Mastodawn

Vietnam's lawmakers have unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary-General To Lam as the country's state president for the next five years, making him the most powerful Vietnamese leader in decades. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/asia-pacific/politics/vietnam-to-lam-china-mandate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #vietnam #tolam #southeastasia

Vietnam's ruling-party leader To Lam elected president in structural shift

The widely anticipated move marks a break from Vietnam's traditional collective leadership system, consolidating authority in one figure.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 1h ago

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for accelerated planning and construction of a new system to safeguard the country's energy security, weeks into the conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted global markets. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/asia-pacific/politics/china-xi-energy-middle-east-war/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #china #xijinping #energy #middleeast #iran #straitofhormuz

China's Xi urges faster development of new energy system as Middle East war continues

The leader of the ‌world's second-largest ‌economy also emphasized hydropower development and ecological protection, while urging the safe and orderly expansion of nuclear power.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 3h ago

New Zealand has signed a defense and security declaration with the Cook Islands, repairing a relationship that was strained when the tiny South Pacific nation entered a strategic agreement with China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/asia-pacific/politics/new-zealand-cook-islands-deal-china/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #newzealand #cookislands #china

New Zealand signs Cook Islands pact to counter China deal

While the Cook Islands is a self-governing state, it is part of the Realm of New Zealand and has a special constitutional relationship with Wellington.

The Japan Times

The Japan Times 6h ago

South Korea's spy agency now believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/07/asia-pacific/politics/north-korea-kim-daughter-successor/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #southkorea #northkorea #kimjongun

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

Seoul's spy agency a recent public display of Kim Ju Ae driving a ‌tank ‌was likely intended to highlight her supposed military aptitude and dispel doubts over a female heir.

The Japan Times

Technology | The Guardian US 7h ago

Private jets, deserted shores and an unbuilt resort: alleged links to sanctioned ‘scam’ empire revealed in Timor-Leste https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/apr/06/prince-group-timor-leste-links-to-alleged-scam-empire #AsiaPacific #Timorleste #Scams #Scams #AustraliaNews #Business #Business #Money #Cryptocurrencies #Cybercrime #Philanthropy #Blockchain #Technology #WorldNews #BertieAhern #UsNews #Ireland #Gambling #China

Private jets, deserted shores and an unbuilt resort: alleged links to sanctioned ‘scam’ empire revealed in Timor-Leste

Exclusive: Investigation finds alleged Prince Group associates were involved in unusual development in tiny nation on Australia’s doorstep, raising concerns about global spread of online fraud industry

The Guardian

TheBadPlace 14h ago

The Guardian | Private jets, deserted shores and an unbuilt resort: alleged links to sanctioned ‘scam’ empire revealed in Timor-Leste by Kate Lamb and Ariel Bogle

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Guests were enticed with the promise of luxury villas overlooking aquamarine seas; a world-first crypto resort where the tech elite could commune over the latest digital innovation in opulent surrounds.

#asiapacific #cryptocurrencies #scams #timor-leste

Private jets, deserted shores and an unbuilt resort: alleged links to sanctioned ‘scam’ empire revealed in Timor-Leste

The Guardian

Malaysia Airlines expands China routes as others cut flights amid Middle East crisis

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/business/malaysia-airlines-expands-china-routes-amid-middle-east-crisis/

Malaysia Airlines expands China routes as others cut flights amid Middle East crisis

Malaysia Airlines Group president and chief executive officer Nasaruddin Bakar says the company has locked in about 36% of its fuel needs for the year and aims to raise this to 50% by the second quarter

RAPPLER

The Japan Times 19h ago

North ⁠Korea appears to be distancing itself from Iran and carefully managing its public messaging to preserve the possibility of a new relationship with the U.S. after the Iran war, according to Seoul's spy agency. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/06/asia-pacific/politics/north-korea-iran-trump-us/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #northkorea #missiles #nuclearweapons #kimjongun #southkorea #iran #usdonaldtrump

North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for U.S. talks, Seoul says

Seoul's spy agency said Pyongyang had ‌not sent ‌weapons or aid to Tehran, while carefully managing its public messaging since the war's start.

The Japan Times

World news | The Guardian 19h ago

Thailand PM calls for energy saving as Middle East conflict drives price surge https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/06/thailand-pm-calls-for-energy-saving-as-middle-east-conflict-drives-price-surge #Thailand #WorldNews #AsiaPacific #UsisraelWarOnIran #Indonesia #Oil #Commodities

Thailand PM calls for energy saving as Middle East conflict drives price surge

Anutin Charnvirakul encourages measures such as home working and carpooling as country is reliant on oil imports

The Guardian

The Japan Times 1d ago

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret to Pyongyang over drones sent into North Korea earlier this year, actions he called "irresponsible." https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/06/asia-pacific/politics/south-korea-president-drones-north/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #southkorea #leejaemyung #drones #northkorea

South Korea president says regrets 'reckless' drones sent to North

Seoul initially denied any official role in the January drone incursion but Lee Jae Myung said a probe had revealed government officials had been involved.

The Japan Times