Fury as Indonesian court dismisses 1998 mass rape lawsuit
Rights groups called the ruling a major step backward that further perpetuates impunity.
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Chinese EV maker Xpeng expects to start delivering ‘flying’ cars in 2027
It also expects to start large-scale production of its humanoid robots in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Thailand moves to end 60-day visa-free stays to screen out unwanted visitors
Thailand is seeking to shift its tourism strategy towards higher-quality and longer-stay visitors.
Japan mulls social media age limits as global curbs spread
In Japan, teenagers spent nearly 70 minutes a day on social media on weekdays, almost double the overall national average.
Another American quagmire at Hormuz
There is a certain grim symmetry to watching Washington, in the spring of 2026, once again flailing about in the Persian Gulf — blockading Iranian ports, rattling sabers over a strait it cannot fully control and dispatching delegations to Islamabad in search of a diplomatic
Why China’s support for Iran has limits
Beijing showed little support for Tehran's defence besides criticising the attacks.
Negeri Sembilan’s royal dispute deepens as dissenters’ seats lay empty at state assembly
The state’s Malay ruler stressed that their absence would not affect the legality of the state assembly sitting.
‘Dancing in their hands’: Japan wig masters set stage alive
A fresh wig is crafted for each kabuki performance and customised for each actor.
South Korea’s air force apologises after audit blames 2021 jet collision on mid-air selfies
SEOUL, April 23 - South Korea's air force apologised on Thursday for a 2021 mid-air collision involving two fighter jets, a day after auditors said pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident.
As more ASEAN states turn to Russia for fuel, will Moscow boost its influence in the region?
Asian countries have been especially affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysian TikTok creator arrested for wearing police gear in viral video
The incident involves a video believed to be recorded for online content.
Ex-Jakarta agency head faces charges in deadly landfill collapse
The environment agency had failed to comply with administrative sanctions imposed since late 2024.
Over 1,000 people urged to evacuate as wildfires rage in north-eastern Japan
The local weather observatory had warned of dry air and strong winds in Otsuchi.
US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say
At least three Iranian-flagged tankers have been redirected from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said.
Taiwan minister makes rare visit to South China Sea island for drills
TAIPEI, April 23 - Taiwan's minister in charge of the coast guard has made a rare visit to a Taiwan-controlled island in the South China Sea for exercises, including practising the armed boarding of a suspicious ship.
North Korea, Russia aim to open new road bridge soon, KCNA says
The 850m bridge will connect to Russia’s highway system.
Japan’s ANA to introduce fuel surcharge to domestic flights amid rising costs
Japan Airlines is also set to introduce fuel surcharges to domestic flights in 2027.
South Korean fighter pilot fined over midair photos that caused crash
He has been ordered to pay $76,000 in damages.
Japan's Nikkei crosses 60,000 level for the first time on tech rally
SoftBank Group and other technology stocks gained and risk sentiment improved after United States President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran.
JB food guide: Actual hidden gem seafood in an Orang Laut village and rustic cafe under the trees
From hybrid salted egg black pepper crab in a nostalgic kampung to “gearbox” soup at a hand-built cafe under the trees, Mediacorp Gold 905’s Denise Tan discovers that the best way to taste Johor Bahru is to go back in time via the Second Link.
‘In the RTS era’: Sleepy Johor Bahru township set for spruce-up as small businesses ponder their fate
One of Johor Bahru’s older townships is seeing land prices surge ahead of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link’s opening in January 2027, analysts say. This mirrors a wider shift in the state capital’s retail landscape.
Commentary: Why emerging markets are dismissing bad Iran news
The fact that developing nations’ equities are able to rebound despite the bloc’s vulnerability to energy shocks shows there’s value in this space, says Shuli Ren for Bloomberg Opinion.
China weathered Trump's tariffs - but the Iran war is taking a toll
The Middle East conflict is putting pressure on factory orders, costs and jobs in China's export-driven economy.
Lessons for new Apple CEO Ternus in Steve Jobs’s wilderness years
Apple has named John Ternus, its head of hardware engineering, as its next CEO. At the same moment, Apple is paying Google roughly a billion dollars a year to run the AI brain of Siri, because Apple’s own AI hasn’t been good enough. Apple’s hardware is excellent but the AI is
How the US-Iran war is costing China
The BBC’s Laura Bicker explains the economic costs and possible political wins for China brought on by the war.
Is Trump heading to a Pyrrhic victory in Iran?
President Donald Trump has claimed victory in the war in Iran even before the conflict is over. But despite the killing of the country’s leader and seriously degration of its military, there is an argument being made that the Islamic Republic has emerged all the stronger for
Turkey trying to revive Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Erdogan tells NATO chief
ANKARA, April 22 - Turkey is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on
US slams China’s pressure on African countries to block Taiwan president’s trip
Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked permission for Taiwan's presidential plane to cross their airspace.
US slams China's pressure on African countries to block Taiwan president's trip
WASHINGTON, April 22 - The United States is concerned that several African countries revoked overflight clearances for Taiwan's president at China's behest, the State Department said on Wednesday, calling the incident an abuse of the international civil aviation system.
French soldier dies of wounds after attack on UN force in Lebanon
PARIS, April 22 - President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a second French soldier had died following an attack on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon last week, which he said was carried out by Iran‑backed Hezbollah.
Heat maps show largest greenhouse farm in North Korea at less than half capacity
The farm was said to be the area’s rebound from severe flooding, but it's not fully operational, analysts say.
Russia to stop Kazakh oil flows to German PCK refinery via Druzhba
FRANKFURT/MOSCOW, April 22 - Russia will stop the supply of Kazakh crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany from May 1, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, forcing a major refinery near Berlin to make up the shortfall from elsewhere.
Trump extends ceasefire but continues blockade of Iran
President Donald Trump extended a two-week ceasefire for his and Israel’s war on Iran, but the US leader also said that a naval blockade of the Mideast nation will continue, and fears of fresh attacks remain high. Two weeks after threatening to take out the “whole civilization”
Indonesia finance minister floats, then backs off on Strait of Malacca levy
Finance minister says no to Malacca Strait fees despite Hormuz comparison.
Myanmar considering ‘good things’ for detained Aung San Suu Kyi, Thai minister says
Myanmar’s new president told him detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was being well looked after.
Fed chair nominee vows he’ll be independent of Trump
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, vowed in congressional testimony that the central bank will remain “strictly independent” if he’s confirmed to the top spot, even as the president has broadcast his demand for the new Fed chair
Petroyuan will mature in bursts of crisis
The petroyuan — oil and energy trades settled in Chinese yuan rather than US dollars — is not emerging exclusively because countries want to ideologically hammer the dollar, although that it is inevitably part of it. It is emerging as a financial force because, under pressure,
YouTube complies with Indonesia’s social media curbs, minister says
YouTube has changed the minimum age in its guidelines to 16, Indonesian Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said.
Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power
South Korea is Vietnam’s biggest source of foreign investment and one of its top trading partners.
Thailand ceremony at disputed border temple draws Cambodia rebuke
The two South-east Asian countries have been at odds for decades over the demarcation of their 800km border.
Moldovan tycoon Plahotniuc sentenced to 19 years in fraud case
CHISINAU, April 22 - A Moldovan court sentenced business magnate and former political powerbroker Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison on Wednesday in a fraud case involving the theft of $1 billion from the country's banking sector.
US halts Iraq dollar cash shipment after militia strikes, sources say
BAGHDAD/DUBAI April 21 - The United States has halted a shipment of about $500 million in cash bound for Iraq and suspended parts of its security cooperation with Baghdad, in a move aimed at pressuring the Iraqi government over the actions of Iran-backed militias, Iraqi sources
US in talks to resettle 1,100 Afghans in Congo, group says
DAKAR, April 22 - The Trump administration is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to resettle 1,100 Afghans who have been stranded in Qatar awaiting U.S. visas, according to an advocacy organisation that works on their behalf.
EU prepares finalisation of Ukraine loan and new Russia sanctions, Cyprus says
BRUSSELS, April 22 - EU ambassadors approved on Wednesday the disbursement of a promised 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia, after Hungary lifted its veto, the bloc's Cypriot presidency said.