Singapore supports Hainan’s development as free trade port: PM Wong

The young free trade port looks to Singapore for lessons, says Hainan party chief Feng Fei.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy arrives in Saudi Arabia for 'important meetings'

KYIV, March 26 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he had arrived in Saudi Arabia and would hold \"important meetings\", part of an effort to bolster ties with Middle East countries amid the Iran war.

India updates climate targets as energy crisis bites

India added an estimated record 48GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025, versus about 9GW of new coal capacity.

Trump urges Iran to make a deal or US will 'keep blowing them away'

WASHINGTON, March 26 - President Donald Trump on Thursday urged Iran to make a deal to end U.S. and Israeli bombing or face more strikes on their country.

US proposal to end war is 'one-sided', door to diplomacy still open, Iranian official says

DUBAI, March 26 - Iran’s initial response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, which was conveyed to Pakistan, was that it was \"one-sided and unfair\", a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday, adding that a path forward might still be found if realism prevailed in

New funeral for victims of Kabul drug rehab bombing

About 60 wooden coffins were laid out on the forecourt of Eidgah Mosque.

Malaysia slashes subsidised RON95 quota by a third to 200 litres as temporary measure

The subsidised rate of RM1.99 (64 Singapore cents) per litre remains unchanged.

US supports Taiwan on defence and energy, says senior diplomat

The US looked forward to supplying Taiwan with more crude oil and natural gas, the diplomat said.

US supports Taiwan on defence, energy, senior diplomat says

The top United States diplomat in Taiwan pledged continued support for the island's efforts to acquire "critical defence capabilities".

Iran allowing Malaysian vessels to pass Hormuz, says PM Anwar after talks with regional leaders

"We are now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so that they may continue their journey home," says Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

At Boao forum, China reassures foreign investors as Iran, tariff wars rattle global trade

Beijing is committed to law-based governance and will continue to improve the business environment, said a senior official.

Pokemon shop employee stabbed to death in Tokyo’s commercial district

The suspected assailant also died after stabbing himself.

What does each side in the Iran war say it would accept for a deal?

March 26 - The United States, Israel and Iran have laid out maximalist positions to end warfare that has set the Middle East aflame and threatened the global economy by choking off Gulf energy supplies.

G7 leaders' June summit to include India, South Korea, Brazil, Kenya, but not China, Elysee says

PARIS, March 26 - France will host the leaders of India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya at the G7 leaders' summit in Evian-les-Bains in June, a move Paris says is aimed at broadening support for its goal of correcting global economic imbalances.

Iran allowing Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait, PM Anwar says after talks with regional leaders

He also said Malaysia’s government would maintain oil price subsidies.

Cambodian Trump deportee becomes second to be released by Eswatini, lawyers say

MBABANE, March 26 - A Cambodian man whom the U.S. Trump administration deported to Eswatini after he finished serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder has been released, his lawyer said, the second of at least 19 deportees sent to the country to be freed.

Malaysia to take action against owners of foreign vehicles who pump Ron95 petrol from April 1

Offences were previously imposed solely on petrol station operators, not offending drivers.

Ex-TV host rises in Nepal’s new power equation

Mr Rabi Lamichhane is now a key figure in Nepal’s shifting political order.

ByteDance quietly rolls out video generator SeeDance 2.0 globally

The roll-out includes “firm safeguards” to prevent violations of its safety policies.

Major forest fire in Johor under control, say Malaysian authorities

The fires at the two locations have been burning for several days.

Ex-Taipei mayor jailed 17 years for corruption

Ko Wen-je, the founder of the Taiwan People's Party, was charged in December 2024 with corruption relating to a property development when he was Taipei's mayor.

Ex-Taiwan presidential hopeful sentenced to 17 years for corruption

Ko Wen-je's supporters had previously described the charges against him as politically motivated.

Tanker carrying Russian oil hit by drone in Black Sea near Turkey

ISTANBUL, March 26 - A marine drone struck a crude oil tanker that had departed Russia, causing an explosion in the Black Sea near Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Thursday, Turkey's transportation minister said.

Malaysia taking steps to boost fertiliser supply, says minister

Malaysia imports more than four million to five million tonnes of fertilisers annually.

Indians panic-buying fuel despite government assurances

Indian state-owned refiners issued statements saying “rumours” about fuel shortages were “completely unfounded”.

From beer to cosmetics, Asia feels full force of war-fuelled energy crisis

Asia relies more heavily on crude oil, petrol, fuel and fertiliser from the Middle East than other parts of the world.

South Korea to roll out US$17 billion 'wartime' budget

The supplementary budget, worth 25 trillion won, is in response to the Middle East conflict and aims to support small and mid-sized firms and vulnerable households.

China bans runner after mid-marathon splits goes viral

Another runner who was seen hoarding energy gels taken from the race was also banned.

South Korea to roll out $17 billion ‘wartime’ budget

It aims to support small and mid-sized firms and vulnerable households hit by the prolonged war.

Pentagon weighs diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East, Washington Post reports

March 26 - The Pentagon is weighing whether to redirect weapons originally meant for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the war in Iran strains supplies of some of the U.S. military's most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported Thursday, citing three people familiar with

China urges peace talks in Iran war

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has said he saw “a glimmer of hope for peace”.

China warns US against building ammunition facility in the Philippines

Beijing warned that a potential ammunition facility would destabilise the region and “backfire”.

China warns US against building ammunition facility in Philippines

"The US and its allies should earnestly respect the common aspirations of regional countries ... and refrain from introducing bloc confrontation, conflict and the chaos of war into the Asia-Pacific," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

Iran is what happens when leaders ignore their spies

Intelligence agencies are often blamed when the use of military force has an unexpected or negative outcome. Pundits often argue leaders end up in difficult situations because they are not fully informed, or intelligence agencies got it wrong. Of course, analysis is sometimes

Former Taipei mayor sentenced to 17 years in corruption case

TAIPEI, March 26 - A Taipei court on Thursday sentenced former city mayor and one-time presidential candidate Ko Wen-je to 17 years in jail after finding him guilty of corruption and misuse of political donations, the official Central News Agency said.

Langkawi ferry trips cut by 40% as diesel prices soar

Ferry rides to the archipelago have been reduced from five to three trips a day.

Asian Cup draw postponed as Middle East conflict continues

Myanmar’s rebuilding stuttering a year after deadly quake

More than 3,800 people in the country were killed in the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March 2025.

South Korea’s population drop eases, raising hopes of reversal

South Korea’s population has been shrinking since hitting its peak at 51.84 million in 2019.

Air quality hits unhealthy levels in Seoul, other parts of South Korea

In Seoul, ultrafine dust levels have been particularly persistent.

Cambodia court upholds 14 years’ jail sentences for journalists over border photo

They were convicted of “supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defence”.

Japan says it shares US view on Taiwan despite no mention after summit

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has struggled to stabilise ties with China since she took office in October.

South Korea to raise fuel price cap but expand tax break to cushion blow from Iran conflict

It is set to unveil a new cap on fuel prices two weeks after introducing the ceiling.

Trump’s 15-point plan signals deep fear of losing the war

The language of power often reveals more than it intends. In a rare moment of candor on March 7, US President Donald Trump described the confrontation with Iran as “a big chess game at a very high level … I’m dealing with very smart players … high-level intellect. High, very

Philippines suspends spot sales of electricity due to Middle East conflict

The country’s Energy Regulatory Commission expects to finalise a modified pricing scheme by April.

Russia's Kirishi oil refinery halts operations after drone attack, sources say

MOSCOW, March 26 - Russia's Kirishinefteorgsintez oil refinery, one of the largest in the country, halted processing on Thursday following Ukrainian drone attacks that caused fires in some parts of the plant, two industry sources said.

Why the Iran war is crashing gold prices

Gold has long enjoyed a reputation as a financial “safe haven” during stormy times. But over the past few months of geopolitical chaos and market panic, the precious metal has moved more like a roller coaster than a steady ship at anchor. In late January, the gold price surged