236 measles cases in Japan since January, up 3.6 times from 2025
A hundred cases were recorded between March 9 and April 5.
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Humanity isn’t ready for AI’s biological threat
Artificial intelligence is rapidly learning to autonomously design and run biological experiments, but the systems intended to govern those capabilities are struggling to keep pace. AI company OpenAI and biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks announced in February 2026 that OpenAI’s
South Korea to start building Sejong presidential office in August 2027
SEOUL, April 14 - South Korea will begin construction of a presidential office in the administrative city of Sejong in August next year, the presidential Blue House said on Tuesday, as President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ensure the complex can be used within his term.
China Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan pleads guilty to fraud
Hui and Evergrande also face charges of illegally extending loans, fraudulently issuing securities and bribery, says a Shenzhen court.
Quad needs to break China’s rare earth hold on Myanmar
The Indo-Pacific’s quest for critical mineral security is colliding with an uncomfortable reality: the geography of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) does not map neatly onto internationally recognized sovereignty. As the Quad — comprising the United States, India, Japan and
US, Philippines plan biggest-ever military drills as war threats grow
Balikatan 2026 is being held amid the Iran war and unresolved disputes over the South China Sea.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visits China to discuss Middle East war
China also welcomed other leaders of countries that have been impacted by the war and its economic fallout on Tuesday, including Vietnamese President To Lam and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Iran war revs up electric car demand in Asia
Oil prices surged past US$100 again on April 13.
Founder of China's Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud
Evergrande was once China's biggest real estate firm, with a stock market valuation of more than $50bn.
Iran war threatening to shatter the global economy
The world economy survived the shocks of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has had limited impact on economic growth. But the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East has transformed what had been, until early 2026, a surprisingly benign outlook into a far more uncertain
Leaders of China, Spain pledge closer ties amid 'crumbling' world order
BEIJING, April 14 - China and Spain pledged on Tuesday to deepen ties and safeguard global peace and development amid an international order that President Xi Jinping called \"crumbling\" in remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing.
US begins Iran port blockade, oil prices ease on hopes for dialogue
WASHINGTON/DUBAI, April 14 - The U.S. military began a blockade of Iran's ports, angering Tehran and adding uncertainty around the crucial waterway, although hopes for dialogue to end the war provided some relief to oil markets nL1N40W14D where benchmark prices fell below $100
US Air Force unready for a prolonged war with China
Warnings are mounting that the US Air Force lacks the capability and capacity to defeat China in a high-end conflict. But the deeper problem is not whether American airpower can strike China hard and fast enough — it is whether the US can sustain a fight without exhausting
Asian stocks rally, crude drops on lingering hope for a peace deal
The US military has begun its blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears for energy supplies from the Middle East.
Student assault videos expose new face of bullying in Japan
An attorney said that online posts targeting individuals can constitute crimes in their own right.
Bongbong Marcos fights ill-health rumours with star jumps
The Philippine President challenged anyone questioning his fitness to join him in the gym.
EU firms rethinking China operations over rare earths curbs: Lobby
"In many cases the licensing process remains slow, unpredictable, uncoordinated and lacks transparency," the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said.
Runaway S. Korea zoo wolf spotted, capture under way
An initial effort to capture the wolf at close range was unsuccessful.
Indonesia kicks off measles vaccination for healthcare workers amid outbreak
Indonesia has recorded more than 16,000 confirmed measles cases since the start of 2026.
South Korea launches surveillance against deadly ticks as peak season begins
About 180 infections have been reported annually, with a fatality rate of around 18 per cent.
Intern doctor fatalities in Indonesia fuel concerns over heavy workload, low welfare
The death of three intern doctors in March has fuelled discussion about excessive workloads.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia to a muted welcome
SYDNEY, April 14 - Britain's Prince Harry and wife Meghan landed in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day visit with engagements covering sport, mental health and veterans' affairs.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at Australia to a muted welcome
In contrast to their previous visit, the Sussexes will also undertake commercial activities there.
Australia to spend billions on drones as warfare changes
Australia has reshaped its defence force in recent years to focus on its missile strike capability.
Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for four-day tour
It is the couple's first visit to Australia since 2018 when they were working royals.
Hospital at centre of child HIV outbreak caught reusing syringes in undercover filming
Footage shows staff injecting without gloves and reusing syringes, but the hospital boss refuses to acknowledge it is genuine.
US Hormuz blockade, tariffs jolt China
China has urged the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table after Washington launched an operation to close the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and threatened to impose 50% tariffs on countries providing weapons to Tehran. US President Donald Trump, on April 12,
Indonesia’s Board of Peace dilemma: Prabowo caught between domestic backlash and US ties
Indonesia is facing mounting pressure to reconsider its membership in the US-led Board of Peace (BoP), but leaving comes with risks, analysts say.
North Korea tests cruise and anti-ship missiles from naval destroyer
SEOUL, April 14 - North Korea conducted another test-fire of strategic cruise missiles and anti-warship missiles on Sunday as part of operational efficiency trials of its destroyer Choe Hyon, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.
US, Iran leave door open to dialogue after tense Islamabad talks
ISLAMABAD/DUBAI/WASHINGTON April 13 - After a sleepless and at times tense night in Islamabad, Iranian and U.S. officials ended their highest-level talks in decades https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/ without a breakthrough, but 11 sources familiar with the negotiations said
Trump needs A-10s to go after Iranian speedboats and patrol ships
The Trump administration is putting in place a military blockade of all of Iran’s ports and coastal areas. The blockade came into effect at 10 am US Eastern time on Monday. As it is currently defined, the blockade will allow ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz if traveling
Philippines accuses Chinese fishermen of dumping cyanide in South China Sea
Beijing rejects the allegation as a "farce", while Manila claims the poison was used to kill fish and deprive troops stationed in the area of food.
NATO allies bash Trump’s Hormuz blockade as oil passes $100 a bbl
Contrary to President Donald Trump’s claim that “other countries will be involved” in imposing a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks ended over the weekend without a deal with Iran, North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries on Monday made clear they
Trump: with God on his side?
Well, it was quite a Sunday, what with Péter Magyar beating Viktor Orbán by a landslide in Hungary’s election, Rory McIlroy seeing off Scottie Scheffler to win his second US Masters and Donald Trump announcing that the US Navy will blockade Iran’s own blockade of the Strait of
Top Iran diplomat: Deal ‘inches away,’ Trump team sabotaged talks
Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that the Trump administration’s representatives derailed marathon talks in Pakistan’s capital with maximalist demands, just as the two sides were “inches away” from a preliminary agreement to end the six-week conflict. “In intensive talks at
Prabowo meets Putin as US blockade turns his Russia trip into energy mission
Despite its vast reserves of coal, gas, nickel and palm oil, Indonesia imports large volumes of crude, petrol, diesel and LPG.
India forecasts sub-par monsoon after two years of above-average rains
The forecast stoked concerns over farm output and growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.
South Korea launches renewed search at 2024 Jeju Air crash site
The government aims to ensure no remains or personal belongings are left unrecovered.
‘On again, off again’: Taipei wary of Beijing’s incentives to boost cross-strait exchanges
The Chinese measures are intended to intensify political divisions within Taiwan, say analysts.
Indonesia can outlast Mid-East war fallout to year-end: Minister
Minister Airlangga Hartarto said his government “is ready for five, six, or even 10 months”, based on current projections.
Iran war as a cage Trump can’t escape
Six weeks into what the Trump administration has branded “Operation Epic Fury,” it is worth pausing to ask the question that Washington’s war managers seem constitutionally incapable of posing to themselves: what exactly did we think was going to happen next? The opening salvo
Iran denies charging toll for Indian tankers transiting Hormuz strait
NEW DELHI, April 13 - Indian tankers that have transited through the Strait of Hormuz did not pay tolls to Iran, Tehran’s ambassador to New Delhi said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to block nL6N40V09S passage for vessels making payments to Iran.
US to enforce blockade in Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, note to seafarers says
LONDON, April 13 - The U.S. military will enforce a blockade nL6N40V09S in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz that will apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag, the U.S. Central Command said in a note to seafarers seen by Reuters on Monday.
Russia calls for joint food reserves with BRICS to counter Middle East crisis risks
MOSCOW, April 13 - Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, should create joint food reserves with fellow BRICS members and former Soviet neighbours to counter the risks to global food security stemming from the conflict in the Middle East
Turkey says NATO should reset ties with Trump at next summit, prepare for future
ANKARA, April 13 - Turkey said on Monday that NATO allies should use their July summit in Ankara to reset ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and prepare for a potential reduction of U.S. involvement in the alliance.
Plastic crunch threatens Indonesia’s car production, fuels price pressures
Carmakers warned that prolonged disruptions could affect deliveries to dealers and customers.
Japanese PM shows support for Pakistani efforts to mediate US, Iran conflict
Ms Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo will continue to collaborate with the international community.
