'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.
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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.
I took my kids out of school for weeks for family time in New Zealand. Now I am rethinking
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.
Israel to attack Iran's underground missile sites in second phase of war, sources say
TEL AVIV, March 5 - Israel's war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see its fighter jets attacking ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel's military campaign said.
‘We are one family’: 800 attend mass prayer for Khamenei at Iran ambassador’s residence in Jakarta
Dressed in black, the Jakarta residents also took turns to sign two condolence boards.
UK PM Starmer to address press conference on Middle East conflict at 1400 GMT
LONDON, March 5 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address a press conference on Thursday afternoon to give an update on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, his spokesman said.
UK’s slow support for allies in Iran conflict deepens doubts about military effectiveness
LONDON, March 4 - Britain's cautious response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its hesitancy in defending its allies from attack have renewed doubts among partners about its military effectiveness when the U.S. is demanding widespread rearmament.
NATO's Rutte backs Macron's nuclear revamp but says US umbrella is ultimate guarantee
BRUSSELS, March 5 - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to expand his country's nuclear deterrent but said the U.S. nuclear umbrella would remain the ultimate guarantor of European security.
Nepalis vote in first election since Gen Z uprising for change
This election will test whether the country is ready for a new, untested generation to shape its future.
No surprises, no public lectures: Carney on how Xi wants to be treated
The Canadian PM says middle powers can help shape the new global order, during his visit to Australia.
Indian medical students caught in yet another geopolitical conflict, this time in Iran
An estimated 1,000 Indian students are still in Iran.
Conservative Anglicans challenge Archbishop of Canterbury with rival leadership
ABUJA, March 5 - An influential group of conservative Anglicans announced on Thursday the establishment of a new council to lead the global Anglican Communion, in a direct challenge to the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury as she is about to be installed.
Iranian warship sunk by US torpedo participated in Indian drill
NEW DELHI, March 5 - The U.S. attack on an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean this week was the first time since World War Two that the United States has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo.
CIA Kurd play could trigger balkanization of Iran
CNN has reported that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is working to arm Kurdish forces to spark an uprising in Iran, which would allegedly be facilitated by neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan. According to one anonymous CNN source, “the idea would be for Kurdish armed forces
Lower growth target, higher stakes: Key signals as China’s Two Sessions open
From a lower growth target to bigger bets on technology and consumption, China’s Two Sessions open with a sober assessment of economic challenges and a recalibration of policy priorities.
Russia jails Romanian citizen for 15 years for spying for Ukraine
MOSCOW, March 5 - A Romanian man was convicted of spying for Ukraine and sentenced by a Russian court on Thursday to 15 years in prison, the court in the southern region of Krasnodar said.
Article Five not on the table despite Iran missile incident, NATO's Rutte says
BRUSSELS, March 5 - NATO is vigilant about events in the Middle East and the shooting-down of a missile headed for Turkish airspace on Wednesday, but invoking Article Five is not on the table right now, the military alliance's chief Mark Rutte told Reuters on Thursday.
Pakistanis fleeing Iran describe strikes shaking ground under their feet
QUETTA, Pakistan, March 5 - Pakistanis fleeing Iran described explosions and missile strikes across Tehran shaking the ground under their feet and engulfing buildings in fire and smoke in a city emptied of many of its residents.
Iran has not requested Russian arms supplies, Kremlin says
MOSCOW, March 5 - Iran has not approached Moscow with a request for arms supplies, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
Philippine resupply mission data leaked to Chinese intelligence, security official says
MANILA, March 5 - A spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC) of the Philippines on Thursday said some information on the country's resupply missions in the South China Sea was compromised and passed on to Chinese intelligence agents.
Curtains drawn, passports ready: Filipinos dig in as war reaches the Gulf
Missile and drone attacks spark fear, but most Filipino workers say leaving is not an option.
China to build 'birth-friendly society', refine social security system
Authorities will also foster "positive attitudes towards marriage and childbearing", according to an official government report.
Iran warns US after frigate sunk, Sri Lanka trying to safeguard lives on second Iranian ship
Eighty-seven people were killed in a US submarine strike on an Iranian warship on March 4.
China's new five-year plan calls for AI throughout its economy, tech breakthroughs
China's tech focus comes amid its rapidly ageing workforce, looming demographic crisis and fierce battle with the United States for supremacy in core technologies.
US sub that sank Iranian frigate rattled China too
A rare wartime submarine kill in the Indian Ocean this month — when a US nuclear attack submarine sank an Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka — highlights the growing strategic importance of the region’s sea lanes and the vulnerabilities of China’s Middle Eastern energy lifelines.
Veteran Bihar chief minister to step down for move to parliament
Nitish Kumar says the state's new government will have his full cooperation and guidance.
China to boost tech self-reliance in next 5 years as rivalry with US deepens
The country will also expand domestic demand with a notable increase in household consumption.
Azerbaijan says four injured by Iranian drones, vows to retaliate
BAKU, March 5 - Azerbaijan on Thursday was preparing unspecified retaliatory measures after it said four Iranian drones flew across its border and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave, raising concern about further spillover of the conflict in the Middle East.
Second Iranian ship nears Sri Lanka after submarine attack
The Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka's territorial waters a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors.
‘He was our imam’: Khamenei’s death lays bare Malaysia’s unease with its Shi’ite community
A mufti's martyrdom remark sparks backlash, exposing Malaysia's Sunni-Shi'ite divide.
Iran war: short-term pain, long-term gain for China
China has responded to the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran with strong diplomatic condemnation. In an article published on March 1, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency called the attacks a “flagrant violation” of the purposes and principles of the UN charter. The same article