Nvidia gets Beijing's nod for H200 chip sales, adapts Groq chip for China, sources say

Indonesian military detains four soldiers over acid attack on activist

Activist Andrie Yunus suffered injuries to his face, an eye, hands and torso after the acid attack last week.

Bridging the ‘grey’ area’: Malaysian workers who commute to Singapore welcome new insurance scheme

The new insurance scheme for Malaysians commuting to work in Singapore is likely to be ready by Q2.

Worker in Sabah eatery allegedly slashed by colleague after row over uncooked rice

The man reportedly became angry, got a knife and slashed him on the left arm.

Malaysian man snatched by crocodile while catching prawns with father in Sabah

The 28-year-old has been found dead.

AI chatbots recommending a fake product? China flags issue of AI ‘data poisoning’

As China races to adopt AI in everyday life and to boost its economy, it is grappling with how best to regulate it.

Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel as Vietnam, China restrict supplies

Cambodia has no oil refinery, and has less than a month's supply of diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and petrol under normal conditions, its energy minister said.

Ukraine seeks release of citizens arrested in India over alleged Myanmar drone activity

NEW DELHI, March 18 - Ukraine has asked New Delhi to release six of its citizens arrested in India last week for allegedly entering a restricted border state without permits, and crossing into neighbouring Myanmar to train anti-junta ethnic groups in drone warfare.

Russia, China and Iran are main threats to Sweden, security service says

STOCKHOLM, March 18 - Russia, China and Iran are the biggest threats to Sweden, the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) said on Wednesday in its annual report on threats facing the country.

Iran war showing how AI speeds up military ‘kill chains’

The US-Israel war on Iran has been described as “the first AI war.” But recent deployments of artificial intelligence are, in fact, the latest in a long history of technological developments that prize a need for speed in the military “kill chain.” “Sixty seconds – that’s all

China makes energy security 'reunification' offer to Taiwan amid Middle East war

Taiwan says it has secured alternative supplies for the months ahead, including from the United States.

Japan sets February record for inbound tourists with nearly 3.5 million visitors

TOKYO, March 18 - Visitors to Japan in February rose 6.4% from a year earlier to set a new record for the month, government data showed on Wednesday, despite a drop-off in Chinese tourists amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Surge in propofol, ADHD drug prescriptions raises misuse concerns in South Korea

Over half of ADHD drug prescriptions issued between 2020 and 2024 were to children and teenagers.

Panic buying sparks rice shortage concerns in Sabah

A state minister said supply levels are expected to normalise soon and urged the public not to resort to panic buying.

Afghans search for loved ones at Kabul rehab centre bombed by Pakistan

More than 400 people were killed and 265 wounded, said the Afghan Taliban government.

China makes energy security ‘reunification’ offer to Taiwan amid Middle East war

Taiwan has said it has secured alternative supplies for the months ahead, including from the US.

Macau woman hospitalised after being startled by humanoid robot

The woman had noticed the robot behind her while she was using her phone.

Smart privacy rules could be Asia’s biggest AI advantage

Many global leaders are looking for the best ways to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy, but find themselves at a crossroads. Some are choosing to rely on a familiar – and perhaps, more comfortable – model of rigidity: regulation that’s heavy on process, cautious by default

City issues zoo donation guide for Japan’s viral baby monkey Punch to counter scams

The money received will be used to improve the ageing monkey enclosure and other zoo facilities.

Sri Lanka asks electric vehicle owners to unplug at night

The President said electric cars were adding an extra 300 megawatts of demand at night, straining the grid.

1,054 nabbed for littering to date, says Malaysian minister

Some of the offenders had already begun serving community service sentences.

Trespasser caught in viral hippo Moo Deng's Thai zoo pen

Chinese university tells students to ‘fall in love’ during spring break

Authorities hope more free time will set the stage for births to reverse a worrisome trajectory of decline.

Iran's nuclear doctrine not likely to change, foreign minister says

DUBAI, March 18 - Iran's stance against the development of nuclear weapons won't significantly change, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Al Jazeera in remarks relayed by Iranian media on Wednesday, cautioning that the new supreme leader is yet to publicly express his view on

‘Disrespectful’ or not? How Beijing views Trump’s abrupt postponement of summit with Xi

Trump’s move to delay his China visit just two weeks before it was due may reinforce Beijing’s view of Washington’s unpredictability, analysts say, even as China looks to turn the disruption to its advantage.

EU Commission chief to visit Australia as trade deal approaches

EU Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen will arrive in Australia on March 23 to meet PM Anthony Albanese.

Thai court accepts petition challenging legality of election ballots

Complaints alleged that barcodes and QR codes on the ballots could potentially be used to identify ​which candidate and party a voter had ​chosen, undermining the secrecy of the ballot, according to ‌the ⁠Office of the Ombudsman.

AI transforming our understanding of the universe

Science in the modern era is increasingly reliant on enormous datasets and automated analysis. In astronomy, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) – a ten-year survey covering the entire southern sky almost a thousand times over the next decade

Malaysia reveals camera locations on NSE to promote road safety during Hari Raya

It said cameras have been installed at several strategic locations to automatically detect traffic offences.

Oil surge exposing cracks in $1.8 trillion private credit market

TOKYO — With the Iran war sending oil prices into a vertical climb, the resulting shockwaves across global markets have investors balancing their portfolios like a high‑stakes game of Jenga on a trembling table. The problem isn’t so much oil prices at over US$100 per barrel.

Chinese national charged for trying to smuggle 2,000 ants from Kenya

Zhang Kequn was found with the large consignment of ants in his luggage at a Nairobi airport.

Chinese tech giants wade into OpenClaw frenzy with launch of new AI agents

Chinese tech giants Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu have all embraced the OpenClaw trend - rolling out products as they look for new revenue streams.

Huawei racing AI agents to mobile telecom

Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC26) came and went without an outburst of anti-Huawei rhetoric from Washington, DC, as the US government was busy repivoting from its obsession with China to its old standby: war in the Middle East. But Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson, mobile telecom

Japan's leader faces high-wire act in Washington over Trump's Iran demands

TOKYO, March 18 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visits the White House on Thursday for meetings that offer U.S. President Donald Trump a chance to lean on a key security partner for support in his Iran war, threatening to strain a decades-old alliance.

Japan, US to discuss joint rare earths development

Both countries, as well as many others, are seeking to curb dependence on China for the valuable minerals.

Trespasser caught in viral hippo Moo Deng’s Thai zoo pen

Khao Kheow Open Zoo said Moo Deng was unharmed but “slightly startled” by the incident.

Japan and US to discuss joint rare earths development: PM Takaichi

Japan and the US are seeking to curb dependence on China for the valuable minerals.

2 Gulf-based US Navy ships docked in Penang followed procedures: Malaysia defence minister

Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional has, however, called on the federal government to provide a detailed explanation on the presence of the US naval assets in Malaysian waters.

Airlines cancel more flights as Middle East conflict escalates

March 18 - Global air travel remains severely disrupted after the war in Iran forced the closure of key Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers.

Explainer-How Trump's Hormuz push tests Japan's pacifist limits

TOKYO, March 18 - U.S. President Donald Trump's call for allies to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has revived questions about how far pacifist Japan can go to support its closest ally in a conflict.

Running to make butter? ‘Butter run’ challenge churns up social media in South Korea

The trend grew organically from runners posting experimental videos online.

Asia’s silence on Trump’s Hormuz call isn’t inaction

US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Tuesday questioning why China, Japan and South Korea have not taken a more active military role in safeguarding key energy transport routes, namely the Strait of Hormuz, draw attention to a deeper shift already underway. Asia’s largest

Mother of Gen Z martyr nominated to Nepali Parliament, vows to fight for justice

Her 23-year-old son, Mr Rasik Khatiwada, was killed during the Gen Z movement on Sept 8, 2025.

Suspected stray bullet from military drill hits girl at playground

South Korea's military has since halted all shooting drills involving small firearms.

Australia to convene state leaders’ meeting as fuel shortages hit rural areas

The meeting will focus on supporting affected communities, particularly in rural towns.

As wildfires rise globally, one Japanese city shows how to adapt

Once ravaged by repeated fires, Hakodate has transformed itself into a model for fire prevention by redesigning everything from hydrants to entire streets.