China’s first North Korea-bound train in six years set to depart from Beijing
The train service was suspended when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
Illegal teardown sparks outrage in Penang heritage enclave
Demolition of a pre-war house has drawn criticism from the public.
War in Iran squeezing China’s oil lifeline
China’s energy security may be put to its first true test in 2026 with the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January and joint US-Israeli military action against Iran beginning in late February. These events have disrupted two sources of China’s oil supply. Coupled
Australia police recover two bodies in search for missing Chinese tourists
SYDNEY, March 12 - Australian police have recovered two bodies during a search for two Chinese backpackers who went missing in a flood-hit region in the country's east, local media reported on Thursday.
1 dead, 2 in critical condition after possible chemo errors at Japan children’s hospital
A cancer drug, vincristine, was found to have been wrongly used in marrow cavity injections.
Trump and Iran signal no quick end to war as tankers burn in Iraqi waters
DUBAI/TEL AVIV/WASHINGTON, March 12 - The United States and Iran have signaled no quick end to their war, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying it was necessary to finish the job and Iran warning that the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel after striking tankers
Malaysian experts warn caution over limiting fuel purchases amid Mid-East war
An expert suggested that the government should explore various options to safeguard fuel supply.
North Korea unveils image of leader's daughter firing pistol
Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter Ju Ae has long been seen as next in line to rule the country.
Oil prices surge as supply fears offset IEA's record stockpile release
Oil prices jumped more than 9 per cent on Thursday to break back above US$100 a barrel as Iran struck two tankers in Iraq and threatened to bring down the global economy.
North Korean leader Kim test fires handguns during visit to munitions factory, KCNA reports
SEOUL, March 12 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a munitions factory on Wednesday, state media KCNA reported, releasing photographs that showed him touring the facility with his teenage daughter and the pair test-firing handguns.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un test-fires handguns during visit to munitions factory
His daughter, known as Ju Ae, accompanied her father during the visit to the munitions factory.
Former Indonesian communications ministry officials jailed in data centre graft case
An investigation was launched in March 2025, months after a ransomware attack against the temporary data centres.
Japan’s JR East railway to raise train fares for first time since 1987
Fares will increase by an average of 7.1 per cent in a bid to boost company revenues.
In Malaysia, regular commuters to Singapore hope for lower RTS fare
The RTS trip is expected to take between five and six minutes for each direction.
Decoding Beijing's 2026 economic jargon - and why it matters
The language of China's 2026 government work report reveals the tensions shaping its economic strategy, say experts.
Commentary: What we can learn from how Iran and US have used cheap ‘disposable’ drones differently
While the Iran war has not spilled out of the Middle East, defence planners from Asia will look closely at how it is being fought, says defence writer Mike Yeo.
Why it’s unlikely that Saudi Arabia wanted the US to bomb Iran
A report in the Washington Post the day after the Iran war began suggested that Saudi Arabia and Israel had both lobbied Donald Trump to attack Iran. The Saudis swiftly denied that they had pushed for war. In the days since, as Iran lashed out in retaliation, Saudi Arabia came
Understanding who profits will be key to resolving the Iran war
When US and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iran, the shock waves were felt far beyond the region. As the conflict escalates, understanding who benefits from this crisis might be as important as counting its costs. Peace benefits ordinary citizens, small businesses,
‘This is me, very pretty’: Inside a Cambodian cyberscam site
AFP was invited to visit an office in the capital Phnom Penh a day after it was raided by police.
‘Lesson’ for Johor: Data centres should not be sited too near homes, says assemblyman after outcry
The state government should have consulted residents first, said Datuk Pandak Ahmad.
One-person firms and ‘raising lobsters’: China hunts for new ways to create jobs in AI era
But such solo entrepreneurs need a market for the products or services they want to sell, an expert cautioned.
Shadow tankers: the only ships still moving through Hormuz Strait
The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Since the beginning of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, oil tanker traffic through the world’s most critical oil shipping choke point has collapsed, dropping by more than 90%. Iran has
Thailand's Phuket airport runway reopens after Air India Express plane fault
BANGKOK/NEW DELHI, March 11 - The sole runway of Thailand's Phuket airport reopened late on Tuesday, Phuket's governor said, after an Air India Express plane suffered a problem with its nose wheel when landing, causing the runway to close for several hours.
‘Social media is like fire’: Some wish Indonesia’s planned social media ban for youths can come sooner
Some parents and experts question how realistic enforcement will be, whether children will find ways to bypass the restrictions, and how digital literacy can go in ensuring young people’s online safety.
US energy chief’s deleted Hormuz X post called market manipulation
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive, was accused on Tuesday of manipulating global markets after he posted a striking claim on social media. The American Navy, he wrote, had “successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure
China warns US AI military use can create ‘Terminator’ world
The Trump administration has sought the unconditional use of AI start-ups in the military.
Japan to release part of oil reserves ahead of IEA-led decision, PM says
Japan holds emergency oil reserves equivalent to 254 days of consumption.
Price hikes, outlook cuts: What airlines are doing as fuel costs surge
Several airlines, including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Thai Airways, have raised fares amid a surge in jet fuel prices driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Thai navy says cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz
Photos showed heavy black smoke billowing from the hull and superstructure of the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree, with life rafts floating in the water.
Pope laments death of children in Iran war, pledges closeness to Lebanon
VATICAN CITY, March 11 - Pope Leo on Wednesday lamented the death of numerous civilians in the Iran war and also expressed closeness to people in Lebanon, saying the country, targeted by Israeli strikes, was going through a \"great trial.\"
Italy’s Meloni criticises US war on Iran as part of dangerous trend
ROME, March 11 - Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday delivered her strongest criticism yet of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing it as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions \"outside the scope of international law\".
US navy aircraft transits Taiwan Strait ahead of Trump's planned China visit
TAIPEI, March 11 - A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Wednesday, in a move the U.S. 7th Fleet said \"demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.\"
Meta disables more than 150,000 accounts in global scam centre crackdown involving Singapore
About 4,900 of the accounts were taken down with the help of the Singapore Police Force.
Airlines in Asia hike fares as Middle East war raises fuel costs
The war has choked trade in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly 20 per cent of global oil production.
Japan to release oil reserves as early as Monday: PM
Japan's strategic oil reserves are among the world's largest and stood at more than 400 million barrels as of December.
Trump unveils US$300 billion US oil refinery deal with India's Reliance
United States President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that America First Refining will build the new facility at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.
Trump unveils $300 billion US oil refinery deal with India's Reliance
United States President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that America First Refining will build the new facility at the Port of Brownsville, Texas.
India’s top court allows withdrawal of life support for man in vegetative state
It was the first such ruling in the country’s history.
Kremlin says Britain was involved in Ukraine's missile strike on Russia
MOSCOW, March 11 - The Kremlin on Wednesday accused British specialists of involvement in a deadly Ukrainian strike on the Russian city of Bryansk that used British Storm Shadow missiles and said it would take Britain's role \"into account\".
China’s ‘lobster’ craze: OpenClaw drafts reports, books flights - and raises security concerns
From drafting reports and organising emails to booking flights, artificial intelligence agent OpenClaw has taken China by storm. Despite the excitement, analysts and authorities are warning of security risks.
Trump’s Iran war and the dollar damage done
TOKYO — Whether US President Donald Trump cries “uncle” on the Iran war tomorrow or it drags on, the economic damage is already done on several fronts. For the globe’s top economic powers, the idea of returning to some semblance of normalcy is easier said than done. The
Phuket airport runway reopens after plane malfunction; SIA, Scoot flights cancelled, delayed
There were no casualties and the runway was expected to reopen at 6pm local time.
Thailand's Phuket airport closes runway after Air India Express plane malfunction
BANGKOK, March 11 - Thailand's Phuket airport said on Wednesday it had temporarily closed its runway to remove a disabled Air India Express plane after it experienced a malfunction upon landing.