Japan’s Sanae Takaichi seeks talks with Iran’s leader before ultimatum
She also suggested that she was seeking a phone call with Mr Trump, though nothing has been finalised yet.
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Thailand to control crude palm oil exports, bottled prices starting April 7
The year-long measures will not impact farmers, who will continue to be protected by the government.
China overtakes US in R&D, but genesis spark still lags
It finally happened. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, China invested US$1.03 trillion in research and development in 2024—surpassing the United States’ $1.01 trillion for the first time in history. After two decades of double-digit annual
UAE says the use of Hormuz must be guaranteed in any US-Iran deal
Dubai, April 6 - UAE official Anwar Gargash said any settlement of the U.S.-Iran war must guarantee access through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that a deal that fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear programme and its missiles and drones would pave the way for “a more dangerous, more
This is not China’s war, but Beijing started preparing for it years ago
Beijing boosted energy security as US President Donald Trump raised the stakes.
Sport or study? South Korea divided over student-athlete rules
More than 80 per cent of student-athletes supported abolishing or revising the system.
India car dealers warn Iran war may hit supplies
They warned of possible supply or dispatch disruptions in the near term.
North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for US talks, Seoul says
SEOUL, April 6 - North Korea appears to be distancing itself from longtime partner Iran and carefully managing its public messaging to preserve the possibility of a new relationship with the U.S. after the Iran war, South Korean lawmakers said on Monday, citing the spy agency.
North Korea working on carbon-fibre ICBM for multi-warhead delivery, Seoul says
SEOUL, April 6 - North Korea's test of a solid-fuel rocket engine is intended for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) built with carbon fibre to extend range and allow for delivery of heavier and possibly multiple warheads, South Korean lawmakers said on Monday.
Iran executes man over attack on military site during January protests, Mizan reports
DUBAI, April 6 - Iran executed a man named Ali Fahim convicted over an attempt to storm a military facility and access an armoury during unrest in January, state media said on Monday, after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence.
Japan’s govt creates first road map for bear population control
The government is aiming for “coexistence between bears and humans” by fiscal year 2030.
China mourned an education influencer. The grief was a quiet revolt
The public mourning was by no means an organised protest, but it carried an unmistakable social charge.
Newly upgraded Kelantan airport turns into illegal racing spot
Transport Minister Anthony Loke instructed local authorities to conduct enforcement operations.
Expensive fuel and war fears hit Thai confidence for Songkran trips
The war in the Middle East is casting a shadow over travel during the Songkran festival.
All AI, all the time
But before I do that, here’s a roundup full of short takes and stories about AI. First, though, an episode of Econ 102! Officially, the podcast is over, but we still occasionally do a reprise episode. This one, fittingly, is about AI biosecurity. Anyway, here are six other
China issues e-commerce guidance after EU lawmakers press country on unsafe products
EU lawmakers had pressed China about a surge of dangerous products that entered the bloc.
South Korea’s Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies
Like many other Asian economies, South Korea relies heavily on energy imports.
South Korea's Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies
SEOUL, April 6 - South Korea must accept a degree of risk in importing crude oil from the Middle East amid blockages of the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday.
Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up ‘reunification’ push
Ms Cheng Li-wun is travelling at a time of increased Chinese military pressure on Taiwan.
Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up 'reunification' push
TAIPEI, April 6 - Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun leaves on Tuesday for China and a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping on what she says is a peace mission as Beijing makes a renewed push to convince Taiwanese to support \"reunification\".
Singaporean man hit by car while crossing road in Johor Bahru
The victim had injuries to his hands, feet and head.
Indonesian military considers reducing peacekeepers to Lebanon
The 753 Indonesian soldiers currently stationed in Lebanon are set to be replaced by a new batch.
Vietnam’s Parliament convenes to confirm new state leaders
Members were elected in March in a vote which the Communist Party won almost 97 per cent of seats.
South Korea's Lee expresses regret to North Korea over drone incursion
SEOUL, April 6 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed regret to North Korea over a drone incursion that he said was carried out by a South Korean individual without government approval, stressing Seoul's commitment to preventing future incidents.
South Korea Presidents Lee says regrets ‘reckless’ drones sent to North
He said a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved.
Asia markets brace for Trump's promised assault on Iranian infrastructure
Trump's threats to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not open by Tuesday have put traders on edge for reciprocal attacks by Tehran.
How one factory in China learnt to live with Trump, tariffs and turmoil
Agilian Technology saw its US orders, accounting for more than half its revenue, frozen for months.
How one factory in China learned to live with Trump, tariffs and turmoil
DONGGUAN, China, April 6 - U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sought to hurt Chinese manufacturing, but for one electronics maker, a turbulent 2025 ended with a belief that China is a location that is difficult to replicate - as long as things don't change too drastically.
Trump’s trade war with China in focus ahead of May summit
The confrontation between the world’s two top economies includes slapping tit-for-tat tariffs.
Trump's trade war with China in focus ahead of May summit
BEIJING, April 6 - U.S. President Donald Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in May during his first visit to China in eight years, a closely watched trip that comes just a year after Washington rolled out sweeping and at times erratic global tariffs.
Japan’s plus-size industry holds strong despite weight stigma, rise of AI
Debuting in 2013, la farfa magazine helped normalise plus-size fashion and visibility in mainstream media.
How China fell for a lobster: What an AI assistant tells us about Beijing's ambition
The AI agent sparked a frenzy of "raising lobsters" in March, with users training the tool to suit their needs.
Two protests, two elections: How Nepal's Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh's stumbled
How did a youth movement triumph in one country but fall so short in another?
You can hire house help in 15 minutes in India - is it fair?
Instant house help brings speed and structure, but workers face tighter control and rising pressure in their jobs.
Not just symbolism: What the KMT chair’s China trip signals for Beijing, Washington and Taipei
Cheng Li-wun will be the first sitting chair of Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to visit the mainland in a decade, in a trip analysts say is laden with political signalling ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Beijing next month.
Commentary: What South Korea’s belated participation in the ‘Hormuz coalition’ reveals
President Donald Trump’s call for US allies to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz is a test for South Korea, says RSIS’ Jaehan Park.
Asia’s EVolution: How Mongolia became a dumping ground for Japan’s hybrid electric vehicles
Over the decade, Mongolia has been flooded with cheap, end-of-life hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from Japan. The final instalment of a CNA series on Asia’s EVs looks at how the country could be turning into a green technology dumping ground.
White House pushed satellite firm to withhold images of Iran war
The satellite firm Planet Labs told customers, including major news outlets, that it was acting on the Trump administration’s request as it announced it was implementing “an indefinite withhold of imagery” in Iran and across the Middle Eastern countries where the widening
Western Sydney airport offers new gateway to Singapore, but travellers face long city commute
It will offer 24-hour operations when open in October, unlike Sydney Kingsford-Smith Airport with an 11pm-6am curfew.
Iran energy shocks give rise to urban-to-rural migration in India
The energy crisis is affecting India's vulnerable migrant labourers who face mass unemployment and food shortages.
Ukrainian drones attacked cargo vessel that sank, killing one, Russia-installed official says
MOSCOW, April 5 - A cargo ship carrying wheat sank in the Sea of Azov after coming under attack from Ukrainian drones, a Russia-installed official said on Sunday, leaving one person dead and two missing.
Hamas armed wing says disarmament calls are unacceptable
April 5 - Hamas' armed wing said on Sunday discussing the group's disarmament before Israel fully implements the first phase of the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire was an attempt to continue what it called a genocide against the Palestinian people.
Trump gives Iran until Tuesday night to open Strait of Hormuz, WSJ reports
April 5 - U.S. President Donald Trump said his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening, according to an interview he gave to the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
Bangladesh launches emergency vaccination campaign as measles outbreak spreads
DHAKA, April 5 - Bangladesh on Sunday launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting more than a million children as a fast‑spreading measles outbreak sweeps across the country.
China ready to cooperate with Russia to ease Middle East tension, foreign minister says
BEIJING, April 5 - China is willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the U.N. Security Council and make efforts to cool down the Middle East situation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on Sunday.
Zelenskiy in Syria to discuss security cooperation with Sharaa
April 5 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Syria on Sunday for talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa, as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the Iran war.