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Today: April 17, 2026
Today: April 17, 2026

Asia

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|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
Asia|Political|World

North Korea says South Korea's Lee is 'wise' for expressing regret about drones

North Korea said on Monday it was "very fortunate and wise" for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to convey regret to Pyongyang for drone incursions in a rare

North Korea says South Korea's Lee is 'wise' for expressing regret about drones
Asia|Political|World

South Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor

South Korea's spy agency now believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor, lawmakers said on Monday,

South Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor
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 Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi next week, five people familiar with the matter said.

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

Foreign investors flee Thailand as Iran war, energy shock dash hope for economic revival

Foreign investors are selling Thai assets as an energy shock from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran threatens to snuff out hopes for

Foreign investors flee Thailand as Iran war, energy shock dash hope for economic revival
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Instant View: China's Q1 growth beats forecast as economy braces for fallout from Iran war

China's economy expanded 5% in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, according to official data on Thursday, surpassing analysts' expectations even as policymakers

Instant View: China's Q1 growth beats forecast as economy braces for fallout from Iran war
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

China to retain ultra-long special bond tenors this year, sources say

China's finance ministry will keep this year's ultra-long special treasury bond issuance to 20-, 30- and 50-year maturities, the same as last year, people with knowledge of the

China to retain ultra-long special bond tenors this year, sources say
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World

China's Q1 economic rebound faces rough seas as Iran war jolts global outlook

China's economy picked up speed early in 2026, riding an export surge before the Iran war sent energy costs soaring and put global

China's Q1 economic rebound faces rough seas as Iran war jolts global outlook
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to India, the first by a South Korean leader in eight years, before heading to Vietnam, a presidential adviser

South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

Samsung asks court to block illegal strike activities by unions

Samsung Electronics asked a court on Thursday to block its South Korean labour unions engaging in illegal activities during strike, a spokesperson said, as a wage dispute

Samsung asks court to block illegal strike activities by unions
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

TSMC lifts revenue forecast, pledges more capital spending to meet AI chip demand

TSMC raised its annual revenue forecast on Thursday and said it was stepping up capital spending this year as the world's

TSMC lifts revenue forecast, pledges more capital spending to meet AI chip demand
Asia|Political|World

South Korea says Pyongyang's response to drone apology marks progress in easing tensions

South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Tuesday that North Korea's rare conciliatory response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over drone incursions

South Korea says Pyongyang's response to drone apology marks progress in easing tensions
Asia|Economy|Political|World

Vietnam's top leader To Lam consolidates power, gets China-style mandate

Vietnam's lawmakers unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state president for the

Vietnam's top leader To Lam consolidates power, gets China-style mandate
Asia|Political|World

Key facts on relations as Taiwan opposition leader visits China

Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun arrived in China on Tuesday on what she says is a mission of peace, happening at a time Beijing has ramped up its military and political

Key facts on relations as Taiwan opposition leader visits China
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Vietnam's top leader To Lam wins state presidency, gets China-style mandate

Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state

Vietnam's top leader To Lam wins state presidency, gets China-style mandate
Asia|Economy|Political|World

Vietnam's top leader To Lam expands power, new PM elected

Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state

Vietnam's top leader To Lam expands power, new PM elected
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World

Japan sees weakening economic momentum, early signs of war-induced pain

An index measuring the health of Japan's economy slid in February, government data showed on Tuesday, highlighting a soft spot in the economy even before it

Japan sees weakening economic momentum, early signs of war-induced pain
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Europe|Finance|MidEast|Stock Markets|US|World

Oil surges on US blockade of Iran

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom Westbrook Oil futures jumped back over $100 at the open in Asia on Monday, the dollar fell and stocks were down as U.S.-Iran talks

Oil surges on US blockade of Iran
Asia|Political|World

Afghanistan, Pakistan hold 'useful' peace talks in China, says Kabul

Afghanistan and Pakistan made "useful" progress in talks in China to resolve the conflict that broke out between the South Asian neighbours last

Afghanistan, Pakistan hold 'useful' peace talks in China, says Kabul
Asia|Crime|Political|World

Kazakhstan sentences 19 for protest against repression in China's Xinjiang region

A Kazakh court has convicted 19 Kazakh activists after a protest against Beijing’s crackdown in China’s far-western Xinjiang region last year, in what advocates call an extraordinary move by the Kazakh government to silence dissident at the behest of Beijing

Kazakhstan sentences 19 for protest against repression in China's Xinjiang region
Asia|Business|Economy|World

China's economy grows at 5% in first quarter, shrugging off initial impact of Iran war

China’s economy accelerated in the first quarter of this year, expanding 5% from a year earlier as it largely shrugged off impacts from the Iran war so far

China's economy grows at 5% in first quarter, shrugging off initial impact of Iran war
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Vietnam's To Lam plans China visit next week after winning presidency, sources say

Vietnam's top leader To Lam is planning a visit to China next week to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping, three people briefed on the

Vietnam's To Lam plans China visit next week after winning presidency, sources say
Asia|Business|Economy|World

China's Xi urges demand‑driven growth in services sector

China's President Xi Jinping has called for a demand-driven approach coupled with reform and technological empowerment to develop the service sector, the official Xinhua

China's Xi urges demand‑driven growth in services sector
Asia|World

China says Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to explore comprehensive solution in peace talks

China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed during peace talks in Urumqi to explore a comprehensive solution to the conflict that broke

China says Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to explore comprehensive solution in peace talks
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Spanish prime minister to make fourth trip to China in as many years

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will make his fourth trip to China in as many years this month, as had been widely expected, as Madrid seeks to build on its

Spanish prime minister to make fourth trip to China in as many years
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

China and Russia veto UN resolution on protecting Hormuz shipping

China and Russia on Tuesday vetoed a U.N. resolution encouraging states to coordinate efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, calling

China and Russia veto UN resolution on protecting Hormuz shipping