Middle East conflict threatens to thwart Thailand’s tourism recovery

Thailand's international arrivals fell by 8.9 per cent week-on-week in the first week of March 2026.

China says envoy sent on Afghanistan-Pakistan mediation mission

China urged an immediate ceasefire after deadly cross-border clashes flared.

Philippines probes sudden closure of gas stations amid price hikes

Nationwide help desks have been opened to make it easier to submit complaints about gas stations.

Sarawak aims for five million tourists in 2026, after falling short by 20,000 in 2025

Visitor arrivals there have improved year on year as the state continued to attract international events.

What Trump’s Hormuz coalition call really means for China

Trump called on China and several other countries over the weekend to join his proposed naval coalition for securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran war. He then told the Financial Times the following day that “I think China should help

India sees power use surging to record, adding to energy crisis

India is already facing energy woes because of the war in Iran.

Azerbaijan jails Frenchman for a decade in espionage case

BAKU, March 16 - A court in Azerbaijan sentenced a French citizen to ten years in jail on Monday after finding him guilty of spying on behalf of Paris, a charge he partially pleaded guilty to, Russia's RIA state news agency reported.

Iran’s Hormuz blockade anchored in successful securitization

Iran has long threatened to cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, a concern featured in nearly every strategic risk-mapping and war-gaming scenario involving Iran and maritime disruptions since the 1970s. Given the debilitating impact such a move could have on the global

Myanmar’s junta chief expected to hand over top military post to long-time protege

Observers say the move could formalise a military-controlled political system rather than signal real democratic change.

China in contact with US on summit, Rubio sanctions may not apply, Beijing says

BEIJING, March 16 - China said on Monday it is in communication with the U.S. about President Donald Trump's visit, after Trump threatened to delay the trip over the Strait of Hormuz, and suggested sanctions previously imposed on Marco Rubio are no longer in effect.

China says it is ‘maintaining communication’ with US over Trump visit

Beijing did not address Mr Trump’s pressure on NATO allies and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Indonesia police seek four suspects for acid attack on activist

The victim was a vocal critic of moves to increase the military's influence in Indonesia's government.

Gulf crisis to strengthen, not weaken, China’s industrial edge

Geopolitical crises rarely produce only short-term economic shocks. More often they reshape how governments think about long-term economic security and industrial resilience. A serious disruption in the Persian Gulf could therefore have consequences far beyond temporary oil

Nations must honour oil pacts amid export curbs, says Philippines

Manila is in talks with Indonesia and Russia as the nation races to secure its fuel supply.

60% of South Korea’s diet pill users aren’t obese: Report

The study also raised concerns about the risks of prolonged use of diet pills.

6 hours on screen, 1 hour outdoors: South Korean teens shrug, parents worry

Entertainment and studying were the most common uses of mobile phones and personal computers.

Zelenskiy says Ukraine wants money, technology in return for Middle East drone help

KYIV, March 15 - Ukraine wants money and technology in return for helping Middle Eastern nations that have sought its expertise as they defend against Iranian kamikaze drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, after Kyiv sent specialists to the region.

British teens resist Australian-style social media ban

LONDON, March 16 - British teenagers, like their peers abroad, have a conflicted relationship with social media.

Philippines rejects Beijing's claim to sovereignty over entire South China Sea

MANILA, March 16 - The Philippines said on Monday it rejected Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, disputing a claim by China's embassy that a Filipino diplomat had once conceded the disputed Scarborough Shoal was not part of Philippine territory.

Australians feel petrol pinch as panic buying drives shortages

But the government insists fuel shipments are arriving on schedule.

Kazakhstan approves new constitution: 87.15% vote in favour, election commission says

ALMATY, March 16 - Kazakhstan voted 87.15% in favour of adopting a new constitution, the Central Election Commission said on Monday.

South Korea on highest alert as 3 major livestock diseases spread nationwide

All three diseases remain at the highest of four alert levels.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to make introductory visit to Japan

Mr Wong will be making his first visit to Japan as Singapore's prime minister. It comes on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

India state polls to test PM Modi’s handling of energy crisis

Four states, including the southern state of Tamil Nadu state, will vote on April 23.

Vietnam braces for flight cuts from April after China, Thailand ban jet fuel exports

Japan says it is starting the release of strategic oil reserves

Japan, which depends on the Middle East for 95 per cent of its oil imports, said its oil reserve levels are “being lowered”.

Thai ruling party tightens grip on power with House Speaker post

Mr Sophon Saram has been selected as Speaker of the 500-member House of Representatives.

Vietnam: How much Assembly dissent will To Lam allow?

On March 15, 2026, nearly 73.5 million Vietnamese voters headed to the polls to elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly and members of People’s Councils at all levels. Of 864 candidates standing for the National Assembly, 65 were non-Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)

2 dead after protest boats with students aboard capsize in Okinawa

The students were on the vessels as part of the school's peace education curriculum.

Driver in Malaysia detained after charging passenger $26 for trip from KL airport’s Terminal 1 to 2

According to GoogleMaps, the 7.8km trip takes around 10 minutes.

10 arrested at Johor port over suspected attempt to smuggle petrol onto tanker vessel

The total value of the items seized during the March 11 operation is around RM4.9 million (S$1.6 million).

Cherry blossoms in Japan’s Kochi begin to bloom, seven days earlier than in 2025

The blossoms are expected to reach full bloom in about a week.

Vietnam braces itself for flight cuts from April after China, Thailand ban jet fuel exports

The country imports more than two-thirds of its jet fuel needs.

Ten killed in fire at India hospital intensive care unit

All the victims of the fire in Odisha state are patients, and 11 hospital staff are being treated for burns.

Some Filipinas seek abortions online in largely Catholic nation

Abortions are strictly outlawed in the Philippines.

Japan to begin releasing strategic oil reserves

Chinese firms seek to loosen the West’s grip on lucrative snow business

Chinese winter sports firms are slowly chipping away at foreign dominance in the snow equipment market.

Europe’s hollow Iran war outrage

Watching European capitals scramble to calibrate their response to the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, one is reminded of a recurring scene in a very bad play — one that has run, with minor variations, since Suez. Europe blusters. Europe convenes. Europe issues a

Myanmar parliament convenes as army prepares for new era of rule

March 16 - Myanmar's parliament convened on Monday for the first time since a coup five years ago, in one of the final steps in a nominal return to democracy where its powerful military retains tight control.

Myanmar’s post-coup Parliament sits packed with junta allies

The last election in 2020 returned a resounding victory for Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.

Seoul’s subway ticket kiosks to accept overseas cards from March 17

A 3.7 per cent service fee will apply to transactions made with overseas-issued cards.

Trump demands others help secure Strait of Hormuz, Japan and Australia say no plans to send ships

TOKYO/PALM BEACH, Florida, March 16 - U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz appeared to fall on deaf ears on Monday as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort

US revives railgun tests as Iran war bleeds air defenses

Missile salvos from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific are exposing the limits of interceptor-based defenses, and the US Navy’s renewed testing of its electromagnetic railgun suggests a possible answer. This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that the US Navy has resumed

Raw catfish sparks inspections, shutdown of thousands of free meal kitchens across Indonesia

More than 2,200 kitchens in the country have been shut down for failing to obtain hygiene certification.

At least 10 patients killed in hospital fire in east Indian state of Odisha

Five people were also critically wounded.

Malaysia police raid premises in MACC collusion probe

Officials searched two premises of businessman Victor Chin and seized two cars, luxury watches, jewellery and cash.

Kpop Demon Hunters wins Oscars for best animated film and best original song

The Oscars are the latest in a string of accolades for the film, which include Golden Globe and Grammy awards.

20 Thai sailors return home after vessel attacked in Gulf

Three crew members are still stranded on the vessel in the Gulf.

Australia rules out sending naval ships to Strait of Hormuz

This comes as the US seeks allied support to protect one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.