'Tigers and flies': Millions of officials later, why is Xi's corruption purge still going?
Critics say Xi's purges reveal a ruthless drive for absolute loyalty and total control of the military.
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‘No decision’ about Japan navy to Hormuz as Takaichi wins budget
Japan’s House of Representatives on Friday passed the FY2026 budget, setting the stage for a fight in the upper house — where the government lacks a majority — as opposition parties seek to delay the budget’s passage (they can’t block it indefinitely) and deal a political blow
US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand
Beijing could resume restrictions on rare-earth exports and halt purchases of United States soybeans if Washington insists on “making trouble” by proceeding with new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, according to Chinese commentators and policy observers. The
Why Indonesia is forcing Big Tech to play by its rules, starting with Meta and children’s accounts
Jakarta has to balance regulating Big Tech and attracting investment from the industry giants.
How to get a billion passengers to fly in India
For India’s aviation ambition to take off, it needs more airlines, aircraft, airports and pilots.
US dispatched Marines to Mideast, feeding Iran invasion warnings
In what has been described as a potential “major escalation” of the Trump administration’s war with Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly approved a request from US Central Command to move more warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East following Iran’s
Iran war challenges nuclear latency strategy of Japan, South Korea
The Iran war has delivered a verdict on nuclear latency – the strategy of possessing the capability to develop a nuclear weapons program while stopping short of crossing the weaponization threshold. There are significant implications for Northeast Asia, as South Korea and Japan
Diego Garcia-Chagos Islands deal is delayed
More than a year ago, the UK agreed to grant Mauritius sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which Britain has governed as the British Indian Ocean Territory since 1965. But the treaty to transfer sovereignty has hit choppy waters. The deal has stalled in the UK Parliament
Deputy head of Russian space centre detained on suspicion of bribery, TASS reports
MOSCOW, March 13 - The deputy head of Russia's Star City, a settlement near Moscow that hosts the country's main space training facility, has been detained along with six associates on suspicion of bribery, state news agency TASS reported on Friday.
Air China to resume Beijing-Pyongyang flights after 6-year suspension
The route had been suspended as cross-border travel was halted following the outbreak of Covid-19.
North Korea media silent on restart of Pyongyang-Beijing train service
Pyongyang is worried about Beijing’s increasing economic presence in the country, observers say.
ASEAN ministers urge halt to Middle East war as crisis rattles energy and trade
The Philippines, which is chairing ASEAN this year, convened the special meeting as concerns over the Iran conflict deepened.
China seen as ASEAN’s most important partner, Japan 2nd: Survey
The survey results highlighted China’s and Russia’s strong influence over ASEAN countries.
Africa-bound India-flagged fuel tanker sets sail from east of Hormuz, Indian official says
NEW DELHI, March 13 - The Indian-flagged oil tanker, Jag Prakash, which is carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian government official said on Friday.
ASEAN braces itself for economic fallout from Mid-East crisis, warns of ‘prolonged instability’
ASEAN leaders warned that the conflict could disrupt trade, raise energy costs and slow regional growth.
'No-one will hire women' - India's top court rejects menstrual leave petition
The subject has polarised India for long, though some states and private companies offer menstrual leaves.
Indonesia minister says sustained high oil prices could see budget deficit breach mandated limit
Indonesia could also impose additional taxes on nickel, gold, and copper.
Thai authorities seize over 100,000 fake goods in Bangkok mall raid
MBK Center's management will terminate lease agreements with offending tenants.
Cambodia investigates 2,000 shuttered petrol stations over shortage claims
Vendors who lied about why they had closed their doors would be fined or have their permits revoked.
China's foreign, defence ministers to visit Vietnam
Beijing has portrayed itself in the region as a reliable alternative to an erratic US President Donald Trump, who launched sweeping tariffs last year that unsettled global trade.
Fuel subsidy bill rises over 4-fold to US$813 million monthly as Malaysia absorbs soaring price: Minister
The Malaysian government is in a strong position to absorb the higher costs due to the various fiscal reforms and consolidation measures implemented over the past three years, said Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Iran plane leaves India with sailors, bodies as Indian ships win Hormuz reprieve
Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a torpedo from a US submarine on March 4.
Bodies of 84 Iranian sailors to be sent home from Sri Lanka, Iran embassy source and Sri Lankan media say
COLOMBO, March 13 - The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed in a U.S. submarine attack on a warship off Sri Lanka's coast last week will be repatriated, a source in the Iranian embassy in Colombo and Sri Lankan media reported on Friday.
Why Grab-type firms are the way for South-east Asia to thrive in AI era
How this region can navigate the AI age and its impact on the economy and employment.
Raising the steaks: China launches barbecue university programme, welcoming first cohort of students
As part of a three-year diploma programme, students will receive specialised training in areas like ingredient selection, charcoal control and flavour development, alongside business and restaurant management skills.
Sri Lanka to repatriate remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed in US attack on frigate
The first batch of 46 bodies was already at the airport by the afternoon of March 13.
Reliance on Gulf oil exposes South Korea and Japan to looming energy crisis
Prolonged supply disruption will push up the countries’ inflation and could even cause a recession, analysts say.
Ghosts of 1997 and 2008 stir as Iran spooks markets
TOKYO — Asia is seeing ghosts again. One apparition amid tight credit markets dates to the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. Another comes from 1997-98, when Asia’s debt-fueled growth boom ended disastrously. Economists can debate which comparison is more relevant to the
South Korea stepping up to mediate tensions between China and Japan: Foreign Minister
Minister Cho Hyun also expresses Seoul's hopes to enhance solidarity with like-minded friends and partners facing similar strategic challenges.
Thai family waits for news of missing relative who was on ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz
Panupong Muentan, 27, was an engine room mechanic aboard the ship and is one of three crew members missing.
Calls for justice mount as Indonesian activist maimed in acid attack
He was rushed to hospital with burns to 24 per cent of his body.
China slams US trade probe ahead of Paris talks
The trade talks in France are expected to lay the groundwork for a Trump-Xi meeting later in March.
Japan to join Trump's 'Golden Dome' project, expects missile requests
TOKYO, March 13 - Japan will inform the U.S. next week that it intends to join the \"Golden Dome\" missile defense initiative and expects that Washington may seek its help with missile production due to the Middle East war and other conflicts, two sources said.
Taiwan parliament authorises signing of stalled US$9 billion US arms deals
A second arms package, worth around US$14 billion, could be approved for Taiwan after US President Donald Trump visits Beijing later this month.
D8 summit in Indonesia delayed due to Middle East war, Indonesian foreign ministry says
A revised date for the conference has not been discussed.
While America fights, China builds
Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. China’s export surge redraws global trade mapScott Foster reports that China’s early-year trade data show surging exports across ASEAN, Europe, and Africa even as
Nepal sells half-filled cooking gas canisters due to Mid-East war
Nepal relies almost entirely on India for its fossil fuel needs.
What if Iran’s next target is the Gulf’s water supply?
For years, Gulf security has been discussed through the familiar vocabulary of oil, shipping lanes and missile defense. However, following the recent US missile strike on an Iranian freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island, which prompted Tehran to warn that a “dangerous
Japan should help US in Iran while it’s still dangerous
Don’t expect any fireworks when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets US President Donald Trump in Washington on March 19. Compared to Britain, Spain, France and the United States’ other erstwhile allies ー large and small (except for the Poles and a couple others) ー
Danantara at one: promise, peril and vexing questions
This month’s celebration marking the first anniversary of the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, better known as Danantara, became a stage for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to showcase a set of numbers that, at first glance, appeared revolutionary. In
Iran energy crisis spurs work-from-home calls half a world away
Policymakers are acting to rein in consumption as inflation also threatens additional strain.
Kazakhs to vote on new constitution in referendum on Sunday
ALMATY, March 13 - Kazakhstan holds a referendum on Sunday on a new constitution that some critics say could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to remain in charge of Central Asia's largest economy beyond his current term limit of 2029.
Australian businessman found guilty of working for suspected Chinese spies
Csergo argued his reports did not contain any secrets but only information available on the internet.
Cambodia approves harsh draft law targeting cyberscammers
This is to stamp out transnational cyberscam operations in a multibillion-dollar fraud industry.
AI agent OpenClaw grips China with ‘lobster fever’ despite cybersecurity risks
OpenClaw differs from other AI bots like ChatGPT because it can execute real-life tasks.
Behind Cambodian border casino, Thai military shows off a scam hub
Thailand alleges that the area had been used as a base of operations by the Cambodian military as well as criminals running transnational scams.
Vietnam police probe prominent journalist over ‘anti-state’ acts
Vietnam’s police have launched criminal proceedings into prominent journalist and blogger Le Anh Hung.
New Nepal government faces old challenges
Among the challenges are economic growth and maintaining stability.
‘We’re not wombs’: Japan women seek rights to sterilisation
Under a maternity protection law in Japan, women face multiple hurdles to qualify for sterilisation.