Australia calls for calm as Middle East war fans anxiety over inadequate fuel reserves
The authorities say fuel supply is the same as before the Iran war, but demand has soared due to panic buying.
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PM Wong congratulates Thai premier Anutin Charnvirakul on re-election
Mr Anutin became the first Thai premier to be voted back to office in two decades after cruising through a parliamentary vote.
Four Singaporeans arrested and handed to Malaysia police over Johor Bahru murder
Three men aged between 23 and 29, and a 27-year-old woman, were arrested.
Iran’s war machine can only last a few more weeks: Expert
Depleting its own military resources and antagonising Arab neighbours may be a cost too high for the regime to bear.
Sri Lanka refused ground access to US warplanes: President
The request was made on Feb 26, before the US-Israel strikes on Iran began on Feb 28.
Malaysia govt increasing gas production, RON95 price to stay at RM1.99, says PM Anwar
Disruptions to global oil supply routes due to tensions in the Middle East have driven prices up worldwide.
South Korea parliament passes Bill stripping prosecutors of investigative powers
The legislation will create a new agency that will exclusively handle indictments and prosecutions and spin off the investigative function to a separate agency.
Fire at South Korean auto parts factory injures at least 55
Authorities are searching for at least 14 other people believed to have been inside the factory when the fire broke out.
South Africa imposes steep tariffs on structural steel imports from China, Thailand
March 20 - South Africa has imposed steep import duties on structural steel imports from China and Thailand after finding evidence of dumping, the country's trade watchdog has said.
British reality TV star found dead in Phuket canal after suspected accidental fall
Thai police said CCTV footage captured the man running into the canal, which was about 1.6m deep.
Trapped in debt, with no way back: China weighs personal bankruptcy reform
Pilot schemes exist, but China still has no nationwide law allowing individuals to discharge debt.
India to tackle global obesity with cheap, Ozempic knock-off jabs
With the semaglutide patent ending on March 20, obesity treatment access is seen expanding globally.
BTS comeback sparks 103% surge in hotel bookings by foreign visitors in South Korea
Data showed that bookings were heavily concentrated in areas near Gwanghwamun Square.
China rolls out online registration for tourists in non-hotel stays, including rental homes
The registration may be completed by either the foreign guest or the host.
Indonesian government pledges not to increase fuel prices
"If we allow (fuel prices to increase)... people could panic,” said Indonesia's finance minister.
Asia turns to coal as Iran war rapidly shrinks supplies of gas
The latest strikes have damaged about 17 per cent of Qatar's production capacity.
South Korea Parliament passes Bill stripping prosecutors of investigative powers
Supporters say ending the prosecution’s monopoly is precisely the point.
Indonesia President Prabowo calls acid attack on activist ‘terrorism’
The military detained four soldiers from the armed forces’ intelligence unit, suspecting their involvement.
Crude down as Netanyahu looks to reassure on war
This comes after Washington said there was no deadline to end the war.
Japan’s economy edging toward a Takaichi downturn
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. No surprises from Japan as risks mount Scott Foster reports that Japan’s economy is coming under mounting pressure from higher energy costs, rising bond yields and
Scramble for jet fuel shows how energy shortages are rippling across Asia
The pain is most acute in Asia, where countries rely on Middle Eastern oil and have limited stockpiles.
Chongqing Mayor Hu Henghua under investigation by China’s anti-graft watchdog
Chongjing mayor's probe comes amid China’s intensifying “high-pressure” campaign to root out corruption.
Myanmar Parliament says to start process to select new president on March 30
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to become the South-east Asian country’s president.
South Korea flags uncertainty from Qatar LNG plant damage, but downplays supply concerns
SEOUL, March 20 - South Korean authorities said on Friday that Iranian attacks on Qatar's energy facilities raise uncertainty, but downplayed concerns about disruption to its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, citing the availability of alternative sources.
Iran’s Hormuz yuan play a direct hit on the petrodollar
The Strait of Hormuz has long been treated as a narrow maritime chokepoint with outsized strategic value. But in moments of crisis, it becomes something more than a shipping lane: it becomes leverage. If recent reports are accurate that Iran is considering allowing limited
BTS concert in South Korea to herald stream of live events, Netflix says
The free concert is expected to draw up to 260,000 spectators, including 22,000 ticket holders.
Johor police nab 5 suspects, including 4 S’poreans, over fatal stabbing
The first suspect was arrested at around 12.15am on March 18 while attempting to flee to Singapore.
Seoul harnessing Iran war to end the ‘Korea discount’
TOKYO – South Korea is taking Milton Friedman’s “never let a crisis go to waste” edict to new heights — literally. In his 1962 book “Capitalism and Freedom”, the Nobel laureate argued that emergencies are the perfect moment to implement destabilizing but necessary reforms —
Prabowo slams ‘inefficient’ spending by regional officials, including governor’s US$500,000 official car
This comes after East Kalimantan governor Rudy Mas’ud returned his 8.5 billion rupiah (US$502,304) official vehicle following widespread public criticism over what many considered as excessive spending.
Trump’s Iran war has a Churchill problem
Two weeks before launching Operation Epic Fury, President Trump stood before Congress and boasted that gasoline was “below US$2.30 a gallon in most states.” It was his closing argument for the midterms, the thing voters could feel before they needed to understand. The national
Some 50 hurt in fire at car parts factory in South Korea
Firefighters were struggling to contain the fire as one of the two buildings affected had collapsed.
Vietnam sees petrol prices shoot up overnight
The price of 95-octane petrol increased by 20 per cent, while diesel was up by nearly 34 per cent.
Using charm and restraint, Japan’s Takaichi mostly avoids Trump’s wrath
President Trump praised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, but the Mid-East war will test their ties.
Philippines accuses Chinese navy ship of ‘alarming’ radar lock on its vessel
At the time, the vessel was allegedly conducting a maritime patrol near the Sabina Shoal.
In Japan, Trump’s Pearl Harbor joke elicits scorn and dismay
Many Japanese scholars, politicians and commentators were aghast by the joke.
The West has long seen Iran’s oil as a prize to be claimed
With the recent outbreak of hostilities in the Persian Gulf, the focus of international attention has returned to one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this narrow strait. Its closure,
Iran war complicates Japan’s task of keeping US focused on Indo-Pacific
Instability in the Middle East could thin the US military presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Millions in Pakistan feel the pinch as food costs soar at Ramadan markets
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, is particularly vulnerable to external shocks.
Japan ski paradise faces strains of global acclaim
For residents, inflated property prices and living costs are leaving a bitter taste.
As US ramps up trade probes in push for ‘tariff wall’, how should Southeast Asia countries respond?
Washington’s latest probes are seen as more potent than last April’s reciprocal tariffs, offering greater legal certainty and wider scope for action, say experts.
US deports Singaporean vlogger convicted of child sex offences
Many Singaporeans remember Amos Yee for his rants insulting state authorities and religion.
Indonesia steps up bid to become regional data centre hub
Indonesia’s large digital economy and access to land and power are drawing global cloud companies, but balancing growth with sustainability and talent needs remains a key challenge, say industry players.
Iran and the imminent threat mythology
If you have followed American foreign policy debates over the past three decades, you will have noticed a peculiar and remarkably durable ritual: the periodic rediscovery that Iran is on the verge of doing something catastrophic to the United States. The mullahs are always, it
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and daughter unveil new anti-drone battle tank
Kim Ju Ae is believed to have entered a phase of being designated as the next leader.
North Korean leader's teenage daughter drives tank in latest public appearance
SEOUL, March 20 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter drove an army tank with her father sitting behind her in photos from state news agency KCNA on Friday, with analysts suggesting she may be training to succeed him.
Joint statement on Strait of Hormuz by European nations, Japan, Canada
LONDON, March 19 - Leading European nations, Japan and Canada issued a joint statement on Thursday saying they were ready to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and would take steps to stabilise energy markets.
Behind the BTS comeback, the dark side of K-pop
Only a tiny minority of thousands of young hopefuls make it past the audition phase.
Seoul sends English alerts for BTS crowd with large number of foreign visitors expected for concert
Officials said the bilingual messages reflect expectations of a surge in overseas fans traveling to Seoul for the performance.
China poses pressing threat; deterrence needed to avert invasion, Taiwan says
Beijing has stepped up pressure on Taiwan with frequent military drills.
China poses pressing threat, deterrence needed to avert invasion, Taiwan says
TAIPEI, March 20 - China poses a pressing threat given its military build-up continues unabated and effective deterrence is needed to make sure any attack would be very risky for Beijing, Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Friday.