Thick smoke from Riau forest fires disrupts Hari Raya travel for Indonesians

Although firefighters brought the blaze under control, smoke was still rising from the burned peatland.

Middle East war: global economic fallout

Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war on Tuesday: - Stocks rise as oil pushes higher - Oil prices resumed their push higher as several countries pushed back against US President Donald Trump's demand that they help secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran

Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off as Asian countries try to conserve fuel

This is the latest in a series of measures undertaken by Asian countries which rely on oil from the Gulf.

Trump says it would be “a great honor” to “take Cuba” as Washington presses Havana in talks

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply escalated his rhetoric toward Cuba on Monday, saying it would be “a great honor” for him to “take Cuba in some form” and that he can “do anything” he wants with the island. The comments came as Cuba was enduring a nationwide blackout and

Japan to strengthen screening of foreign investments with US-style panel

The panel will aim to prevent leakage of critical technologies and intelligence.

Indonesia weighs response to price pressures from Middle East war

It could cut fuel subsidies or slash spending on the President's signature school meals programme.

Hong Kong to see oil shocks and volatility from Middle East war, says Chief Executive John Lee

Mr Lee said he was “very concerned” about the rise in oil prices due to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Hong Kong to see oil shocks and volatility from Middle East war

HONG KONG, March 17 - Hong Kong's leader John Lee said he was \"very concerned\" about the rise in oil prices due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and that the financial hub, along with the rest of Asia, would see shocks and volatility due to the disruption of supply and oil

Chinese Auteur Jia Zhangke Wraps Short Film in Italy, Talks AI at Asian Film Awards Masterclass

Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke has finished shooting a short film in Italy, commissioned and produced by Carlo Chatrian, director of the National Museum of Cinema in Turin. Jia (“Still Life”, “A Touch of Sin”) revealed this at a wide-ranging masterclass organized by the Asian Film

Trump was warned of likely Iranian retaliation on Gulf allies, sources say

By Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart and Erin Banco WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump was warned that attacking Iran could trigger retaliation against U.S. Gulf allies despite his claims on Monday that Tehran's reaction came as a surprise, said a U.S. official

Iran soccer players who claimed asylum in Australia train with local club

SYDNEY, March 17 (Reuters) - The two players from the Iranian women's soccer squad who chose to remain in Australia after seeking asylum have been pictured training with a local A-League club as they begin their new lives in the country. Midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh and

A strange twist in the universe’s oldest light may be bigger than we thought

Scientists studying a mysterious effect called cosmic birefringence—a subtle twist in the polarization of the universe’s oldest light—have developed a new way to reduce uncertainty in how it’s measured. This faint rotation in the cosmic microwave background could point to

Ousted Hegseth aide accused of leaking lands intelligence post

A former aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was accused of leaking classified information, was hired by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), an administration official told The Hill on Monday. Dan Caldwell, who served as Hegseth’s senior adviser

Afghan Taliban says 400 killed in Pakistan air strike on Kabul hospital, Pakistan rejects claim

It's coyote puppy season; here's what you need to know

Coyotes may be building dens and having litters of pups near you, according to new research from the University of Georgia. But chances are you won't see them—even if they are denning right next door. In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers followed 48 urban

Tour bus operators in Malaysia warned to comply with speed limiter rule

About 12 per cent of active registered express buses have yet to complete the verification process.

US federal jury convicts Assad-era Syrian official of torture

By Kanishka Singh and Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a former Syrian government official, who headed the Damascus Central Prison under the government of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, of torture, the U.S.

Taiwan says it has received no information from US on delay of second arms sale

TAIPEI, March 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he believed the U.S.' internal review process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding on schedule. A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion that

Drones, rockets fired at US embassy in Baghdad, security sources say

BAGHDAD, March 17 (Reuters) - Rockets and at least five drones were launched at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday from areas around the city, Iraqi security sources said, describing the attack as the most intense since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. A

Taiwan says sale of second package of arms from US is proceeding on schedule

TAIPEI, March 17 - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he believed the U.S.' internal review process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding on schedule.

Carbon trading cuts emissions better than carbon taxes

Carbon trading limits the amount of carbon dioxide an organization can emit. To emit more, organizations must buy unused carbon emission allowances from others. A global study has found that in the fight against climate change, carbon trading is more effective than carbon

Young Malaysians find themselves in growing debt trap

Financial commitments, such as repayment of credit cards, eat into the bulk of their monthly budget.

Trump says presidents 'should not have learning disabilities' as he mocks Newsom's dyslexia

The National Center for Learning Disabilities said it was "disturbed" by the president's remarks.

Afghan Taliban says 400 killed, 250 injured in Pakistan air strike on Kabul hospital

KABUL, March 17 (Reuters) - At least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, the deputy spokesman of the Afghan Taliban government said on Tuesday. Pakistan rejected the claim as

Trump faces coalition of the unwilling on Iran

President Donald Trump spent his first year back in power disparaging US allies. Now he wants them to help America in the Iran war -- and they are none too enthusiastic. From tariffs to insults and threatening to invade Greenland, Trump has rarely missed an opportunity in

A milestone voyage for Antarctic science

Navigating monolithic icebergs, massive ocean waves and sub-zero snowstorms, CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator is a workhorse for Antarctic science. In just over 11 years and spread across seven voyages, the vessel has now spent the equivalent of one full year, or more

‘The Night Manager’ Chinese-Language Remake Expands Cast

The Ink Factory has rounded out the supporting ensemble for its Chinese-language “The Night Manager” series, naming six cast members and two special appearances as the production heads into its late 2026 premiere window on Youku. The news was timed to the company’s presence at

Teyana Taylor Slams “Sore Losers” After Being Criticized for Celebrating Amy Madigan’s Oscars Win

The 'One Battle After Another' star lost to Madigan in the best supporting actress category.

UAE air traffic operations return to normal

March 17 (Reuters) - Air traffic in the United Arab Emirates returned to normal after temporary precautionary measures were lifted, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, citing the country's General Civil Aviation Authority. Earlier on Tuesday, the authority announced a

A 60-year old mystery about the moon's magnetosphere is finally solved

One particularly well-known fact about the moon is that it doesn't have much of a magnetosphere to speak of. There's no blanket to protect it from the solar wind ravaging its surface, blowing away its atmosphere and charging the notoriously dangerous dust particles that make up

Utah bereavement author found guilty of fatally poisoning her husband

A jury found that Kouri Richins killed her husband in March 2022 by poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink.

India's outsourcing industry is worth $300bn. Can it survive AI?

Indian IT stocks have plunged as fears grow of AI disrupting back offices. But some say these are overblown.

As Iran war shakes global air travel, Malaysia sees both risks and opportunities

Some Southeast Asian destinations are feeling the strain from flight cancellations and rising prices, but others such as Malaysia may be better positioned to weather – or even benefit from – the upheaval, say industry players.

Oil up again in Asian trade, with focus on Iran war

Crenshaw on primary defeat: GOP voters bought into 'misinformation'

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) blamed his primary defeat to state Rep. Steve Toth (R ) on “misinformation” about his ventures in the stock market. Crenshaw said voters were told that he made millions from insider trading, which was not true. “A large part of this election was

Samsung’s Latest Galaxy Smartphone Is the Brand’s Most Intuitive, Future-Thinking Offering Yet

Fresh off equipping Team USA athletes with smartphones at the Winter Olympics, Samsung has unveiled its latest release, with a phone that seamlessly merges the conveniences and tools demanded by users today, with forward-thinking, AI features that anticipate the needs of

Supernatural Horror ‘The Other Side’ Heads to Hong Kong FilMart With Contents Panda (EXCLUSIVE)

Contents Panda is bowing supernatural horror “The Other Side” at Hong Kong FilMart. Directed by Kim Jung-min and produced by Nalgae Entertainment (“Rhapsody for the Dead,” “Fantasy of the Girls”), the film stars Cha Sun-woo (“The Cursed,” “Reply 1994”) and Lee Lu-da (“Rinza

Hugoeast Reveals FilMart Sales Slate Topped by ‘Shanghai Wonton’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Beijing-based sales company Hugoeast has revealed its lineup at the Hong Kong FilMart. Heading up the slate is feature film “Shanghai Wonton,” produced by Shanghai Artown Film and directed by Wu Tiange. The film follows retired engineer Lao Wang, who lives a quiet life in

Moving English tests for migrants online risks criminal abuse, providers warn

Moving visa tests online could open the door to fraudsters and criminal gangs, a letter to government warns.

FilMart 2026 Sets the Stage for AI, Short Dramas and Emerging Asian Markets

Hong Kong’s FilMart continues to anchor Asia’s screen industry, serving as a hub where global producers, distributors, and innovators converge. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the city’s leading trade promotion agency, the event has grown over

Ticketmaster's Eras Tour chaos made worse by crisis communication failures

Ticketmaster was seemingly not ready for the influx of hopeful Taylor Swift fans logging onto the digital ticketing platform when sales for the Eras Tour launched Nov. 15, 2022. Within minutes of the first "verified fan" presales opening, the Ticketmaster site began crashing,

‘A Beautiful Journey’: Ed O’Brien on His Stunningly Deep Solo Album and Radiohead’s Future

The celebrated guitarist reveals the heavy emotional work that went into his new Blue Morpho , and gives an update on his main band's touring plans

FilMart Celebrates Three Decades of Shaping Asia’s Screen Industry: ‘We Add Value by Helping International Companies Navigate the Regional Market’

Hong Kong’s FilMart celebrates a milestone this year, marking 30 years as the linchpin of Asia’s film and television market. From its origins as a regional trade hub to its current stature as a global meeting point for producers, distributors and innovators, FilMart has

Num Kanchai, Weir Sukollawat and Two Popetorn Lead Thai Action-Drama ‘Prasert’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Thai production and marketing outfit Shinesaeng Ad.Venture has forged a strategic partnership with 66cc — formerly known as Distribution Workshop — and Kongkiat Production to launch action-drama film “Prasert,” with the project making its first international market appearance

AI-Generated Feature ‘Raphael’ Anchors MBC C&I’s Hong Kong FilMart Slate (EXCLUSIVE)

MBC C&I’s AI Contents Lab is at Hong Kong FilMart with its most ambitious slate to date, anchored by “Raphael,” an 80-minute feature billed as one of the world’s first entirely AI-generated feature film, as the Seoul-based operation seeks to expand its international footprint