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Today: April 26, 2026
Today: April 26, 2026

Asia

Asia|Crime|World

Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests

An investigation by Indonesian state-run rights bodies found widespread violations by security forces including sexual abuse of some minors during last

Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Japan scraps a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy

Japan is scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners

Japan scraps a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

Taking Bank of Korea helm, crisis-era veteran pursues ambitious won overhaul

As Shin Hyun Song takes the helm of the Bank of Korea this week, the seasoned economist faces an ambitious task: making the won a global currency without

Taking Bank of Korea helm, crisis-era veteran pursues ambitious won overhaul
Asia|Economy|Environment|Political|World

China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games

China on Tuesday implied energy assistance for the Philippines could be tied to Manila holding military drills with the U.S. and other allies, as its top

China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer

Myanmar's new military-backed government wants to hold peace talks with opposition armed groups by the end of July, the country’s junta leader-turned-president said, but two key

Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules

Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for

Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules
Asia|Business|Economy|World

China's youth jobless rate rises to 16.9% in March

The jobless rate in China for those under 30 years of age in urban areas, excluding college students, rose in March, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

China's youth jobless rate rises to 16.9% in March
Asia|Economy|World

South Korea economy likely returned to growth in Q1 - Reuters poll

South Korea's economy likely returned to growth last quarter due to strong semiconductor exports and steady domestic demand, a Reuters poll of

South Korea economy likely returned to growth in Q1 - Reuters poll
Asia|Business|Economy|MidEast|Political|World

Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say

The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, is likely to have what Washington deems dual-use items

Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say
Asia|Environment|Science|World

Earthquake sets off brief tsunami alert and a megaquake advisory in northern Japan

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake Monday off northern Japan sparked a short-lived tsunami alert and an advisory of a slightly higher risk of a possible megaquake

Earthquake sets off brief tsunami alert and a megaquake advisory in northern Japan
Asia|MidEast|Political|World

China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for normal passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to be maintained, in a phone call on Monday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open
Asia|Political|World

US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines as China objects

The United States and the Philippines have kicked off one of their largest combat exercises, aimed at deterring aggression in Asia

US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines as China objects
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

India and South Korea plan $50 billion trade push with new deals

India and South Korea said on Monday that they would boost their economic ties by expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals,

India and South Korea plan $50 billion trade push with new deals
Asia|Political|World

China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust

China on Monday warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region, as the United States and the Philippines begin annual

China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust
Asia|Crime|World

Grieving, traumatized survivors return to their homes 5 months after deadly Hong Kong fire

Five months after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, thousands of displaced fire victims are beginning to return to see what remains of their homes and retrieve their belongings

Grieving, traumatized survivors return to their homes 5 months after deadly Hong Kong fire
Asia|Business|Technology

Samsung SDI signs first EV battery supply deal with Mercedes-Benz

South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI said on Monday it has signed a multi-year agreement with Mercedes-Benz to supply batteries for electric vehicles, marking its first

Samsung SDI signs first EV battery supply deal with Mercedes-Benz
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

Huawei signs deal with Vietnamese bank SHB to expand Vietnam footprint

Vietnamese lender SHB and China's Huawei Technologies Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Sunday, SHB said, a move that will allow the Chinese technology

Huawei signs deal with Vietnamese bank SHB to expand Vietnam footprint
Asia|Business|Crime|Economy|World

Hong Kong fire victims scour scorched homes for keepsakes

Victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades began government-supervised visits to their ravaged former homes on Monday for the first

Hong Kong fire victims scour scorched homes for keepsakes
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

China leaves lending benchmarks unchanged for 11th month in April

China on Monday left benchmark loan prime rates (LPRs) unchanged for the 11th consecutive month in April, in line with market expectations.

China leaves lending benchmarks unchanged for 11th month in April
Asia|MidEast|Political|World

Pakistan prime minister speaks with Iran's president

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that he spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian about the conflict in the Gulf. 

Pakistan prime minister speaks with Iran's president
Asia|Political|Science|Technology|World

North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea

South Korea says North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the North’s eastern waters

North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea
Asia|World

North Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war

North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday, accelerating its missile launches amid Iran war tensions and talk of possible meetings with the

North Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war
Asia|World

New Zealand defends military patrol flight near China

New Zealand on Saturday defended the actions of a military patrol aircraft flight near China after Beijing said it had undermined its security interests.

New Zealand defends military patrol flight near China
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president

Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday, as part of an amnesty by a new president who ousted her government in

Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president
Asia|Crime|World

Former President Win Myint freed in broad Myanmar prisoner amnesty

Myanmar's former President Win Myint has been freed as part of a broad prisoner amnesty by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing

Former President Win Myint freed in broad Myanmar prisoner amnesty
Asia|Business|Economy|World

Indian refiners pay for Iran oil in yuan via ICICI Bank, sources say

Indian refiners are settling payments for rare cargoes of Iranian oil purchased under a temporary U.S. sanctions waiver using

Indian refiners pay for Iran oil in yuan via ICICI Bank, sources say
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Political|World

India fails to pass parliament expansion bill linked to quotas for women

An Indian government bill to expand assemblies that would have brought forward plans to reserve a third of the seats for women did not get enough votes to get through

India fails to pass parliament expansion bill linked to quotas for women
Africa|Americas|Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|MidEast|Political|Stock Markets|US|World

Macron and Starmer welcome Hormuz reopening and push for permanent navigation security

France and the U.K. have welcomed the announcement by Iran and the U.S. that the Strait of Hormuz is open

Macron and Starmer welcome Hormuz reopening and push for permanent navigation security
Arts|Asia|Entertainment|Sports|World

Olympic pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara retire

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have announced their retirement from figure skating, two months after winning the Olympic gold medal with a record-breaking skate

Olympic pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara retire
Asia|Political|World

Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks

Pakistan's air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the U.S. last weekend, launching a major

Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Political

Sri Lanka's Energy Minister resigns

Sri Lanka's Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala resigned on Friday following an outcry over coal imports for

Sri Lanka's Energy Minister resigns
Asia|Political|World

China says its military activities around Taiwan are 'reasonable, justified'

China's regular military activities around Taiwan are "entirely justified and reasonable" and any tensions are the fault of the government in Taipei, the Chinese defence

China says its military activities around Taiwan are 'reasonable, justified'
Asia|Crime|Travel|World

Record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, UNHCR says

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for

Record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, UNHCR says
Asia|Crime|Environment|World

South Koreans breathe sighs of relief as escaped wolf is returned to zoo safely

The South Korean internet as erupted in celebration as a 2-year-old wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea was safely captured Friday after a nine-day search that drew national attention

South Koreans breathe sighs of relief as escaped wolf is returned to zoo safely
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% yr/yr in Q1, official advance estimate shows

Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official advance estimates showed on Friday, moderating from its pace at the end of 2025 as

Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% yr/yr in Q1, official advance estimate shows
Asia|Political|World

South Korea says it is unaware of US protest over minister's remarks on North Korea nuclear site

South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Friday it was unaware of any U.S. protest or curbs on intelligence sharing after a media report said Washington

South Korea says it is unaware of US protest over minister's remarks on North Korea nuclear site
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar to free more than 4,000 prisoners in amnesty

Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing has approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, state television reported on Friday, the third such move in the past six months. 

Myanmar to free more than 4,000 prisoners in amnesty
Asia|Business|Economy|World

South Korea draws back investors even as Iran war exposes cracks

South Korea's capital markets are luring back foreign buyers after a brutal March, as hopes of stability in the Middle East, a red-hot AI memory

South Korea draws back investors even as Iran war exposes cracks
Asia|Crime|Environment|World

Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia's West Kalimantan, authorities say

All eight people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province, authorities said on Friday as search teams tried to retrieve 

Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia's West Kalimantan, authorities say
Asia|Business|Economy|Travel

Pricier fuel hits Tokyo cherry blossom river cruises ​

A few dozen tourists hopped onto a small cruise boat in Tokyo to admire the cherry blossoms lining the Meguro River -- a seasonal

Pricier fuel hits Tokyo cherry blossom river cruises ​
Asia|Political|US|World

Look at Hong Kong and don't be naive about China, US senator says on Taiwan trip

Taiwan should look at what happened to Hong Kong and not be naive about China's

Look at Hong Kong and don't be naive about China, US senator says on Taiwan trip
Asia|Economy|Environment|World

Indonesian forest loss surges by 66% in 2025, driven by Prabowo's self-sufficiency drive, report shows

Forest loss in Indonesia surged by 66% in 2025, hitting its highest rate in eight years as a result of weak environmental

Indonesian forest loss surges by 66% in 2025, driven by Prabowo's self-sufficiency drive, report shows
Asia|Crime|Political|World

UN says initial findings show roadside blast killed Lebanon peacekeepers

A roadside explosion appears to have struck the convoy of two Indonesian peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said on Tuesday, citing initial

UN says initial findings show roadside blast killed Lebanon peacekeepers
Asia|Business|Economy|World

China's new home prices rise in March; big cities see seasonal pickup, private survey shows

China's new home prices edged up in March, reversing a decline in the previous month, supported by a seasonal pickup in demand in major cities, a private survey showed on

China's new home prices rise in March; big cities see seasonal pickup, private survey shows
Asia|Economy|MidEast|Political|World

China, Pakistan call for Iran peace talks, normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz

China and Pakistan on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, urging the swift launch of peace talks and the restoration of normal

China, Pakistan call for Iran peace talks, normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz
Asia|Business|Economy|World

China's factory activity expands but price pressures intensify, private PMI shows

China's manufacturing sector expanded in March for a fourth straight month as output and new orders continued to grow, but rising price pressures sharply intensified, a

China's factory activity expands but price pressures intensify, private PMI shows
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|World

China set to extend fuel export ban with small exemptions, sources say

China is poised to extend its ban on refined fuel exports into April, five industry sources with knowledge of the matter said, though

China set to extend fuel export ban with small exemptions, sources say
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

South Korea and Indonesia discuss energy security, sign agreements on minerals and tech

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks on Wednesday with Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto, discussing energy security and agreeing

South Korea and Indonesia discuss energy security, sign agreements on minerals and tech
Asia|World

Pakistan, Afghanistan open fresh talks in China to end conflict, say sources

Afghanistan and Pakistan have opened a new round of talks in China to end the deadliest fighting between two Muslim

Pakistan, Afghanistan open fresh talks in China to end conflict, say sources
Asia|Europe|MidEast|Political|World

French navy chief says China will have to engage more in Strait of Hormuz discussion

China will at one point have to engage more directly on how to restore oil traffic flows in the Strait of Hormuz because the number of vessels it has going through is

French navy chief says China will have to engage more in Strait of Hormuz discussion
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

Vietnam's infrastructure push to boost growth and deficit, S&P Ratings says

Vietnam is forecast to remain Asia's fastest-growing nation after India through 2028, supported by exports and infrastructure investments, although heavy public spending may

Vietnam's infrastructure push to boost growth and deficit, S&P Ratings says
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Myanmar parliament to hold vote to elect president on Friday, house speaker says

Myanmar's parliament will hold a bicameral vote to elect a president on Friday, house speaker Aung Lin Dwe said on Thursday, with the country's former military chief and junta

Myanmar parliament to hold vote to elect president on Friday, house speaker says
Asia|Business|Crime|Technology|World

Singapore charges one more individual with AI chip fraud 

Singapore prosecutors charged one more person with fraud on Thursday for making false representations to U.S. server supplier Dell Technologies, linking

Singapore charges one more individual with AI chip fraud 
Asia|Business|Economy|World

India factory activity cooled in March with oil costs rising amid Middle East turmoil, PMI shows

India's manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace in nearly four years in March as the war in the Middle East stoked uncertainty, disrupted supply chains and dented

India factory activity cooled in March with oil costs rising amid Middle East turmoil, PMI shows
Asia|Political|World

Taiwan to strengthen Pratas islands' defences as China steps up pressure

Taiwan will strengthen its defences of the Pratas as China steps up its activities around the islands which lie at the top end of the South

Taiwan to strengthen Pratas islands' defences as China steps up pressure
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

South Korea, Vietnam leaders to meet in Hanoi next week, sources say

Vietnam's president To Lam is set to meet his South Korean counterpart

South Korea, Vietnam leaders to meet in Hanoi next week, sources say
Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Mercedes investors warn luxury focus could hamper China recovery

Investors pressed Mercedes-Benz on its recovery plans for China on Thursday, warning that a luxury-focused strategy could hurt the German

Mercedes investors warn luxury focus could hamper China recovery
Asia|Europe|MidEast|Political|World

Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S.

Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks in China to end months of conflict

Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to try to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since ‌the

Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks in China to end months of conflict
Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|MidEast|Political|Science|Technology|World

Russia will ask US and Israel to cease fire while it evacuates staff from Iranian nuclear plant, RIA reports

Russia will ask the United States and Israel to ensure a ceasefire while it evacuates more Russian staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, RIA news agency

Russia will ask US and Israel to cease fire while it  evacuates staff from Iranian nuclear plant, RIA reports
Asia|Economy|Environment|Political|World

China calls for promoting Middle East ceasefire in talks with EU, Germany

China on Thursday repeated calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in conversations with Western counterparts, widening its

China calls for promoting Middle East ceasefire in talks with EU, Germany
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

China's detentions of Panama-flagged vessels raise concerns, Rubio says

Detentions of Panama-flagged vessels by China that followed a Panamanian court ruling raise serious concerns about efforts to

China's detentions of Panama-flagged vessels raise concerns, Rubio says
Asia|Business|Economy|World

Japan's services growth slows as Middle East war dents confidence, PMI shows

Japan's services sector grew at its weakest pace in three months in March, a private survey showed on Friday, as rising uncertainty over the Middle East war crushed business

Japan's services growth slows as Middle East war dents confidence, PMI shows
Asia|Political|World

China says peace talks advance between Afghanistan, Pakistan

Negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are advancing steadily, China said on Friday following reports that the South Asian neighbours were meeting there to try to

China says peace talks advance between Afghanistan, Pakistan
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing elected president by pro-military parliament

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected president on Friday after breezing through a parliamentary vote, formalising his grip on political power in the war-torn nation five

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing elected president by pro-military parliament
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

IMF urges BOJ to keep raising rates even as Iran war poses new risks

The International Monetary Fund urged the Bank of Japan to continue raising interest rates, even as the Middle East war posed "significant new risks" to the

IMF urges BOJ to keep raising rates even as Iran war poses new risks
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Vietnam Q1 growth slows as costlier Middle East energy tests 2026 target

Vietnam's economy slowed in the first quarter from the three months prior, data showed on Saturday, as heavy exposure to Middle Eastern oil

Vietnam Q1 growth slows as costlier Middle East energy tests 2026 target
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|MidEast|World

India makes first Iranian oil buy in seven years with no payment problems

Indian refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the Middle East conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil ministry said on Saturday.

India makes first Iranian oil buy in seven years with no payment problems
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|MidEast|Political|World

South Korea asks Gulf nations for steady energy supply, safety of Korean vessels

South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with envoys from Gulf countries to shore up energy security and the safety of Korean vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, the

South Korea asks Gulf nations for steady energy supply, safety of Korean vessels
Asia|MidEast|Political|World

China ready to cooperate with Russia to ease Middle East tension, foreign minister says

China is willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the U.N.

China ready to cooperate with Russia to ease Middle East tension, foreign minister says
Asia|Economy|Political|World

North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for US talks, Seoul says

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

North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for US talks, Seoul says
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Myanmar's new president Min Aung Hlaing faces genocide complaint in Indonesia

JAKARTA, April 6 - A criminal case against Myanmar's newly-elected President Min Aung Hlaing was filed in Indonesia on Monday by a group of civil society organisations, accusing the leader of acts of

Myanmar's new president Min Aung Hlaing faces genocide complaint in Indonesia
Asia|Political|Travel|World

Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up 'reunification' push

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

Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up 'reunification' push
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Finance|World

South Korea's Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies

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.

South Korea's Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies