Malaysia says approved investments hit record high of US$108 billion in 2025

A total of 8,390 projects were approved, with the potential of creating nearly 245,000 jobs for Malaysians, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

New Zealand’s ruling party plunges in polls, PM Luxon rules out resigning

March 6 - Support for New Zealand’s ruling National party has fallen to its lowest level in more than four years and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is no longer voters’ preferred leader, polling showed on Friday.

Australia forces porn sites to block under-18s from March 9

Failure to comply can bring penalties of up to A$49.5 million (S$45.5 million) per breach.

Philippines mulls over shorter work week, less aircon to save energy

Some government agencies said they will provide fuel subsidies to fisherfolk, farmers and public transport drivers.

Tokyo says second Japanese citizen held in Iran

New Zealand ruling National Party slides in poll as PM Luxon struggles

PM Christopher Luxon is struggling to win over voters ahead of 2026’s election.

Malaysia gearing up for 2026 polls, say sources; pundits cite opposition infighting and strong economy as reasons

Preparations are underway for a possible general election later this year, despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously ruling it out, party insiders and civil servants tell CNA.

What Americans think of Trump’s war on Iran

The American people are bitterly divided over the conflict in Iran. The US president, Donald Trump, won office in 2024 after campaigning on a message of “no new wars.” So the conflict that began with airstrikes conducted with the Israeli military in the early hours of February

Japan approves stem-cell treatment for Parkinson’s in world first

The groundbreaking therapies for Parkinson’s and severe heart failure are set to reach patients within months.

Israel unleashes its Gaza-tested AI killing machine on Iran

After Israel’s unprecedented use of artificial intelligence to select bombing targets in Gaza, experts are now sounding the alarm regarding what one analyst on Thursday called a lack of human supervision over Israeli AI targeting in Iran. “Similarities between Israel’s bombing

2 Japanese detained in Iran: Japan Foreign Minister

The government was able to communicate with them and confirmed that they are currently safe.

Indonesia will withdraw from Board of Peace if it does not benefit Palestinians: President

All Board of Peace discussions have been halted due to the current Middle East war.

Canadian drowned after dingo attack in Australia: Coroner

The body of the 19-year-old was found on Jan 19 at a beach in the state of Queensland.

How South-east Asia became home to the world’s scam farms

Scam farms have multiplied in recent years, particularly in South-east Asia.

Trump-Xi Taiwan talks could defuse the tinderbox

On February 16, a fortnight before the outbreak of the Iran war, US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged having a “good conversation” with Chinese President Xi Jinping about a forthcoming US arms package for Taiwan. This statement came a few weeks after the Chinese

Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has dominated the race to become PM during the election campaign.

Nepal's early vote count puts ex-rapper's party ahead

KATHMANDU, March 6 - Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's party gained leads in early counting in Nepal's general election, far outpacing his other rivals, including the country's former prime minister who was forced to resign after a historic youth-led uprising last year.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai will not appeal conviction, 20-year term, lawyer says

US approves temporary sale of stranded Russian oil to India

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the waiver was issued "to enable oil to keep flowing into the global market" after the Iran conflict raised supply concerns.

Taiwan defence minister rejects opposition's cut‑price budget and U.S. arms deadline

TAIPEI, March 6 - Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Friday rebuffed the main opposition party, which had proposed a defence budget roughly one-third of the amount sought by the government and set a deadline for U.S. arms purchases that he said was impossible.

Taiwan Defence Minister rejects opposition’s cut‑price budget and US arms deadline

He said the government's proposal has the backing of the US administration and Congress.

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai will not appeal conviction, 20-year sentence, lawyer says

He was convicted for collusion with foreign forces and sedition.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai will not appeal against 20-year sentence

He was convicted of collusion with foreign forces and sedition.

If AI is a weapon, time to regulate it as one?

If you haven’t heard about the fight between the AI company Anthropic and the US Department of War, you should read about it, because it could be critical for our future — as a nation, but also as a species. Anthropic, along with OpenAI, is one of the two leading AI

Canada seeks stronger ties with Japan as Carney pushes ‘middle-power’ strategy

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will wrap up his Asia-Pacific tour with talks in Tokyo aimed at deepening economic and security cooperation.

Partner in Malaysia’s ruling bloc says it is reviewing ties as rifts deepen over graft scandal

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 - A key partner in Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition is reconsidering its role in the pact ahead of the next elections, a senior leader said, as frustration mounts among the premier’s reformist allies over the government’s response

Hezbollah warns Israeli residents to evacuate towns near border

March 6 - Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km (3.11 miles) of the border between the countries in a message posted on its Telegram channel in Hebrew early on Friday.

Sri Lanka takes control of second Iranian vessel a day after US sub attack

The South Asian country is caught in the middle of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

New Zealand women allegedly smuggled 38kg of meth under towels

The pair were stopped for a baggage inspection coming into Sydney on a flight from Singapore.

JB commuters, some heading to Singapore, fume over crowded buses and long wait times

A surge in passengers, particularly those commuting to Singapore, has left many locals struggling to secure a seat.

'What is the game plan?': The Iran war is unsettling China and its ambitions

China is not feeling the shock of war in the Middle East - yet. But it is feeling the ripples.

Iran calling US about a deal, says Trump

WASHINGTON, March 5 - President Donald Trump on Thursday said Tehran was reaching out to the United States about making a deal amid U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, adding that further action to reduce pressure on oil was imminent.

Pressure mounts on Indonesia to review, exit Board of Peace amid US-Israel conflict with Iran

Calls for Indonesia to leave the Board of Peace tasked to oversee Gaza reconstruction efforts are being made by the country’s religious groups, academics and former diplomats.

Commentary: As US wades into Iran, its pivot to Asia lies in tatters

A long war in Iran will hurt America’s ability to deter China, says Kevin Chen from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Tears and cheers as controversial long-running Australian breakfast radio show implodes

The end of the Kyle and Jackie O Show, whose hosts had a combined A$200m contract, has shocked the media industry.

New Zealand’s truancy crackdown is making me rethink school-time trips to Singapore with my kids

Across the country, only 57.3 per cent of students attended school regularly in term four in 2025.

Anthropic endangers US national security

US Special Operations forces captured Nicolás Maduro in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas on January 3rd. The mission reportedly utilized the military’s Maven Smart System, which is built by Palantir and has Anthropic’s Claude model embedded for data analysis and targeting. Claude is

Europol warns Iran crisis raises threat of terror, extremism and cyberattacks

MADRID, March 5 - The Middle East conflict will have \"immediate repercussions\" for European Union security with an increased threat of terrorism, serious and organised crime as well as violent extremism and cyberattacks, European police body Europol told Spanish news agency

For Putin, Trump’s Iran war is a mixed bag, both bad and good news

As the war in the Middle East spreads and intensifies, the one in Ukraine continues. While the two are geographically some 2,500km (1,600 miles) apart, the consequences of US president Donald Trump’s latest military adventure for the Russian war against Ukraine will be acutely

EU's Kallas says Iran is seeking to escalate conflict

ZURICH, March 5 - Iran is seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East by attacking other countries in the region indiscriminately, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.

NATO increases missile defence posture after Turkey incident

March 5 - NATO has increased its alliance-wide ballistic missile defence posture following the intercept of a missile from Iran targeted at Turkey, its military headquarters said on Thursday.

France ramps up military aid to Lebanon as Macron calls on Hezbollah, Israel to halt attacks

PARIS, March 5 - France will strengthen its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and provide armored transport vehicles as well as operational and logistical support, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, as Lebanon was pulled deeper into the war in the

Isolated and under fire: Iran strikes out as Russia and China stand aside

DUBAI, March 5 - With its supreme leader killed and its war machine under relentless U.S. pressure, Iran now stands largely alone - its longtime partners Russia and China offering nothing more than diplomatic condemnations and expressions of concern.

Trump tells Reuters US will have a role in choosing Iran's next leader

WASHINGTON, March 5 - U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview on Thursday that the United States will have a role in choosing Iran's next leader.

Ukraine, Russia exchange 200 POWs each in latest swap

KYIV, March 5 - Ukraine and Russia exchanged 200 prisoners of war each on Thursday in their latest swap, officials on both sides said, despite a deadlock in U.S.-backed negotiations to end the four-year conflict.

Note to Iran War planners: air campaigns often make matters worse

The US and Israel have launched a coordinated air campaign in recent days to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and navy, curb its ability to develop nuclear weapons and eliminate its leadership. The strikes have been accompanied by calls from Donald Trump for the Iranian

Terrorizing Latinos with ‘death card,’ ICE brings Vietnam War home

Originally published by TomDispatch, this article is republished with permission. In January, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers pulled over several cars in Eagle County, Colorado. They took the people away in handcuffs, according to a witness, and left the cars

Greek seafarers strike over crews stranded in the Gulf by Iran war

PIRAEUS, Greece, March 5 - Greek seafarers began a 24-hour strike on Thursday, halting local ferry services, as they protested over vessel crews stranded in the Gulf amid the escalating Middle East war, and demanded the area is declared a war risk zone to enable their

More than 20,000 Israelis return since start of Iran war, ministry says

JERUSALEM, March 5 - More than 20,000 Israelis have returned to the country since the start of the Iran air war that began on Saturday, the Transportation Ministry said on Thursday, adding that about 120,000 more Israelis currently abroad are seeking to come home.

Sanctions reduced for Malaysia footballers who played with falsified documents

The Court of Arbitration for Sport however, upheld FIFA's US$450,000 fine on the Football Association of Malaysia.