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

QatarEnergy reports 'extensive damage' after missile attacks on Ras Laffan industrial city

March 18 - Qatar's state oil giant QatarEnergy said on Wednesday that \"extensive damage\" has been caused after the Ras Laffan Industrial City was subjected to missile attacks, shortly after the country's interior ministry reported a fire resulting from an Iranian attack on

Spy chief grilled on Trump claim Iran nuke threat was ‘imminent’

US Senator Jon Ossoff on Wednesday cornered Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard over President Donald Trump’s false claims that he launched a war with Iran because it was an “imminent” threat to US national security. During a Senate Select Intelligence Committee

US assesses China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027

WASHINGTON, March 18 - China does not currently plan to invade Taiwan in 2027 and seeks to control the island without the use of force, the U.S. intelligence community said on Wednesday, striking a measured tone on one of the world's biggest potential flashpoints.

China not planning to invade Taiwan in 2027: US intelligence report

US President Donald Trump has played down the risk of Chinese military action while he is in office.

Interview: Pacific islands walk a ‘delicate tightrope’ as China influence rises

The Australian National University's Graeme Smith on Chinese influence in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau and others.

Kabul rehab centre patients fear for their future after attack that killed scores

KABUL/KARACHI, March 18 - Former heroin user Nazar Mohammad said the Kabul rehabilitation centre bombed by Pakistan cured him of his drug addiction two years ago and helped keep him alive. He even stayed on to work there as a live-in carer for the 2,000 patients.

White House says China agreed to postpone Trump's Beijing trip

WASHINGTON, March 18 - The White House said on Wednesday that China had agreed to postpone U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, originally scheduled in just two weeks.

Three private planes at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport damaged by Iran missile debris

TEL AVIV, March 18 - Three private planes parked at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv suffered \"severe\" damage after being hit by debris from Iranian missiles that were intercepted by Israeli air defence systems, the Israel Airports Authority said on Wednesday.

Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel as Vietnam, China restrict supplies

The US-Israeli war on Iran has choked LNG shipments to Asia.

What does a war win look like for US, Israel and Iran?

As the Middle East war enters its third week, there is no sign from either Iran or the United States and Israel that they will stop the fighting any time soon. It is getting more violent and nasty by the day. The Iranian Islamic regime is fighting for its survival, while the US

‘Business as usual’ for Iranian shadow fleet passing through South-east Asia, say analysts

Malaysia has been identified as a hub for illegal ship-to-ship transfers of crude oil in recent years.

China’s Belt and Road caught in the Afghan-Pakistan crossfire

Escalating clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan are quickly turning the Durand Line dispute into a wider regional security crisis. What began as cross-border strikes and retaliatory operations has devolved into sustained fighting along the frontier, drawing the attention of

Iranian women's soccer team arrive back in Iran after some withdrew asylum claim

GURBULAK, Turkey, March 18 - The Iranian women's soccer team crossed the Turkish border into Iran on Wednesday to complete a fraught return journey from Australia, after five members withdrew asylum claims they had lodged there.

Singapore and Japan upgrade ties to Strategic Partnership, expand cooperation in five areas

Both countries will enhance cooperation in trade, digitalisation and technology, defence, green transition and energy, as well as other people exchanges.

USS Tripoli warship to pass through Malacca Straits en route to Middle East

US officials said the warship was deployed to the region, without disclosing its destination or mission.

Philippines' Marcos puts brakes on transport fare hike

Japan deploys upgraded Type-12 missiles, spiking China tensions

Japan’s quiet deployment of upgraded Type-12 missiles marks a decisive shift from defensive posturing to operational counterstrike capability, with implications for the balance of power in the East China Sea and around Taiwan. This month, multiple media outlets reported that

Philippines’ Marcos puts brakes on transport fare hike

Marcos said he had ordered the transportation department “to launch free rides all over the Philippines”.

Indonesian military detains 4 soldiers over acid attack on activist

Mr Andrie Yunus was injured in the face, his eye, hands and torso.

Indonesia arrests four military officers allegedly involved in acid attack on activist

JAKARTA, March 18 - Indonesian military authorities said on Wednesday that they have arrested four officers allegedly involved in an acid attack on an activist known for his opposition to the expanded role of the military in civilian life.

Nvidia gets Beijing's nod for H200 chip sales, adapts Groq chip for China, sources say

Indonesian military detains four soldiers over acid attack on activist

Activist Andrie Yunus suffered injuries to his face, an eye, hands and torso after the acid attack last week.

Bridging the ‘grey area’: Malaysian workers who commute to Singapore welcome new insurance scheme

The new insurance scheme for Malaysians commuting to work in Singapore is likely to be ready by Q2 of 2026.

Worker in Sabah eatery allegedly slashed by colleague after row over uncooked rice

The man reportedly became angry, got a knife and slashed him on the left arm.

Malaysian man snatched by crocodile while catching prawns with father in Sabah

The 28-year-old has been found dead.

When ‘poisoned’ AI chatbots recommend fake products to Chinese consumers

As China races to adopt AI in everyday life and to boost its economy, it is grappling with how best to regulate it.

Ukraine seeks release of citizens arrested in India over alleged Myanmar drone activity

NEW DELHI, March 18 - Ukraine has asked New Delhi to release six of its citizens arrested in India last week for allegedly entering a restricted border state without permits, and crossing into neighbouring Myanmar to train anti-junta ethnic groups in drone warfare.

Russia, China and Iran are main threats to Sweden, security service says

STOCKHOLM, March 18 - Russia, China and Iran are the biggest threats to Sweden, the Swedish Security Service (SAPO) said on Wednesday in its annual report on threats facing the country.

Iran war showing how AI speeds up military ‘kill chains’

The US-Israel war on Iran has been described as “the first AI war.” But recent deployments of artificial intelligence are, in fact, the latest in a long history of technological developments that prize a need for speed in the military “kill chain.” “Sixty seconds – that’s all

China makes energy security 'reunification' offer to Taiwan amid Middle East war

Taiwan says it has secured alternative supplies for the months ahead, including from the United States.

Japan sets February record for inbound tourists with nearly 3.5 million visitors

TOKYO, March 18 - Visitors to Japan in February rose 6.4% from a year earlier to set a new record for the month, government data showed on Wednesday, despite a drop-off in Chinese tourists amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Surge in propofol, ADHD drug prescriptions raises misuse concerns in South Korea

Over half of ADHD drug prescriptions issued between 2020 and 2024 were to children and teenagers.

Panic buying sparks rice shortage concerns in Sabah

A state minister said supply levels are expected to normalise soon and urged the public not to resort to panic buying.

Afghans search for loved ones at Kabul rehab centre bombed by Pakistan

KABUL, March 18 - Families and friends of people who were under treatment at a rehab centre in the Afghan capital Kabul searched for their loved ones on Wednesday, two days after it was bombed by Pakistan in the deadliest incident in the months long conflict between the

China makes energy security ‘reunification’ offer to Taiwan amid Middle East war

Taiwan has said it has secured alternative supplies for the months ahead, including from the US.

Macau woman hospitalised after being startled by humanoid robot

The woman had noticed the robot behind her while she was using her phone.

Smart privacy rules could be Asia’s biggest AI advantage

Many global leaders are looking for the best ways to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy, but find themselves at a crossroads. Some are choosing to rely on a familiar – and perhaps, more comfortable – model of rigidity: regulation that’s heavy on process, cautious by default

City issues zoo donation guide for Japan’s viral baby monkey Punch to counter scams

The money received will be used to improve the ageing monkey enclosure and other zoo facilities.

Sri Lanka asks electric vehicle owners to unplug at night

The President said electric cars were adding an extra 300 megawatts of demand at night, straining the grid.