Asian stocks slide on flare-up in Middle East fighting, oil eases off highs

"Financial markets shifted back into a risk-off mode as the US and Iran exchanged fire again," analysts from Westpac wrote in a research report.

Fiji rejects Australian billionaire’s ‘Pacific ashtray’ plan to ship, burn waste

It comes after a backlash from traditional landowners and tourism operators.

Taiwan presses China to confront Tiananmen past

TAIPEI/BEIJING, June 4 - Taiwan has pressed China to recognise the deadly crackdown on protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square 37 years ago, in commemorating the anniversary on Thursday of an event that remains taboo for Beijing.

Chinese restaurant in Thailand allegedly refuses baht, accepts only renminbi

Such practices could raise concerns under several Thai laws.

South Korean adoptees sue Denmark over right to know birth families

A 2024 report by the National Social Appeals Board showed that Denmark's state-run adoption agencies knew their South Korean partners sometimes changed children's identities.

Hong Kong principal fired for swearing at security guards on Singapore school trip

San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School says it refused to accept the resignation of Lee Cheuk-hing, who violated the code of conduct for staff.

Punch and other monkeys to get air-conditioning, bigger yard at Japanese zoo

The city plans to set up the air-cons by summer.

South Korea, China agree on first expansion in flight rights in seven years

The deal would make it easier to add flights on high-demand routes, such as Incheon to Shanghai.

South Korea, China agree first expansion in flight rights in seven years

SEOUL, June 4 - South Korea and China have agreed to expand weekly flight rights between the countries for the first time in seven years, Seoul's transport ministry said on Thursday, in another sign of warming ties between the Asian neighbours.

Meta lashes out at Australia’s bid to make tech giants pay publishers for news content

Those that don't sign content deals with publishers face a 2.25% levy on their Australian revenue.

Fresh hope for rare Raffles’ banded langurs in Johor

A previously unknown population comprising between 40 and 50 langurs was found in May.

South Korea ruling party sweeps most seats in local elections but faces losing Seoul

The loss of Seoul would deliver a symbolic blow to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung despite his party’s broader gains.

Costly fuel pushes more Indians to buy electric cars but challenges remain

High fuel prices are strengthening the case for EV adoption in the world's third largest auto market.

North Korea's Kim vows 'exponential' boost in nuclear forces

Of the planned increase, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said: "This signifies an amazing, successful change that is beyond rhetorical description, a historic event that has set up an epochal milestone in rapidly upgrading our nuclear capabilities."

New Zealand expresses concern over China lawmaker ban after Taiwan trip

The Chinese embassy told NZ officials the travel ban could be reduced or waived if they apologised.

China bans four New Zealand lawmakers after Taiwan visit, media reports

SYDNEY, June 4 - China has barred four New Zealand lawmakers from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau for a year after they visited Taiwan in May, New Zealand media reported.

Rubio says China cannot erase memories of Tiananmen Square crackdown

WASHINGTON, June 3 - Beijing's censorship cannot erase memories of its 1989 military assault on peaceful demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, ahead of the anniversary of China's violent suppression there.

US House approves measure to restrain Trump action in Iran

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a resolution Wednesday to force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran and require congressional approval for further military action in the country. The 215-208 vote, in which four Republicans voted with all Democrats to

Grab what you can while you can: The new reality in the South China Sea

After years of watching China create land to back its expansive claims, others are doing the same.

Nvidia GPU crackdown hits China-linked Southeast Asia data centers

Washington has moved to close a one-year-old loophole that allowed Chinese technology companies to acquire banned high-end Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) by routing purchases through subsidiaries based in Singapore and Malaysia. The US Commerce Department’s Bureau of

North Korea’s Kim calls for ‘exponential’ nuclear expansion after inspecting new plant

He inspected a newly operating nuclear material production facility.

North Korea's Kim calls for 'exponential' nuclear expansion after inspecting new plant, KCNA says

SEOUL, June 4 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a newly operational nuclear material production facility and called for an \"exponential\" expansion of the country's atomic arsenal, state media KCNA said on Thursday.

Expats’ Iran war reactions show how Gulf states instill loyalty

When the US and Israel launched their strikes on Iran on February 28 and Iran retaliated by targeting the Gulf Arab states, I was closely monitoring social media accounts from the region. I research Middle East politics, with a focus on the Gulf, and the social media platforms

No vigils: Hong Kong’s Victoria Park silent on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

Since National Security Law went into effect, the government silenced the yearly protest that once drew 180,000.

Satellite pix said to show Israel’s overt Gaza territorial goals

Satellite images published Wednesday by Al Jazeera show that Israel, instead of leaving Gaza as required under the ceasefire deal it signed last October, is quietly building dozens of heavily fortified permanent military bases around the entire inner perimeter of the coastal

Malaysia’s waste-to-energy push eases landfill strain but raises pollution fears

The first of 18 WTE plants nationwide will tackle growing waste and boost renewable energy capacity.

Five Eyes security alliance warns of Chinese espionage threat

LONDON, June 3 - Security agencies from the \"Five Eyes\" alliance which includes the United States and Britain issued a warning on Wednesday about Chinese spies aggressively using online job platforms to recruit people with access to sensitive information.

The human security crisis emerging from the Strait of Hormuz

When discussions turn to the Strait of Hormuz, the language is almost always strategic. Analysts debate naval deployments, military deterrence, freedom of navigation and the balance of power between Iran and the United States. Markets track oil prices and shipping insurers

Trump will attend the NATO summit in Turkey in July, Rubio says

WASHINGTON, June 3 - U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the NATO meeting of heads of state that is taking place in Turkey in early July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, providing a confirmation that will likely lead to a sigh of relief across the

Five countries elected to UN Security Council; Germany misses out

June 3 - The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe to the 15-member U.N. Security Council for two-year terms starting on January 1, 2027.

Oil ‘powder keg’: Trump says Hormuz blockade may last all summer

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday tried to project optimism about reaching a deal to end the illegal war he started against Iran, even while acknowledging the crisis could last for several more months. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump was asked whether the

Why bringing down oil’s price is so hard

Between assurances from President Donald Trump that a peace agreement is all but wrapped up and renewed skirmishes, the price of oil rises and falls. Even at recent lows, crude’s price is 40% higher than in late February when the Iran war began. Someday – tomorrow? next week?

With good weather and internet access, record number of climbers scale Everest

More than 1,000 climbers reached the summit, making 2026 the busiest season on record.

Indonesian parrot, seen once in a century, reappears in mountain forest

For the past century, the blue-fronted lorikeet was one of Indonesia’s most elusive birds.

Lebanon audits MEA safety as pilot groups voice conflict concerns

June 3 - Lebanon's aviation regulator has carried out a safety audit of Middle East Airlines as pilot groups raised concerns that crews were being asked to fly close to airstrikes and penalized for reporting safety incidents, letters seen by Reuters show.

Philippines probes possible new structure at disputed Scarborough Shoal

Images showed what appeared to be a structure near the shoal’s entrance.

Indonesia arrests officials over alleged corruption in free meals programme

JAKARTA, June 3 - Indonesian authorities arrested the recently dismissed head of an agency overseeing President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals programme on Wednesday along with two other former officials, hours after a raid put the agency's offices under lockdown.

The Shangri-La shockwave and the death of automatic assurance

When US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took the podium at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, his words signaled a profound structural shift in the global security landscape. Declaring that the era of America subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is officially

Bangladesh raises electricity prices in latest Middle East war-related hike

Repeated price hikes have added strain on people struggling with long-running inflation.

Indonesia arrests former head of President Prabowo’s flagship free meal scheme

The scheme was linked to cases of food poisoning that have reportedly affected at least 33,000 children as of April.

Hari Raya korban controversy reignites wave of anti-Rohingya sentiment in Malaysia

Malaysia hosts more than 120,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

AirAsia reviewing policy after family with cerebral palsy child removed from flight due to 'safety requirements'

The woman said that her daughter had flown with AirAsia before, and questioned if that meant the policy was breached during those earlier flights.

Thai PM calls for urgent talks with Malaysia after shrimp import ban sparks concerns for farmers’ livelihoods

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed his ministers to seek a bilateral trade solution with Malaysia.

Thailand ready for UN mediation on maritime dispute with Cambodia

Japan fertility rate falls again to record low

Fire in Delhi hotel kills at least 21, police say

NEW DELHI, June 3 - At least 21 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in Delhi on Wednesday, police said, in one of the worst such incidents in the national capital in recent years.

Sri Lanka slaps travel ban on ex-president over Easter bombings

The 2019 bombings killed 279 people.