From luggage-friendly buses to airport links, South Korea smooths travel beyond Seoul

The authorities seek to draw attention to lesser-known destinations and encourage longer stays.

Eight Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel's new death penalty law

ISLAMABAD, April 2 (Reuters) - Eight Muslim-majority countries "strongly condemned" Israel's move to pass a law making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks, a joint statement released by Pakistan said on Thursday.

Japan’s relief rally masks deeper economic risks

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Markets rebound, but Japan not yet out of the woodsScott Foster reports that market rebounds driven by shifting US signals on Iran mask deeper risks for Japan,

How noise limits today's quantum circuits

Imagine you're trying to build a very long, complicated chain of dominoes. The aim is that each domino hits the next one perfectly, all the way down the line, producing an amazing result at the end. A quantum circuit is like a domino chain: a long chain of tiny steps

Protostars 'sneeze' and produce rings of gas and magnetic flux as they grow

Researchers have uncovered new insights into the early development of baby stars. As published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, a research team from Kyushu University and Kagawa University reports that during the early growth period of a baby star, the protostellar

Novel approach to quantum error correction portends a scalable future for quantum computing

A University of Sydney quantum physicist has developed a new approach to quantum error correction that could significantly reduce the number of physical qubits required to build large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers. The study, co-authored by Dr. Dominic Williamson from

Indonesia planning for potential loss of up to 60,000 tourist arrivals amid Middle East crisis

The government plans to hold international events in border regions and boost travel promotions.

Forget Trump – Netanyahu’s Iran endgame is what really matters

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran is now into its second month. Despite spectacular early successes, the resilience of Iran’s government and military has meant the US and Israel have lost the strategic initiative. This means they are being more reactive than

Japan sees record cannabis-related police probes in 2025

People in their 20s and younger accounted for more than 70 per cent of the total.

Republicans aren’t rushing to save Trump’s ballroom

A judge has challenged Congress to approve Trump’s multimillion-dollar construction project, but Republicans aren’t showing any immediate interest in the subject.

Iran army chief tells commanders to prepare for any attack, state media reports

DUBAI, April 2 (Reuters) - Iran's operational headquarters must monitor "enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy" and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country's army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday. U.S.

Off the road: How rising fuel costs are pushing Karachi’s ride-hailing captains to the brink

Pakistan increased fuel prices by 55 Pakistani rupees (S$0.25) overnight after the Iran war started.

Bangkok’s soft-soil basin could amplify earthquake shaking by 3 to 6 times

The capital's underlying soft-soil basin could dramatically intensify earthquake shaking.

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - 'Root cause' - China said on Thursday that US and Israeli strikes on Iran were the "root cause" of the Strait of Hormuz blockage. "The root cause of interruptions to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is the United

9 Dividend Paying Shares That Are Analysts’ Top Picks as Q2 Gets Underway

Russian nuclear missile forces hold drills in Siberia

MOSCOW, April 2 - Russian strategic missile forces have conducted drills in Siberia involving camouflaged movements of Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear warheads, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

Pakistan says it is in talks with Afghanistan to end conflict

ISLAMABAD, April 2 - Pakistan is holding talks with Afghanistan to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Iran war disrupts global aid supply, threatening life-saving operations across Africa

The Iran war is disrupting fuel and shipping, choking life-saving operations and pushing up hunger and poverty across Africa, Aid group IRC has warned.

Untaxed wealth of the top 0.1% eclipses assets of the poorest half of the world

The world's ultra-rich have stashed around $2.84 trillion (€2.47tn) in untaxed offshore accounts, a figure that surpasses the combined wealth of the bottom 50% of the human population, according to a new report.

Ahead of Greek social media ban, parents desperate to separate children from phones

ATHENS, April 2 - Greek mother Georgia Efstathiou has tried everything to loosen the grip that social media has on her 14-year-old son: heart-to-heart talks; internet-free time; confiscating his phone. Arguments flare as she fights the allure of his screen and its videos and

'Shrinking-swelling’ phenomenon is putting 12m French homes at risk. Is climate change to blame?

More than half of the detached houses in France are under threat by rising temperatures, spurring the government to fight back.

Analysis-From international outcast to mediator in Iran war, Pakistan's remarkable makeover

By Saad Sayeed April 2 (Reuters) - A diplomatic outcast a year ago, Pakistan has become a trusted regional partner and a mediator between the U.S. and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, a remarkable transformation for the South Asian nation driven mostly by its powerful

Discover the Retirement Home for Elderly Musicians Created by Giuseppe Verdi: Created in 1899, It Still Lives On Today

Among my works, the one I like best is the Home that I have had built in Milan for accommodating old singers not favored by fortune, or who, when they were young did not possess the virtue of saving. Poor and dear companions of my life! —Giuseppe Verdi Is there a remedy for

Cannes’ Marché du Film Reinforces Focus on Creators, AI, Innovation and Immersive With 2026 Program

The industry-leading Marché du Film, Cannes’s prestigious market, has reinforced its commitment to looking ahead as it gears to deliver its 2026 edition between May 12-20 in the buzzy French city. Having recently announced its first-ever Creator Economy Summit, the market has

Cannes Marché Sets First Creator Economy Summit, “Largest Virtual Production Stage” at a Film Market

The AI for Talent Summit returns for its second year, as Marché du Film executive director Guillaume Esmiol targets "innovation that serves both artistic creativity and the growth of the industry."

Thames Water ‘close to deal that would spare it new Ofwat fines until 2030’

Offer reportedly put forward by creditors hoping to save struggling firm from being renationalised temporarily Business live – latest updates Thames Water is said to be close to a deal with its regulator that would allow the company to avoid new fines for four years, as long as

Should Seoul’s most iconic gate bear a Korean or Chinese sign? Or both?

Deciding which language Gwanghwamun's sign should be written in has sparked debate.

Man dies in storm as Saharan dust shrouds Crete

A man dies in flooding near Athens as rain lashes several regions in Greece, while a Saharan dust storm enveloped Crete.

From international outcast to mediator in Iran war, Pakistan's remarkable makeover

April 2 - A diplomatic outcast a year ago, Pakistan has become a trusted regional partner and a mediator between the U.S. and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, a remarkable transformation for the South Asian nation driven mostly by its powerful military chief, Field

Powerful 7.4 quake hits Indonesia’s Molucca Sea, tsunami alert lifted

Indonesia was struck by a powerful 7.4‑magnitude earthquake early on 2 April in the Molucca Sea, off Ternate in North Maluku, killing at least one person and briefly triggering a tsunami warning.

In pictures: Artemis II astronauts embark on historic NASA mission to the Moon and back

Four astronauts have embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, marking humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century.

Russia launches massive drone barrage on Ukraine as peace talks stall

Diplomatic efforts to end Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine have stalled in recent months, in part because the United States has shifted its focus towards the Iran war.

India ends import tax on petrochemicals to help local industry

The import tax exemption on 40 products is valid till June 30.

Expelled from camp, Palestinian refugees now face Iranian rockets

By Pesha Magid TULKARM, West Bank, April 2 (Reuters) - The sight and sound of Iranian rockets arcing overhead have become near-daily for the Palestinian Ghanem family, expelled by the Israeli military from a refugee camp and now living in a rickety shack with a thin metal roof

Malaysian government warns against profiteering as cost pressures mount

Malaysia is attempting to ease financial burdens while boosting income levels, said Zahid.

Malaysia to raise air-con temperatures in government offices to cut energy costs amid Iran war

Staff may also be allowed to wear more casual attire to the office as the temperature increases.

Passerelles, Article 7, coffee breaks: How the EU works around the veto

The EU’s unanimity rule lets any single member state veto decisions, turning consensus into a power play. Now, the bloc is pushing back with whatever tools it has.

Thailand swelters under extreme heat as temperatures hit 42 deg C, with haze and storms forecast

The conditions are being driven by a heat-induced low-pressure system covering upper Thailand.

Commission issues guidance for pragmatic and proportionate rules on protecting wild birds

The European Commission has published guidelines for a pragmatic and proportionate implementation of the Birds Directive on the ground, while protecting Europe's wild birds. This guidance document provides practical advice to support member states and stakeholders in

Recent violent crime spree in Bali targeting tourists sparks concerns, debate as some hotels tighten security

Bali’s governor has said the most recent cases, the sexual assaults of three foreign tourists within three days last month, are isolated incidents. But some tourism players want the local government to do more.

Himalayan kingdom Bhutan hikes fuel prices due to Middle East war

The landlocked nation of about 800,000 people imports its fuel via India.

Malaysia army corporal arrested after alleged assault on 7 soldiers, 1 in ICU

Investigations by the Malaysian Armed Forces found that the corporal had used physical force after being dissatisfied with the way the victims cleaned the weapons store.

Will the Iran war threaten the EU's green transition?

The European Union's climate ambitions could be delayed as the war against Iran is driving energy prices through the roof and raising questions of supply security. EU leaders maintain the conviction that the path to energy independence lies in more clean power and less reliance

Chinese airlines to raise fuel surcharges on domestic flights

International flights will be subject to the system's calculations, according to the airlines' statements.

Africa: All of Africa Today - April 2, 2026

[allAfrica] Mozambique Settles IMF Debt, Eyes New Funding

Save ‘every drop of fuel’ South Korea urges, as Iran crisis hits

South Korea has already implemented fuel price caps and expanded fuel tax cuts.

Stephen Colbert Jokes That Trump Gave a ‘Concise, Intelligent’ Speech: ‘April Fools!’

"No one knows what Donald Trump is thinking," the host quipped. "Not even Donald Trump"

South Korea president says economy on 'wartime footing' over Iran war

The South Korean government has proposed a US$17.2 billion supplementary budget to tackle the crisis.