Vietnam names Pham Duc An as central bank governor, state media says

HANOI, April 8 - Vietnam's parliament on Wednesday approved career banker Pham Duc An as the new central bank governor for a five-year term, state media said.

Mt Fuji heritage site struggles with water quality concern over coins in ponds

About 50,000 coins have been recovered to date from the Oshino Hakkai spring ponds.

Taiwan opposition leader pledges reconciliation at memorial for founding father in China

"The core values of Sun Yat-sen's ideal that 'all under heaven are equal' have always been equality, inclusiveness, and unity," said Cheng Li-wun.

How China built its vast natural gas stockpile

The stock has helped China cushion the supply shock caused by the war in the Middle East.

Trump agrees to two-week ceasefire, Iran says safe passage through Hormuz possible

WASHINGTON/DUBAI/CAIRO, April 8 - U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

Australia PM Albanese criticises Trump's rhetoric while welcoming ceasefire

SYDNEY, April 8 - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday welcomed a ceasefire in the Middle East struck between the U.S., Israel and Iran, while criticising the rhetoric of President Donald Trump.

Tunnel collapses at Hokkaido Shinkansen extension construction site

There were no injuries to workers or damage to heavy machinery.

Hong Kong firm lodges arbitration against Maersk over Panama ports takeover

The Panama Ports Company (PPC) said Maersk broke a contract by siding with Panamanian authorities in a dispute over the Panama Canal, which saw a court annul PPC's rights to manage two key ports in the crucial waterway.

Israel backs Trump's two-week pause on Iran strikes, says Lebanon excluded

April 8 - Israel supports U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, but said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday.

Solar push helps Pakistan temper Gulf energy shock

Rooftop solar panels are everywhere in Pakistan, helping to avoid often lengthy cuts in grid supply.

Inside a scammer compound in Thailand: Jail cells, torture rooms and a vice empire exposed

The Thai authorities described the compound as a vast operational base for transnational online crime.

‘I Must Die’ movie billboards in Indonesia trigger backlash over suicide messaging

The billboards feature the phrases “I Must Die” and “Sell My Soul for Wealth”.

The gift card Israel uses to buy US weapons

The Trump administration expects US taxpayers to fund not only its own military adventurism but Israel’s as well. Ending American subsidies for Israel’s wars is one reason why Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

Outcry in China over AI images in drama series

Outcry in China over AI images in drama series Technological advancement must not infringe on personal rights, say regulators and legal experts.

Trump threat against Iran’s civilian infrastructure not ‘appropriate’: Australian PM

However, Mr Anthony Albanese welcomed a two-week ceasefire as “positive”.

Jakarta officials under fire for using AI image in addressing complaint

Jakarta's governor called on the city inspectorate to thoroughly investigate the officials involved.

Philippine carriers suspend more Middle East flights amid war

Many travellers on these routes are Filipinos working in the Middle East.

Philippines’ V-P Sara Duterte asks court to halt impeachment case

She is accused of threatening to assassinate the President and misusing public funds.

Top Australian soldier charged with war crimes to remain in jail after bail hearing

Ben Roberts-Smith faces five charges of the war crime of murder, which has a penalty of life in prison.

Death toll after 40m scaffolding collapse near Tokyo rises to 3

One worker who likely fell into the ocean remained missing on April 8.

Former Australian soldier to remain in jail after being charged with Afghan war crimes

SYDNEY, April 8 - Australia's most decorated living soldier will remain behind bars after his legal team did not seek bail following his arrest over multiple alleged war crimes, local media reported on Wednesday.

Vietnam’s To Lam plans China visit next week after winning presidency, sources say

The trip is expected to take place from April 14 to April 17.

Vietnam's To Lam plans China visit next week after winning presidency, sources say

HANOI, April 8 - Vietnam's top leader To Lam is planning a visit to China next week to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping, three people briefed on the plans told Reuters, in a trip that would closely follow his elevation to the state presidency.

US, Israel and Iran agree to two-week ceasefire

Just hours after President Donald Trump issued a genocidal threat against the Iranian people, declaring that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” the US leader announced that he’d agreed to suspend his unconstitutional war for two weeks if Iran ends its blockade of the

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif says US-Iran ceasefire covers 'everywhere' including Lebanon

However, Israel later contradicted the Pakistan prime minister's statement, saying that the ceasefire "does not include Lebanon".

Tributes after British teenager dies while visiting Vietnam

Orla Wates, reportedly killed in a road accident, is remembered by her mother as "beautiful, independent and very funny".

Trump says he agrees to suspend bombing of Iran for two weeks

WASHINGTON, April 7 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has agreed to suspend the bombing of Iran for two weeks while accepting a 14-day truce proposal from mediators in the Iran war.

North Korea says South Korea's 'true colours' as enemy state unchanged, dashing Seoul's diplomatic hopes

SEOUL, April 8 - A top North Korean official said on Tuesday South Korea's \"true colours\" as an enemy state would never change, tempering optimism in Seoul that a recent exchange over drone incursions had opened the door to improved ties.

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul’s diplomacy hopes

South Korean and US authorities were analysing the launch.

UN envoy plans to visit Iran as part of peace effort

WASHINGTON, April 7 - A personal envoy of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to visit Iran as part of his efforts to encourage an end to the Iran war, but his travel plans will depend on security and logistics, a U.N. source said.

US-China space race shifts into a higher lunar gear

China has pledged to accelerate its lunar exploration program after NASA’s Artemis II mission completed a successful flyby of the moon and began its return journey, marking a renewed phase of strategic competition in deep space. In a 10-day mission launched on April 1, Artemis

IN FOCUS: Nearly 40 years in Bangkok mall zoo - the fight for a gorilla with ‘loneliness in her eyes'

Bua Noi the gorilla has drawn global attention, raising questions about wildlife trafficking, conservation and animal welfare in Southeast Asia. And nearly 40 years after arriving at Pata Zoo, her future remains uncertain.

Commentary: China’s muted response to the Iran war speaks volumes

Beijing's national interests have not been severely threatened or damaged by the Iran war, says NTU’s Dylan Loh.

Asia shows interest in Ukraine's maritime defence expertise, Zelenskiy says

KYIV, April 7 - The Ukrainian military is participating in consultations on the Strait of Hormuz, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday, adding that Ukraine's maritime defence expertise is also of interest in Asia.

Pakistan PM seeks two-week extension to Trump’s deadline on Iran

He has also requested Iran open the Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period as a goodwill gesture.

Pakistan PM seeks two-week extension to Trump's deadline on Iran

April 8 - Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday requested that U.S. President Donald Trump make a two-week extension to a deadline he imposed on Iran to end its blockade of Gulf oil.

Preliminary UN probe blames Israel and likely Hezbollah for peacekeeper deaths

April 7 - Preliminary findings in a U.N. probe into the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon last month show one was killed by an Israeli tank projectile and two others by an improvised explosive device most likely placed by Hezbollah, the U.N. said on Tuesday.

Pope Leo calls Trump's threat against Iran 'truly unacceptable'

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, April 7 - Pope Leo said on Tuesday that threats against the population of Iran are \"unacceptable,\" in an unusual appeal hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said \"a whole civilization will die tonight\" in a social media post that shocked world

China and Russia veto UN resolution on protecting Hormuz shipping

April 7 - China and Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution encouraging states to coordinate efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday and the U.S. ambassador to the world body called on \"responsible nations\" to join the U.S. in securing the vital

Portugal says U.S. uses Azores base on condition no civilian infrastructure targeted

LISBON, April 7 - Portugal said it had authorised 76 landings by U.S. aircraft at the Lajes air base in the Azores and 25 overflights of its territory since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, on condition they were not used to bomb civilian infrastructure.

PNG-Australia defense treaty creates jobs, risks amid rising China influence

Six months on, many youth see opportunity, but others warn ‘Pukpuk’ pact could draw PNG into Pacific tensions.

Trump will pursue stability with China's Xi in May meeting, USTR Greer says

WASHINGTON, April 7 - The U.S. economic and trade relationship with China is stable and President Donald Trump will aim to keep it that way in a meeting next month with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Tuesday.

India rules out sugar export curbs and maintains duties on edible oils

India is likely to export between 750,000 and 800,000 tons of sugar in the 2025/26 marketing year.

Kharg struck as Trump threatens to wipe out Iranian civilization

Just hours ahead of his self-imposed deadline for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to permanently wipe out the “whole civilization” of Iran – remarks seen as a straightforward expression of genocidal intent. Trump published

Bangladesh police arrest Hasina-era former Parliament Speaker

Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was arrested at a relative’s residence and held in custody.

Partial internet shutdown in troubled Indian state after unrest kills four

Ostrich on a side quest: Runaway big bird sprints on Thai highway

The ostrich was returned safe and sound to its enclosure at an animal-themed cafe.