Indonesia vessels headed towards Singapore with smuggled rare earth metals intercepted

The vessels were carrying tin and heading towards Singapore.

Why the Shangri-La Dialogue finally really mattered

Under Singapore’s increasingly sweltering skies, the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel in late May 2026 offered a revealing snapshot of a world edging toward deeper fragmentation. The 23rd edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue, held from May 29 to 31, brought together representatives

Indonesia free meals agency office locked down as investigators raid premises

The raid came just hours after President Prabowo Subianto sacked the head of the agency, Dadan Hindayana, which an official said was linked to governance and food quality concerns.

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin to be freed after royal pardon

BANGKOK, June 3 - Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released from the remainder of his prison sentence under a royal pardon, the country's justice minister told reporters on Wednesday.

Putin squeezes Armenia as Russia seeks to retain global clout

MOSCOW, June 3 - President Vladimir Putin has read long-term ally Armenia the riot act: persist in wanting to join the European Union and you can kiss goodbye to cheap Russian oil and gas.

Three Myanmar migrants in Thailand killed by errant war drone

It was unclear whether the drone was launched by Myanmar's military or ethnic armed groups.

Japan’s Fujiya to reduce packaging colours for about 10 products, including Country Ma’am cookies

This move is in response to the surge in prices of naphtha, a key raw material for printing ink.

Is Hormuz the US dollar’s Suez?

In the dog days of summer 70 years ago, Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal. The move triggered the invasion of Egypt by a joint force of British, French and Israeli troops. Although the military operation was a success, it was a diplomatic

Philippines’ Marcos urges Senate to return to work as gridlock deepens ahead of break

No plenary sessions have been held in the past two days.

Philippines' Marcos urges Senate to return to work as gridlock deepens ahead of break

MANILA, June 3 - Philippine President Marcos Jr. called on the Senate to \"get back to work,\" expressing disbelief on Wednesday that an impasse in the upper chamber has stalled urgent legislative duties ahead of a congressional break.

Japan rejects Taiwan’s demand for talks over delimitation with Philippines

Tokyo reiterated the view that the delimitation will not cause any problem under international laws.

Frenchman crashes into Sydney fountain, found enjoying a McDonald’s meal in car when detained

The 21-year-old was charged with negligent driving.

Hijab-switching researcher scandal puts Indonesian academia under scrutiny

A bizarre conference incident opens wider questions over Indonesia’s academic integrity.

Food Republic’s last Beijing outlet to close on June 15 after 26 years of operations

The expiry of the outlet’s tenancy lease was cited as the reason for its closure.

Indonesia's Prabowo fires head of free meals scheme plagued by poisonings

The centrepiece programme of Prabowo's government has left tens of thousands of school children ill.

More red tape, less progress: China’s cadres struggle to adopt ‘error tolerance’

Beijing has long called for easing the burden of local cadres and reining in formalism and bureaucratic excess - a long-standing challenge within China’s vast administrative system.

Japan's government backs US$19 billion to dampen Iran war impact

North Korea slams US remarks comparing South to ‘dagger’

About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea to help guard against the nuclear-armed North.

Explainer-Cambodia turns to obscure UN process to resolve maritime dispute with Thailand

BANGKOK, June 3 - Cambodia is betting on a little-used UN arbitration process known as \"compulsory conciliation\" to resolve a long-running maritime boundary dispute with Thailand and unlock what it says are billions of dollars in potential oil and gas resources.

Cambodia turns to obscure UN process to resolve maritime dispute with Thailand

Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to about 26,000 sq km of sea in the Gulf of Thailand.

The mirage of Israel-Lebanon rapprochement

Those of us who have spent years chronicling the long, tragicomic history of American diplomacy in the Middle East could be forgiven a certain weary déjà vu watching Secretary of State Marco Rubio convene Israeli and Lebanese officials at the State Department in April. The

Malaysia moves to register refugees, link those eligible to jobs amid labour shortages

Authorities say the registration system will help regulate the refugee population, strengthen security oversight and improve refugees' welfare.

Now you can hire people to carry your shopping bags in Delhi - will it work?

CarryMen employees don't just carry shopping bags - they also push prams and queue up at food counters.

North Korea slams US remarks comparing South to 'dagger'

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary by analyst Kim Myong Chol, who said remarks by a US General showed the US as "the chieftain of harassing peace and the world's worst war empire".

Tropical storm Jangmi batters Japan, cuts power to 60,000 homes

Evacuation advisories were issued to hundreds of thousands of residents in eight prefectures across southwestern, central and eastern Japan.

Solomons Islands to review security pact with China

Australia is seeking to counter Beijing’s influence in the Solomon Islands.

Viral Barisan Nasional candidate list is fake, says party’s Johor chairman Onn Hafiz

He said candidate announcements would only be made through the coalition's official channels.

Central Jakarta fire destroys more than 300 homes

The fire broke out in a densely populated neighbourhood in Central Jakarta at night on June 1.

New Solomon Islands leader reviews security pact with China, seeks treaty with Australia

CANBERRA, June 3 - The Solomon Islands will negotiate a comprehensive strategic treaty with Australia and review a security agreement with China, the Pacific country's new prime minister said on Wednesday.

Intel envisions AI agents handling PC tasks locally to keep private data secure

Intel chief executive officer Tan Lip-Bu was speaking at Computex, Asia's largest tech trade show on June 2.

South Korea secures access to Anthropic’s Mythos AI model, Science Ministry says

An earlier report said Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and SK Telecom will also gain access to Mythos.

Watch: Man attacked by bear at steel works in Japan

The bear, which injured four people in the attack on Tuesday, remains on the loose within the factory compound.

Indonesian president Prabowo sacks head of free meal scheme

Critics have called for the free school meals programme to be suspended over hygiene concerns and accusations of corruption.

Singaporeans in Japan advised to be on alert as Typhoon Jangmi heads towards Tokyo

They are advised to keep their valuables, especially their passports, in waterproof bags.

Japan approves $24.8 billion extra budget to subsidise surging fuel costs from Iran war

Additional spending will primarily replenish contingency reserves used to subsidise gasoline costs and utility bills.

South Koreans vote in local elections seen as gauge of President Lee’s first year

Voters will choose mayors and governors in 16 cities and provinces in South Korea.

South Koreans vote in local elections seen as gauge of President Lee's first year

SEOUL, June 3 - South Koreans vote on Wednesday in local elections expected to boost President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party, in the first nationwide ballot since his snap presidential election victory last year.

Sailors stressed and exhausted after months trapped by Strait of Hormuz blockade

The uncertainty has weighed heavily on the 20,000 seafarers trapped in the Iran war zone.

Typhoon Jangmi makes landfall in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture

The highest level of flood warning was issued for Koza River at the southern tip of the prefecture.

IN FOCUS: With landfills almost full, Indonesia grapples with ‘ticking time bomb’ of waste crisis

Indonesia is counting on waste-to-energy plants to tackle its waste crisis, but experts say it’s no substitute for reducing trash at the source.

Commentary: What China’s underperforming tech stocks say about its real economy

China cannot keep boosting only one part of the economic growth equation, says public policy professor Donald Low.

India embraces Myanmar junta to deepen trade and security ties, and counter China

Rare earth minerals have emerged as an important portfolio in the bilateral relationship.

Exclusive: Tiananmen victims’ families banned from visiting graves on anniversary

89-year-old mother of student who died in the 1989 massacre said police have been watching her for days.

Indonesia’s Prabowo sacks head of free meal scheme that sickened thousands

The sacked chief said in 2025 the programme was responsible for at least 11,000 poisoning cases.

US’ Rubio says latest arms sale to Taiwan remains under review

Washington wants to see the status quo preserved, said Rubio.

The Lockheed-Tanaka bagman

‘In every trouble spot I have cautiously visited, there has always been one watering hole where, as if by secret rite, hacks, spies, aid workers and carpetbaggers converge. John le carre That observation by the British spy fiction master is one with which I wholeheartedly

Thaksin set for full release under royal pardon, avoiding Sept 9 wait

The former Thai prime minister was sentenced in corruption and abuse-of-power cases.

How Pacific islands can gain from Australia-Japan ties

In their meeting on May 4 in Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, agreed to prioritize a range of issues including supply chains, energy, critical minerals, trade and security. Under the framework of