Australia: Anthony Albanese and Singapore’s prime minister talk trade, fuel in bilateral meeting<\/a><\/span> Cambodia: Border sovereignty defended in Paris<\/a><\/span> China: Will Cheng Li-wun\u2019s meeting with Xi Jinping temper cross-strait ties?<\/a><\/span> Indonesia: Prabowo swears in Anwar Usman\u2019s replacement in Constitutional Court<\/a><\/span> Japan: Push to revise Japan\u2019s pacifist Constitution gains steam<\/a><\/span> Laos: Vietnam Sends Senior Party Leader to Laos, Advances Strategic Ties<\/a><\/span> North Korea: North Korea and China\u2019s top diplomats hold talks in Pyongyang<\/a><\/span> South Korea: S. Korea’s official development aid falls 3.9 pct in 2025<\/a><\/span> Taiwan: Haiti supports freedom, democracy, stands with Taiwan: Ambassador<\/a><\/span> Thailand: Thailand oil supplies \u2018sufficient for\u00a0110 days\u2019<\/a><\/span> European Union: EU gives Russia \u20ac3bn LNG Arctic boost as Iran war exposes energy vulnerability<\/a><\/span> Georgia: US Revisits Georgia’s Black Sea Port As Strategic Corridors Rise<\/a><\/span> Hungary: Hungary’s Orban concedes landmark defeat to centre-right opposition<\/a><\/span> Ireland: Irish PM announces \u20ac505m\u00a0in fuel-cost measures after days of protests<\/a><\/span> Italy: Attack on oil pipeline in Italy threatened fuel supplies across southern Germany<\/a><\/span> Russia: Ex-Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov Jailed 19 Years on Corruption Charges<\/a><\/span> Serbia: EU poised to slash up to \u20ac1.5B in funding to Serbia over democracy fears<\/a><\/span> Ukraine\/Russia: Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of breaching 36-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire<\/a><\/span> Ukraine\/Russia: Russia, Ukraine carry out POW swap, defence ministry says<\/a><\/span> Lebanon: Lebanon digs for survivors after Israeli attack kills over 300, as surprise word of talks emerges<\/a><\/span> Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia says attacks cut oil output and East-West Pipeline flow<\/a><\/span> Iraq: Rubio says kidnapped American journalist has been released by pro-Iran militia in Iraq<\/a><\/span> Iran: US-Iran talks underway, Trump says Strait of Hormuz being cleared<\/a><\/span> UAE\/Qatar\/Saudi Arabia: Zelenskyy says Ukrainian interceptors downed Iran drones in the Middle East<\/a><\/span> Angola: President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o signs repressive civil society law<\/a><\/span> Cameroon: Rising hunger and aid cuts amid conflict and climate shocks<\/a><\/span> DR Congo: DRC joins US list of third-country deportation destinations<\/a><\/span> Ghana: Selection as first beneficiary of France\u2019s National Health Platform<\/a><\/span> Kenya: Defense pact with France ratified while Haiti misconduct claims are disputed<\/a><\/span> Namibia: Government pursues long-term reparation healing in genocide talks<\/a><\/span> Nigeria: Manufacturers warn of severe risks from unfolding US-Iran conflict<\/a><\/span> Nigeria: Mass terrorism trials and rescue of church hostages<\/a><\/span> Rwanda: Former FAR finance boss set for genocide trial in Paris<\/a><\/span> Somalia: Federal government launches first offshore oil drilling campaign<\/a><\/span> South Africa: New Bill moves to strengthen whistleblower protections<\/a><\/span> Uganda: Joint regional climate camera to launch into space<\/a><\/span> Zimbabwe: New ZiG banknotes enter circulation amid constitutional controversy<\/a><\/span> Afghanistan: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to explore a solution after weeks of fighting and hundreds of deaths<\/a><\/span> Afghanistan: U.S. Seeks Third-Country Options For Afghans Stranded In Qatar<\/span><\/a> Afghanistan: Afghanistan brands China peace talks with Pakistan \u2018useful\u2019<\/a><\/span> Bangladesh: BNP takes a different path on judicial independence<\/a><\/span> Bangladesh: Bangladesh minister meets Malaysian PM to strengthen labour, trade, and education ties<\/a><\/span> Bhutan: Bhutan’s economy expected to maintain growth momentum, World Bank says<\/a><\/span> Bhutan: Government yet to deliver on promises for media reforms<\/a><\/span> India: Foreign Secretary Misri reviews defence, trade ties, West Asia with senior U.S. officials<\/a><\/span> India: Three life terms for Kashmir\u2019s Aasiya Andrabi fit India\u2019s \u2018broader pattern\u2019<\/a><\/span> Maldives: ADB: Maldives economic growth will slow down to 1% this year, inflation to rise<\/a><\/span> Nepal: West Asia war forces Nepal to make tough calls<\/a><\/span> Pakistan: How Pakistan managed to get the US and Iran to a ceasefire<\/a><\/span> Pakistan: Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon: FO<\/a><\/span> Pakistan: How Pakistan became an unlikely bridge between the United States and Iran<\/a><\/span> Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka records nearly 15 million local malware attacks in 2025: Kaspersky<\/a><\/span> Tajikistan: “They took my money.” Increasing fraud among Tajiks looking for work in Europe<\/a><\/span> Uzbekistan: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan strengthen collaboration on critical minerals<\/a><\/span> Brazil: Brazil announces US partnership to intercept weapons, drug trafficking<\/a><\/span> Canada: Canada\u2019s Carney Poised to Secure a Majority After Latest Defection<\/a><\/span> Canada: Canada pushing for Lebanon inclusion into ceasefire deal: source<\/a><\/span> Columbia: Colombia responds to Ecuador\u2019s tariff hike with 100-percent import tax<\/a><\/span> Costa Rica: Costa Rica Designates Iran\u2019s IRGC as a Terrorist Organization<\/a><\/span> Cuba: Cuban president tells NBC he won\u2019t resign under US pressure, as Russia backs old ally<\/a><\/span> Honduras: US court dismisses appeal from former Honduran president Hernandez<\/a><\/span>
\nABC News (Australia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAustralia and Singapore have agreed to make every effort to meet each other’s energy needs as conflict in the Middle East continues.\u202fAlbanese is expected to visit more countries across the region in the coming weeks to further shore up Australia’s fuel supplies.<\/p>\n
\nKhmer Times (Cambodia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPrime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia\u2019s stance on the border dispute with Thailand during a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on April 8.\u00a0The Cambodian leader reiterated his government\u2019s firm commitment to resolving all border issues with Thailand peacefully. He emphasized that any resolution must align with international law, relevant conventions, and existing bilateral agreements.<\/p>\n
\nSouth China Morning Post (Hong Kong)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe\u202fhigh-profile talks between leaders\u202fof the Communist Party and the Kuomintang, the first such meeting in a decade, are a step towards cross-strait stability despite the KMT\u2019s opposition status in Taiwan, according to observers.<\/p>\n
\nThe Jakarta Post (Indonesia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPresident\u202fPrabowo Subianto\u202fhas inaugurated\u00a0Liliek\u00a0Prisbawono\u00a0Adi as a new Constitutional Court justice, filling the vacancy left by Anwar Usman, who concluded his 15-year controversial tenure at the court.<\/p>\n
\nThe Asahi Shimbun (Japan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSome lawmakers stressed urgency while others urged caution in drafting revisions to Japan\u2019s supreme laws at the first meeting of the Lower House Commission on the Constitution during the current Diet session. This political muscle reinforces a pact the LDP made with the opposition Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) last October to\u00a0establish\u00a0a committee to draft constitutional amendments \u201cas soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Laotian Times (Laos)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBoth sides reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between Laos and Vietnam, rooted in shared revolutionary history, political trust, and decades of cooperation. The visit comes amid renewed diplomatic momentum between the two countries.<\/p>\n
\nNK News (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nNorth Korea and China\u2019s foreign ministers held talks in Pyongyang late Thursday, vowing to support each other on the global stage as they prepare to mark the 65th anniversary of their defense pact.<\/p>\n
\nThe Korea Herald (South Korea)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSouth Korea’s official development\u00a0assistance\u00a0posted an on-year decrease of 3.9 percent to\u00a0$3.87 billion\u00a0in 2025, due to a weak exchange rate and reduced multilateral aid, the government said Friday.<\/p>\n
\nFocus Taiwan (Taiwan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nHaiti supports Taiwan because it has long championed democracy and freedom, Ambassador Roudy Stanley Penn told CNA in an interview on Wednesday. “We support the freedom of the people of Taiwan because we know what freedom means; we know what isolation means,” Penn said in an interview conducted on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\nBangkok Post (Thailand)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThailand\u2019s oil supply\u00a0remains\u00a0sufficient for\u00a0110 days, according to the Ministry of Energy, which says daily diesel production has been averaging\u00a083.2 million\u00a0liters, with sales around\u00a064.7 million\u00a0liters\u00a0per day. The ministry said total oil reserves consisted of\u00a025 days\u2019 worth of statutory reserves,\u00a023 days\u00a0of commercial reserves, 31 days\u2019 worth of oil in transit, and\u00a031 days\u00a0of confirmed procurement.<\/p>\nEurope & Eurasia<\/h3>\n
\nEUObserver\u00a0(Belgium)<\/em>
\nThe EU is the dominant consumer of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Russia\u2019s Yamal Arctic project \u2014 despite promising to end imports of Russian fossil fuels\u202fat the end of this year, according to new data published on Friday (10 April).<\/p>\n
\nRadio Free Europe\/ Radio Liberty (Czech Republic)<\/em>
\nAfter\u00a0nearly two\u00a0years of suspended engagement under a multiyear strategic partnership, the United States has resumed high-level contact with Georgia. On March 30, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio\u202fheld\u202fa phone call with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)<\/em>
\nHungary’s veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orban conceded defeat on Sunday after\u00a0a\u00a0 landslide\u00a0election victory by the upstart opposition Tisza party. Results based on 46% of votes counted showed the\u00a0centre-right, pro-EU Tisza party of Peter Magyar\u202fwinning 135 seats – or a two-thirds majority – in the 199-member parliament, ahead of Orban’s Fidesz party.<\/p>\n
\nBBC (United Kingdom)<\/em>
\nThe Irish government has announced a package worth \u20ac505 million (440 million) to support those \u201cmost impacted\u201d by rising fuel costs. Taoiseach (Irish PM) Miche\u00e1l Martin said on Sunday that his government is extending temporary measures to reduce excise duty on petrol, diesel, and marked gas oil.<\/p>\n
\nPolitico (United States)<\/em>
\nAn attack on an oil pipeline in northern Italy put the supply of gasoline,\u00a0diesel\u00a0and aviation fuel to southern Germany at risk in late March, according to information obtained by Business Insider and WELT AM SONNTAG.<\/p>\n
\nThe Moscow Times (The Netherlands)<\/em>
\nA Moscow military court on Friday\u202fsentenced\u202fformer Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Popov to 19 years in a maximum-security prison after he was found guilty of a litany of corruption charges, making him the latest former defense official to be sent behind bars following a Kremlin purge of the military.<\/p>\n
\nPolitico (United States)<\/em>
\nSerbia faces losing up to \u20ac1.5 billion in EU funding as the European Commission weighs pulling the plug over democratic backsliding and the country\u2019s close ties with Russia.<\/p>\n
\nEuronews (France)<\/em>
\nAs Christian Orthodox gather to celebrate Easter Sunday in Ukraine and Russia, both accused each other of violating a Russian declared 32-hour ceasefire that is\u00a0supposedly in\u00a0place. According to Ukraine’s General Staff of the armed forces, by 7 AM the ceasefire had been violated by Russia 2,299 times, including assaults,\u00a0shelling\u00a0and small drone launches.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)<\/em>
\nRussia\u00a0and Ukraine\u00a0have \u200ccarried out a\u00a0prisoner\u00a0of war\u00a0exchange with \u2060mediation\u00a0from the\u00a0United Arab Emirates, with each side\u00a0swapping 175\u00a0more detainees on \u200cSaturday, \u2060the\u00a0Russian\u00a0Defence\u00a0Ministry said.<\/p>\nNear East<\/h3>\n
\nAssociated Press (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nLebanon reeled Thursday after the deadliest day of the renewed war between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, with the death toll exceeding 300 people as more remains were pulled from rubble and bodies\u00a0identified\u00a0at hospitals. Meanwhile, Israel made the surprise announcement of authorizing direct talks with Lebanon, despite their lack of diplomatic ties. Israeli attacks continued. The Health Ministry said that 1,150 people were also wounded in the widespread strikes that rocked Lebanon on Wednesday, including in busy parts of Beirut. There was no immediate response to the Israeli announcement from Lebanon, which had repeatedly proposed talks to end the war, or from Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and \u201cestablishing peaceful relations\u201d between the countries.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAttacks on Saudi energy facilities have cut the kingdom’s oil production capacity by around 600,000 barrels per day and throughput on its East-West Pipeline by about 700,000 bpd, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday, citing an official source \u200cat the Ministry of Energy. The ministry source did not specify who launched the attacks, but Saudi Arabia has intercepted many Iranian missiles and drones in recent weeks. The latest attacks, including\u00a0previous\u00a0strikes on some facilities, also disrupted operations at key oil, gas, refining, petrochemical and electricity sites in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu Industrial City, SPA said.<\/p>\n
\nCNN (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that kidnapped American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been released by a pro-Iran militia in Iraq. Kittleson was received by the Iraqi government, which is processing her travel arrangements, a senior Iraqi government official told CNN. He also\u00a0stated\u00a0that the government made extensive efforts to ensure her safety. Kittleson, who specializes in Middle East reporting, had been taken captive by Kataib Hezbollah, a pro-Iran militia in Iraq, last month.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nU.S. and Iranian negotiators held their highest-level talks in half a century in Pakistan on Saturday to try to end their six-week war as President Donald Trump \u200csaid his military was clearing the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but Trump has vowed to reopen, is crucial to negotiations between the sides during a ceasefire agreed last Tuesday and due to last two weeks. The U.S. military said two of its warships had passed through the strait and conditions were being set to clear mines, while Iran’s state media denied any U.S. ships had transited the waterway.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that his country\u2019s technology was used to shoot down Iranian drones in the Middle East, after he had announced last month that expert teams had been deployed to the region following the outbreak of the United States-Israeli war on Iran. In a post on X on Friday, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces took part in operations using domestically produced interceptor drones against \u201cShahed\u201d drones,\u00a0similar to\u00a0those used by Russia during its ongoing war on Ukraine.<\/p>\nSub-Saharan Africa<\/h3>\n
\nHuman Rights Watch (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAngolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o has signed a new law granting the government broad powers to authorize, monitor, and financially restrict NGOs under vague “security threats”. Civil society groups warn that the legislation lacks independent oversight and could be used to silence critical voices. This move follows a series of restrictive measures, including a 2024 National Security Law allowing state supervision of media and a proposed “online disinformation” bill introduced in early 2026.<\/p>\n
\nWorld Food\u00a0Programme\u00a0(Italy)\u00a0<\/em>
\nMillions in Cameroon face deepening hunger due to conflict, displacement, and climate shocks, with\u00a0nearly one\u00a0in three children under five suffering from stunting. Severe funding shortages have forced the World Food\u00a0Programme\u00a0to slash food rations by up to 50 percent, affecting\u00a0nearly 600,000\u00a0vulnerable people. This humanitarian crisis will greet Pope Leo XIV during his scheduled visit to the country for a four-nation peace tour from April 15\u201318.<\/p>\n
\nDW News (Germany)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Democratic Republic of Congo has reached a “temporary” deal with the Trump administration to receive migrant deportees from the U.S. who cannot be returned to their home countries. While the DRC characterizes the agreement as a commitment to “international solidarity,” the deal is also linked to broader U.S. interests, including mediating a peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda and securing access to Congolese critical minerals.<\/p>\n
\nGhanaian Times (Ghana)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPresident John Dramani Mahama secured Ghana’s\u00a0selection\u00a0as the first beneficiary of France’s National Health Platform during a bilateral meeting with President Macron. The two leaders also discussed the Accra Reset Initiative, which seeks to reform global frameworks for international development institutions. President Mahama noted that the Ghanaian economy has “bounced back strongly” following debt restructuring supported by both France and China.<\/p>\n
\nRFI (France)\u00a0<\/em>
\nKenya\u2019s National Assembly has ratified a five-year defense agreement with France focused on maritime security, intelligence sharing, and peacekeeping. Simultaneously, the Kenyan government has issued a formal\u00a0protest against\u00a0a UN report alleging its personnel committed sexual abuse and rape while serving in the Haiti mission. Foreign Minister Mudavadi dismissed the claims as “unsubstantiated,” noting that the Kenya-led mission is being phased out and replaced by a larger Gang Suppression Force.<\/p>\n
\nThe Namibian (Namibia)<\/em>
\nPresident\u00a0Netumbo\u00a0Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that ongoing genocide negotiations with Germany have been revised to ensure reparations support “long-term healing” rather than a single once-off payment. This shift follows the rejection of\u00a0an initial\u00a0\u20ac1.1 billion deal by affected communities who argued the settlement was inequitable. The government expects to reach\u00a0a final conclusion\u00a0before the end of 2024 to close a “dark chapter” of history.<\/p>\n
\nVanguard News (Nigeria)<\/em>
\nThe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) warns that the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East is driving up energy and freight costs, threatening the sector’s 3.1% growth target for 2026. As manufacturers struggle with\u00a0high costs\u00a0and unsold inventory, an Iranian negotiating team has arrived in Islamabad for critical talks with the U.S. President Trump has warned that American warships are being prepared for a potential strike if these negotiations fail.<\/p>\n
\nDW News (Germany)<\/em>
\nThe Nigerian government is currently prosecuting 500 suspected terrorists in Phase 9 of its mass trials in Abuja, which officials state is being conducted with transparency and “due process”. Concurrently, the army successfully rescued 31 hostages who were abducted during an Easter church service in Kaduna state. Despite these efforts, violence continues as bandits conduct mass kidnappings for ransom, which President Trump has characterized as a “genocide” of Christians.<\/p>\n
\nThe New Times (Rwanda)\u00a0<\/em>
\nCyprien Kayumba, a 71-year-old former lieutenant colonel, has been referred to the Court of Assizes in Paris for his alleged role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kayumba is suspected of supplying weapons used in the killings while serving as the Director of Financial Services at the Rwandan defense ministry. The trial was made possible after French prosecutors appealed an earlier dismissal of the case in 2025, reaffirming France’s commitment to pursuing justice for genocide suspects on its territory.<\/p>\n
\nShabelle Media Network (Somalia)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSomalia has officially launched its first offshore oil drilling operation, partnering with\u00a0Turkey\u00a0to drill the Curad-1 well. Officials believe the campaign could significantly reshape regional energy dynamics and boost resource-led economic growth. However, the move has caused friction; Uganda’s military chief recently issued an ultimatum to\u00a0Turkey, demanding\u00a0$1 billion\u00a0and threatening to close the Turkish embassy over its operations in Somalia.<\/p>\n
\nSAnews (South Africa)<\/em>
\nThe South African government has introduced the Protected Disclosures Bill, a sweeping reform aimed at protecting whistleblowers from retaliation, financial ruin, and assassination. Arising from the Zondo Commission\u2019s findings, the Bill proposes criminalizing the disclosure of a whistleblower’s identity with penalties of up to 15 years in prison. The legislation also introduces state-funded legal aid and extends witness protection to individuals from the moment of disclosure.<\/p>\n
\nNile Post (Uganda)\u00a0<\/em>
\nUganda, Kenya, and Egypt are collaborating on ‘ClimCam’, a space-based camera designed to\u00a0monitor\u00a0environmental conditions and provide near real-time data for disaster preparedness. The camera, to be installed on the International Space Station, aims to improve flood and drought prediction through artificial intelligence. Highlighting the importance of the project, President Museveni warned that Africa risks being “sidelined” in the global space race unless it invests more in scientific integration.<\/p>\n
\nNewZimbabwe.com (Zimbabwe)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has rolled out the new “Big Five”\u00a0ZiG\u00a0banknotes and coins as part of an effort to introduce durable currency into the economy. Amidst this transition, the government has faced backlash over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes extending presidential terms from five to seven years. Following her public condemnation of the bill, Jessie\u00a0Majome\u00a0was removed from her position as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.<\/p>\nSouth & Central Asia<\/h3>\n
\nAP News (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAfghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to \u201cexplore a comprehensive solution\u201d after weeks of cross-border fighting in the western Chinese city of Urumqi, mediated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. During these peace talks parties were able to clarify the core and priority issues with both parties determining that terrorism is a core issue\u00a0impacting\u00a0their relationship with neither wanting to take any actions that would escalate or complicate the conflict.<\/p>\n
\nKhaama\u00a0(Afghanistan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe United States has opened talks with at three countries, two in sub-Saharan Africa and one in Southeast Asia, as it seeks to close the costly transit facility where the Afghans have been left in limbo. Evacuees are currently being housed at Camp\u00a0As\u00a0Sayliyah\u00a0near Doha with the camp costing more than $10 million a month to\u00a0operate, and Washington wants to resolve the situation quickly. Uncertainty has grown since restrictions suspended visa issuance for Afghan nationals narrowing legal pathways for Afghans who have evacuated or were in advanced stages of U.S. processing. Furthermore, U.S. attempts in persuading Arab and Muslim countries to accept the evacuees has failed but no country has so far agreed to take the ground leaving Afghans stranded for now.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nAfghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi said that peace talks with Pakistan have been \u201cuseful\u201d.\u00a0FM Muttaqi expressed hope that minor interpretations would not hinder the progress of the negotiations.\u00a0There have been few official statements in regard to the discussions.<\/p>\n
\nProthom\u00a0Alo\u00a0(Bangladesh)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe BNP government has placed bills in the Jatiya\u00a0Sangsad\u00a0(national parliament) to repeal two ordinances issued during the tenure of the interim government. One on\u00a0establishing\u00a0an independent secretariat for the Supreme Court and another on the appointment of judges. These changes come from the party\u2019s commitments to its 31-point reform agenda to ensure judicial independence. However, BNP\u2019s current position appears inconsistent with the party now being accused of backtracking its earlier stance.<\/p>\n
\nProthom Alo (Bangladesh)<\/em>
\nAriful Haque Choudhury, minister of expatriates\u2019 welfare and overseas employment, Government of Bangladesh called on Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia at his office on Thursday.\u00a0Both sides held discussion on labor relations, affirming their shared commitment to ensuring a transparent, clean, and efficient recruitment system to prevent exploitation of workers.\u00a0They as well discussed enhancing their bilateral trade and investment, with both parties looking to expand economic engagement.<\/p>\n
\nKuensel\u00a0(Bhutan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nBhutan\u2019s economic growth is projected to accelerate to 7.1% in the current fiscal year and 6.4% in 2026-27, driven by its hydropower expansion. However, the World Bank report\u00a0identifies\u00a0several risks to the outlook, which include youth unemployment, outward migration, and rising fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which are affecting the country\u2019s growth trajectory.<\/p>\n
\nKuensel\u00a0(Bhutan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe government has made a slew of pledges to reform the media sector, yet little of it has been realized so far. The commitments include implementing a media protection policy, transforming the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) into a public service broadcaster, licensing a private television channel, and providing government scholarships for journalists, among others. The country\u2019s declining press-freedom rankings, challenges to access information, and the steady departure of experienced journalists have weakened the media sector.<\/p>\n
\nThe Hindu (India)<\/em>
\nIndia\u2019s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, met senior U.S. officials here and discussed ways to further deepen the defense and trade relations and exchanged views on the developments in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nActivists and legal experts have condemned an Indian court\u2019s verdict that handed down three life sentences to prominent Kashmiri separatist Asiya Andrabi, saying the harsh sentencing of a 64-year-old woman \u201cfits a broader pattern\u201d of India\u2019s policy with dissenting voices in the disputed region. She was arrested by the NIA in 2018 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a draconian anti-terror law, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code and was accused by the NIA of waging war against the Indian government, raising funds for terrorist acts, and being a member of a terrorist group.<\/p>\n
\nThe Sun Online (Maldives)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Asian Development Outlook released today by the Asian Development Bank projects a pronounced slowdown in the Maldives\u2019 economic growth this year, due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The report estimates Maldives economic growth at just 1.0% this year, a decline from the 5.4% growth recorded in the last year due to pressure on their tourism sector, higher fuel prices, and growing pressure on the government budget.<\/p>\n
\nThe Himalayan Times (Nepal)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have compelled Prime Minister Balendra Shah\u2019s newly formed government to make several tough stances. Nepalis have been forced to make compromises for necessities. With small business having difficulty securing oil with the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) continuously revising petroleum prices with the NOC reporting a mounting\u00a0financial loss\u00a0because of rising global fuel prices.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe United States\u00a0and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Pakistan being the central mediator. The breakthrough channels\u00a0are being\u00a0led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. The peace talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad, though significant\u00a0tensions\u00a0remain\u00a0regarding\u00a0the inclusion of Lebanon and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
\nThe Express Tribune (Pakistan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPakistan strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon, arguing that Israeli actions undermine international efforts to\u00a0establish\u00a0peace and stability in the region.<\/p>\n
\nCNN\u00a0(United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nPakistan is hosting the first direct talks between Washington and Tehran and is a pivot for a country that has dealt with its own security concerns. This breakthrough\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0how much Islamabad\u2019s relationship with the White House has evolved since President Trump\u2019s first term.<\/p>\n
\nThe Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)\u00a0<\/em>
\nSri Lanka recorded 14,960,244 local malware incidents in 2025 ranking 48th\u00a0globally. Data from the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) shows that offline infection methods\u00a0remain\u00a0a major cybersecurity challenge, specifically in environments where shared devices are common. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, password stealers increased by 132% and spyware by 32%, which emphasizes that targeting user credentials and sensitive data has increased.<\/p>\n
\nRadio Liberty (Tajikistan)\u00a0<\/em>
\nThe Ministry of Labor and Migration of Tajikistan has reported an increase in cases of fraud with the promise of work abroad. This has been achieved using social media to gain the trust of citizens and embezzle their money with the promise to work abroad. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that in the past two years more than 350 Tajiks have complained about being\u00a0scammed.<\/p>\n
\nEurasia Net (United States)<\/em>
\nUzbekistan and Kazakhstan are striving to coordinate efforts to develop their respective reserves of critical minerals and rare earths. The two countries agreed to\u00a0facilitate\u00a0joint prospecting work, technology exchanges, and coordinate work to extract and refine critical minerals. Officials from both countries have pledged to combine efforts to attract foreign investment.<\/p>\nWestern Hemisphere<\/h3>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 10th, the Brazilian government announced a new security partnership with the United States to combat criminal networks, as well as the illicit traffic of drugs and weapons. The operation will be called the DESARMA\u00a0programme, and the deal acts as the latest collaboration between the administration of U.S. president Donald Trump and a government in Latin America.<\/p>\n
\nThe New York Times (United States)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 8th, the Liberal Party of Canada almost reached a parliamentary majority due to an opposition lawyer joining the party. Led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the party has gained popularity,\u00a0raising\u00a0massive support and gaining new members. Carney has been a large source of the popularity: 60% of Canadians support him and his policies, which include standing up to Trump\u2019s economic and political threats and calling for middle-power nations to lead the new international order. While the official elections are still far away, it looks like the Liberal Party may gain majority any day now.<\/p>\n
\nCBC News Canada (Canada)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 9th, Prime Minister Mark Carney, during a news conference, called for the Israel-Iran ceasefire to include Lebanon, a sentiment both Pakistan and Australia have echoed. Since February 28th, Iran and Israel have been entrenched in conflict, and most of the fighting has happened in Lebanon. Pakistan has acted as a mediator, creating the current ceasefire negotiations, and has claimed that Lebanon was included in the discussions. The death toll in Lebanon has reached more than 250 people and a civil war is predicted, leading Prime Minister Mark Carney to call for a ceasefire. He labeled Israel\u2019s actions as an \u201cillegal takeover\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nAl Jazeera (Qatar)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 10th, the Colombia\u2019s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has announced it will raise tariffs on neighboring Ecuador to 100 percent from 30 percent. The sum will match the rate Ecuador set a day earlier amid an escalating trade and diplomatic spat between the two countries. In recent months Ecuador has hiked tariffs against Columbia, citing a trade deficit and accusing the other country of not doing enough to fight drug trafficking \u2013 an accusation Columbia has denied.<\/p>\n
\nThe Tico Times (Costa Rica)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 8th, Costa Rica joined many European and Latin American countries in labeling Iran\u2019s IRGC group as a terrorist organization. Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of armed forces that\u00a0possess\u00a0significant military, economic, and political power and has already been condemned by the European Union. Costa Rica announces this move as a step towards strengthening prevention, investigation, and criminal prosecution. The move also aligns the nation with the West, who has become focused on security and cracking down on terrorist groups.<\/p>\n
\nThe Guardian (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 9th, Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said he would not resign under US pressure in his first television interview with an American broadcaster, while\u202fRussia\u202finsisted it would never abandon or betray its ally. As tensions between Cuba and the United States continue to simmer, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov visited Cuba on Thursday, holding talks with Diaz-Canel and\u00a0stating\u00a0that Russia had no intentions of walking away from its interests in the Western Hemisphere, according to Russian news agencies.<\/p>\n
\nReuters (United Kingdom)\u00a0<\/em>
\nOn April 8th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit officially ruled to dismiss the appeal and vacate the judgment of the district court of Honduras’s former president, Juan Orlando Hernandez. The decision comes after President Trump\u2019s pardon, which became the basis of Hernandez\u2019s appeal. He was originally charged with conspiring to smuggle tons of cocaine in the U.S., which has now been vacated on the grounds of mootness.<\/p>\n