has been extradited from Cambodia to China, Cambodia said on Wednesday, adding that the action showed it was cracking down on scam operations.

Iran war teaching Taiwan hard lessons about US resolve

The United States and Israeli strikes on Iran have become increasingly concerning for the world due to the risks of further escalation and the impact on energy markets. In Taiwan, however, the focus has shifted in a different direction. Rather than treating the war as

Indonesia bets on nickel levy to break its China habit

Indonesia’s sweeping nickel downstreaming policy, launched in 2020, is entering a more consequential phase. Having successfully halted raw ore exports, the government is now preparing to deploy a more assertive instrument: an additional export levy on processed nickel products.

UK universities expand into India amid shifting demand, tighter visa rules

International education already contributes more than 30 billion pounds annually to the British economy, and expansion into India is expected to drive that figure higher.

Stanford University wins battle to keep diaries of Mao Zedong's secretary

Stanford said the papers, which mentioned the Tiananmen Massacre, would be banned if returned to Beijing.

Body of Singaporean man found cast in cement in Indonesian river; 2 men arrested

Police suspect his murder is linked to a love triangle involving a woman and another man.

Malaysian driver in fatal Klang crash charged with murder of motorcyclist

Saktygaanapathy Ravichandran was reportedly driving at a high speed and is believed to have overtaken several vehicles before veering into the opposite lane and hitting father-of-three Amirul Hafiz Omar on Sunday (Mar 29).

China opposes Philippines renaming disputed South China Sea islands

Manila will rename more than 100 reefs, islands and other features in the Spratly archipelago.

India hikes jet fuel, commercial LPG cost

Trump Fed pick Warsh eyes a ‘family fight’ shakeup

Since President Donald Trump named Kevin Warsh as his choice for Federal Reserve chair on January 30, 2026, financial markets have focused on one question: Is he still the inflation hawk he once was, or is he now more comfortable with the lower interest rates that the president

Jailed ex-South Korea president Yoon received over $1 million in inmate funds: Data

The total amount he received is about 4.6 times the annual presidential salary for 2025.