Tech powerhouse, China gateway, talent magnet: How Hong Kong is coming for the world’s best

Pakistan prepares to host peace talks as Iran accuses US of ground assault plans

ISLAMABAD/TEL AVIV, March 29 - Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host \"meaningful talks\" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran earlier accused Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking negotiations.

Victory options narrowing as Trump prepares Iran ground assault

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to launch some kind of ground assault on Iran in the coming weeks, but one prominent military strategy expert believes he’s heading straight for defeat. The Washington Post on Saturday reported that the Pentagon is preparing for

Pakistan says it’s ready to facilitate US-Iran talks within days

The foreign ministers have called for creating conditions for structured negotiations between the relevant parties.

Israeli police block Catholic cardinal from Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the police action, saying that denying entry to religious leaders "constitutes an offence not only to believers, but for every community that recognises religious freedom."

Over 300 Vietnamese arrested after Cambodia scam bust: Police

The arrests of 343 people on internet fraud charges were made on March 27.

UK counter terror officers join probe after car hits pedestrians, injuring 7

LONDON, March 29 - British counter terrorism officers are assisting police after a driver who struck pedestrians in the city of Derby on Saturday night was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said on Sunday.

Pakistan hosts regional powers for Iran talks with focus on Hormuz proposals

ISLAMABAD/ISTANBUL, March 29 - Pakistan hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday as part of its efforts to broker an end to the Iran war, with initial discussions focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter

Indonesia eyes savings of $3 billion from cut in free meal programme

The measure was taken in response to price pressures from the Iran war.

Nepal’s former prime minister attends court hearing in protest crackdown case

The former home minister, who was also arrested, appeared in court.

South Korea moves to curb social media algorithms for children

A survey showed that smartphone overuse has been on the rise for teens in South Korea.

Malaysia cops arrest four for allegedly setting off fireworks from car

A video showing a man setting off fireworks from a moving vehicle in Bukit Jelutong went viral.

China conducts patrol around disputed South China Sea shoal

BEIJING, March 29 - China conducted naval, air and coast guard patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Sunday, its military and Coast Guard said.

China protests US alert over security rules change in Hong Kong

BEIJING, March 29 - China's top diplomat in Hong Kong has met the senior U.S. diplomat in the city to protest against a U.S. public alert over new security rules in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Seoul to boost Wi-Fi access in popular tourist areas

The government will expand high-speed public Wi-Fi to improve convenience for foreign visitors.

Thailand launches schemes to help ease cost of living amid rising prices due to Middle East war

The Commerce Ministry is also working to lower prices of ready-made meals and fertilisers.

High hopes at China’s gateway to North Korea as trains resume

North Korea resumed daily passenger train services with China in March.

China summons US envoy to Hong Kong over alert on security law changes

China urged the US to immediately cease all interference in Hong Kong and Beijing’s internal affairs.

Spring blossoms bloom across South Korea

The nation’s largest spring flower festival opened on March 27.

‘Why wait for a bus that won’t come?’: India has more graduates than jobs

Nearly 40 per cent of Indian graduates aged between 15 and 25 are unemployed.

Who says hip-hop is for only the young? These midlifers in South Korea say no

Ms Yang Jin-kyung believes many middle-aged people lack places where they can truly have fun.

Oman says no party has claimed responsibility for attacks on its territory

March 29 - Oman's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it condemns attacks on its territory, adding that no party has claimed responsibility.

AI turning US street cameras into a mass surveillance state

For decades, cars dictated urban planning in the United States. Few could have predicted that they would one day also double as nodes for surveillance. In thousands of towns and cities across the US, automatic license plate readers have been installed at major intersections,

Batam Immigration investigates alleged extortion of foreign tourists, including Singaporeans

Reports of suspected extortion recently surfaced in articles by Singapore news outlet Mothership that featured accounts from various travellers arriving at the Batam Centre ferry terminal.

Chinese private equity circling Trump’s school voucher gold rush

In September 2023, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stunned school choice advocates when he kicked out four private schools from the state’s school voucher program. The schools’ offense, according to the state’s announcement, was their “direct ties to the Chinese

This beloved century-old drink cools people. It’s also suffused with South Asian history

Despite religious controversies, RoohAfza's popularity as a flavourful Indian drink has not dimmed.

‘Nowhere else to go’: The squatters in the richest part of Seoul

Guryong village symbolises the yawning economic gap in Seoul and the struggle the poor face to own a home.

China turning Cold War jets into budget Taiwan strike drones

China’s conversion of obsolete fighter jets into attack drones points to a shift toward mass attrition warfare in a Taiwan contingency — one that tests the limits of sustainability as much as firepower. China has stationed obsolete J-6 fighter jets converted into attack drones

North Korea’s Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: KCNA

The test was “part of the national defence development plan in the period of the new five-year plan”, North Korean state media reported on Sunday (Mar 29).

New Delhi street stalls show cost of India’s energy crunch

A shortfall in Middle East liquefied natural gas supply has rippled through the Indian economy.

Tokyo police search military base over Chinese embassy intrusion case

According to investigative sources, the search was conducted on suspicion of unlawful entry.

Batam immigration investigates alleged extortion of foreign tourists

There have been reports of ASEAN passport holders being extorted up to $250.

Two Australian states to offer free transport as fuel prices rise

The prolonged hostilities in the Middle East are increasing supply risks.

North Korea’s Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: Report

Defence experts believe North Korea plans to use its solid-fuel rocket engines to launch ICBMs.

Over 100 notices issued in Johor since Jan 1 under new anti-littering law

The offenders were ordered to perform between four and eight hours of community service and fined.

Australia LNG disruptions continue after storm Narelle, thousands without power

The impact of Narelle has exacerbated a global supply crunch caused by the month-old Iran war.

Australia LNG disruptions continue after Narelle, thousands without power

SYDNEY, March 29 - Australia's liquefied natural gas production remained disrupted and thousands were without power in the remote northwest on Sunday, more than a week after the Narelle storm system hit the country.

I followed rare black-necked cranes in Bhutan’s valleys – and discovered a country quietly reimagining itself

Winter in Bhutan brings rare encounters: near-threatened black-necked cranes, textiles inspired by their calls, and cultural spaces reimagined for a new generation.

Yemen's Houthis enter Iran war with attacks on Israel, while US Marines arrive in region

CAIRO/DUBAI, March 29 - The risk of an expanded Iran war grew on Saturday as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday launched their first attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict, even as additional U.S. forces reached the Middle East.

‘Something AI can’t replace’: Why Thailand wants to reform massage sector, including ‘grey’ services

As Thailand moves to shake up its massage industry by introducing stricter standards, training and regulation, industry players and workers tell CNA about their hopes and concerns.

Asia’s EVolution: As vehicle makers explore alternatives to rare-earth motors, India offers a road forward

This instalment of CNA’s series on the forces powering electric vehicles (EVs) in Asia examines India’s growing presence in the development of rare-earth-free motors, and the speed bumps facing wider adoption.