The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship, scheduled for September–October 2026, faces uncertainty as the host venue has yet to be finalized. Originally planned for 2025, the tournament was postponed by a year due to logistical complications, including venue issues. Sri Lanka was initially designated as the central host, with matches to be played on a home-and-away basis, but later withdrew from hosting responsibilities citing limitations. In a January meeting held in Thailand, Bangladesh was proposed as the new host, yet the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has not made an official announcement.

SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel stated that despite the uncertainty, the federation aims to hold the tournament within the September–October window. Discussions with potential sponsors are ongoing, and an official declaration will follow once sponsorship is confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Women’s SAFF Championship will begin in India on May 25, featuring six teams. Defending champions Bangladesh, winners of the last two editions, will aim for a third consecutive title. Pakistan will not participate as the matches are being held in India.

In March, Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s new prime minister, leading a parliament filled with young lawmakers. His rise, backed by the four-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), contrasts sharply with Bangladesh’s Gen-Z movement, which, despite toppling the government in 2024, failed to transform into a viable political force. In Bangladesh’s February election, the established Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won decisively, while the youth-led National Citizen Party (NCP) performed poorly.

Analysts attribute Nepal’s success to its coalition-based political system, voter frustration with traditional parties, and RSP’s strong organization and alliances. In contrast, Bangladesh’s youth movement lost momentum during the 18-month gap between protests and elections. The NCP’s alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami alienated many young and female supporters, while established parties capitalized on reformist rhetoric to regain public trust.

Despite setbacks, Bangladesh’s youth movement has influenced national reform debates and spurred a 31-point reform plan by the new government. Some young activists remain hopeful that with stronger organization and grassroots engagement, youth-led politics could still gain ground in the future.

Conflicting reports have emerged over ceasefire talks and rising tensions between Iran and the United States, raising fears of a major escalation. Analysts warn that if the situation worsens, global oil prices could surge, especially if the US deploys forces to control the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a strong Iranian response. Kepler senior crude oil analyst Muyu Xu said oil prices could reach around 120 dollars per barrel, marking a critical turning point in the conflict.

The Middle East remains highly uncertain, and a near-term drop in oil prices appears unlikely. Asian nations could face growing energy shortages, leading to economic and political instability. Japan still holds significant oil reserves, but countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia have comparatively limited stocks. Rising fuel prices in these markets could lead to real shortages, with potential disruptions to fuel supply and airline operations.

If the conflict extends into mid or late April, several Asian countries could experience severe impacts, including social unrest and humanitarian crises.

After the United States and Israel began military action against Iran in late February, Tehran announced the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a key route for 20 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments. The move triggered a global energy shock, with oil prices surging and Asian economies hit hardest as 90 percent of their crude and gas imports pass through the strait. Governments across Asia have imposed energy-saving measures such as work-from-home policies, shorter workweeks, and temporary closures of universities.

In India, gas shortages have crippled Gujarat’s ceramic industry and forced restaurants in Mumbai to shut down or reduce operations. The Philippines declared a national emergency as transport workers and farmers struggled with rising fuel costs. Thailand urged citizens to conserve energy, while Sri Lanka, still recovering from a financial crisis, introduced midweek holidays to curb fuel use. Myanmar enforced alternate-day driving rules to save fuel amid ongoing internal conflict.

Across the region, citizens reported long fuel queues, reduced incomes, and growing uncertainty. Analysts and local voices warned that if the conflict continues, Asia’s energy crisis and social instability could deepen further.

On Monday, oil prices in Asia rose sharply while major stock markets suffered steep declines, driven by escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Brent crude climbed more than one percent to exceed 113.40 dollars per barrel. Japan’s Nikkei index fell 3.5 percent, and South Korea’s Kospi dropped 6.5 percent, reflecting investor anxiety over regional instability.

The turmoil followed warnings from Donald Trump on Saturday that he would destroy Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened. Iran responded that any such attack would trigger retaliatory strikes on key regional infrastructure. Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie’s chairman and chief analyst Simon Flowers told the BBC that markets were watching closely to see whether these threats would be carried out.

Flowers added that a US strike on Iranian infrastructure would intensify the war further, prompting possible Iranian counterattacks similar to those seen in recent weeks. The heightened uncertainty has left energy and financial markets on edge across Asia.

Major Asian stock markets suffered sharp declines on Monday as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified. According to Al Jazeera, the sell-off deepened as threats between the warring sides raised fears that the war could drag on. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 4.8 percent at the start of trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index dropped more than 5.5 percent.

The report also noted volatility in global oil prices. Brent crude slipped about 0.8 percent to 111.25 dollars per barrel, while U.S.-traded crude remained nearly unchanged at 98.18 dollars. The market reaction reflected investor anxiety over the conflict’s potential impact on energy supply and regional stability.

The developments underscored how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are reverberating through Asian financial markets, with investors closely watching for signs of further escalation or diplomatic intervention.

Asian stock markets fell sharply on Thursday following coordinated attacks on natural gas facilities in Qatar, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, which deepened turmoil in global energy supplies. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI dropped nearly 3 percent, while Brent crude futures surged more than 4 percent to above $112 a barrel, the highest in over a week. The attacks came amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing disruptions to Gulf oil and gas exports.

Qatar reported significant damage to its main LNG export facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City after Iranian missile strikes, while its state-run QatarEnergy confirmed fires and further damage at several other sites. The UAE suspended operations at its Habshan gas facility and Bab oilfield after intercepting Iranian missiles, and Saudi Arabia said it thwarted drone and missile attacks on its own energy infrastructure. The escalation followed Iran’s pledge to retaliate for Israeli strikes on its South Pars gasfield.

Analysts warned that even limited physical damage could prolong supply disruptions. The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has already driven oil prices up more than 50 percent.

Foreign and economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have jointly called on world leaders to immediately halt the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. They warned that the conflict has already begun to affect Southeast Asia’s economy through rising oil prices and disruptions to trade.

Several ASEAN member states have started implementing measures to counter these economic impacts, including energy conservation, stabilizing domestic markets, and protecting vulnerable sectors such as tourism. The ministers also urged that global energy supply chains remain open and that regional mechanisms be activated to minimize economic losses.

Economic ministers cautioned that Southeast Asia faces heightened risks due to its dependence on global oil and LNG supply routes. They emphasized the need to strengthen supply chain stability, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and enhance regional cooperation to mitigate future shocks.

Oil prices in Asia showed signs of stabilization on Wednesday morning after recent sharp fluctuations triggered by the outbreak of war in Iran. West Texas Intermediate crude traded at 83.35 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude stood at around 87.88 dollars. Earlier this week, prices had surged to nearly 120 dollars per barrel before easing slightly, though they remain significantly higher than before the conflict began.

The International Energy Agency’s member countries are reportedly discussing a possible plan to release oil reserves to curb prices, but no decision has yet been made. The recent volatility has been linked to regional tensions and disruptions in oil supply routes.

The situation continues to evolve as global markets monitor developments in the Middle East, with energy-importing nations assessing potential impacts on supply stability and pricing trends.

According to data from the Air Quality Index (IQAir) released on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9:18 a.m., Lahore, Pakistan, recorded the highest level of air pollution in the world. The city’s air quality score reached 390, placing it in the hazardous category. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked second with a score of 250, indicating very unhealthy air conditions. Kolkata, India, followed in third place with a score of 218, also classified as very unhealthy.

The IQAir index categorizes air quality based on numerical scores: 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous. The latest readings highlight severe air pollution across major South Asian cities, with Lahore’s air quality reaching a dangerous level and Dhaka’s remaining critically poor.

The report underscores persistent air quality challenges in the region, signaling ongoing health and environmental risks for urban populations if pollution levels remain high.

India and Pakistan’s cricket relations have sharply deteriorated since their four-day cross-border conflict in May 2025. The tension resurfaced during the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup, where political overtones overshadowed the matches. The controversy began when India’s Suryakumar Yadav refused the customary handshake with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, citing the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. The Indian team later avoided post-match handshakes, and Pakistan protested against match referee Andy Pycroft, delaying their next game.

Subsequent encounters saw heated exchanges, symbolic gestures referencing the May conflict, and mutual complaints to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Asia Cup final escalated tensions further when India refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan’s interior minister. The ICC later fined several players, including Yadav and Haris Rauf, for breaching its code of conduct.

The political strain extended to the T20 World Cup, with Pakistan initially announcing a boycott of its February 15 match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, before reversing the decision after appeals from other cricket boards.

The global footballers’ union FIFPRO has called on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to eliminate disparities between men’s and women’s football by ensuring equal conditions, rules, and prize money. The appeal comes ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup, set to begin in March 2026 in Australia. In December last year, FIFPRO sent a letter to the AFC signed by players from seven of the twelve participating teams, requesting that 30 percent of the prize money be distributed directly among players.

FIFPRO also submitted a four-point framework aimed at accelerating professionalism in women’s football. According to its report titled “Opportunities of the AFC Women’s,” the upcoming tournament could generate around 82.4 million US dollars, marking a new milestone for women’s football in Asia. The report highlights that many female players in the region still face low pay and limited access to medical and professional support.

FIFPRO’s Asia-Oceania Secretary General Shoko Suji stated that the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup could serve as a defining opportunity to set new standards for valuing and supporting female athletes.

The upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, once expected to be a global cricket celebration, has been clouded by political tensions in South Asia. Disputes among India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have disrupted the festive atmosphere before the tournament begins. India refused to play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy, prompting Pakistan to decline matches in India. Bangladesh protested the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL and requested to move its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. The ICC, reportedly influenced by India, rejected the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

Amid the turmoil, Pakistan announced it would not play India even at a neutral venue, intensifying the crisis. The political storm has cast uncertainty over the entire tournament, which had been fully prepared with venues, schedules, and broadcast plans. Cricket fans across the region now fear that politics may overshadow the sport’s spirit.

The article concludes that despite the tension, there remains hope that once the games begin, attention will return to cricket’s beauty and unity, rather than division.

Columnist Mahmudur Rahman argues that India has become increasingly isolated in global and regional politics following its military and diplomatic setbacks. He describes how India’s dominance in South Asia, once symbolized by its size and economic power, has eroded after Pakistan’s technological and strategic advances, particularly in the 2025 air conflict. The article claims that Pakistan, with Chinese support, achieved notable success using advanced digital warfare tactics, while India suffered significant losses and international embarrassment.

Rahman writes that the United States, China, and Russia have reassessed their positions toward South Asia, with Washington reportedly recognizing Pakistan’s victory in the brief conflict. He contends that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies and strained foreign relations have further isolated the country. The author also criticizes Bangladeshi political parties for maintaining fear-driven policies toward India despite shifting geopolitical realities.

The piece concludes by praising Bangladesh’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus for taking a firm stance against Indian influence and urges younger political leaders to maintain independence in foreign policy.

Sheikh Joaad bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar has been elected as the new president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The election took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the OCA’s 45th annual general assembly. Sheikh Joaad was chosen with the representatives’ support after Ranbir Singh stepped down due to health reasons. He will serve as president until 2028. Before his election, Sheikh Joaad was the president of the Qatar Olympic Association and senior vice president of the OCA.

During the same meeting, Asian Archery Federation president and Bangladesh Archery Federation founding general secretary Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol met Sheikh Joaad. In their courtesy meeting, Sheikh Joaad assured continued support for the growth of archery across Asia. Rajib Uddin said discussions included archery’s role in the upcoming Asian Games and cooperation between OCA and World Archery Asia for the sport’s development.

Sheikh Joaad also invited further discussions and collaboration on archery initiatives in Qatar, signaling potential regional cooperation in the sport’s advancement.