Is there a silver lining for China as war rages in the Middle East?
With Washington distracted and opportunities in clean energy, Beijing might have the last laugh
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China blasts ‘false’ news after report says chipmaker SMIC supplying Iran
Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said he was “not familiar with the situation”.
Indonesia mulls airlines’ call for 15% fuel surcharge hike, airfare caps over rising costs amid Middle East war
The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) urged the government to approve the hikes in fuel surcharge for both jet and propeller aircraft.
Taiwan freezes electricity rates to help price stability, industrial competitiveness
Taiwan is a major producer of the advanced semiconductors used to power the megatrend towards AI.
Indonesia’s social media curbs for kids set to kick in, but few know how they will work
The social media curbs are intended to reduce the risk of cyberbullying and addiction.
Indonesia's social media curbs for kids set for Saturday, but few know how it will work
JAKARTA, March 27 - Armed with a smartphone, Anza Zafran Utama, a 9-year-old boy in the Indonesian city of Bogor, is either a dinosaur or a shooter, depending on his mood.
South Korea’s President Lee to pursue wartime command, selective conscription
He also said the government would pursue military reform.
AI drives financial inclusion in India, but risks widening inequality: Industrialist Ajay Piramal
Speaking to CNA, the chairman of Indian conglomerate Piramal Group says artificial intelligence is opening access to credit and public services in underserved areas, but warns it could widen the gap between skilled and unskilled workers.
Malaysia to roll out flexi-work arrangements for civil servants, PM Anwar urges private sector to follow
In his special address on Thursday (Mar 26), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also announced that the 300-litre monthly quota for subsidised RON95 petrol under the BUDI95 programme has been reduced to 200 litres as an interim measure.
Australia leveraging coal and gas exports to lock in petrol supply from Asia partners
Malaysia is prioritising its domestic needs, while China has suspended some exports of jet fuel and diesel.
China launches two probes into US trade practices
BEIJING, March 27 - China's commerce ministry has initiated two counter-probes into U.S. practices that hamper the flow of Chinese products into the United States, it said on Friday, refraining from immediate retaliation to U.S. measures announced earlier this month.
China’s clean energy offer to Indonesia just got harder to refuse
China’s ambassador to ASEAN recently suggested that the current global energy shock triggered by war in the Middle East should be seen not only as a crisis, but as an opportunity to deepen cooperation on the transition to clean energy. That framing may sound diplomatic. In
South Korea's Lee to pursue wartime command transfer, selective conscription
"The ironclad South Korea-US alliance is an essential pillar of peace and stability on the peninsula but excessive dependence is not desirable," President Lee Jae Myung said.
Myanmar military signals leadership changes ahead of parade
General Min Aung Hlaing will make his yearly speech to rally morale at the parade.
Europe’s elites confront a future without US protection
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. From “European pillar” to post-American NATODiego Faßnacht reports that European defense thinking is shifting from burden-sharing toward preparing for a post-American
China demands more than just ‘regret’ from Japan after embassy break-in
A knife-wielding Japanese military officer broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on March 24.
Trump’s Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia
If India decides to pursue the energy deal with Russia, negotiations could be concluded in weeks.
Trump's Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia
NEW DELHI, March 27 - As India's diplomats negotiated an accord that would ease punitive U.S. tariffs on the South Asian country's exports in January, New Delhi slashed its purchases of Russian crude oil in a move that was widely seen as a painful concession to President Donald
Vietnam police bust multi-billion-dollar crypto scam
The scammers created fake cryptocurrencies and sold them to investors.
Japan’s yuru-chara mascots: Big business behind the cute faces
From boosting tourism to generating billions in sales, Japan’s mascots have grown into a powerful industry – but only a few become stars.
Ex-rapper Shah sworn in as Nepal prime minister after sweeping election win
KATHMANDU, March 27 - Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as prime minister of Nepal on Friday, tasked with restoring political stability and creating jobs in the poor Himalayan nation long troubled by fragile governments and weak growth prospects.
Will the energy crisis hit global economy harder than Covid?
Despite reports of negotiations between the US and the Iranian regime, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most oil tankers, with only a small number of vessels being allowed to pass. The result is a loss of roughly 11 million barrels per day (mbd) of oil and
Nepal’s first woman PM Sushila Karki returns to retirement
Picking up Nepal in tumultuous times, Ms Sushila Karki became its first female prime minister.
Sri Lanka jails man for hoarding four litres of fuel
He was charged with hoarding petrol and trying to sell it on the black market.
Singapore denies Malaysian scholar entry, calling her 'undesirable visitor'
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri urged some in Singapore to "adopt her brand of radical advocacy", authorities say.
Russia's Lavrov says US wants to take over Nord Stream gas pipelines
MOSCOW, March 27 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast in September 2022.
Myanmar travellers ride the rails as fuel prices rise
First-class train tickets now cost less than the cheapest bus tickets.
One day a year, pilgrims crowd remote Taiwan temple to dream of divine answers
BEIGAN, Taiwan, March 27 - One day a year, pilgrims make their way to a small temple on a remote Taiwanese island near the Chinese coast to do one simple thing: Sleep.
China’s unusual abstention from UN’s Iran vote highlights diplomatic squeeze amid Middle East conflict
China, alongside Russia, abstained from a Mar 11 United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iran’s strikes on Gulf countries. It had previously backed four rounds of UN sanctions over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme between 2006 and 2010.
US boots on the ground looming darkly over Iran
Wars often begin with confidence in distance — through precision strikes, remote control and minimal personnel exposure. It is a familiar American instinct, visible from the early days of the Gulf War to the opening phases of the campaign against ISIS. Air power promises
Acid attack on activist becomes battleground in Indonesia’s military-police rivalry
This bodes poorly for the investigation and the future of Indonesia’s democracy.
Japan to double residency period for foreigners seeking citizenship from April 1
The changes were included in comprehensive measures on foreign resident policy compiled in January.
Philippine President Marcos says ASEAN summit will be bare-bones, focus on Middle East war impacts
The meeting will revolve around the issues of oil, food and migration, he said.
Tech-equipped Indigenous firefighters protect Thai forests
Internet-connected video cameras and drones are used to monitor the area.
China stations jets-turned-drones at bases near Taiwan Strait, report says
An estimated 200 or more of such drones have been deployed to airfields near the strait.
Healthy competition between Singapore and Hong Kong benefits global trade, says PM Wong
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong says Singapore is looking at how it can participate in Hong Kong's new developments, such as its Northern Metropolis project.
An invisible bottleneck: A helium shortage threatens the chip industry
When output of helium was halted in Qatar, roughly one-third of the global supply was cut off.
Thailand to fast-track launch of tourist entry fee under new government
Plans to levy a fee on those entering via land and sea borders have been shelved at the moment.
India cuts special excise duties on petrol, diesel as global oil prices surge
The government did not say how much the duty cuts would cost.
China criticises Czech Republic over Senate resolution on Dalai Lama
HONG KONG, March 27 - China said in a statement late on Thursday that it strongly opposed the Czech Senate passing a draft resolution on the Dalai Lama's succession, stating that it \"grossly interfered\" with China's internal affairs.