Author: Verified News Online

AdvertisementNepalAsiaSouth AsiaNepali ex-rapper will form government after landslide election winBalendra Shah emerged as a leading figure in the 2025 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 7:00pm, 8 Mar 2026A Nepali political party led by an ex-rapper is set for a landslide victory in the country’s first parliamentary election since Gen Z protests ousted the old leadership that has ruled the Himalayan nation for decades.
The Rastriya Swatantra, or the National Independent Party (RSP), formed only four years ago, had already won 117 of 165 directly elected seats and led in eight other constituencies in the results published on Sunday morning by Nepal’s Election Commission.
Other political parties and independent candidates had won 36 seats in total so far. Officials were still counting the votes on Sunday, and final results were expected later in the week.
AdvertisementThe party’s prime ministerial candidate is rap..

AdvertisementHong Kong economyHong KongHong Kong EconomyHong Kong, Singapore square off in race to become world’s gold trading hubAccess to mainland’s robust market gives Hong Kong the edge over Southeast Asian rival, experts say
3-MIN READ3-MIN1 ListenKevin LiPublished: 7:00pm, 8 Mar 2026Updated: 7:34pm, 8 Mar 2026Hong Kong and Singapore have crossed swords over their ambitions to be the world’s gold trading hub, but experts say the city holds an advantage over its Southeast Asian rival, citing its access to mainland China’s robust market.
As Hong Kong pushes ahead with measures to create an ecosystem for gold trading – highlighted as recently in the government’s budget late last month – the city state has reportedly been courting global heavyweights.
In response to the South China Morning Post’s queries about Singapore’s rumoured alliance with the world’s major market makers such as JP Morgan and UBS, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) did not deny the reports and highlighted ..

AdvertisementSingaporeThis Week in AsiaHealth & EnvironmentSingapore’s ban on caged lorries revives debate over migrant worker transportThe government says the move improves workers’ safety, but advocacy groups say the wider transport risks remain
3-MIN READ3-MINKolette LimPublished: 7:00pm, 7 Mar 2026Singapore is moving to ban caged lorries used to transport migrant workers in a bid to reduce safety risks in emergencies, but activists say the change does not address the wider dangers of ferrying workers in such vehicles.Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said that caged lorry decks posed “additional safety risks” to passengers sitting in the rear.
“For example, if a lorry with a caged door that is locked or latched from the outside is involved in an accident or a fire, workers may not be able to escape,” Sun said in Parliament when announcing the measure on Wednesday.
AdvertisementThe Transport Ministry and Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the ban, which will take e..

AdvertisementHong Kong policeHong KongSocietyHong Kong police step up security at consulates of nations in Middle East conflictSource says officers have increased patrols at the consulates as precaution since the outbreak of US-Israeli war against Iran
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenClifford LoPublished: 6:53pm, 7 Mar 2026Updated: 7:05pm, 7 Mar 2026Hong Kong police have stepped up security around the consulates and officials of countries involved in the Middle East conflict, the South China Morning Post has learned.
A source said officers had increased patrols at the consulates as a precaution since the outbreak of the conflict.
The United States and Israel launched a massive attack on Tehran last Saturday, killing its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with his wife and senior Iranian officials. The move prompted Iranian counter-attacks across the Middle East, with little sign of de-escalation to date.AdvertisementThe ongoing war has disrupted global supply chains, driven up oil pri..