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Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer
April 21 - Myanmar's new military-backed government wants to hold peace talks with opposition armed groups by the end of July, the country’s junta leader-turned-president said, but two key rebel groups rejected the offer on Tuesday.
Turkey arrests 110 coal miners on hunger strike
They had been on a topless sit-in outside the Turkish energy ministry building in Ankara.
Police officer injured after bear bites him on his face, right arm in Japan
The officer, who is in his 50s, was reportedly conscious while being transported to a hospital.
UN urges Sri Lanka to deliver results in Easter bombing probe
The 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.
Thai home buyers pull back as ‘Generation Rent’ gains ground
Renting is no longer simply a temporary option for those not yet ready to buy.
Song Min-ho from K-pop group Winner faces 18-month in jail over military service violations
The 33-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer admitted to all charges.
Another top Indonesian university suspends 16 students over alleged online sexual harassment
The case at IPB University in Bogor purportedly occurred in 2024 but came to the fore following a separate high-profile incident involving students from the law faculty at the University of Indonesia.
Nepal resumes issuing permits for workers headed to Middle East
This comes six weeks after Nepal suspended the procedure because of the Middle East conflict.
Indonesia passes law to protect millions of domestic workers
The legislation secures rights to rest days, health insurance, pensions, and professional training.
Japan loosens arms export rules in break from post-WW2 pacifism
This clears the way for Japan to sell weapons to more than a dozen countries.
South Korea police seek detention warrant for BTS agency founder Bang
SEOUL, April 21 - South Korean police have requested a detention warrant for Bang Si-hyuk, the chairman of Kpop agency HYBE, over alleged illegal trading tied to the company's initial public offering.
Iran executes man over burning of mosque during January protests, Mizan reports
DUBAI, April 21 - Iran executed a man on Tuesday who was accused of being a leader of a network linked to Israel’s intelligence service and of setting fire to a mosque in Tehran during January protests, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported.
Outrage in China after streaming site iQIYI debuts AI actor 'database'
More than 100 celebrities have joined a platform to connect with makers of AI-generated content interested in using their image, said an iQIYI senior executive.
Vasectomy debate highlights gender gap in family planning in Indonesia
A lot of social stigma and widespread misconceptions surround vasectomies.
Southeast Asia holds the key to unlocking Korean impasse
While inter-Korean diplomacy stagnates despite Seoul’s recent initiatives, Southeast Asian nations are stepping in to bridge the gap. Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos are leveraging their long-standing relationswith Pyongyang to emerge as practical mediators. The shift is gaining
Scam messages offering ships safe transit through Hormuz, security firm warns
ATHENS, April 21 - Fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies whose vessels are stranded west of the waterway, Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has warned.
Haneda airport experiences traffic control glitch, flights delayed
The system was restored some 15 minutes later.
US positive on Iran deal but talks still uncertain as ceasefire end nears
WASHINGTON/CAIRO/ISLAMABAD, April 21 - The United States expressed confidence that peace talks with Iran would go ahead in Pakistan and a senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering joining, but significant hurdles and uncertainty remained as the end of a ceasefire
With tariffs stalled, Trump's China policy drifts
WASHINGTON, April 21 - When President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, he vowed to use tariffs to reset relations with China, which he said was \"killing\" the United States with its trade policies.
Explainer-Who are the candidates running for UN secretary-general?
GENEVA, April 21 - The 10th United Nations secretary-general will be elected this year for a five-year term starting on January 1, 2027.
In jab at Taiwan, China ramps up military support for Somalia
China recently pledged to expand military support to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab militants. Beijing has promised equipment, training and closer security cooperation with Mogadishu. This marks a shift from China’s traditionally cautious and small presence in the
‘Major’ Indonesian natural gas find announced
The new find would reportedly “unlock significant new volumes for domestic and international markets”.
Iran war is turbocharging China’s Africa pivot
The global geoeconomic volatility wrought by the second Donald Trump US presidency and hostilities in the Middle East make the shift in China’s Africa strategy even more important for China and for Africa. China’s Africa strategy started to shift in 2019, towards investment. It
China’s drone-laid mines aim to trap US in a Taiwan war
China’s minelaying drones point to a new way of enforcing a Taiwan blockade, using stealthy, autonomous systems to disrupt maritime access and deny entry to contested waters. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported this month that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
Tourists trickle back to Kashmir, one year after deadly attack
Travel operators say bookings are still far down from usual.
South Korea's Lee says claim that minister leaked classified intel is 'absurd'
SEOUL, April 21 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has rejected as \"absurd\" claims that his minister overseeing relations with North Korea revealed classified information provided by the U.S. on Pyongyang's nuclear facilities.
Japan to ban use of portable chargers on flights from April 24
Travellers will be permited to bring only two regular chargers on board.
Hello Kitty creator Sanrio launches gaming brand to tap fast-growing global market
Some 10 titles will be released over the next three years.
South Korea’s escaped wolf Neukgu becomes local sensation, inspiring merch, zoo vlog
The city of Daejeon, where the zoo is, is reportedly considering developing a wolf character as its mascot.
Australian petrol prices fall for third straight week on government interventions
Australia's stockpiles of refined fuel is among the lowest in the developed world.
South Korean President Lee denies US intel leak on North Korea’s nuclear site
Mr Lee said the facility's existence had been widely known through academic papers and media reports.
Malaysia announces measures to support small businesses impacted by energy crisis
The measures include an allocation of RM5 billion (US$1.27 billion) to provide financial coverage of up to 80 per cent and a guarantee period of up to 10 years for affected businesses.
Six hurt but no serious damage from powerful quake that struck Japan on April 20
The jolt shook large buildings in the capital, hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre.
Stress-relief items become everyday essentials for Gen Zs in South Korea
Objects such as tactile keycap keyrings and squishy toys are emerging as tools to manage stress.
K-pop agency Hybe denies seeking US help to lift chairman’s travel ban
The ban has been in place since August amid a Capital Markets Act probe.
Japan to train 1,000 specialists annually to create live-action content for global audiences
The goal is to increase the export value of Japanese live-action to about 30 times the 2023 level.
Scarce food, bleak futures spur Rohingya refugees to gamble with death at sea
Shrinking food rations caused by dwindling international aid push more Rohingya to leave by sea.
Plan to sell transit hub names in Indonesia to political parties raises alarm
Concerns were raised over the risk of politicising public facilities in Jakarta.
Despite surging costs, Everest still draws climbers to Nepal as China’s north side stays shut
Everest climbing permits have been issued to 360 individuals in 2026 as at April 17.
PMs Wong, Anwar agree on importance of diplomacy, discuss supply chain resilience amid Middle East crisis
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that he spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open
Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remarks during a phone call on Monday (Apr 20) with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as Beijing steps up efforts to help end the Iran war.
Oil prices dip, Asian stocks rise on lingering Iran peace hopes
Investors remained largely upbeat that the US and Iran will eventually come to a deal that will reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Lawmakers in Indonesia press universities over handling of sexual harassment
Lawmakers urged that all relevant mechanisms, including sanctions, be enforced without impunity.
Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules
The changes remove five export categories that previously limited most military exports to equipment for rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping.
