From wuxia games to AI-powered microdramas: China sharpens its soft power playbook

Beijing wants to expand its global influence through digital cultural exports

China urges US, Israel to stop military action in Middle East, warns of 'vicious cycle'

BEIJING, March 23 - China has urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflict, particularly the U.S. and Israel, to cease military operations, warning of a \"vicious cycle\" in a war that analysts say if prolonged, could undermine global growth and weaken demand for

Indonesian civil servants to work from home once a week to cut energy consumption

The policy could save 20 per cent on fuel purchases, which has spiked since the Middle East war.

New Hong Kong rules force people to give up passwords in national security cases

Anyone who fails to comply faces a year in prison and a fine of HK$100,000 (S$16,400).

Myanmar to step up vehicle fuel rationing as shortages grow

A shortage of jet fuel has led several airlines in Myanmar to temporarily halt domestic routes.

In Indonesia, communities band together to fix potholes when local governments falter

Fed-up residents are fixing Indonesia's roads themselves — and officials shouldn't be proud of that

New Hong Kong rules force people to give up passwords in security cases

Anyone who fails to comply faces a year in prison and a fine of HK$100,000 (US$12,780).

Luxury hotels in Thailand cut prices as Iran war keeps tourists away

A prolonged tourism slowdown would hit a sector still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

UK sees no evidence of Iran targeting Britain, says Starmer

LONDON, March 23 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday there had been no assessment that mainland Britain was being targeted by Iran.

Malaysia eyes new energy sources as oil prices rise amid Middle East conflict: DPM Fadillah

The opposition has meanwhile urged the government to form a non-partisan national council to discuss economic interventions, warning that Malaysians are starting to feel the effects of higher energy prices, supply chain disruptions and rising logistics costs.

Australia's ABC staff to go on strike for first time in 20 years

The 24-hour long strike is expected to disrupt live television and radio broadcasts.

Web of sensors: How US spots and kills Iran’s missiles and drones

The global price of oil continues to skyrocket as Iran’s missiles and drones hit vital infrastructure in Arab Gulf states. Billion-dollar American radar systems have also been targeted and destroyed across the Middle East by Iran, seemingly degrading US defenses. US military

Improving China ties does not mean being anti-US, Taiwan opposition leader says

KMT's Cheng Li-wun has expressed a desire to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Indonesia arrests Swiss man for allegedly insulting Hindu holiday

The tourist stands accused of spreading hate speech online, an offence which under Indonesia's new criminal code can land him as many as five years in prison.

Iran’s insurgent playbook for outlasting US-Israel firepower

Iran knows it is militarily much weaker than the United States. The US accounts for 37% of military spending worldwide, while Iran accounts for less than 1%. On paper, we’d expect the US to easily win a military confrontation with Iran. But, as history shows, the US does not

BTS comeback concert sparks debate over crowd control in South Korea, public disruption

About 6,700 police officers, 10,000 public officials and 4,800 safety personnel were deployed.

Indonesia eyes US$4.7 billion in savings to brace for Middle East war impacts

The country is also mulling fuel-saving measures including one day of remote working per week for government and certain public sector workers.

The world's worst air crashes in recent years

March 23 - The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday.

Iran war draining US arsenal that keeps North Korea in check

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is no doubt watching closely as America reportedly moves part of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems from South Korea to the Middle East. Without those defenses, South Korea will be more vulnerable to a North Korean attack

Iran says coastal attack will lead to full Gulf closure and mine-laying

DUBAI, March 23 - An attack on Iran's southern coast and islands will lead to Gulf routes being cut with the laying of sea mines, the country's Defence Council said on Monday according to state media.

Japan ‘not thinking about’ discussing Hormuz passage with Iran

Japan depends on crude oil imports from the Middle East, most of which transits the strait.

HK police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules

Those who do not comply can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to HK$100,000 ($12,700; £9,600).

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.

Stocks slide and oil rises as US and Iran threaten to escalate war

The International Energy Agency chief says 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 fell more than 3 per cent while South Korea's Kospi slid more than 6 per cent 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.