Malaysia’s food supply stable despite Middle East tensions, says agriculture minister
Most key imports coming from other Asean nations, as well as India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina.
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Anger among Pakistan's Shi'ites underlines its Iran-U.S. tightrope walk
LAHORE, March 5 - Pakistan's efforts to preserve close ties with President Donald Trump are being put to the test after protesters stormed the U.S. consulate in Karachi last week and poured onto streets elsewhere over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
US-Israeli strike on Iran could push up Malaysia’s oil revenue – but also its subsidy bill
Petrol prices in Malaysia may creep up if crude oil stays above US$90 for six months or more.
Iran war make a China attack on Taiwan more likely?
It’s too soon to tell, as the fight with Iran started less than a week ago. But at least in the near-term, China will likely hold its fire on Taiwan. However, if the Iran conflict continues for an extended period, lasting months rather than weeks, while casualties mount and the
Malaysian actress, husband nabbed in $485,000 land fraud case
Malaysian police began probing the case following a report lodged by a 56-year-old man in January.
Indian businesses brace for fallout as Middle East conflict escalates
With much of India’s oil and gas trade flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption there could quickly ripple across its economy, observers say.
Australia deploys military aircraft to Middle East in contingency planning
Australia has said it has 115,000 citizens in the region.
Afghans rally against Pakistan and show support for civilian casualties
A week of border fighting has killed dozens of Afghan civilians and displaced tens of thousands.
Japan to evacuate nationals from war-hit Middle East on chartered aircraft
The Japanese government has decided to arrange chartered planes given the difficulty in securing tickets.
Men indicted for growing cannabis at state-subsidised smart farm in South Korea
The suspects received monthly vouchers and electricity bill discounts under a government programme.
Missiles in the Gulf could dim the lights in Dhaka
The escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region has exposed a structural reality: geography remains the ultimate arbiter of market stability. Nowhere is this more acute than the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime artery for 20% of global oil and a significant share of liquefied
Number of Chinese military flights around Taiwan falls, Trump-Xi meeting may be factor
Chinese air force activity around Taiwan has fallen sharply in recent weeks.
Chinese military flights around Taiwan fall, Trump-Xi meeting may be factor
TAIPEI, March 5 - Chinese air force activity around Taiwan has fallen sharply in recent weeks, with no flights at all in the past week, a sudden drop in what had been daily military manoeuvres that could signal Beijing is recalibrating its pressure on Taipei.
Taiwan opposition backs $14b for US arms, but no ‘blank cheque’
Lai Ching-te’s government proposed US$40b (S$51b) in funding for critical defence purchases.
Perishables to plane parts stranded as Middle East conflict hits air cargo
March 5 - Shipments ranging from fresh produce to airplane parts are in limbo as an escalating Middle East conflict reduces the world's air cargo capacity by more than one-fifth and pushes up freight rates, with executives bracing for backlogs of goods.
Trump’s Venezuela playbook the wrong script for Iran
There’s a tempting logic to the analogy. The Trump administration orchestrated the dramatic removal of Nicolas Maduro in January — a swift, tactically audacious operation that produced an oil deal, a compliant interim government and a triumphant press conference at Mar-a-Lago.
Singapore to mount repatriation flight on Saturday to bring citizens home from Middle East
MFA has deployed crisis response teams to Oman and Saudi Arabia as it works to secure further evacuation options.
Korea’s market plunge is just the start of Asia’s Iran pain
TOKYO – The panic sweeping through South Korea’s trading floors this week amid fast-developing fallout from war in the Middle East might not be as isolated as many investors hope. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the hottest stock markets among the globe’s major economies took a wild
Iranian sailors recovering in Sri Lankan hospital after US submarine attack, authorities say
GALLE, Sri Lanka, March 5 - Iranian sailors who survived a U.S. submarine strike in the Indian Ocean were recovering at a hospital in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle, authorities said on Thursday, a day after at least 87 were killed in the attack.
Iran launches wave of missiles at Israel; US Republicans block measure to halt US air campaign
DUBAI/JERUSALEM/ANKARA, March 5 - Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, sending millions of residents into bomb shelters as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran entered its sixth day and just hours after moves to halt the U.S. air assault were blocked in
Global order is 'breaking down', Carney tells Australian parliament
The Canadian prime minister said Australia and Canada should work together as 'strategic cousins'.
US affirms South Korea defence after report on moving weaponry to Iran
The US stations around 27,000 soldiers in South Korea.
Pakistani man says Iran forced him into plot to kill Trump, media say
March 4 - A Pakistani man accused of planning to kill President Donald Trump told jurors on Wednesday that he did not willingly work with Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to devise the plot, media said.
Iran conflict's impact on energy temporary and a 'small price,' US energy secretary says
March 4 - The impact of the Iran conflict on energy markets will be temporary and a \"small price\" to pay for U.S. military goals, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News on Wednesday.
Why New Zealanders are moving to Australia in droves
New Zealand still attracts more people than it loses, with a net migration gain of 14,200 in 2025.
China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system
The policies will be targeted at those aged 60 and older, with elderly care services to be increased.
China to build 'birth-friendly society', refine social security system
BEIJING, March 5 - China said on Thursday that it would build a \"childbirth-friendly society\" in the next five years as it pledged to address concerns over employment, education, medical care, health and income, according to an official government report.
India moves to protect economy as Iran tensions expose risks
The worsening conflict in the Middle East disrupted oil and gas supplies.
China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991
It is also the first time the target has been lowered since it was cut to "around 5%" in 2023.
Who is contesting Nepal’s polls and what is at stake?
Election authorities say 65 political parties are in the fray.
Discussions with Board of Peace 'on hold' due to Iran war, Indonesia says
Indonesia's participation on the board has drawn criticism from experts and Muslim groups at home, who say it compromises the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
Nepal goes to the polls; voters seek change after youth-led protests
KATHMANDU, March 5 - Nearly six months after a wave of unprecedented youth-led protests and the deaths of 77 people forced Nepal's then prime minister to quit, people began voting on Thursday in a general election that will choose a new parliament in the Himalayan nation.
Watch: China Premier Li Qiang's speech at opening of National People's Congress
China has set its 2026 economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 per cent, marking the first cut since 2023.
China's defence spending to rise 7% in 2026 vs 7.2% set for 2025
BEIJING, March 5 - China's 2026 defence spending will rise 7%, a copy of an official government report reviewed by Reuters showed on Thursday, slightly lower than the 2025 increase of 7.2% but roughly in line with rises over the last decade.
China to hike defence budget by 7% amid rising global security tensions
China’s defence outlays are closely watched as a barometer of Beijing’s strategic priorities as it presses ahead with military modernisation.
Why China is unlikely to rally behind Iran after US-Israeli strikes
Beijing has shown little support for Tehran’s defence besides criticising the attacks.
China to spend 7% more on defence amid a widening graft purge in the military
China aims to have a world-class fighting force by 2050.
China lowers 2026 growth target to 4.5-5%, first cut in three years amid mounting headwinds
The move signals a more cautious outlook as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with weak demand, property strains and trade pressures.
Australia, Canada sign new deals on critical minerals
The two countries produce around a third of global lithium and uranium.
China trims GDP target to 4.5%-5%, first downgrade in 3 years amid weak domestic market
A prolonged property slump and weak labour sentiments have dragged down its economy.
Malaysia anti-graft agency probes $356m govt deal with UK chip giant Arm
Malaysia is a key player in the vital chips sector but has been largely focused on the lower end of the market.
The US is unlikely to curtail China’s critical minerals dominance
The United States government recently hosted a critical minerals summit aimed at reducing China’s predominant role in the global production of smartphones, weapons systems, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). The meeting, which included representatives from
US sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, NATO downs Iranian missile heading for Türkiye
The missile incident was the first time that Türkiye, which has NATO's second-largest military, was drawn into the conflict.
North Korea’s Kim oversees naval destroyer, cruise missile tests
The tests come shortly after he led a major once-in-five-years Party Congress.
US orders non-emergency consular staff in Karachi, Lahore to leave Pakistan
They were ordered to leave by the US State Department due to “safety risks".
Australia says more flights from Middle East expected, situation still volatile
SYDNEY, March 5 - Australia said three more commercial flights were scheduled to depart the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as the first group of Australians stranded in the Middle East returned home overnight following the outbreak of the Iran conflict.