South Korea raises military readiness to DEFCON 3 amid regional instability

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the elevated alert status early Saturday, citing the unpredictable ripple effects of the Middle East conflict on North Korean posturing and regional security.

5 hrs ago

ASEAN foreign ministers convene emergency virtual session on escalation

The 10-member bloc issued a joint statement urging restraint from all parties and offered to host mediation talks, though analysts say the group's influence remains limited in this crisis.

7 hrs ago

Asian markets open sharply lower as Nikkei and Hang Seng fall over 3%

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 dropped 3.4% at the opening bell while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 3.1%, with investors rushing to bonds and gold as the geopolitical crisis sent shockwaves through regional exchanges.

9 hrs ago

Philippines orders evacuation of workers from Gulf states as tensions mount

Manila has begun arranging repatriation flights for an estimated 1.2 million Filipino workers in the Middle East, activating contingency plans amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict.

11 hrs ago