Malaysian TikTok creator arrested for wearing police gear in viral video

“The public is advised not to speculate on the case,” said a police officer.

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

It is the first time in seven years a minister had visited the island, which is also claimed by China.

North Korea, Russia aim to open new road bridge soon, KCNA says

SEOUL, April 23 - North Korea and Russia aim to open a road bridge connecting the countries across the Tumen River as soon as possible, North Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday, as the neighbouring countries forge closer ties.

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 for midair photos that caused crash

He has been ordered to pay 88 million won (S$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.

Myanmar considering 'good things' for detained Aung San Suu Kyi: Thailand

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

South Korea, Vietnam agree to boost nuclear energy, high-tech cooperation

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.

ICC judges reject bid to release former Philippine President Duterte

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.

Lebanon hopes for extension of ceasefire at Washington meeting

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 - Lebanese and Israeli envoys will meet for the second time in two weeks in Washington on Thursday, building on nascent contacts between the states, with Lebanon hoping for the extension of a shaky ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

In pole position: Cross-legged pole hugging challenge goes viral on Chinese social media

It involves people sitting cross-legged with a pole between their legs and trying to free themselves.

Iran dissidents bemoan European silence after latest execution

DUBAI/PARIS, April 22 - An Iranian opposition leader criticised European countries on Wednesday for doing too little to halt executions in Iran, after Tehran carried out another execution in what opponents say is a wartime crackdown on dissent.

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte’s wealth scrutinised in impeachment probe

A hearing zeroed in particularly on her alleged lack of any declarations of cash on hand or in banks from 2019 to 2024.

Nepal’s Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigns in midst of criticism over financial allegations

Mr Dipa Dahal, press advisor to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, said his resignation has been received.

UK must brace for rise in state-backed cyberattacks, security chief says

LONDON, April 22 - Britain should brace for a rise in cyberattacks linked to hostile states, the head of the country's cybersecurity agency said on Wednesday, as the government urged tech firms to help build defences powered by artificial intelligence.

Sleep next to tigers? Hotel inside Chinese zoo offers controversial ‘tiger-view rooms’

A worker from the zoo told local reporters that the floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms are bulletproof and blast-resistant.

OpenAI is burning billions — and an IPO won’t stave off bankruptcy

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is gearing up to launch its initial public offering (IPO) this year. This financial maneuver would represent a pivotal shift for a project originally designed for the “common good” towards a market-driven logic. Established in 2015, OpenAI

EU envoys poised to adopt 20th package of Russia sanctions, diplomats say

BRUSSELS, April 22 - European Union envoys are set to adopt a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, with Slovakia and Hungary expected to drop their opposition to the move following the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.

Turkey's foreign minister to visit Britain for talks on Iran, Ukraine, source says

ANKARA, April 22 - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will make an official visit to London this week for talks on the wars in Iran and Ukraine, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Wednesday, adding that he will also discuss cooperation between the NATO allies.

334,000 litres of fuel saved with Malaysia’s work-from-home move: Government spokesman

Officials said the number of civil servants who have applied for WFH exceeded 155,000.