Journalist holding US passport kidnapped in Baghdad, police sources say
BAGHDAD, March 31 - A female journalist holding a U.S. passport was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday by unknown parties, two police sources said.
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The postwar Japan constitution: a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card
Before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met President Donald Trump in Washington a couple of weeks ago, the Japanese fretted that Trump would ask Japan to send the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) to the Persian Gulf – even just a few ships or aircraft. Anyone who has dealt with
Singapore and Shandong to make joint push into green, high-tech future
Other growth areas include artificial intelligence, elderly care services and biomedicine.
FT: Hegseth broker tried to invest in weapons just before Iran war
A broker for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly tried to make a “big investment” in a bundle of weapons stocks just weeks before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, an assault that Hegseth has aggressively championed. Citing three unnamed people familiar
China, Pakistan call for Iran peace talks, normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz
"Dialogue and diplomacy are the only feasible ways to resolve conflicts," China and Pakistan said.
Mongolia names new prime minister following stalemate in Parliament
88 out of 107 lawmakers voted to appoint Mr Uchral Nyam-Osor to the coal-rich country's No. 2 post.
Indonesia rations fuel as prices soar over Middle East war
Civil servants will also work from home every Friday as part of government efforts to save energy.
Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands
All government agencies and schools must use the new names, which have yet to be revealed.
Indonesia rations fuel as prices soar over Mideast war
Indonesia will limit fuel to “50 litres per vehicle” and has ordered work-from-home to save energy.
The US, Israel and Iran all claim that God’s on their side in war
America’s secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, sports an array of tattoos with Christian messaging, including one that reads “Deus Vult” – God wills it – and is associated with the medieval crusades. So perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that, while leading a Christian
Microsoft plans over US$1 billion cloud, AI investment in Thailand
"Our ambition is for Thailand to grow as a regional driving force in Asia's digital and AI economy," Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.
How an Indian LPG tanker escaped Hormuz via an unusual route
NEW DELHI, March 31 - A day before Israel and the United States attacked Iran on February 28, the Indian‑flagged LPG tanker Pine Gas loaded cargo at the United Arab Emirates’ Ruwais port, hoping to reach home within a week.
Seized weapons on display after India declares end to Maoist insurgency
India showcases seized arms as Maoist rebellion wanes, with ex-fighters entering civilian life.
Bangladesh considers partial online classes amid energy crisis
DHAKA, March 31 - Bangladesh is considering introducing partial online classes in schools as part of austerity measures to ease pressure from the global energy crisis and domestic constraints.
Australia considers raising taxes for energy giants as gas profits surge amid Mid-East war
Over 60% of Australians polled support a tax on gas exports.
Japan rape accuser condemns prosecution’s failure to protect victims
Over 21 people at prosecutors’ offices have been accused of sexual violence in the past 16 years.
Two more men from Iran's PMOI opposition executed, group says
DUBAI, March 31 - Iran executed two men tied to the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI), adding to two other men who were executed on Monday, the group said on Tuesday, confirming a report by Iran's judiciary news outlet.
Indonesian forest loss surges by 66% in 2025, driven by Prabowo's self-sufficiency drive: Report
A total of 433,751 hectares of forest was cleared last year, a dramatic jump from 261,575 hectares in 2024, a study by a think tank found.
What China’s spy chief was really seeking in Indonesia
On March 27, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received China’s Minister of State Security, Chen Yixin, at the State Palace in Jakarta. The meeting, attended by Indonesia’s intelligence chief and senior cabinet officials, was described in familiar diplomatic terms: warm,
Look at Hong Kong and don't be naive about China, US senator says on Taiwan trip
TAIPEI, March 31 - Taiwan should look at what happened to Hong Kong and not be naive about China's intentions, U.S. Senator John Curtis said on Tuesday during a visit by U.S. lawmakers to discuss stalled defence spending.
China bans storing cremated remains in empty 'bone ash apartments'
China bans 'bone ash apartments' where mourners are storing cremated remains instead of cemeteries.
Suspected Indonesian syndicate members accused of trafficking babies to Singapore attend first court hearing
The judge postponed the trial by a week to allow some defendants to get a lawyer.
China welcomes EU lawmakers' first visit in 8 years as chance to steady strained ties
BEIJING, March 31 - China on Tuesday welcomed a visit by a delegation of European Union lawmakers - the first in eight years - as a chance to further stabilise ties strained by trade policies and political mistrust.
EU: Israel's decision to pass death penalty law for Palestinians is "very concerning"
BRUSSELS, March 31 - Israel's decision to pass a law making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks is 'very concerning' for the European Union, said a Commission spokesperson on Tuesday.
Asia to suffer most from Iran war energy crisis, warns analytics firm
The continent does not have enough energy resources of its own to cover a widening fuel gap.
Malaysia court orders ex-PM Najib to pay US$1.3 billion to 1MDB unit
High Court judge Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin ruled that Najib breached his fiduciary duties, abused his position as prime minister, and misappropriated SRC funds for personal gain, state news agency Bernama reported.
Myanmar lawmakers put junta chief on path to presidency
Military chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected as one of the three vice presidents who may go on to be chosen as president by parliament.
Asia barters for scarce energy as Iran crisis throttles supplies
The region’s governments are scrambling for fuel deals as shortages deepen.
India diesel exports to S-E Asia hit 7-year high in March due to Iran war, data shows
About one million tonnes of diesel have been shipped, with around half bound for Singapore.
Eurovision Song Contest launches first-ever Asia edition
Broadcasters from 10 countries, including South Korea and the Philippines, will be taking part.
Man, 25, charged with murder of fellow Singaporean in Johor
Muhammad Arif Saiyadi is among six suspects arrested over the fatal stabbing of 32-year-old Chia Hon Chung near a nightclub in Johor’s Southkey commercial district earlier this month.
Weapons, women and the rise of hybrid insurgency in Balochistan
A carefully staged photograph circulated widely in early 2026: a young Baloch couple in combat fatigues, rifles slung across their shoulders, smiling at the camera before what the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) described as their joint suicide mission. Released by the rebel
Camel couriers caught carrying contraband booze to Delhi
The camels were rescued and handed over to concerned authorities, local police said.
China seeks to strengthen ties as EU lawmakers’ visit ends eight years’ hiatus
A European parliamentary delegation began their trip on March 31.
Two more Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Lebanon, bringing total to three
The two Indonesian soldiers were killed "when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle" in South Lebanon on Monday (Mar 30), the United Nations (UN) said. A day earlier, another Indonesian soldier was killed in a separate incident.
Seoul turns down billboard brightness across the city
Officials said the new daytime brightness limits curb unnecessary glare.
Indonesia says won’t raise fuel price despite Mideast war pressures
The Indonesian government guaranteed fuel remains available and urged citizens not to panic.
Fire hot spots and scant rain raise haze alarm in South-east Asia
There were 825 smoldering hot spots in March across Indonesia and Malaysia.
Why India’s missing from the Iran war mediation table
In the theater of West Asian geopolitics, the line between a “stabilizing force” and a “silent spectator” is often drawn by the agility of a state’s diplomacy. As the US-Iran war enters its second month, an alarming linguistic shift emerged from New Delhi. Indian External
'Felt close to death': Indian seafarers detained in Iran return home
The crew members, whose ship was seized in December, got their release order a day before the war began.
Chiang Mai set for disaster declaration after 4 days of soaring PM2.5 levels
The province is set to consider declaring the Mueang Na sub-district area a disaster-stricken zone.
Malaysia says its tankers will be exempt from Iran’s Hormuz toll
Iran has reportedly allowed seven Malaysian tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz.
China says will boost cooperation with Pakistan on Iran issue
Beijing described China and Pakistan as “all-weather” strategic partners.
Japan deploys long-range missiles near China
It is attempting to shore up its military capacity as Beijing steps up naval activity in the East China Sea.
Indonesia to deport Interpol-wanted UK fugitive nabbed in Bali
The 45-year-old is wanted for alleged transnational drug trafficking and money laundering.
China expresses ‘gratitude’ after three ships transit Strait of Hormuz
Iran has said the strait is open to ships of “friendly countries”.
Myanmar’s former spymaster Ye Win Oo rises to become military chief
The key to the general's selection is his close proximity and loyalty to the outgoing commander.
Malaysian court orders ex-PM Najib to pay $1.68b to former 1MDB unit over fiduciary duty breach
The lawsuit was filed by SRC International in May 2021.
Zelensky may be defying Trump with strikes on Russian oil
The Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region, one of the country’s five largest and capable of refining 15 million tons of oil per year, was reportedly hit by Ukrainian drones early on March 28. This follows last week’s bombing of the Ust-Luga oil refinery and
Needles, syringes to cost more in South Korea as impact of Middle East war hits medical sector
Local suppliers are raising prices or limiting production volume as the oil supply crunch deepens.