Asia stocks slide as US and Iran threaten to intensify war

The International Energy Agency chief said the war could lead to the world's worst energy crisis in decades.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs

Pakistan tells cricket fans to stay home as fuel shortages bite

The Pakistan Super League, from March 26 to May 3, has shifted to a watch-from-home model.

Heatwave in Malaysia sends durian trees blooming earlier than expected

Orchard owner Tan Chee Keat, 35, said about 20 per cent of his trees had begun fruiting much earlier than usual.

Iran threatens to retaliate against Gulf energy and water after Trump ultimatum

TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, March 23 - Iran warned it would strike energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to attack its electricity grid, raising fears of mass disruption in a region heavily dependent on

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs, KCNA says

The isolated nation convened the first session of its Supreme People’s Assembly on March 22.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs, KCNA says

SEOUL, March 23 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reappointed as president of state affairs, state media KCNA reported on Monday, after the isolated nation convened the first session of its Supreme People's Assembly a day earlier.

Germany has a shortage of workers - so it's turning to India for help

The European nation, struggling to find skilled staff, is giving jobs to young people from India.

Asian stocks tumble as Gulf war rages

Japan's Nikkei slid nearly 5 per cent while South Korea's Kospi plunged more than 6 per cent on Monday (Mar 23).

Asia's EVolution: From chip design to first homegrown electric vehicle, Malaysia wants a seat at global EV table

Malaysia is betting on its role as a leading exporter of semiconductor chips and a rewriting of its industrial DNA to be a force in the global EV ecosystem.

Why guests keep returning to The Surin Phuket, season after season

Set on the secluded Pansea Beach on Phuket’s west coast, this 44-year-old property – refined over decades by architect Ed Tuttle – embodies what its guests describe as “simple luxury.”

South Indian state Andhra Pradesh launches third-child incentives amid ageing population

The state's current total fertility rate is 1.4, down from three in 1993.

Sophisticated drones attacked Louisiana’s Barksdale bomber base

Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, in Bossier Parish not far from Shreveport, was attacked by drone swarms during the week of March 9. The attack disrupted B-52H aircraft launches in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran. It is the first time a US airbase was

Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war

WASHINGTON, March 22 - The U.S. government has \"plenty of money\" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.

Nepali youth demand release of govt report into deadly uprising sparked by social media ban

Demonstrations calling on the interim government for transparency have erupted over the past week.

Thai telcos monitor submarine internet cables round the clock for disruptions caused by Mid-East war

One said internet traffic through high-risk areas in the Middle East remains at a manageable level.

Russia launches first rocket from repaired Baikonur launch pad

MOSCOW, March 22 - Russia launched a Soyuz rocket from a repaired launch pad at its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sunday, restoring its capability to fly to the International Space Station for the first time since the launch pad was damaged last year.

Pauline Hanson’s party is ‘here to stay’ after stunning South Australian election showing

One Nation took the second-highest share of votes, but may struggle to translate that into Lower House seats.

12 killed in Bangladesh as train hits bus at unmanned crossing

Five people died on the spot, according to a police official.

Seven killed in Qatar helicopter crash due to technical malfunction, Qatari and Turkish authorities say

CAIRO, March 22 - Seven people have been killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters, Qatar and Turkey said on Sunday.

Vietnam, Russia to sign energy deal: Hanoi

Vietnam has recently asked for fuel support from several countries.

Philippines allows temporary use of dirtier fuel amid Middle East crisis

Only vehicles from model year 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, power plants and generators, and the marine and shipping sectors would be allowed to use Euro-II compliant petroleum products.

TEPCO nuclear plant in central Japan resumes generation, part replaced

Resumption of commercial operation has been postponed until April.

Fuel shortage cuts hours of electricity in the Philippines’ Quezon island town

The local power plant will operate for 16 hours daily, from 4pm to 8am, for an estimated five days.

Stranded juvenile whale found dead along Sabah beach

The whale was first stranded on March 19 and had been successfully herded back to deeper waters then.

How a medieval English abbey became a Chinese wedding destination

Today's brides say they are inspired by wedding of Taiwanese popstar Jay Chou at the abbey in 2015.

Over 400,000 violations of airplane portable battery rules logged in South Korea in past year

Data indicates roughly 0.99 violations per flight — effectively one case for every departing aircraft.

Questions over whether unauthorised structures led to deadly South Korean factory fire

The fire, which killed 14 and injured 60 others, is one of South Korea's worst industrial accidents.

China vows more open economy, national treatment for foreign firms

China saw a record $1.54 trillion trade surplus in 2025.

Tencent integrates WeChat with OpenClaw AI agent amid China tech battle

The integration comes as OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that can perform tasks such as transferring files and sending emails on users' behalf, has gained traction in recent weeks.

New service in Japan to allow mobile users to use other carriers’ networks during outages

The Japan Roaming service is the cornerstone of efforts to manage large-scale outages.

China's premier vows to expand global 'trade pie': State media

Chinese Premier Li Qiang was speaking at the opening of the annual China Development Forum, attended this year by prominent business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Vietnam's Communist Party secures nearly 97% of assembly seats

The unicameral parliament has virtually no power to challenge the party's key decisions, including on personnel, but it has occasionally amended proposed laws.

Vietnam’s Communist Party secures nearly 97% of assembly seats

To Lam, confirmed as general secretary at the party’s congress, is widely expected to be chosen as president.

Apple CEO praises China partners as Beijing applies pressure

Earlier in March, Apple lowered the fees it collects from app developers in China.

Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25% as Iran war bites

This is the second price increase in two weeks.

Rights groups fear use of arrest to stifle free speech in Pakistan

Rights group Amnesty International warned that there is a “shrinking space for dissent” in the country.

Explosive morning: Blaze at fireworks stall sends sparks flying into Penang eatery

A viral video showed eatery operators dodging sparks and closing shutters as fireworks flew into the shop.

Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25% as war bites

This is the second increase in two weeks, as the country prepares for more impact from the war in the Middle East.

Japan foreign minister says Iran released one of two detained Japanese nationals

The person, who has not been publicly identified, was released on Wednesday and will be returning to Japan, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said. He added that a second Japanese national remained in detention.

Japan may provide minesweeping assistance in Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire

Japan has legal limits on sending ships from its defence forces, its Prime Minister explained earlier.

Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached, minister says

TOKYO, March 22 - Japan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, if a ceasefire is reached in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Sunday.