'Intelligent economy', 'investing in people': How Beijing is reshaping its 2026 economic agenda

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 $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.

Malaysia taps senior official to take next steps on graft chief

Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Azam Baki denied he did anything wrong.

Kremlin says it is in constant touch with Iranian leaders

MOSCOW, March 11 - Russia is constantly in touch with the Iranian leadership and willing to contribute to efforts to stabilise the region, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Japan marks 15 years since tsunami disaster as Takaichi pushes more nuclear energy use

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima caused more than 22,000 deaths and ravaged parts of the region, including a nuclear power plant.

Nepal counts final votes with rapper Shah poised for PM

The March 5 parliamentary vote was the first since youth-led protests toppled the government in September.

Woman found dead with multiple stab wounds in Johor Bahru hotel room

She is believed to have been killed between 1.30am and 5.30am on March 11.

Does Iran’s new supreme leader actually matter?

Iran’s announcement of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s replacement after his death by US-Israeli bombing came at an unexpectedly rapid pace. Within days, the Assembly of Experts appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as supreme leader — a smooth transition, at least in theory. But the

Cathay says surcharge to rise as fuel prices jump during Mid-East war

The price of fuel so far in March is double the average of the previous two months.

Russia says it shot down two British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles

MOSCOW, March 11 - Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that its forces shot down two British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles over the past 24 hours, according to the RIA news agency.

Cliffside Chinese village draws visitors with cable car. Can this be replicated?

Gulu was hailed as a successful example of China’s rural revitalisation efforts at parliamentary meetings.

Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, March 11 - Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on Wednesday, as one of the strikes led to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it.

Japan marks 15 years since quake-tsunami, Fukushima nuclear crisis

The 2011 disasters led to the loss of more than 22,000 lives.

South Korea finds faulty approvals at airport where Jeju Air plane crashed

Seoul says it can deter threats from North Korea even if US weapons shifted to Middle East

President Lee Jae Myung has said his government is unhappy with the reported asset move but acknowledged there was little it could do about it.

Punch the baby monkey isn’t being bullied: Japan zoo

The zoo's statement follows an outpouring of concern online.

Two drones fall in vicinity of Dubai airport as Iran crisis shows no sign of easing

DUBAI, March 11 - Two drones came down in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday, injuring four people, Dubai's media office said, as attacks on infrastructure across the Gulf continued on the 12th day of the Iran crisis, which has caused widespread

Oil price volatility puts energy-dependent Asian economies at risk: Analysts

Economists warn that prolonged disruptions in Middle East oil flows could move the region from price shocks to fuel shortages, with broader risks to growth and inflation.

Death of teen highlights persistent problem of illegal gold mining in Indonesia

Since the beginning of 2026, at least 20 deaths have been confirmed in connection with such activities.

Sabah leaders condemn online post showing defaced Quran stepped on

Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the alleged act was an attempt to hurt the feelings of Muslims.

Australia expects Iran war to intensify, shuts some Middle East embassies

Australia has also directed dependants of diplomatic officials ‌in the UAE and Israel to leave.

South Korea helps end dog slaughter in Indonesia

The operation was conducted in Kupang, on Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara island.

Men linked to Myanmar fraud hub charged in South Korea over romance scam

Five suspects were indicted in detention while three were charged without arrest.