Malaysia and Indonesia to intensify diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Middle East war: Anwar

The Malaysian PM met Indonesian President Prabowo in Jakarta to discuss addressing the conflict.

US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon, WaPo reports

March 27 - The U.S. military has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at a rate that has alarmed some Pentagon officials and prompted internal discussions about how to make more available, the Washington

Myanmar military signals leadership change ahead of presidential vote

March 27 - Myanmar's military leadership is set for a reshuffle following an annual armed forces parade on Friday, state media reported, in a rare public signalling of transition by the secretive institution that has dominated the Southeast Asian nation.

Gulf states tell US ending the war is not enough, Iran’s capabilities must be degraded

DUBAI, March 27 - Gulf Arab states are telling the U.S. that any deal with Tehran should do more than end the war, and must permanently curb Iran's missile and drone capabilities and ensure global energy supplies are never again \"weaponised\", four Gulf sources said.

Chinese ships halt attempt to exit Hormuz despite Iran safe passage assurances

LONDON, March 27 - Two Chinese container ships turned backed after trying to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, ship-tracking data showed, despite assurances from Iran that Chinese vessels could pass.

UN rights chief urges US to conclude probe into deadly Iran school strike

GENEVA, March 27 - The U.N. rights chief urged Washington to conclude its investigation into a fatal strike on a primary school in Iran at a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting on Friday, with some states voicing outrage over the incident.

Ukraine closes on Mideast deals to help counter Iranian drones

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France, March 27 - Ukraine is close to clinching several security agreements — including with the UAE and Qatar — to counter Iranian attacks, its foreign minister said on Friday, adding that he saw scope to draw China into peace efforts to end the war with Russia.

More important than ever for Singapore and Hong Kong to collaborate amid competition: PM Wong

The leaders of the two cities discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation including in emerging areas.

Afghan jailed for 15 years in the UK for raping 12-year-old girl

LONDON, March 27 - An Afghan national was on Friday jailed for 15 years for raping a 12-year-old girl in Britain, a case that sparked local protests and a political row when his status as an asylum seeker was not initially disclosed by police.

‘Korea (South)’ on arrival cards? Taipei hits back at Seoul, Copenhagen over ‘China’ labels

In the face of mounting pressures, the island needs to proactively assert its identity and be seen.

WTO reform talks face U.S.-India wall in Cameroon, diplomats say

GENEVA, March 27 - Large differences remain between most countries and the U.S. and India as trade ministers meet to discuss reforms at the World Trade Organization, two diplomats told Reuters on Friday.

Russia survived without SWIFT, but that doesn’t mean it won

When Russian banks were cut off from SWIFT in 2022, the goal was clear: deliver a fast financial shock. It didn’t quite work that way. Russia kept exporting, oil revenues surged and before long a different narrative began to take hold — that the sanctions had not worked after

Russia arms Iran, cementing a drone-powered anti-US axis

In a striking role reversal, Russia appears to be preparing to supply its embattled partner Iran with one-way attack drones, just as Iran previously supplied Russia to sustain its fight in Ukraine. The Financial Times (FT) reported that Russia is nearing the completion of

Ukraine and Saudi Arabia sign deal on defence cooperation, Zelenskiy says

March 27 - Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on defence cooperation that lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation and investments, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.

Japan firms weigh merging power chip businesses

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration has set a new sales target for domestically produced microchips, aiming for an eightfold increase by 2040 compared with 2020 levels.

Iran war restores King Dollar’s crown, for now

TOKYO — News of currency troubles in Thailand has a way of raising blood pressure amongst even the most battle-tested Asian investors. The baht’s dubious honor of being Asia’s worst-performing currency amid surging oil prices is making headlines and triggering more than a

Nepali rapper Shah sworn in as prime minister

Balendra Shah was sworn in a day after he released his first public statement since winning the Mar 5 elections, via a rap song posted on social media.

Is there a silver lining for China as war rages in the Middle East?

With Washington distracted and opportunities in clean energy, Beijing might have the last laugh

China blasts ‘false’ news after report says chipmaker SMIC supplying Iran

Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said he was “not familiar with the situation”.

Indonesia mulls airlines’ call for 15% fuel surcharge hike, airfare caps over rising costs amid Middle East war

The Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) urged the government to approve the hikes in fuel surcharge for both jet and propeller aircraft.

Taiwan freezes electricity rates to help price stability, industrial competitiveness

Taiwan is a major producer of the advanced semiconductors used to power the megatrend towards AI.

Indonesia’s social media curbs for kids set to kick in, but few know how they will work

As the clock ticks down to March 28, neither parents nor children have much idea of what will happen.

Indonesia's social media curbs for kids set for Saturday, but few know how it will work

JAKARTA, March 27 - Armed with a smartphone, Anza Zafran Utama, a 9-year-old boy in the Indonesian city of Bogor, is either a dinosaur or a shooter, depending on his mood.

South Korea’s President Lee to pursue wartime command, selective conscription

He also said the government would pursue military reform.

AI drives financial inclusion in India, but risks widening inequality: Industrialist Ajay Piramal

Speaking to CNA, the chairman of Indian conglomerate Piramal Group says artificial intelligence is opening access to credit and public services in underserved areas, but warns it could widen the gap between skilled and unskilled workers.

Malaysia to roll out flexi-work arrangements for civil servants, PM Anwar urges private sector to follow

In his special address on Thursday (Mar 26), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also announced that the 300-litre monthly quota for subsidised RON95 petrol under the BUDI95 programme has been reduced to 200 litres as an interim measure.

Australia leveraging coal and gas exports to lock in petrol supply from Asia partners

Malaysia is prioritising its domestic needs, while China has suspended some exports of jet fuel and diesel.

China launches two probes into US trade practices

The two Chinese investigations are in response to two US Section 301 investigations against China.

India slashes fuel taxes due to Mideast war shortages: Finance minister

China’s clean energy offer to Indonesia just got harder to refuse

China’s ambassador to ASEAN recently suggested that the current global energy shock triggered by war in the Middle East should be seen not only as a crisis, but as an opportunity to deepen cooperation on the transition to clean energy. That framing may sound diplomatic. In

South Korea's Lee to pursue wartime command transfer, selective conscription

"The ironclad South Korea-US alliance is an essential pillar of peace and stability on the peninsula but excessive dependence is not desirable," President Lee Jae Myung said.

China demands more than just 'regret' from Japan after embassy break-in

Myanmar military signals leadership changes ahead of parade

General Min Aung Hlaing will make his yearly speech to rally morale at the parade.

Europe’s elites confront a future without US protection

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. From “European pillar” to post-American NATODiego Faßnacht reports that European defense thinking is shifting from burden-sharing toward preparing for a post-American

China demands more than just ‘regret’ from Japan after embassy break-in

A knife-wielding Japanese military officer broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on March 24.

Trump’s Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia

If India decides to pursue the energy deal with Russia, negotiations could be concluded in weeks.

Trump's Iran war pushes India to rekindle old friendship with Russia

NEW DELHI, March 27 - As India's diplomats negotiated an accord that would ease punitive U.S. tariffs on the South Asian country's exports in January, New Delhi slashed its purchases of Russian crude oil in a move that was widely seen as a painful concession to President Donald

Vietnam police bust multi-billion-dollar crypto scam

The scammers created fake cryptocurrencies and sold them to investors.

Japan’s yuru-chara mascots: Big business behind the cute faces

From boosting tourism to generating billions in sales, Japan’s mascots have grown into a powerful industry – but only a few become stars.

Ex-rapper Shah sworn in as Nepal prime minister after sweeping election win

KATHMANDU, March 27 - Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as prime minister of Nepal on Friday, tasked with restoring political stability and creating jobs in the poor Himalayan nation long troubled by fragile governments and weak growth prospects.

Will the energy crisis hit global economy harder than Covid?

Despite reports of negotiations between the US and the Iranian regime, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most oil tankers, with only a small number of vessels being allowed to pass. The result is a loss of roughly 11 million barrels per day (mbd) of oil and

Nepal’s first woman PM Sushila Karki returns to retirement

Picking up Nepal in tumultuous times, Ms Sushila Karki became its first female prime minister.

Sri Lanka jails man for hoarding four litres of fuel

He was charged with hoarding petrol and trying to sell it on the black market.

Singapore denies Malaysian scholar entry, calling her 'undesirable visitor'

Fadiah Nadwa Fikri urged some in Singapore to "adopt her brand of radical advocacy", authorities say.

Russia's Lavrov says US wants to take over Nord Stream gas pipelines

MOSCOW, March 27 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast in September 2022.