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

Militaries would ultimately be needed to monitor a reopening of the strait, said Admiral Nicolas Vaujour.

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 into 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).

Energy security versus geopolitics: ASEAN states face tough choices over Iran’s Strait of Hormuz passage

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.

Billionaires step in as Thailand battles rising living costs

Major retailers – including those controlled by billionaire-led conglomerates – will offer discounted essential items.

Iran war pushing India to edge of a currency crisis

TOKYO — In Asia, no national leader has been more effective in spinning an underperforming economy than India’s Narendra Modi. Anytime the numbers disappoint, the prime minister rolls out the latest version of his party’s ad campaigns. Most recently, this has been a Goldilocks

India begins counting over 1 billion people in digital census

The government describes it as the world’s largest of its kind.

Australia’s Albanese urges using public transport, says war’s effects will last months

The prime minister urged all Australians to "do their bit" to ease pressure on fuel supplies.

What’s behind a double whammy of US$318 million loss and Skytrax rating downgrade for Garuda Indonesia?

Garuda Indonesia's financial loss last year was almost five times the loss it recorded in 2024.

Rights group condemns Hong Kong company tests on severed animal heads, limbs

Thirty-eight such experiments had been conducted by Hong Kong Technology Venture since 2022.

Macron lauds Europe’s ‘predictability’ in seeming contrast to Trump

Mr Macron criticised countries that said they were “going much faster” than their allies.

World does not need a crisis over Taiwan, opposition leader says ahead of China trip

Chairwoman of the Kuomintang Cheng Li-wun said she is seeking reconciliation.

Diesel price doubles in Cambodia on Middle East war fallout

The price rose to 7,500 riel (S$2.40) per litre as of midnight on April 1, up from 7,200 riel the previous day.

S. Korean students avoiding school-related group chats over cyberbullying concerns

Some teachers in Gyeonggi Province have banned group chat use over concerns about school violence.

Petrol station checks, diesel limits: Malaysia tightens enforcement on subsidised fuel sales

Action will now also be taken against drivers and owners of foreign-registered vehicles who purchase RON95 petrol.

At least 18 dead after migrant boat sinks off Turkey's Aegean coast

ANKARA, April 1 - At least 18 people were killed when an inflatable boat carrying migrants sank off Turkey's western province of Mugla on Wednesday, the coastguard said in a statement, adding that search and rescue efforts continued in the area.

Cambodia extradites accused cyberscam boss to China

Li Xiong, the former chairman of the Huione Group under the Prince Group, is a core member of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi's "criminal gang", according to Chinese state media.

China is trying to play peacemaker in the Iran war - will it work?

It's a turnaround for Beijing, whose official response has been muted so far. Why is China stepping in now?

No joke: Thai government warns of jail time for April Fool’s hoaxes

The current global climate makes social panic a serious risk, said a government spokesperson.

Prabowo and Anwar dial into the Gulf to protect energy and political standing

They are showing they are present, even if their ability to shape outcomes in the Mid-East is limited.