US says to begin blockade of Iranian ports
TEHRAN - The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of piracy.

Chinese AI solves decade-old maths problem in hours, with no human intervention
A Chinese artificial intelligence framework has autonomously resolved an open problem proposed more than a decade ago by a US mathematician, according to the Peking University-led team that developed it.

Two border flashpoints reopened to visitors for Songkran
SURIN - The army is allowing public access during Songkran to two strategic points fiercely contested during last year's border war with Cambodia - Ta Kwai ancient temple, which is a cultural heritage site, and nearby Hill 350.

Pope Leo kicks off African tour under shadow of Trump's ire
VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV headed to Algeria on Monday at the start of an 11-day tour of Africa, the first international trip of his papacy that risked being overshadowed by criticism from US President Donald Trump.

South Korean airlines make changes to Thai flights
Jet fuel hikes have forced South Korean no-frills airlines to adjust or in some cases suspend  flights to Thai destinations as the Middle East war continues to bite into the aviation sector.

China model gains appeal in Vietnam as police expand power
HANOI - Vietnam is increasingly edging closer to China's model of governance, ​tightening state control while embracing Chinese technology and regulation as its most powerful leader in decades heads to Beijing this week, according to internal documents, public policy plans and sources.

Songkran traffic death toll reaches 95
Ninety-five people died in road accidents during the first three days of the Songkran holiday, with more than 500 accidents reported as of midnight on Sunday.

Japan to raise price of tourist rail pass
JR group companies will raise prices for its Japan Rail Pass, a ticket aimed at foreign tourists that allows unlimited travel on trains across Japan, including most shinkansen bullet train services.

Spain's Sanchez seeks closer China ties amid strains with US
BEIJING - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez begins a three-day visit to China on Monday, aiming to strengthen trade ties with the world's second-largest economy as relations with the United States show signs of strain.

Trump says 'not a big fan' of Pope Leo after his anti-war message
JOINT BASE ANDREWS (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he is "not a big fan" of Pope Leo XIV, after the global leader of Catholics made a plea for peace.