China warns of countermeasures against US over tariff hikes threat

China has threatened “countermeasures” if the US “goes ahead with the tariff hikes on China”, which Beijing says follow false media reports claiming it provided military support to Iran.

Japan halts new foreign worker intake for food services as quota nears

Japan has stopped accepting new foreign workers in its food services sector from Monday (Apr 13), as the industry nears its quota under a skilled worker scheme.

US vice president says ‘ball is in Iran’s court’ on deal to end war

US Vice President JD Vance says the US would be happy to treat heavily-sanctioned Iran “like a normal country” if it doesn’t pursue nuclear weapons.

Trump deletes post depicting him as Jesus-like figure after backlash

Faced with growing backlash, US President Donald Trump appears to have removed a controversial Truth Social post depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure.

South Asia remains fastest-growing region; India continues as growth engine: World Bank

Despite headwinds from global energy market disruptions triggered by the Iran war, South Asia continues to be the world’s fastest-growing region, with India acting as the principal engine of growth, according to the latest report by the World Bank.

US State Department confirms Rubio to take part in Lebanon-Israel talks

The US State Department has confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take part in Tuesday’s meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington.

Philippines says any energy deals with China must respect its sovereignty

The Philippines said on Sunday that any decision to pursue oil and gas cooperation ​with China would be made strictly in line ‌with its constitution and respect its sovereignty.

Iran threatens ports in Mideast as US military set to impose shipping blockade

The U.S. military announced it will begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, as President Donald Trump sought to pressure Iran in a move that risks driving oil prices even higher and renewing the war. The announcement set the stage for a showdown, as Iran immediately responded with threats on all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

After criticizing Pope, Trump posts image of himself as a Jesus-like figure

Shortly after criticizing Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy social media post on Sunday, President Trump shared an apparently A.I.-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure.

Australia appoints woman to lead its army for the first time

Australia on Monday said a woman would lead its army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of ​the country’s defence force leadership.

Britney Spears goes into rehab after driving under the influence arrest

Britney Spears has gone into rehab, a month after she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Oil jumps more than 7% to above $102 ahead of US blockade on Iran

Oil prices jumped back above $100 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared ‌to block ships to and from Iran via the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.

Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide

Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power is over, and the system condemned as an ’’electoral autocracy’’ lies in tatters, defeated by a 45-year-old former party insider who convinced a majority of Hungarians to bring it to an end.

Trump criticizes Pope Leo’s stance on Iran war, says he’s ‘not a fan’ of Catholic leader

President Donald Trump strongly criticized Pope Leo XIV on Sunday evening, denouncing his stance on the Iran war and saying he’s “terrible for foreign policy.”

Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail

Oil prices rose back above $100 a barrel as energy markets reopened in Asia on Monday after talks between the US and Iran ended without a new deal and President Donald Trump said he would blockade Iranian ports.

Trump claims he could ‘take out Iran in one day’ after saying military was ‘LOCKED AND LOADED’

President Donald Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that he could “take Iran out in one day,” hours after his vice president emerged from talks in Islamabad without an agreement to end the war with Iran.

US-Iran tensions: India’s forex reserves near $700 Billion

India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves have reached nearly $700 billion, a significant amount that positions the country as a strong player amid ongoing geopolitical challenges, particularly those arising from the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

IRGC threatens to trap enemies in ‘deadly whirlpools’ of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has warned that “any miscalculated move will trap the enemy in the deadly whirlpools in the Strait”.

Trump orders US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s ’’unyielding’’ refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during failed peace talks in Islamabad.

$1bn, a bride or a breakup: Uganda general’s bizarre ultimatum to Turkey

Uganda’s army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has sparked a diplomatic controversy after demanding $1 billion from Turkey along with what he described as “the most beautiful woman” in the country, while threatening to sever ties if his conditions are not met.

Iranian official says ‘no one expected’ a deal in one meeting

The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry has spoken with Iranian media after JD Vance’s comments.

US-Iran peace talks: Australia urges both sides to return to negotiations

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on the US and Iran to uphold the ceasefire and resume talks.

Iran says success of Islamabad talks depends on US avoiding ‘illegal demands’

Iran said Sunday that talks with the United States in Islamabad will succeed only if Washington abandons “excessive” and “illegal” demands.

Taiwan spotted Chinese warplanes as Xi met opposition leader in Beijing

Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Saturday that it spotted 16 Chinese warplanes operating near the island the previous day, around the same time China’s president was ​meeting the Taiwanese opposition leader.

US-Iran talks pause for now, disagreements remain

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that his negotiating ​team was leaving Pakistan after not reaching a deal with Iran after 21 hours of negotiations.

Trump says US forces are ’clearing’ Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump on ​Saturday posted on social media that the United States ‌military has started to clear the Strait of Hormuz, and that all of Iran’s minelaying ships have been sunk.

Iran threatens to attack US Navy ships entering Strait of Hormuz after first US vessels moved through channel

Iran threatened to attack any US Navy ships that enter the Strait of Hormuz shortly after American vessels moved through the channel for the first time since the war broke out.

Iranian negotiators in Pakistan ‘defending Iran’s interests’: Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed support for the Iranian negotiators in Pakistan, saying the delegation will “negotiate bravely” in defence of the country’s interests.

India relaxes conditions for rice exports to some European countries

India has allowed exports of ​basmati and non-basmati ‌rice to some European countries without an ​otherwise mandatory ​certificate of inspection by ⁠its export inspection ​agency for six ​months, a government notification said on Friday.

Rubio says revoked visas of ex-Iranian vice president’s relatives

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he has revoked the residency statuses of several individuals related to Iran’s former Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar.