Europe repaid Tokyo a favour by supporting oil stock release, Japan minister says
The International Energy Agency on March 11 agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles.
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Tibet leader fears China gains as US gets caught up in Iran war
Observers are gauging whether the conflict could dilute US focus on Asia.
Thai parliament to open amid scrutiny over election ballots
BANGKOK, March 14 - Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn is to open parliament on Saturday, as last month's general election result faces court scrutiny over barcodes on the ballots that may have violated the law.
US says can provide ‘reliable’ energy supply to Asia-Pacific
Washington also addressed the need for a secure supply of critical minerals.
Australia’s rural areas facing ‘unacceptable’ fuel shortages
It is a ripple effect of the US-Israel war with Iran that has caused global oil prices to surge.
Kharg Island, struck by US, is key hub for Iran oil exports
March 14 - Kharg Island, where U.S. forces on Friday destroyed military targets, is the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports and has long been seen as a key vulnerability that would provoke a severe response by Tehran if attacked.
Iran allows two Indian gas tankers through Hormuz; plane leaves India with Iranian sailors, bodies
The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Shivalik crossed the Strait under escort from the Indian Navy, two sources said, while a second vessel, Nanda Devi, was expected to follow.
South Korea says North Korea fires around 10 ballistic missiles
It comes days after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over South Korea-US military drills.
Pulpit to Pentagon: the evangelicals who see Iran war as God’s plan
As the American and Israeli war with Iran unfolds, some American Christians are speaking of the conflict in biblical terms, mapping end-time prophecies on to current events in the Middle East. In a sermon on March 1, 2026, for example, John Hagee, founder of Christians United
Booming Taiwan can well afford more military spending, president says
President Lai said Taiwan will use AI to establish a real-time defence system.
Iran may be where the US-led world order ends
In his monumental work “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, historian Edward Gibbon argued that empires rarely collapse suddenly. Their decline is usually gradual, shaped by long-term structural changes. Yet, history occasionally records moments when a
South Korea PM, Trump discuss possible talks with North Korea’s Kim, Yonhap says
The South Korean PM said Trump was the only person who could resolve issues on the Korean peninsula.
'Tigers and flies': Millions of officials later, why is Xi's corruption purge still going?
Critics say Xi's purges reveal a ruthless drive for absolute loyalty and total control of the military.
‘No decision’ about Japan navy to Hormuz as Takaichi wins budget
Japan’s House of Representatives on Friday passed the FY2026 budget, setting the stage for a fight in the upper house — where the government lacks a majority — as opposition parties seek to delay the budget’s passage (they can’t block it indefinitely) and deal a political blow
US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand
Beijing could resume restrictions on rare-earth exports and halt purchases of United States soybeans if Washington insists on “making trouble” by proceeding with new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, according to Chinese commentators and policy observers. The
Why Indonesia is forcing Big Tech to play by its rules, starting with Meta and children’s accounts
Jakarta has to balance regulating Big Tech and attracting investment from the industry giants.
How to get a billion passengers to fly in India
For India’s aviation ambition to take off, it needs more airlines, aircraft, airports and pilots.
US dispatched Marines to Mideast, feeding Iran invasion warnings
In what has been described as a potential “major escalation” of the Trump administration’s war with Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly approved a request from US Central Command to move more warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East following Iran’s
Iran war challenges nuclear latency strategy of Japan, South Korea
The Iran war has delivered a verdict on nuclear latency – the strategy of possessing the capability to develop a nuclear weapons program while stopping short of crossing the weaponization threshold. There are significant implications for Northeast Asia, as South Korea and Japan
Diego Garcia-Chagos Islands deal is delayed
More than a year ago, the UK agreed to grant Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which Britain has governed as the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965. But the treaty to transfer sovereignty has hit choppy waters. The deal has stalled in the UK Parliament
Deputy head of Russian space centre detained on suspicion of bribery, TASS reports
MOSCOW, March 13 - The deputy head of Russia's Star City, a settlement near Moscow that hosts the country's main space training facility, has been detained along with six associates on suspicion of bribery, state news agency TASS reported on Friday.
Air China to resume Beijing-Pyongyang flights after 6-year suspension
The route had been suspended as cross-border travel was halted following the outbreak of Covid-19.
North Korea media silent on restart of Pyongyang-Beijing train service
Pyongyang is worried about Beijing’s increasing economic presence in the country, observers say.
ASEAN ministers urge halt to Middle East war as crisis rattles energy and trade
The Philippines, which is chairing ASEAN this year, convened the special meeting as concerns over the Iran conflict deepened.
China seen as ASEAN’s most important partner, Japan 2nd: Survey
The survey results highlighted China’s and Russia’s strong influence over ASEAN countries.
Africa-bound India-flagged fuel tanker sets sail from east of Hormuz, Indian official says
NEW DELHI, March 13 - The Indian-flagged oil tanker, Jag Prakash, which is carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian government official said on Friday.
ASEAN braces itself for economic fallout from Mid-East crisis, warns of ‘prolonged instability’
ASEAN leaders warned that the conflict could disrupt trade, raise energy costs and slow regional growth.
'No-one will hire women' - India's top court rejects menstrual leave petition
The subject has polarised India for long, though some states and private companies offer menstrual leaves.
Thai authorities seize over 100,000 fake goods in Bangkok mall raid
MBK Center's management will terminate lease agreements with offending tenants.
Cambodia investigates 2,000 shuttered petrol stations over shortage claims
Vendors who lied about why they had closed their doors would be fined or have their permits revoked.
China's foreign, defence ministers to visit Vietnam
Beijing has portrayed itself in the region as a reliable alternative to an erratic US President Donald Trump, who launched sweeping tariffs last year that unsettled global trade.
Fuel subsidy bill rises over 4-fold to US$813 million monthly as Malaysia absorbs soaring price: Minister
The Malaysian government is in a strong position to absorb the higher costs due to the various fiscal reforms and consolidation measures implemented over the past three years, said Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Iran plane leaves India with sailors, bodies as Indian ships win Hormuz reprieve
Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a torpedo from a US submarine on March 4.
Bodies of 84 Iranian sailors to be sent home from Sri Lanka, Iran embassy source and Sri Lankan media say
COLOMBO, March 13 - The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed in a U.S. submarine attack on a warship off Sri Lanka's coast last week will be repatriated, a source in the Iranian embassy in Colombo and Sri Lankan media reported on Friday.
Why Grab-type firms are the way for South-east Asia to thrive in AI era
How this region can navigate the AI age and its impact on the economy and employment.
Raising the steaks: China launches barbecue university programme, welcoming first cohort of students
As part of a three-year diploma programme, students will receive specialised training in areas like ingredient selection, charcoal control and flavour development, alongside business and restaurant management skills.
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed in US attack on frigate
The first batch of 46 bodies was already at the airport by the afternoon of March 13.
Reliance on Gulf oil exposes South Korea and Japan to looming energy crisis
Prolonged supply disruption will push up the countries’ inflation and could even cause a recession, analysts say.
Ghosts of 1997 and 2008 stir as Iran spooks markets
TOKYO — Asia is seeing ghosts again. One apparition amid tight credit markets dates to the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. Another comes from 1997-98, when Asia’s debt-fueled growth boom ended disastrously. Economists can debate which comparison is more relevant to the
South Korea stepping up to mediate tensions between China and Japan: Foreign Minister
Minister Cho Hyun also expresses Seoul's hopes to enhance solidarity with like-minded friends and partners facing similar strategic challenges.
Thai family waits for news of missing relative who was on ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz
Panupong Muentan, 27, was an engine room mechanic aboard the ship and is one of three crew members missing.
China slams US trade probe ahead of Paris talks
The trade talks in France are expected to lay the groundwork for a Trump-Xi meeting later in March.