Win or lose big? Hong Kong’s hub status a double-edged sword amid Middle East war

The conflict exposes the city to many risks, but some are seeing opportunities too.

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of killing civilians in Kabul strike

A Pakistani airstrike purportedly hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing civilians.

With US distracted in Iran N. Korea’s opportunistic, not suicidal

North Korea over the weekend fired a barrage of long-range missiles and rockets into the sea off its east coast. This show of force came as the United States military had its hands full in Iran. The article below analyzes Pyongyang’s strategy. -Eds. When the United States

Trump-Xi meeting could be delayed, White House says

WASHINGTON, March 16 - Donald Trump's highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could be postponed as the U.S. president remains focused on the Iran war, the White House said on Monday.

Trump on Iran: we don't know if new leader is still alive

WASHINGTON, March 16 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was unclear whether new Iranian leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive, given reports he had been injured in an air strike.

Trump says some countries are not enthusiastic about helping unblock Hormuz strait

WASHINGTON, March 16 - President Donald Trump on Monday repeated his call to nations to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and appeared to criticize countries he said were not enthusiastic about providing aid.

Singapore, 9 other countries back permanent ban on tariffs on digital transmissions ahead of WTO meeting

The ten members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership expressed support for such a measure after convening virtually ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for Mar 26 to 29.

The Gulf’s expat El Dorado faces a costly recovery after the war

To this visitor, the desert cities of the Gulf such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have long felt like the closest equivalent on Earth to colonies on the Moon. With labor imported, raw materials imported and many of the residents imported, the main difference is that one can

UN Afghan mission gets limited extension after US review call

March 16 - The U.N. Security Council voted on Monday to extend the mandate of the UNAMA assistance mission in Afghanistan for a shorter-than-usual three-month period, after Washington called last week for a review of assistance and engagement in the Taliban-ruled country.

Pakistan-bound oil tanker passes through Hormuz Strait amid Iran war

KARACHI, March 16 - Ship-tracking data shows a Pakistan-bound oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, indicating that some countries are able to negotiate safe passage for their vessels despite the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Nepal welcomes first transgender lawmaker

Bhumika Shrestha on March 16 became Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker.

Kyrgyzstan accuses sacked security chief of corruption as purge widens

BISHKEK, March 16 - Kyrgyzstan’s tax authority on Monday published a video accusing ex-security chief Kamchybek Tashiev of corruption, amid a widening purge of his allies.

Japan’s Takaichi faces Iran war test at Trump summit Thursday

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to the United States for a summit with President Donald Trump on March 19 was never going to be easy. Now, with Trump calling upon Japan and other countries to send warships to ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, she

Rubio and Japan counterpart talk after Trump Iran coalition call

March 16 - Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump called on allies to create a coalition to reopen the vital waterway.

Senior Chinese trade negotiator says talks with US ‘constructive’: State media

The negotiations were held over the weekend and concluded on March 16.

As India seeks Hormuz safe passage, Tehran asks for return of seized tankers, sources say

All three tankers are currently docked off Mumbai.

Malaysia’s UMNO set to welcome Khairy, Hishammuddin back into the fold as election season nears

This comes as the party seeks to strengthen its position ahead of upcoming state and national polls.

US 'fine' with some ships getting through Strait of Hormuz, Bessent says

WASHINGTON, March 16 - The United States is \"fine\" with some Iranian, Indian and Chinese ships going through the Strait of Hormuz for now, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday, adding that any action to mitigate higher prices would depend on how long the Iran war

China’s Oppo reveals world’s first crease-free foldable phone

The phone will debut alongside an Oppo AI Pen accessory.

Philippines questions authenticity of China-circulated letter on Scarborough Shoal claim

The 1990 diplomatic letter appears to suggest Manila once acknowledged the shoal was outside Philippine sovereignty.

Three men electrocuted in attempted cable theft in Ipoh

They are believed to have been electrocuted while attempting to cut the cables on an electric pole.

Hormuz standoff to decide who defines the new world order

The time for strategic patience in the Strait of Hormuz has expired. As the narrow waterway remains effectively paralyzed by Tehran’s blockade, the international community faces a choice that will define the so-called new world order and the next decade of global security:

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.

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.