Indian businesses brace for fallout as Middle East conflict escalates

With much of India’s oil and gas trade flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption there could quickly ripple across its economy, observers say.

Japan to evacuate nationals from war-hit Middle East on chartered aircraft

The Japanese government has decided to arrange chartered planes given the difficulty in securing tickets.

Iran crisis could disrupt supply of key chipmaking materials, South Korea warns

Men indicted for growing cannabis at state-subsidised smart farm in South Korea

The suspects received monthly vouchers and electricity bill discounts under a government programme.

Missiles in the Gulf could dim the lights in Dhaka

The escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region has exposed a structural reality: geography remains the ultimate arbiter of market stability. Nowhere is this more acute than the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime artery for 20% of global oil and a significant share of liquefied

Chinese military flights around Taiwan fall, Trump-Xi meeting may be factor

TAIPEI, March 5 - Chinese air force activity around Taiwan has fallen sharply in recent weeks, with no flights at all in the past week, a sudden drop in what had been daily military manoeuvres that could signal Beijing is recalibrating its pressure on Taipei.

Taiwan opposition backs $14b for US arms, but no ‘blank cheque’

Lai Ching-te’s government proposed US$40b (S$51b) in funding for critical defence purchases.

Perishables to plane parts stranded as Middle East conflict hits air cargo

March 5 - Shipments ranging from fresh produce to airplane parts are in limbo as an escalating Middle East conflict reduces the world's air cargo capacity by more than one-fifth and pushes up freight rates, with executives bracing for backlogs of goods.

Trump’s Venezuela playbook the wrong script for Iran

There’s a tempting logic to the analogy. The Trump administration orchestrated the dramatic removal of Nicolas Maduro in January — a swift, tactically audacious operation that produced an oil deal, a compliant interim government and a triumphant press conference at Mar-a-Lago.

Singapore to mount repatriation flight on Saturday to bring citizens home from Middle East

MFA has deployed crisis response teams to Oman and Saudi Arabia as it works to secure further evacuation options.

Punch the orphan macaque is outgrowing his plushie and making friends

Korea’s market plunge is just the start of Asia’s Iran pain

TOKYO – The panic sweeping through South Korea’s trading floors this week amid fast-developing fallout from war in the Middle East might not be as isolated as many investors hope. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the hottest stock markets among the globe’s major economies took a wild

Iranian sailors recovering in Sri Lankan hospital after US submarine attack, authorities say

GALLE, Sri Lanka, March 5 - Iranian sailors who survived a U.S. submarine strike in the Indian Ocean were recovering at a hospital in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle, authorities said on Thursday, a day after at least 87 were killed in the attack.

Iran launches wave of missiles at Israel; US Republicans block measure to halt US air campaign

DUBAI/JERUSALEM/ANKARA, March 5 - Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, sending millions of residents into bomb shelters as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran entered its sixth day and just hours after moves to halt the U.S. air assault were blocked in

Global order is 'breaking down', Carney tells Australian parliament

The Canadian prime minister said Australia and Canada should work together as 'strategic cousins'.

US affirms Korea defence after report on moving weaponry to Iran

The US stations around 27,000 soldiers in South Korea.

Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say

March 4 - A Pakistani man accused of planning to kill President Donald Trump told jurors on Wednesday that he did not willingly work with Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to devise the plot, media said.

Iran conflict's impact on energy temporary and a 'small price,' US energy secretary says

March 4 - The impact of the Iran conflict on energy markets will be temporary and a \"small price\" to pay for U.S. military goals, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News on Wednesday.

Why New Zealanders are moving to Australia in droves

New Zealand still attracts more people than it loses, with a net migration gain of 14,200 in 2025.

China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system

The policies will be targeted at those aged 60 and older, with elderly care services to be increased.

China to build 'birth-friendly society', refine social security system

BEIJING, March 5 - China said on Thursday that it would build a \"childbirth-friendly society\" in the next five years as it pledged to address concerns over employment, education, medical care, health and income, according to an official government report.

India moves to protect economy as Iran tensions expose risks

The worsening conflict in the Middle East disrupted oil and gas supplies.

China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991

It is also the first time the target has been lowered since it was cut to "around 5%" in 2023.

Who is contesting Nepal’s polls and what is at stake?

Election authorities say 65 political parties are in the fray.

Discussions with Board of Peace 'on hold' due to Iran war, Indonesia says

Indonesia's participation on the board has drawn criticism from experts and Muslim groups at home, who say it compromises the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

Nepal goes to the polls; voters seek change after youth-led protests

KATHMANDU, March 5 - Nearly six months after a wave of unprecedented youth-led protests and the deaths of 77 people forced Nepal's then prime minister to quit, people began voting on Thursday in a general election that will choose a new parliament in the Himalayan nation.

Watch: China Premier Li Qiang's speech at opening of National People's Congress

China has set its 2026 economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 per cent, marking the first cut since 2023.

China's defence spending to rise 7% in 2026 vs 7.2% set for 2025

BEIJING, March 5 - China's 2026 defence spending will rise 7%, a copy of an official government report reviewed by Reuters showed on Thursday, slightly lower than the 2025 increase of 7.2% but roughly in line with rises over the last decade.

China to hike defence budget by 7% amid rising global security tensions

China’s defence outlays are closely watched as a barometer of Beijing’s strategic priorities as it presses ahead with military modernisation.

Why China is unlikely to rally behind Iran after US-Israeli strikes

Beijing has shown little support for Tehran’s defence besides criticising the attacks.

China to spend 7% more on defence amid a widening graft purge in the military

China aims to have a world-class fighting force by 2050.

China lowers 2026 growth target to 4.5-5%, first cut in three years amid mounting headwinds

The move signals a more cautious outlook as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with weak demand, property strains and trade pressures.

Australia, Canada sign new deals on critical minerals

The two countries produce around a third of global lithium and uranium.

China trims GDP target to 4.5%-5%, first downgrade in 3 years amid weak domestic market

A prolonged property slump and weak labour sentiments have dragged down its economy.

Malaysia anti-graft agency probes $356m govt deal with UK chip giant Arm

Malaysia is a key player in the vital chips sector but has been largely focused on the lower end of the market.

The US is unlikely to curtail China’s critical minerals dominance

The United States government recently hosted a critical minerals summit aimed at reducing China’s predominant role in the global production of smartphones, weapons systems, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). The meeting, which included representatives from

US sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, NATO downs Iranian missile heading for Türkiye

The missile incident was the first time that Türkiye, which has NATO's second-largest military, was drawn into the conflict.

North Korea’s Kim oversees naval destroyer, cruise missile tests

The tests come shortly after he led a major once-in-five-years Party Congress.

US orders non-emergency consular staff in Karachi, Lahore to leave Pakistan

They were ordered to leave by the US State Department due to “safety risks".

Australia says more flights from Middle East expected, situation still volatile

SYDNEY, March 5 - Australia said three more commercial flights were scheduled to depart the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as the first group of Australians stranded in the Middle East returned home overnight following the outbreak of the Iran conflict.

Why did a landmark Bill to limit the tenure of a Malaysian PM fail and are there repercussions?

The failure to pass the Bill has exposed significant coordination gaps and "uneven political commitment" within the Anwar Ibrahim administration, say analysts.

Commentary: Why the Iran war has morphed into panic selling in Asia

International diversification has been a major theme this year, but the one-way traffic into North Asian markets has been heavy, says Shuli Ren for Bloomberg Opinion.

Nepal votes in key post-uprising polls

Votes open Thursday (Mar 4) for a new parliament in Nepal, as young leaders challenge older politicians following anti-corruption protests.

‘Ungrateful’ Indonesian influencer’s video puts scrutiny on public scholarship holders

The controversial video has sparked debate on whether government scholarship holders overseas should return home to "contribute".

Much of Iran’s navy has been neutralized

There is an old joke. Why does the Italian Navy have glass bottomed boats? Answer: So they can see the previous Italian Navy. It is looking like the joke can be redirected, although it will be some time before Iran has glass bottomed boats. Here a situation report: IRIS Dana