Hong Kong offers diesel subsidy, toll waivers to lower fuel cost pain
The city has some of the world's highest gasoline prices.
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A toll for using Hormuz would be a 'dangerous precedent', UN's ship agency says
LONDON, April 9 - Imposing a toll on ships sailing through the critical Strait of Hormuz would \"set a dangerous precedent\" and countries should not impede freedom of navigation, the UN's shipping agency said on Thursday.
BTS battle torrential rain to kick off $1bn world tour
The K-Pop band are battered by the elements as they launch their marathon world tour in Goyang.
Vietnam: all the power in To Lam’s grasping hands
To Lam’s assumption of the state presidency alongside his position as Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) general secretary is neither surprising nor unprecedented. Nguyen Phu Trong held both roles from 2018 to 2021 before relinquishing the presidency. To Lam himself briefly
Chinese foreign minister visits Pyongyang to advance relations
BEIJING, April 9 - Beijing stands ready to work with North Korea to further improve ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with his North Korean counterpart on a visit to Pyongyang, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
NATO's Rutte told allies Trump wants Hormuz commitments within days, diplomats say
April 9 - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has briefed some capitals that U.S. President Donald Trump wants concrete commitments within the next few days for help securing the Strait of Hormuz, two European diplomats told Reuters on Thursday.
Mooted South China Sea oil deal with China draws fire in Manila
MANILA – Legislators, nationalists and other experts in the Philippines on Thursday questioned a proposed oil exploration deal with China in the disputed and mineral-rich South China Sea, which they warned would send mixed messages to a territorial foe. Talks of a possible oil
Cambodia’s alleged scam group execs suspected of money laundering in Japan
Japan has been criticised for its lax anti-money laundering measures.
'No strings attached': UAE minister calls for Strait of Hormuz to be opened unconditionally
Dr Sultan Al Jaber's remarks come after Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the country will not negotiate for safe passage through the strait as doing so would undermine fundamental principles of international law.
Don’t fear the dip: Gold is still headed to $6,000
Gold is down nearly 15% since late February, falling from highs near $5,600 to around $4,500 as Iran tensions escalated. That decline is not a contradiction of my $6,000 target — it’s being misread. For an asset widely treated as a safe haven in periods of conflict, that kind
Bangladesh sentences two policemen to death for murder of student protester
The student's family is also demanding heavier sentences for others connected with the killing.
Russia hands Ukraine 1,000 war dead
MOSCOW, April 9 - Ukraine and Russia exchanged the bodies of deceased soldiers on Thursday, officials said.
Thailand seizes $329 million assets linked to alleged scammers
The network of offenders included South African-born businessman Benjamin Mauerberger.
Mitsui O.S.K. awaits safety clarity, government guidance to move vessels from the Gulf, CEO says
TOKYO, April 9 - Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) wants to start moving its vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible but must first ensure safe passage and receive guidance from the Japanese government, its chief executive said on Thursday.
UK deployed military to deter Russian submarines from its waters
LONDON, April 9 - Britain deployed its armed forces to deter Russian submarines from attacking its cables and pipelines when they spent around a month in British waters earlier this year, defence minister John Healey said on Thursday.
Japan’s Narita airport partially reopens upgraded Terminal 1 with footbath deck, tatami area
The renovation project involved the fifth floor of the Central Building of Narita airport's Terminal 1.
Eight arrested as Vietnam-UK migrant smuggling network dismantled, Europol says
AMSTERDAM, April 9 - European police forces in recent weeks have dismantled a migrant smuggling network that brought people from Vietnam across the EU to Britain, earning itself up to 3 million euros in recent years, EU law enforcement cooperation agency Europol said on Thursday.
AI glasses, robot concerts: G-Dragon’s agency eyes launch of entertainment tech in K-pop experiment
Fans would be able to hear artistes’ speeches translated in real time, the company said.
'Devastated': Cop testifies fatally shooting assailant after seeing colleagues killed in attack on Johor police post
Johor police officer Mohd Khairul Azhar Abbi Paisa was testifying as the first prosecution witness on the opening day of the trial of five family members of the alleged attacker Radin Luqman Radin Imran, who was also killed in the pre-dawn incident on May 17, 2024.
Australian couple moves house from wrong plot of land
The couple moved their house about 100m by truck to the right plot.
China drills for US nuclear attack in a Taiwan war
China’s latest nuclear-response drills in the Taiwan Strait suggest a Taiwan conflict could escalate into a limited but dangerously uncontrollable nuclear war in Asia. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China’s Eastern Theater Command conducted a
Vietnam braces itself for extreme heat as forecasters warn of worsening conditions
Temperatures have climbed above 40 deg C in parts of the central region.
Italy working to restore freedom of navigation in Hormuz, Meloni says
ROME, April 9 - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday that restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was of vital interest for her country and the European Union, as she pledged to work with partners to achieve that aim.
Booking over 20 flights: Some Chinese travellers stockpiled air tickets before fuel surcharge hike
Domestic travel demand remains robust despite weaker consumer sentiment overall in China.
South Korean man makes over 100 prank calls to police to be sent to jail but gets huge bill instead
The calls prompted the dispatch of 168 police officers, disrupting operations, authorities said.
Israel’s Lebanon strikes threaten to blow up US-Iran ceasefire
Just hours after the leaders of the United States, Israel and Iran reached a temporary ceasefire, it was clear that each party had its own version of what had been agreed to. Hundreds of people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours, immediately
Russia detains former Radio Free Europe freelance journalist on treason charge
MOSCOW, April 9 - Russia's Federal Security Service said on Thursday that it had detained a former Radio Free Europe freelance journalist on suspicion of treason for passing information to Ukrainian intelligence.
Batam ferries cut back on Singapore trips as fuel prices soar
Additionally, operators have also introduced surcharges of up to $6 to combat raising fuel prices.
War-fuelled diesel crunch hits Bangladesh farmers in key planting season
The shortage is disrupting irrigation, raising concerns about plant growth and lower yields for farmers.
IMF approves $893 million in loans for Sri Lanka, warning of Middle East war shock
It also urged Colombo to accelerate reforms to guard its post-2022 economic recovery.
As school absentees increase, Japanese dads turn to izakaya support group
As the drinks flowed, the other dads began to tell their own stories.
Philippines unveils new coast guard command in disputed South China Sea
The site will now have a commodore-level commander and a permanently stationed ship.
Pay to pee? Debate in South Korea over cafes charging toilet fee
Legal experts said the practice is permissible, though backlash may be inevitable.
Nepal ex-PM Oli released from police custody 12 days after arrest
He was questioned for his alleged role in a deadly 2025 crackdown on protesters.
Lebanon must be covered by ceasefire agreement, French foreign minister says
PARIS, April 9 - The ceasefire agreed by Iran and the United States must also cover military actions in Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday, adding France condemned \"massive\" Israeli strikes the previous day.
Israel's pounding of Lebanon is 'deeply damaging', UK foreign minister says
LONDON, April 9 - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Thursday that Israel's pounding of Lebanon was \"deeply damaging\" and risked destabilising the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Japan weighs new release of about 20 days' worth of oil from reserves: Report
In total, Japan is making available about 50 days’ worth of oil consumption.
India raises fertiliser subsidy as costs soar after Middle East war
India has hiked subsidies for farming fertilisers by 11 per cent from 2025.
Malaysian senior cop among 6 nabbed for alleged armed robberies targeting wealthy foreigners; US$1.1 million stolen
The suspects reportedly stole three luxury cars - a Toyota Alphard, a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley - and a safe containing RM24,200 and US$1,200 in cash, assorted jewellery and gold bars.
Trump warns of major war escalation if Iran peace process fails
WASHINGTON/DUBAI/TEL AVIV, April 9 - U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to retain military assets in the Middle East until a peace deal with Iran is reached and warned of a major escalation in fighting if it failed to comply, as oil prices rose on concerns over supply and
Trump’s Iran misfire yields a loser’s ceasefire
April 7 began with Donald Trump issuing genocidal threats against Iran on social media and ended—just ten hours later—with the announcement of a 14-day ceasefire, on Iran’s terms. Even by the volatile standards of Trump’s presidency, the whiplash is extraordinary. What, then,
Indonesia probes torpedo-like object found in its waters
An initial examination confirmed it did not contain any explosive or radioactive substances.