Indonesia says no to $1.28b fee for Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ seat

Jakarta had only committed peacekeeping troops for the initiative, Indonesia's President Prabowo said.

Great AI divide: markets in America, systems in China

The United States and China are forging divergent paths in artificial intelligence—paths that will shape economies, societies and the nature of power itself for generations to come. One is shaped by market forces, the other by a logic of coordination. In Silicon Valley and

Prabowo says Indonesia never pledged US$1 billion to Board of Peace, reaffirms peacekeeper role

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also said that his country would withdraw from the board if it proves counterproductive and may do so without consulting other Muslim-majority member countries.

Malaysia sees sharp spike in fuel subsidy bill

Despite being an oil-producing country, Malaysia remains dependent on imports.

What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

After confirmation that the high-stakes Xi-Trump summit will be delayed, analysts find a complex story beneath the official surface.

Hormuz blockade may herald end of American globalization

Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, a naval strategist and historian, once said: “Whoever rules the waves rules the world.” Mahan believed that national greatness was inextricably linked to the sea. The American naval strategist argued that control of sea lanes creates natural

Indian transparency activists, journalists set for court fight over Modi’s privacy law

A change to the Right to Information law means it now excludes any 'personal information' from release.

Iran points at tit for tat retaliation if power plants targeted, statement

DUBAI, March 23 - Iran will retaliate to an attack on its electricity sector by targeting Israel's power plants as well as power plants supplying U.S. bases with electricity in regional countries, a statement by the Revolutionary Guards on Monday said.

Indonesia eyes $6 billion in savings to brace itself for Middle East war impacts

It's also mulling fuel-saving measures, such as one day of remote work per week for government and public sectors.

BTS agency shares drop after comeback show turnout falls short

The concert was attended by an estimated 104,000 fans, much lower than the expected 260,000.

US should practice what it preaches on Vietnam religious freedom

On March 19, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the latest annual report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as “unobjective, inaccurate and based on information with ill intent.” The response followed a well-established pattern –

Vietnam’s Communist Party meets, with new state leaders set to be nominated

Party chief To Lam is widely expected to be nominated as state president.

Fruit prices in Malaysia set to rise as fertiliser supplies dry up amid Middle East war

The ripple effects of the conflict are expected to push fruit prices in Malaysia up by 20% or more.

Majority of Japanese oppose sending warships to the Middle East: Polls

The polls also showed that approval ratings for PM Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet remain elevated.

Japan tries to head off toilet paper panic amid Iran war fears

Social media posts suggest that people are starting to stockpile daily necessities.

Pork, chicken and egg prices jump in Thailand despite price freeze pledge

Consumers said the prices they are paying are higher than those announced by the authorities.

Asia stocks slide as US and Iran threaten to escalate 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 earlier on Monday (Mar 23).

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

In this latest installment of a series on electric vehicles in Asia, CNA looks at how 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.