Australian far-right One Nation does U-turn on seizing foreigners’ homes

A top representative of the party said earlier it would force permanent residents to sell their homes.

Giant hissing cockroaches among $200,000 worth of illegal insects seized in Australia

Authorities say the roaches, some as big as the palm of a hand, were likely sold as food for pet reptiles.

Negeri Sembilan state assembly to be dissolved on Jun 5; polls to be held within 60 days

The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election was not initially due until November 2028.

South Korean Starbucks probe: arbitrary power in justice’s name

South Korea’s Starbucks marketing controversy is no longer only about a badly judged campaign. It has become a test of whether democratic memory will restrain arbitrary power or reproduce it. Police are now investigating Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin and former

War heats up as Russia, Ukraine trade drone and missile attacks

Over the past month, there has been a notable increase in the intensity of the air war in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Strikes in mid- and late-May and early June have been characterised by significantly larger numbers of drones and missiles deployed by Russia in single

Outsourcing jobs in Philippines and India come under threat as workers race to adapt to AI

Millions of employees power the world’s two outsourcing giants, but automation is starting to replace tasks they once handled. When will the full scale of disruption hit and how might they have to rethink the future, CNA’s Insight asks.

As Indonesia tightens spending, Prabowo's travel-heavy diplomacy comes under scrutiny

Critics question whether Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto’s overseas trips are producing measurable economic and political returns at a time when the administration is championing spending cuts and budget efficiency at home.

Commentary: Have the US and India become regional rivals?

The US now views India less as a strategic partner to be nurtured than as a regional and economic rival to be contained, says this writer.

Beijing vows to retaliate as EU warns of China Shock 2.0

Beijing has threatened to retaliate after the European Union’s executive body called for a more robust response to the surge in cheap Chinese goods flooding its markets. Amid fears that a new wave of Chinese exports was gutting European manufacturing, the European Commission

Manuscript mysteries: Going back in time to decode India’s rich heritage

India is embarking on one of its most ambitious efforts to conserve, digitise and catalogue ancient manuscripts.

Explainer-How Trump's ceasefires are failing to stop Middle East violence

June 4 - Residents of Gaza, south Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait were all under fire this week despite U.S.-arranged ceasefires supposedly in force in their regions.

Negeri Sembilan state assembly to be dissolved on June 5

Talk of snap polls began making its rounds at the end of April.

First IAEA report on Iran's nuclear programme since February shows little change despite war

VIENNA, June 4 - The U.N. nuclear watchdog sent a report to member states on Thursday with no major changes to its assessment of Iran's nuclear programme, despite three months of U.S.-Israeli war with the stated aim of preventing Iran from building an atomic bomb.

Bondi Beach attack hero charged with assaulting father: Reports

Ahmed al-Ahmed said the reports are “fake information” and “not true at all”.

Bangladesh says it foiled multiple attempts by India to force people into the country

This revives a dispute over alleged undocumented migration.

Russia’s Afghan pivot risks entanglement in old traps

As Russia deepens cooperation with Afghanistan’s rulers, it faces a growing tension between regional influence, connectivity ambitions and its own security concerns. Few countries have warned more consistently about the dangers emanating from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan than

Israel’s military creep killing Gaza peace plan

In recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli army to seize 70% of Gaza – a sizeable increase from the 60% it currently controls. This follows an updated map sent to aid agencies in Gaza in late March featuring a new “orange line” demarcating

Thai watchdog to sue Meta over Facebook scam ads targeting users

Satellite images show suspected structure at disputed South China Sea atoll, later removed

It may have been a floating raft or buoy, and a barrier stretching across it.

Indonesia to ‘refocus’ free meal measures on more remote areas, official says

The programme's allocation had earlier been slashed by 67 trillion rupiah (S$4.77 billion).

Indonesia to 'refocus' free meal measures on more remote areas, official says

JAKARTA, June 4 - The Indonesian agency overseeing President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals programme will \"refocus\" its measures by cutting back on new kitchens and targeting recipients in more remote areas, its new chief said on Thursday.

Brunei’s sultan announces Cabinet shake-up, appoints sons as ministers

This Cabinet shake-up is Brunei's first since 2022.

Brunei's sultan announces cabinet shake-up, appoints sons as ministers

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 4 - Brunei's ruler announced a major cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, creating new key portfolios and appointing two of his younger sons as ministers, in a sign of potential succession planning in the tiny oil-rich sultanate.

Indonesia arrests deputy immigration minister on graft charges

JAKARTA, June 4 - Indonesia's anti-graft agency has arrested the country's deputy minister for immigration affairs, a spokesman said on Thursday, making him the second high-profile government official in two days to face corruption charges.

Filipino on trial for being part of Cambodia scam syndicate says she travelled there for an office job, wanted to return home

The 35-year-old woman is accused of belonging to a criminal group in Phnom Penh and of conspiring to cheat people in Singapore via government official impersonation scams.

India sees 'perfect complimentarity' with Venezuela in energy trade amid Gulf crisis

NEW DELHI, June 4 - India and Venezuela sought to boost their ties in the energy sector on Thursday with New Delhi saying that Caracas sees it as a preferred partner in the sector at a time global oil supplies have been disrupted by the Middle East crisis.

China’s sailless submarine takes warfare to the seabed

China’s newly revealed sailless submarine may be designed not only to evade detection but also to threaten the undersea infrastructure underpinning Indo-Pacific military and economic power. This month, Naval News reported that China has covertly launched a highly advanced,

India is repeating China’s mistake in Myanmar

When Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India on May 30 for his first official overseas visit as Myanmar’s new “president,” the photo op was exactly what he wanted. The man who seized power in a coup, jailed elected leaders, crushed a nationwide uprising and drove

Fire kills 12 people in Sri Lankan home for older people

COLOMBO, June 4 - A dozen people have died in a fire at a home for older people in Sri Lanka, police said on Thursday, while another eight have been hospitalised.

Nepali climber alive after six days missing on Everest

Mountaineer Dawa Sherpa - who is in his 50s - vanished on the upper reaches of the world's highest mountain in bitter conditions early on May 30.

AI PCs to make up more than half of sales in 2026, says Asus co-CEO

American AI hardware giant Nvidia this week announced its entry into the consumer PC arena, in collaboration with Asus and other companies.

Sherpa rescued after going missing on Everest with no food, oxygen

KATHMANDU, June 4 - A Nepali Sherpa guide has been rescued from Everest after surviving about a week on the slopes of the world's highest mountain without food or oxygen in a rare case of survival in such conditions, a hiking official said on Thursday.

Vietnam says USTR forced labour conclusion does not reflect its efforts

HANOI, June 4 - Vietnam's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the U.S. Trade Representative's conclusion that it had failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labour does not fully or accurately reflect Vietnam's mitigation efforts.

PAS urges UMNO to collaborate in Johor polls, revive defunct political pact

PAS Deputy President Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Wednesday (Jun 3) called for the revival of Muafakat Nasional - created to consolidate the Malay-Muslim vote - stressing cooperation between the country’s two largest Malay-Muslim parties.

Miracle on Everest: Guide believed dead spotted crawling down ice

Cleaners found Dawa Sherpa crawling towards Base Camp six days after he went missing at a higher altitude.

Entrepreneur under probe by religious authority in Malaysia over ghost-themed party for daughters

At the event, “ghosts” such as pocong, or dead people in their burial shrouds, roamed about.

Sri Lanka care home manager arrested after fire kills 12

Forensic experts combed through the wreckage and discovered seven more charred bodies, raising the death toll.

Dalai Lama, 90, to seek knee treatment in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, June 4 - The Dalai Lama will receive medical treatment on his left knee in New Delhi this month, his office said on Thursday, as the 90-year-old deals with a series of health issues.

Indonesia arrests Australian woman in Lombok for ‘medical’ cannabis in vape

She said she used a cannabis vape to relieve knee pain and depression.

Armenia's election to test Pashinyan's peace drive after war defeat

IJEVAN, Armenia, June 4 - When Anna Yegoyan first moved from the Armenian capital to the northern mountain town of Ijevan, she had to reach it along bumpy, potholed roads.

Iran is losing the war but winning what comes next

Iran is losing the war against the US and Israel by most visible measures. Its air defenses have been obliterated, its senior leadership dead, and its already flagging economy is on the verge of collapse, with its crucial oil and gas exports stuck behind a blockade. Yet its

Photoshopped seat belts on hit Chinese variety show draw warning from traffic authorities

Viral clips from the May 29 episode of This is My Adventure 2 show digitally added seat belts overlaid on members of popular Chinese boy band Teens in Times (TNT) and other celebrities as they ride in a minibus.

South Korea Lee's ruling party sweeps local elections, but loses Seoul mayor race

SEOUL, June 4 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party swept most major local races in elections held on Wednesday, but suffered a symbolic setback as the opposition conservative incumbent Oh Se-hoon won another term as Seoul mayor.

Hot weather hurts Asian crops as powerful El Nino takes shape

This is a further blow for farmers already grappling with fertiliser and diesel shortages caused by the Iran war.

Australian state cracks down on illegal tobacco shops as nicotine use surges

SYDNEY, June 4 - The Australian state of Victoria on Thursday introduced laws to give authorities more powers to shut down businesses selling illegal tobacco, as new data showed nicotine use has surged across the country.

5 die in Indian hospital fire a day after fatal New Delhi hotel blaze

Building fires in India are common due to inadequate firefighting equipment and a disregard for safety rules.

From reform hopes to brutal crackdown - China's Tiananmen protests

June 4 - Thursday marks 37 years since China bloodily suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations in and around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square, when Chinese troops opened fire on their own people.