Thai police arrest Myanmar man over alleged fuel smuggling amid export ban due to Mid-East war

The amount of fuel is equivalent to about one tank of a full-size pick-up truck.

Qatar wants to bolster security partnership with US after Iran's strikes

DOHA, March 10 - Qatar wants to strengthen its defence partnership with the United States in the wake of Iranian air strikes on Qatari territory, the foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, even as it sees the existing deal as an important deterrent.

U.S. military striking Iranian mine-laying vessels, top U.S. general says

WASHINGTON, March 10 - The top U.S. general said on Tuesday that the United States was carrying out strikes against Iranian mine-laying vessels.

US designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded that the Taliban commit to ending its “hostage diplomacy”.

As Chinese consumers’ belts stay tightened, Beijing hopes foreign tourists will splurge

But economists caution that such spending by foreign visitors is unlikely to solve China’s deeper consumption problems.

Nearly 400 evacuated as fresh floods hit northern Sabah

This is also the second severe flooding in the Paitan and Pitas districts, last hit in February.

In south-east Pakistan, Ramadan brings Hindus and Muslims closer

Ninety-six per cent of Pakistan’s 240 million people are Muslim, and just 2 per cent are Hindu.

India’s small steelmakers face production cuts amid liquefied natural gas shortages due to Iran war

India is the world’s biggest producer of steel after China.

Indonesia sets three-month deadline for online child safety compliance

The policy is designed to safeguard children from online threats such as grooming, abuse and harmful content.

Deadly landfill collapse exposes Jakarta’s decades-long waste mismanagement

At least five people died and four went missing when a massive landslide tore through Bantar Gebang.

Troops guard Bangladesh depots as fuel crunch hits Asia amid Middle East conflict

Bangladesh imports 95 per cent of its oil and petrol needs.

North Korea and China to resume passenger train service after six-year gap

The Pyongyang-Beijing train will begin the round-trip service on Mar 12, operating four times a week.

Malaysia to safeguard port operations after shipping disruptions

The port authorities will ensure that containers without a clear destination are not unloaded at Malaysia's ports.

Concrete barrier blamed for fatal Jeju Air jet crash was built to save money: Audit

A simulation found that all passengers would have survived had the concrete structure not been present.

Thailand orders bureaucrats to use stairs and work from home in energy saving drive

Concrete barrier blamed for fatal South Korea jet crash built to save money: Report

A government-commissioned simulation showed that all passengers would have survived had the concrete structure not been present.

Restaurants across India warn of shutdowns as Iran war makes cooking gas scarce

India’s oil ministry said it had set up a panel to review requests for LPG supply to restaurants.

Taiwan premier’s rare visit to Japan to watch baseball a home run for diplomacy

Analysts said the visit shows Tokyo is testing the boundaries of its unofficial ties with Taipei.

Iran war could push a flagging US economy over the edge

The “fog of war” refers to confusion and uncertainty on the battlefield and the attendant possibility of fatal error. This principle has a parallel when it comes to the economic consequences of wars as well, especially when they occur in a region that is a chokepoint for the

Malaysia’s anti-graft agency, Chinese authorities bust international fraud syndicate; 16 repatriated

Sixteen Chinese nationals, believed to be the syndicate’s ringleaders who had been hiding abroad, were arrested in a series of coordinated operations under the codename “Op Dragon”.

The juvenile bravado of Hegseth’s Iran kill talk

When Secretary of Defense James Mattis addressed the intensification of US combat operations against the Islamic State group in 2017, he assured the American public of his commitment to “get the strategy right” while maintaining “the rules of engagement” to “protect the

Jeju joins list of South Korean regions paying grandparents for childcare

Families can apply if both parents work or if a caregiving gap arises due to single parenthood or other circumstances.

Beijing’s blockchain push about trade, trust and control

For years, much of the Western discussion around blockchain has been framed through the lens of crypto markets, speculative tokens and decentralized finance. China, however, has taken a different route. In Beijing’s policy vocabulary, blockchain was never meant to become an

China exports surge despite Trump tariffs

Official data shows shipments rose by 20% this year with growth in European and other Asia markets.

Chinese tech hubs promote OpenClaw AI agent despite security warnings

OpenClaw, an open-source AI assistant that does everything from booking flights to organising email, has gained particular traction in China.

South Korea says it cannot stop US forces from redeploying weapons to Middle East

South Sumatra faces backlash over plan to buy $37,000 pool tables for councillors

Netizens accused the administration of using taxpayer money for unnecessary and lavish spending.

Japan markets Fukushima in South Korea for first time since 2011

The 30‑second clip featured several well‑known sites.

Birth defects in Malaysia claim 30% of young lives

It is the second most common cause of death for children under the age of five.

White supremacist content grips teens plotting attacks in South-east Asia

The youths are alleged to have been radicalised through social media posts and communities.

Indonesia’s ‘dead river’ a stark warning after Sumatra flood disaster

A river clogged with timber in North Aceh has become a symbol of how deforestation and extreme weather collided.

New Zealand Covid-19 curbs saved lives but brought social fiscal costs

A commission said the country is still grappling with the long-term consequences of both the pandemic and the policy response.

China says trade growth tops forecasts in January to February

US bunker-buster hits on Iran drive China deeper underground

After US bunker-buster strikes exposed the vulnerability of Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, China is moving to bury its own critical assets deeper underground. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Chinese energy experts have suggested the

US, China chart clashing courses to make more babies

Within a single week in early March 2026, Beijing unveiled a sweeping five-year plan to build a “childbirth-friendly society,” committing 180 billion yuan (US$25.8 billion) to free prenatal care, IVF coverage, childcare subsidies and housing support for families. Across the

Taiwan says US drone orders not impacted by Middle East war

The United States is Taiwan's main source of weapons.

Revised data shows Japan economy grew on strong investment

The revision comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces pressure to boost the economy.

No clear Iran endgame as Trump’s position shifts by the hour

On Monday, oil prices briefly touched $120 a barrel before falling back after President Trump told CBS the “war is very complete, pretty much”, claiming Iran has “no navy, no communications, no air force.” Earlier, however, his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had said the war

Japan moves to establish pre-entry immigration checks, hike residency fees

The move comes as Japan aims to prevent terrorism and illegal employment.

Pakistan plans fuel-saving steps after oil jump sparks panic

Steps include reducing workforce by half along with moving to a four-day week.

Iran war is already bolstering Russia in Ukraine

The American and Israeli attacks on Iran and the confusion within the United States over the war’s objectives are making headlines. The attacks, and Iran’s counter-tactics of targeting American military bases and allies in the region, is having geopolitical ramifications beyond

Indonesia says it has entered agreement with India to procure BrahMos missiles

BrahMos is an Indian-Russian joint venture headquartered in New Delhi. Its missile system comes in land-based, air, ship-based, and submarine-based versions.

How exposed is Southeast Asia’s energy supply to the Iran war - who is most vulnerable and what’s next?

Rising tensions in the Middle East have exposed Southeast Asia’s growing reliance on imported energy and are testing the region’s economic resilience, say experts.

Myanmar civil war drives drugs epidemic in Thai hills

Research shows usage rates in Thailand's northern regions have tripled in five years.

Airlines flag higher ticket prices as fuel costs take toll

The US-Israeli war on Iran has sent oil prices surging.

South Korea says it can deter threats even if US weapons redeployed to Middle East

Lee added that the removal of US weapons from the country does not hinder any deterrence strategy.

Iranian women football players’ hotel escape aided by Australian police

Conversations with the players about seeking asylum had been ongoing for several days.

Malaysians must be prepared to pay a higher price for RON95 fuel: Petrol dealers association chief

With crude oil prices soaring, Malaysians must be prepared to pay a higher price for subsidised petrol.