Japan confirms Hormuz transit as Iran talks continue, PM says

The ship passed through the blockaded waterway on April 29 and was on its way to Japan.

Heavy rains threaten Bangladesh’s rice harvest

Significant losses could impact both rural livelihoods and national food supply.

Australian climber on record sea-to-summit Everest bid

Mr Oliver Foran is also raising funds to build a youth mental health support centre back home.

Ex-Thai PM Thaksin to be released on parole on May 11

He will remain under probation for another four months after his release.

New Zealand local council rejects plan for 'comfort women' statue after Japan protest

April 29 - A local council in New Zealand has rejected a proposal to erect a statue honouring women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops in World War Two after Japan's ambassador warned it could affect diplomatic ties.

King Dollar still reigns supreme in liquidity-starved Gulf

There is a certain irony in seeing some of the world’s richest countries quietly ask the United States for financial relief. For decades, the Gulf monarchies cultivated an image of inexhaustible wealth: sovereign funds the size of nations, skylines raised from desert sands and

Philippine house panel finds probable cause to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte

Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, denies allegations she misused public funds.

Philippine vice president faces impeachment vote in Congress after panel find probable cause

MANILA, April 29 - The Philippine House justice committee on Wednesday found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, moving a step closer to a process that could derail her bid to become the next president.

South Korean court hikes ex-president's sentence for obstructing justice

Death toll from Indonesia train crash rises to 16, all women

Ninety people were injured in the incident.

South Korean appeals court increases jail term for former President Yoon in obstruction case

SEOUL, April 29 - A South Korean appeals court on Wednesday increased the jail term for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges linked to his short-lived 2024 martial law declaration to seven years following appeals by Yoon and the prosecution.

Heavy rains threaten Bangladesh's rice harvest

Heavy rains have also damaged other crops, including vegetables, raising concerns about potential supply shortages.

Death toll from Indonesia train crash rises to 16

Malaysia to slash federal operating budgets due to Iran war costs

A sharp spike in energy prices stemming from the conflict has had a direct impact on living costs.

Chinese food influencer Bai Bing fined US$2.8 million for tax evasion

The popular Chinese food blogger on short video-platform Douyin was found to have underpaid 9.1 million yuan (US$1.3 million) in taxes.

Batam to destroy illicit US e-waste, abandons re-export plan

The decision had been taken to ease congestion at the Batu Ampar Port.

After wolf escape, South Korea moves to tighten zoo oversight

The government is working to apply stricter standards for zoo management by December 2027.

India’s Hormuz restraint is running out of time

India’s response to the unfolding crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has, so far, been restrained. That restraint was not accidental but reflected a conscious adherence to strategic autonomy at a time when the situation was still evolving, outcomes were uncertain, and premature

As population surges, Kyrgyzstan’s schools buckle

The poor Central Asian nation is also struggling with underfunding and dilapidated facilities.

South Korean court hikes ex-president Yoon’s sentence to 7 years in prison for obstructing justice

It was the first verdict by the court division set up to handle cases linked to the December 2024 martial law bid.

New DeepSeek model marks AI milestone. Is China closing the gap with the US?

While DeepSeek v4 has not overtaken the best US closed models, it has kept pace, says one analyst.

Johor ex-politician in intensive care after accidentally shooting himself in chest at gun range

He was in the process of emptying his pistol’s chamber when he accidentally fired a shot, police said.

Indonesia to probe taxi operator Green SM after deadly Bekasi train crash

A Green SM electric taxi was involved in the fatal train collision near Jakarta on Monday night (Apr 27) that killed 16 people.

Fire destroys dozens of homes in Malaysia’s Sabah state

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Japan’s Idemitsu Maru allowed through Hormuz, history in tow

The Panama-flagged, Japanese-owned Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), Idemitsu Maru, has passed through the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Nagoya with a cargo of 2 million barrels of oil from Saudi Arabia. The vessel also carries a reminder that it was the Japanese oil refiner

Japan zoo staffer allegedly dumps wife's body inside incinerator

The zoo has had to delay its reopening after a maintenance break, as police investigate the staff member's claim.

Thailand’s multi-billion-dollar fishing industry reels as soaring fuel costs keep fleets ashore

Diesel prices in the country have climbed to more than 50 baht (US$1.53) per litre – nearly double what many trawlers paid at the start of the year.

Rare earth mining is poisoning Mekong River tributaries, threatening 'the world's kitchen'

Rising demand for rare earth materials is driving an unregulated mining boom centred in war-torn Myanmar and spreading to Laos. Toxic runoff from the mines threatens Thailand's global food exports.

Durian gets influencer backing as Thailand faces glut

Top online seller Pimrypie priced premium Monthong at as low as 100 baht (S$3.90) per fruit.

Orban’s departure shuts China’s back door into the EU

The recent electoral defeat of Viktor Orban has drawn widespread attention, with most commentary focused on its implications for Europe and the Russia-Ukraine war. Yet this emphasis overlooks a broader strategic consequence: the potential disruption of China’s approach to

Suspect at large after attacking boy, spraying 3 police officers in Tokyo

Police have launched a search for the man, who is believed to be in his 40s.

Indonesia military court begins trial of officers allegedly behind acid attack on activist

Military prosecutors are seeking the maximum of 12 years' jail for four officers over their alleged involvement in throwing a mixture of car battery acid and rust remover on activist Andrie Yunus in March.

Japan PM vows all-out efforts towards sustained pay hikes at May Day event

Surging crude oil prices and energy supply disruptions are casting a shadow over resource-scarce Japan.

Indian man takes sister’s exhumed body to bank for withdrawal

He took the remains of his sister to the branch after being turned away because he did not have her death certificate

China again touts benefits of union with Taiwan, Taipei rebuffs

President Lai Ching-te says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

Humanoid robots to handle baggage in trial at Tokyo's Haneda Airport

In the future, the robots are expected to be used across a wide range of tasks, including baggage loading, cabin cleaning, and ground support equipment operations.

New Zealand officials reject statue remembering Japan's sex slaves

Decouple from China? Beijing now has a law against it

China’s new law on Industrial and Supply Chain Security, which took effect immediately in early April, introduces a significant new layer of regulatory oversight targeting cross-border industrial activity and global supply chains. It will inevitably have far-reaching

Special railway tickets featuring Punch the monkey go on sale in Japan

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the zoo.

China changes agriculture chief for second time in two years

Mr Zhang Zhu replaces Mr Han Jun, who served less than two years in the role.

Strait of Malacca could be next Hormuz-like flashpoint

While recent global attention has focused on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively held closed since late February in a move that has disrupted world energy supplies, a quieter but also important development has been taking shape in south-east Asia. On April 14, the

Flight cancellations and high fuel prices help keep Chinese close to home for May holidays

The Iran war impact also extends beyond cancelled flights.

China suspends new autonomous driving permits after Baidu outage

The suspension prevents self-driving companies from adding new robotaxis to their fleets.

Tropical forest loss eases in 2025 from record high, report shows

SAO PAULO, April 29 - Destruction of the world's tropical forests eased in 2025 from a record high, a report showed on Wednesday, underscoring how decisive policy can help keep trees standing despite pressures from a warmer climate and expanding agricultural frontiers.

Japan cleaner goes viral with spa-like service for plushies

Some tourists visit Japan specifically for the purpose of having their sofy toys cleaned.

Japan’s Shizuoka launches unified tea brand, logo to up global recognition

The region wants to promote visibility and boost its competitiveness overseas.