Rapper-politician Balendra Shah's party wins Nepal election
The Rastriya Swatatantra Party has won a large majority in an election dominated by issues including corruption.
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Will China’s new ethnic unity law hasten the erosion of minority cultures?
The law gives legal basis to President Xi's agenda to assimilate minorities into a national identity.
Nepal to ration cooking gas due to panic over shortage
KATHMANDU, March 12 - Nepal will begin rationing cooking gas amid fears that the Middle East conflict could create a nationwide shortage, an official said on Thursday.
Measles cases surge in Indonesia as anti-vaccine attitudes persist after Covid-19 pandemic
Doctors call for more government intervention to counter misinformation and other issues.
China’s all-nuke sub push may trigger an undersea arms race
China’s shift toward an all-nuclear submarine fleet could extend its strategic reach from the Pacific into the Indian Ocean while spurring a broader regional buildup of nuclear-powered undersea forces. This month, the US Navy’s intelligence chief, Rear Admiral Mike Brookes,
Iran war costing US untold billions, with no end in sight
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress have not formally authorized a war in Iran, though they may soon be expected to approve emergency funding for the endeavor without any projection from the Trump administration as to how long it may last or the full cost, not just in dollars but
PM Anwar steps in to end bitter tussle at Malaysia government tech provider NexG, say insiders
Sources tell CNA that PM Anwar Ibrahim instructed his former political aide-turned-business figure Farhash Wafa Salvador to withdraw from a campaign to take control of the company.
Escape from Tehran: Indonesian evacuees recall final hours in Iran
After arriving in Jakarta, they will go to their respective hometowns.
Long way round: Cape route filling the Hormuz gap
Events in the Middle East during February and March 2026 again disrupted the flows of shipping trade to the eastern and western spheres of the international system. Given that the global economy is maritime based and rests on secure and predictable flows of goods by sea, the
ASEAN ministers to hold meetings to address Middle East crisis
Officials will weigh impacts and responses to surging oil prices as well as disruptions to shipping, logistics and trade flows.
Indonesia, Australia to broaden security cooperation to include Japan, Papua New Guinea
The possibility of developing a training defence facility in eastern Indonesia was also discussed.
China's mediation eases fighting between Pakistan, Afghanistan, sources say
ISLAMABAD/BEIJING, March 12 - Chinese mediation efforts, including a message from President Xi Jinping, have helped ease the worst fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, three Pakistani government officials said.
Malaysia’s curb on non-AI data centres seen as ‘strategic throttle’, but challenges remain
Late last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government has been turning away applications for new data centres that are unrelated to artificial intelligence over the past two years or so.
India’s restaurants face closures as Iran war disrupts cooking gas supply
India invoked emergency measures last week to divert gas to priority areas, leaving the hospitality industry struggling to get sufficient supply.
Slowing economy, tricky external ties: China has plate full as annual Two Sessions close
Over 2,700 lawmakers approved the 15th Five-Year Plan, which sets the nation's development trajectory till 2030.
First train to Pyongyang in six years leaves Beijing as neighbours revive link
The service linking the capitals will operate four days a week in both directions.
Indian source says Iran to allow India-flagged tankers to pass through Strait of Hormuz
India has given safe harbour to 183 Iranian sailors from a vessel that docked after the war broke out.
Japan isn’t sending minesweepers to Middle East, says PM Takaichi
Japan wouldn’t be able to get involved in mine clearance as long as the conflict continues.
Video of Japanese woman pushing South Korean child sparks outrage
The child's mother decided to share the video from their 2024 trip following a recent similar incident in Shibuya.
Malaysian highway operator to activate smart lanes at 34 locations over Hari Raya period
A total of 2.3 million vehicles are expected to use the PLUS highways during this period.
JB police nab suspect over woman’s murder in hotel
The victim, believed to be a sex worker, was found dead in a hotel room with multiple stab wounds.
Cathay Pacific roughly doubles fuel surcharge on most routes
The hike in fees will apply to tickets from March 18.
Taiwan parties agree government can sign stalled agreements on US arms deals
The back-and-forth on Taiwan’s defence spending has provoked concern in the US.
China approves 'ethnic unity' law requiring minorities to learn Mandarin
The law states that children should be taught Mandarin before kindergarten, until the end of high school.
Cathay Pacific to roughly double fuel surcharges for most routes amid war on Iran
The Hong Kong flagship carrier said that the price of jet fuel has "approximately doubled" due to conflict in the Middle East.
China’s new ethnic unity law could target Taiwanese, warn Taipei officials
The new law aims to create a “shared” national identity among the country’s 55 ethnic minority groups.
South Korean parliament approves US$350 billion US investment Bill
The law implements a trade agreement for South Korea to invest US$200 billion in US strategic industries and US$150 billion in shipbuilding-related cooperation in return for more favourable tariff terms.
'The situation is dire': War on Iran squeezes India's cooking-gas supplies
The shockwaves of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran are being felt in India's kitchens.
As China’s Two Sessions close, Beijing’s strategy for a more turbulent world becomes clearer
From diplomatic signalling to efforts to revive domestic demand and “invest in people”, China’s Two Sessions that closed on Thursday (Mar 12) offered clues to Beijing’s priorities for the year ahead and beyond.
Australian plane owner charged over ‘black flight’ to Indonesia
The plane owner was charged with people smuggling after allegedly helping 2 fugitives flee to Indonesia.
Australia to change fuel quality standards to boost supply
The move will release 100 million litres of fuel into the domestic supply.
South Korean YouTuber offers $3m home as giveaway in 85 cents membership push
The roughly 165 sq m unit is fully renovated and furnished.
Work from home, school closures: Pakistan enacts sweeping austerity measures as oil prices surge
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran war has disrupted global oil shipments and driven fuel prices sharply higher.
Video shows moment point-blank gunshot misses Indian politician
Senior Kashmir leader Farooq Abdullah escaped unhurt after the incident and the suspect is in custody.
JB to become zero-waste zone with 24-hour cleaning teams, upgraded infrastructure
Enforcement efforts would be stepped up with regular patrols and monitoring.
Helicopter rescue saves men, dog from Australian flood waters
The men and the dog were trapped as white water from a flooded creek roared around a half-submerged vehicle.
Japan PM Takaichi vows not to dismiss education minister over affair with woman
Accounts of the affair were published online by weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun.
‘Some people think I’m bringing my mum’: Malaysian man, 28, unfazed by comments about his wife, 51
The mother of five said she was open to the idea of remarrying 5 years after her first husband died.
Three crew members 'believed trapped' aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: Shipping firm
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had struck the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree for ignored "warnings".
Air New Zealand cuts 1,100 flights over fuel price fears
On March 10, Air New Zealand raised ticket prices on all routes.
Mass stranding kills 21 protected pilot whales in Indonesia
Rescuers managed to save 34 whales.
Australia police recover two bodies in search for missing Chinese tourists
The bodies were found inside a car in Queensland’s flood-hit Gympie region.
America and Israel share an enemy — not a strategy
As fighting spreads across the Gulf, the war is often portrayed as a unified campaign against Iran. It is not. The reality, as is often the case in the Middle East, is more complicated. The United States and Israel both view Iran as a dangerous adversary. But dangerous to whom,
Bodies of two Chinese backpackers found in Australian floodwaters
The pair had been reported missing on Tuesday after failing to reach their destination.
Seoul’s ageing poor driven towards bankruptcy by living costs
Those in their 60s accounted for the largest share of bankruptcy applicants at 36.5 per cent.