Fuel shortage hits taxi service at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport

Taxis have gradually begun suspending services, especially for long-distance trips.

2 Japan primary school teachers convicted for sharing voyeuristic student images on social media

The educators exploited pupils, sharing illicit images in a wider ring.

Thousands of Philippine jeepney drivers protest as rising fuel prices drive up costs

Local diesel prices more than doubled after global oil prices surged because of the Iran war.

Baby monkey Punch acclimatising, making new friends at Japan zoo

Punch became an internet sensation after clips of him clinging to a plush orang utan toy for comfort were shared.

India's ceramic hub grinds to a halt as Iran war chokes gas supply

Manufacturers stopped operations after supplies of propane and natural gas reduced sharply in recent days.

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms officially in bloom, 5 days earlier than average year

Blossoms will be in full bloom in about a week if warm temperatures continue.

Nepal investigating burning of Xi Jinping's book at university

KATHMANDU, March 19 - Nepal is investigating how some copies of a book authored by Chinese President Xi Jinping were burned at a university in the east of the country after the Chinese embassy expressed concern over the incident, officials said on Thursday.

China offers to work with Southeast Asia on energy security

BEIJING, March 19 - China, home to the world's biggest oil refining sector, said it was ready to work with Southeast Asia in addressing energy problems stemming from the war in Iran and called on the parties involved to immediately cease military operations.

China offers to work with South-east Asia on energy security

China had previously banned exports of Chinese fuels following the Middle East war.

China weathering Iran war with minimal damage

Various observers are emphasizing that the US-Israeli war against Iran is either hurting or helping China. Some argue that “China has a lot to lose,” that the war is “unsettling China and its ambitions,” or that “Xi Jinping’s geopolitical chessboard is starting to collapse.”

Australian farmers, miners feel diesel squeeze with Iran war

Diesel stocks are down to 30 days, said Australia's Energy Minister.

Iran war expected to dominate US-Japan talks as Takaichi lands in Washington

The Japanese prime minister will be the first major ally to hold face-to-face talks with United States President Donald Trump since he urged several countries to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

Seoul’s Incheon Airport gears up for surge of BTS fans this week

The airport has deployed extra staff and expanded passport control capacity ahead of the expected surge.

Johor transport body to monitor 33 accident ‘black spots’ during festive Hari Raya period

The operation is aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities during the busy travel period.

Taiwan rejects China’s energy security ‘reunification’ offer amid Middle East war

Taiwan's government referred to China's offer as "cognitive warfare".

S’porean man charged in Phuket after crashing into barricades that hit a police officer

The man was charged with reckless driving, causing injury, and failing to stop to provide assistance.

Olympic cyclist who ran over wife under fire over Porsche post

The post was criticised for being "deeply offensive" by a victims' rights commissioner.

Independent Hong Kong panel starts hearing into devastating inferno

HONG KONG, March 19 - Human factors rendered ineffective almost all the fire safety measures at the site of a Hong Kong blaze that killed 168 people in November, the lead lawyer for a panel led by a judge that is investigating the inferno said on Thursday.

In Seoul square of protest and history, BTS fans welcome grand comeback

The South Korean landmark, built in 1395, has weathered centuries of destruction and restoration.

Mount Fuji viewing train for inbound tourists starts operation

The tour will be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through Dec 22.

Indonesia detains four soldiers over acid attack on activist

Andrie Yunus, who criticised the army's role in government, suffered burns to 20% of his body.

Hong Kong fire: Panel hears safety measures failed on day of deadly blaze

The judge-led committee will investigate whether fire safety standards were inadequate.

Wild possum shelters with plush toys in Australian airport shop

Airport employees have returned the animal to its rightful place in the great outdoors.

Voters rocked by war and tariffs could add to market angst in upcoming elections

LONDON, March 19 - Voters grappling with unprecedented turmoil head to the polls in more than 50 countries this year, with the opportunity to make clear their views on their governments' strategies for wars, tariffs and economic strife.

Trump may push Japan for help with Iran war in White House meeting

WASHINGTON, March 19 - President Donald Trump may use a White House meeting with Japan’s prime minister on Thursday to press for help in the war on Iran, placing Sanae Takaichi in an awkward position as Tokyo weighs how much support it can provide.

Mystery AI model suspected to be DeepSeek-V4 is revealed to be from Xiaomi

The mysterious free model, Hunter Alpha, surfaced on the AI gateway platform OpenRouter on March 11.

Watch: Real possum spotted on toy animal shelf at Australian airport

Passengers discovered a real possum nestled among other native Australian toy animals at Hobart Airport, Tasmania.

More Hong Kong drivers head north into mainland China for cheaper petrol - but at what cost?

As conflict in the Middle East drives up global fuel prices, Hong Kong drivers are looking north for relief - but will the savings add up?

Hong Kong panel hears safety measures failed on day of deadly Wang Fuk Court fire

Singapore remembers past with Japan but can still move forward to forge mutually beneficial relationship: PM Wong

On his first visit to Japan as Singapore's prime minister, Mr Wong spoke about the importance of maintaining strong relationships with other countries amid a more complex geopolitical environment.

World’s first quantum battery is well within reach

You’re late for an important appointment. Just as you are leaving your house, you realize your phone is flat. Imagine you could charge it almost instantly by exploiting the strange rules of quantum physics. That’s the promise of quantum batteries. My colleagues and I at CSIRO

Indonesia’s closing window for a demographic dividend

Indonesia is often seen as one of Asia’s great demographic opportunities. With a population of more than 275 million and a still-expanding working-age cohort, it has long been expected to ride the same labour-driven growth wave that powered East Asia’s rise. But that window is

Japan rejects US intelligence assessment of a ‘significant shift’ in its Taiwan stance

PM Sanae Takaichi has maintained that her stance was consistent with longstanding Japanese policy.

Japan rejects US intelligence assessment of a 'significant shift' in its Taiwan stance

TOKYO, March 19 - Japan has not changed its position on how it determines an existential threat, its top government spokesperson said on Friday, rejecting an assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies of a \"significant shift\" in its stance on Taiwan.

Japan trades its shield for a sword sharpened for China

In the early hours of a quiet morning in March 2026, a tightly guarded military convoy moved through Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan. Its destination was Camp Kengun, a base operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The vehicles carried launch units of the upgraded

China steps up push for marriage and childbirth amid shifting social attitudes

Authorities have rolled out incentives to boost marriages and births, but shifting attitudes and economic pressures among young Chinese pose deeper challenges.

Vietnamese trio caught setting up ecstasy lab in S. Korea after learning how to make it via ChatGPT

They are accused of importing key precursor chemicals from Vietnam and using them to make the drug.

Thailand's Anutin seeks new mandate as parliament votes on prime minister

Thailand's Anutin re-elected as prime minister after crushing rival in parliamentary vote

Afghan evacuees in limbo in Qatar camp accuse US of betrayal

More than 1,100 Afghans evacuated by the US fear their route to promised resettlement is closed for good.

Heavy social media usage erodes young people's wellbeing, report finds

HELSINKI, March 19 - Heavy social media usage appears to contribute to a drop in wellbeing among young people, especially girls, in some English-speaking countries, the World Happiness Report published on Thursday found.

India's young are more educated than ever. So why are so many jobless?

India’s educational enrolment has surged but jobs, especially good ones, are not keeping pace, a new report finds.

Labubu film is official with Paddington director at the helm

The film will combine live action and computer-generated animation and is in "early development".

Thailand’s Anutin re-elected as PM after crushing rival in parliamentary vote

His alliance is expected to control 292 of the current 499 seats in Parliament.

The Iran war is causing a global energy crisis - can China withstand it?

With oil supply disrupted, Beijing's oil reserves and renewable energy push are being put to the test.

From kampung to Golden Globes: How Malaysian label Khoon Hooi became a global occasion wear brand

Nearly three decades in, Malaysian designer Lee Khoon Hooi has dressed Golden Globes red carpets, built a loyal following across the Middle East – and still picks up his own phone.

Iran’s nuclear materials and equipment by no means ‘obliterated’

Before launching his war on Iran, President Donald Trump said his most important goal was that Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon.” Yet it is not clear what, if anything, his administration has planned for dealing with Iran’s stock of enriched uranium that could be used to

Hari Raya gridlock: How Middle East war heightens road risks for millions in Indonesia, Malaysia

Rising fuel prices due to tensions in the Middle East, along with other factors, could compound an already arduous and risky journey for millions returning to their home towns this Hari Raya season.

Commentary: Why firms are pivoting from 'China shedding' to 'Chinamaxxing'

Some of China’s most successful global companies have spent years masking their origins to sidestep Western scrutiny. That has changed, says Juliana Liu for Bloomberg Opinion.

The Korean Peninsula’s role between two cold wars was pivotal

Between the end of the Cold War in 1989 and dawn of the New Cold War in the early 2020s, the Korean Peninsula served as the ultimate testing ground for a peaceful international order that ultimately failed to materialize. The “Grand Strategic Triangle” of Washington, Beijing