Russian interior minister arrives in North Korea for talks

April 21 - Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in North Korea for talks on cooperation between the two allies, the ministry's spokeswoman Irina Volk said early on Tuesday.

Next, an Iran nuclear deal with Chinese characteristics

Pope Leo XIV and Giorgia Meloni should take comfort from the fact that the main thrust of Donald Trump’s attack on them contains a clue as to how peace can be restored between Iran and the United States. By alleging that their opposition to his war means that the Pope and

From novelty to necessity: How AI becomes key part of campaigning machinery in India’s state elections

From Tamil Nadu to West Bengal - where state elections will begin on Thursday (Apr 23) - AI is no longer just a campaign gimmick in India’s regional polls taking place in April. But does it really help change minds?

Commentary: Southeast Asia’s scam centres are a new US-China battleground

China and the US have a vested interest in supporting Southeast Asia’s anti-cyberfraud efforts, but cooperation between the two countries is unlikely, says this academic.

Standing up for freedom of navigation in international waterways sends right message: UN maritime chief

There are global repercussions to shipping being used as collateral in regional conflicts, International Maritime Organisation secretary-general warns.

Iran top diplomat says country may rejoin Islamabad peace talks

Iran is considering attending another round of peace talks with the Trump administration in Islamabad this week, even after Iran’s top diplomat accused the US delegation of sabotaging the previous round with maximalist demands and “shifting goal posts.” The spokesperson for

Wartime-level Northern Marianas typhoon hit tests US commitment

One hears a lot recently that the United States lacks the wherewithal or the bandwidth to protect its allies, partners and interests in the Asia-Pacific owing to demands of the Iran War. This is said within the context of America deterring or defeating potential Chinese

Gulf worries US-Iran talks may cement Tehran's 'golden' grip on Hormuz

DUBAI, April 20 (Reuters)- - A warning by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has crystallised fears among Gulf states that reopening the Strait of Hormuz may be the most Iran-U.S. talks can achieve, falling short of the broader de-escalation they regard as vital.

Israel, Lebanon to hold second round of talks in Washington on Thursday

April 20 - Israeli and Lebanese representatives will hold talks in Washington on Thursday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson and an Israeli source speaking on the condition of anonymity told Reuters on Monday.

Vance has not yet left for Iran talks in Pakistan, source says

WASHINGTON, April 20 - Vice President JD Vance is still in the United States and has not yet departed for Pakistan, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, as prospects for a second round of negotiations with Iran remain unclear.

Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say

LONDON, April 20 - The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, is likely to have what Washington deems dual-use items that could be used by the military onboard, maritime security sources said on Monday.

Rule of law and norms needed for successful social governance: Ong Ye Kung at China forum

Officials exchanged views and experiences at the 5th Singapore-China Social Governance Forum.

China forecasts moderate-or-stronger El Nino, warns of tighter energy, fuel squeeze

China’s National Climate Centre expects El Nino conditions to emerge in May.

Trump: Israel never talked me into war with Iran

WASHINGTON, April 20 - President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel did not persuade him to attack Iran, after news reports that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu influenced the U.S. president's decision and criticism from right-wing commentators.

Malaysia announces measures to support small businesses impacted by energy crisis

The measures include an allocation of RM5 billion (S$1.61 billion).

UK pharmacist fights Indian extradition for allegedly killing his ex-mother-in-law with arsenic

LONDON, April 20 - A British-based pharmacist wanted in India for allegedly poisoning his ex-wife's family with arsenic, killing her mother, and trying to hire assassins to kill her father began his fight against extradition on Monday.

North Korean operatives use fake identities to apply for tech jobs

Some land six-figure jobs to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars back to the regime.

Outrage in China after streaming site debuts AI actor ‘database’

A slate of Chinese actors took online to declare they had not or would not sign up to the “artist database”.

Japan issues warning after 7.7-magnitude quake hits north

Japan warned of an increased risk of earthquakes at magnitude 8.0 or stronger, after a powerful jolt occurred in Pacific waters off its northern Iwate prefecture on Monday.

Japan on high alert for 'huge' second quake after issuing tsunami warning

Japan's meteorological agency warns another, stronger earthquake may hit in the next week,

Japan’s fishermen feel impact of diesel supply disruption; higher fish prices expected

Japanese fishermen have reduced sailing speeds and cut back on the days they go out fishing.

Parainfluenza cases rising in China, with young children most affected

The public is advised to take personal protective measures, such as wearing masks.

High-tech push at Canton Fair highlights China’s changing export strategy

More than 32,000 companies are exhibiting this year, with around 30 per cent focused on high-tech or specialised sectors.

India’s Modi turns women’s Bill loss into campaign weapon in West Bengal

India's Prime Minister seized on the defeat to cast himself as a champion of women’s representation.

US to host further G20 talks on war's impact on food and fertilizer

WASHINGTON, April 20 - The U.S. will host further talks in coming weeks for the Group of 20 major economies on the impact of the war in the Middle East on food and fertilizer, as it continues to push for coordinated action.

INS Aridhaman: India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent just got real

The induction of INS Aridhaman, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), marks a strategic shift in India’s undersea deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific. This is not just another warship entering theIndianNavy’s order of battle. It signifies that India’s

China’s Xi, in call with Saudi Crown Prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open

China is concerned over renewed instability around the strategic waterway.

China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open

BEIJING, April 20 - Chinese President Xi Jinping called for normal passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to be maintained, in a phone call on Monday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held as Beijing steps up efforts to help end the Iran war.

Japan protests China’s work on new structure in East China Sea

Relations between Japan and China have been tense in recent months.

Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait, Taipei says

Column-Amid Middle East chaos, China changes tactics on Taiwan and Japan

April 17 - As U.S. Vice President JD Vance returned to Washington last weekend after unsuccessful peace talks in Pakistan over the crisis in the Gulf, China’s Foreign Ministry was preparing for a bumper slate of visitors including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the

Pakistan places $1.5 billion Sudan weapons sale on hold after Saudi objection, sources say

ISLAMABAD, April 20 - Pakistan has put a $1.5 billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan on hold after Saudi Arabia asked for the agreement to be terminated and said it would not finance the purchase, two Pakistani security sources and a diplomatic source said.

Czech PM Babis criticises Senate leader's Taiwan trip for damaging China business ties

PRAGUE, April 20 - The Czech government will not make a government plane available for the Senate chief's planned trip to Taiwan and wants a more pragmatic foreign policy that does not damage business ties with China, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said.

India, South Korea aim to double trade, deepen shipbuilding ties

The two countries’ goal was to double bilateral trade to $63.6 billion by 2030.

Rebel Wilson's claims against actress are 'malicious concoctions', Australian court hears

Wilson has been accused of defaming the star of her film The Deb over an incident involving a bath in Bondi.

Bangladesh faces large-scale telecom shutdowns over Middle East fuel crisis

A partial or complete network blackout could bring calls, the internet, text messages and all other services to a standstill.

Villagers evacuated after bomb from Myanmar air raid lands in Thai border province

The extent of casualties and damage was not immediately known.

Philippine forces kill at least 10 Maoist rebels in raids: Army

Troops were fighting “remnants” of the New People’s Army rebel group.

Turkey says COP31 will push for more global action under its presidency

ANTALYA, Turkey, April 20 - This year’s U.N. climate summit will seek to turn past decisions into action, with financing the main focus, Turkey’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum told Reuters, as the country prepares to host and chair COP31 in November.

Busan’s AI port ambitions: Will it rival Singapore’s Tuas mega port?

Busan port is launching a major AI-driven expansion but analysts say its ambitions are unlikely to challenge Singapore.

Iran executes two accused of Israel spy links, opposition rejects claim

DUBAI, April 20 - Iran executed two men convicted of cooperating with Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and planning attacks inside the country, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported on Sunday, a charge denied by the opposition group they were linked to.

Philippines, US and allies start military exercises testing 'real‑world' readiness

MANILA, April 20 - Philippine and U.S. forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine island near Taiwan during annual exercises that started on Monday, which Manila's military chief said would test their readiness under \"real‑world conditions\".

China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust

BEIJING, April 20 - China on Monday warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region, as the United States and the Philippines begin annual military exercises with expanded participation from Japan.

India’s truckers brace themselves for first diesel price hike in four years

The Indian government has been shielding consumers and state-run refiners have been absorbing losses.

‘Friendship to all’ no longer good enough for Bangladesh

Non-alignment once carried enormous moral prestige. For newly independent states emerging from colonial rule, it was not just a foreign policy, but a fierce declaration of identity. However, the international system has fractured. Global politics is no longer divided into Cold

Consensus shifting on China-style industrial policy

I’ve long been an industrial policy enthusiast. My favorite popular nonfiction book is Joe Studwell’s “How Asia Works”, a synthesis of decades of research about the economic miracles in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. I wrote a whole series of posts examining the successes and

Cambodian king has ‘successful’ surgery after cancer diagnosis

He had surgery at a Beijing hospital on April 20, the royal palace in Phnom Penh said.

South Korea targets syringe hoarding as war rattles supply chain

Syringes are the latest everyday item in South Korea to be hit by spillover from the Iran war.