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).
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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.
Why guests keep returning to The Surin Phuket, season after season
Set on the secluded Pansea Beach on Phuket’s west coast, this 44-year-old property – refined over decades by architect Ed Tuttle – embodies what its guests describe as “simple luxury.”
South Indian state Andhra Pradesh launches third-child incentives amid ageing population
The state's current total fertility rate is 1.5, down from three in 1993.
Sophisticated drones attacked Louisiana’s Barksdale bomber base
Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, in Bossier Parish not far from Shreveport, was attacked by drone swarms during the week of March 9. The attack disrupted B-52H aircraft launches in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iran. It is the first time a US airbase was
Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war
WASHINGTON, March 22 - The U.S. government has \"plenty of money\" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.
Nepali youth demand release of govt report into deadly uprising sparked by social media ban
Demonstrations calling on the interim government for transparency have erupted over the past week.
Thai telcos monitor submarine internet cables round the clock for disruptions caused by Mid-East war
One said internet traffic through high-risk areas in the Middle East remains at a manageable level.
Russia launches first rocket from repaired Baikonur launch pad
MOSCOW, March 22 - Russia launched a Soyuz rocket from a repaired launch pad at its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sunday, restoring its capability to fly to the International Space Station for the first time since the launch pad was damaged last year.
Pauline Hanson’s party is ‘here to stay’ after stunning South Australian election showing
One Nation took the second-highest share of votes, but may struggle to translate that into Lower House seats.
12 killed in Bangladesh as train hits bus at unmanned crossing
Five people died on the spot, according to a police official.
Seven killed in Qatar helicopter crash due to technical malfunction, Qatari and Turkish authorities say
CAIRO, March 22 - Seven people have been killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters, Qatar and Turkey said on Sunday.
Vietnam, Russia to sign energy deal: Hanoi
Vietnam has recently asked for fuel support from several countries.
Philippines allows temporary use of dirtier fuel amid Middle East crisis
Only vehicles from model year 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, power plants and generators, and the marine and shipping sectors would be allowed to use Euro-II compliant petroleum products.
Iran threatens to retaliate against Gulf energy and water after Trump ultimatum
TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, March 22 - Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the
TEPCO nuclear plant in central Japan resumes generation, part replaced
Resumption of commercial operation has been postponed until April.
Fuel shortage cuts hours of electricity in the Philippines’ Quezon island town
The local power plant will operate for 16 hours daily, from 4pm to 8am, for an estimated five days.
Stranded juvenile whale found dead along Sabah beach
The whale was first stranded on March 19 and had been successfully herded back to deeper waters then.
How a medieval English abbey became a Chinese wedding destination
Today's brides say they are inspired by wedding of Taiwanese popstar Jay Chou at the abbey in 2015.
Over 400,000 violations of airplane portable battery rules logged in South Korea in past year
Data indicates roughly 0.99 violations per flight — effectively one case for every departing aircraft.
Questions over whether unauthorised structures led to deadly South Korean factory fire
The fire, which killed 14 and injured 60 others, is one of South Korea's worst industrial accidents.
China vows more open economy, national treatment for foreign firms
China saw a record $1.54 trillion trade surplus in 2025.
Tencent integrates WeChat with OpenClaw AI agent amid China tech battle
The integration comes as OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that can perform tasks such as transferring files and sending emails on users' behalf, has gained traction in recent weeks.
New service in Japan to allow mobile users to use other carriers’ networks during outages
The Japan Roaming service is the cornerstone of efforts to manage large-scale outages.
China's premier vows to expand global 'trade pie': State media
Chinese Premier Li Qiang was speaking at the opening of the annual China Development Forum, attended this year by prominent business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Vietnam's Communist Party secures nearly 97% of assembly seats
The unicameral parliament has virtually no power to challenge the party's key decisions, including on personnel, but it has occasionally amended proposed laws.
Vietnam’s Communist Party secures nearly 97% of assembly seats
To Lam, confirmed as general secretary at the party’s congress, is widely expected to be chosen as president.
Apple CEO praises China partners as Beijing applies pressure
Earlier in March, Apple lowered the fees it collects from app developers in China.
Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25% as Iran war bites
This is the second price increase in two weeks.
Rights groups fear use of arrest to stifle free speech in Pakistan
Rights group Amnesty International warned that there is a “shrinking space for dissent” in the country.
Explosive morning: Blaze at fireworks stall sends sparks flying into Penang eatery
A viral video showed eatery operators dodging sparks and closing shutters as fireworks flew into the shop.
Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25% as war bites
This is the second increase in two weeks, as the country prepares for more impact from the war in the Middle East.
Japan foreign minister says Iran released one of two detained Japanese nationals
The person, who has not been publicly identified, was released on Wednesday and will be returning to Japan, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said. He added that a second Japanese national remained in detention.
Japan may provide minesweeping assistance in Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire
Japan has legal limits on sending ships from its defence forces, its Prime Minister explained earlier.
Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached, minister says
TOKYO, March 22 - Japan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, if a ceasefire is reached in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Sunday.
Four years after deadly China Eastern plane crash, investigators offer no answers
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) last provided an update in March 2024 and victims' relatives remain in the dark about what caused the plane to nosedive from cruising altitude rather than land in Guangzhou as planned.
Why Malaysia PM Anwar’s invoking a Zionist bogeyman and a plot to topple the government
PM Anwar Ibrahim's government has claimed a Zionist plot to undermine democracy.
Thailand braces for extreme heat, thunderstorms and strong winds
Some northern and central regions may experience extreme heat conditions from March 24 to 27.
US-China 'Board of Trade' may help ties but experts flag market worries
Washington and Beijing are mulling a new mechanism to formalise and identify what kinds of goods the United States should be exporting to and importing from China, US trade envoy Jamieson Greer said.
Taiwan says delayed US F-16s to start arriving this year
The United States in 2019 approved an $8 billion sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan but the project has been hit by issues including software problems.
Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir tours refurbished heritage building in KL on eve of Hari Raya
Dr Mahathir also delivered a Hari Raya message to all Muslims.
Taiwan says delayed deliveries of US F-16 jets to start arriving in 2026
Taiwan has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the US.
Trump threatens Iran with power plant strikes over Hormuz blockade
TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, March 22 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to \"obliterate\" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a dramatic escalation that came barely a day after he talked about \"winding