Reliable national and regional news coverage.
Israeli artillery struck Syria's Quneitra province on Thursday, marking the latest in escalating military operations since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.
Malaysia and Thailand have pledged to deepen defence cooperation and coordination on regional security matters. The commitment emerged from a bilateral meeting between their defence ministers focused on addressing shared strategic challenges.
France's wildfire crisis has escalated sharply, with more than 85 firefighters sustaining injuries while battling unprecedented forest fires across the country. The situation in the Gironde department remains critical, affecting tens of thousands of evacuees.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared ASEAN a vital "safe harbour" for his nation, emphasising the bloc's collective strength in addressing regional security challenges, food shortages, and energy demands amid escalating global tensions.
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy has warned US President Donald Trump that the Middle East is approaching a critical breaking point, demanding Washington use its influence to constrain Israeli policies affecting Palestinians and regional stability.
Police in Penang have dismantled another significant drug distribution network, confiscating 3.1 kilograms of ecstasy worth approximately RM470,000 during a targeted operation in the Teluk Air Tawar area. One individual was taken into custody.
Penang police have arrested three individuals, including an elderly person, after recovering narcotics valued at approximately RM180,000 during an operation conducted in the Nibong Tebal area overnight.
Myanmar's return to Asean's highest-level meetings remains distant, according to the bloc's special envoy. The Philippines says compliance with the regional peace roadmap is still being assessed amid the country's ongoing civil conflict.
Asean has called for safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Middle East tensions, with foreign ministers warning of severe economic repercussions for the region's trade, energy supplies and food security.
Escalating South China Sea tensions between the US and China threaten to overshadow ASEAN's Manila meeting, while the bloc remains deeply divided over Myanmar's reintegration after its 2021 military coup.
Six Israeli military vehicles crossed into Syria's Quneitra province on Saturday, advancing toward the Kudna Dam with drone support. The incursion represents an escalation in Israeli activities following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
Asean foreign ministers convene in Manila this week to tackle persistent crises, including Myanmar's intractable political situation and ongoing South China Sea negotiations. Key players from China, Russia, and the US will attend amid mounting regional tensions.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has declared US President Donald Trump's signature meaningless following what Tehran claims are repeated violations of a peace memorandum signed in June, as military tensions continue to escalate across the region.
Thailand and Cambodia are maintaining their commitment to resolve border tensions through dialogue, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed, following agreements reached at an ASEAN summit in May.
Southeast Asian governments are escalating enforcement against online crime and illegal gambling. Indonesia has blocked 3.7 million gambling websites since October 2024, while Cambodia combats scam operations with international support and addresses displacement issues.
Malaysia and Thailand have pledged to intensify defence cooperation and jointly address regional security challenges, with Thailand backing Malaysia's mediation efforts in the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute.
Parliamentarians will scrutinise the Malaysia-Thailand Border Economic Zone's economic prospects and the Strait of Hormuz crisis during today's Dewan Rakyat sitting, with lawmakers seeking clarity on regional stability.
Indonesia deported 92 Chinese nationals and imposed lifetime entry bans following their arrest for allegedly operating a scam network. The repatriation reflects intensifying efforts to combat transnational cyber crime syndicates.
Brunei has imprisoned an Indian national for two years and four months after he admitted to delivering BND230,000 in cash without verifying its criminal origins. The case reveals a coordinated cross-border smuggling operation.
The Philippines has urged ASEAN to bolster maritime security and supply chain resilience across key shipping routes, warning that disruptions could trigger inflation and economic instability across the region.
Iran's Health Ministry says US military operations on July 8-9 killed at least 14 people and injured 78 across five provinces, despite an active ceasefire agreement in place.
Thai customs officers arrested a 30-year-old Russian man at Phuket International Airport after discovering 17.6 kilograms of cannabis concealed in two suitcases. He faces smuggling charges.
The Sultan of Perak has officially opened the Sultan Nazrin Shah 69 Commando Camp in Ulu Kinta, a RM206 million facility that serves as the new operational base for Malaysia's elite commando unit.
Four Cambodian soldiers sustained injuries when an explosive device detonated during a border patrol in Oddar Meanchey province on Sunday. Thai forces denied involvement in the incident.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly criticised Norway for cancelling a RM1 billion naval missile procurement deal, accusing the Scandinavian nation of applying international law inconsistently.
Seven months of Chinese economic retaliation against Japan over Taiwan comments has exposed Washington's wavering support for a key ally, frustrating Tokyo and raising questions about Trump's commitment to regional security.
Malaysia is intensifying border security operations following a bomb explosion in Tak Bai, Thailand that wounded two Malaysian citizens. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari emphasised ongoing cooperation with Thai counterparts through bilateral mechanisms.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia's dedication to bolstering ASEAN as a resilient and inclusive bloc, addressing pressing regional issues including Myanmar developments and South China Sea tensions during talks with the ASEAN Secretary-General.
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The fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City has reignited debate over school safety in Southeast Asia, highlighting how unaddressed bullying, mental health concerns, and warning signs can escalate into tragedy.
South Korea has postponed the maiden launch of its domestically-developed Mir solid-fuel space rocket, citing safety issues discovered during pre-launch checks. The setback affects Seoul's plans to deploy independent spy satellites.
Japan's parliament has enacted sweeping defence legislation that renames the Air Self-Defence Force to incorporate space operations, establishing a dedicated space command structure by March 2027 as tensions escalate in East Asia.
Thai police have dismantled a significant drug trafficking operation in Narathiwat province, arresting 233 suspected syndicate members and seizing RM1.2 million in contraband. The crackdown reveals connections between Thai and Malaysian organised crime networks.
Malaysia's Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has signalled government willingness to resolve the fallout from Norway's decision to scrap a missile supply agreement linked to the Littoral Combat Ship programme.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the United States and Iran will resume technical-level discussions on nuclear issues, ballistic missiles, and frozen Iranian assets over the next 60 days, building on recent Switzerland talks mediated by Islamabad.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said 'important steps' were agreed during talks in Switzerland, signalling movement toward negotiations on a final deal with the United States. The discussions included mechanisms for maritime security and asset releases.
Malaysia and Bangladesh have pledged to fully activate their Defence Cooperation MoU, expanding military science partnerships, personnel training, and joint peacekeeping efforts during PM Tarique Rahman's official visit to Putrajaya.
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Australian Federal Police discovered 2.7 tonnes of cocaine buried in underground bunkers near Sydney on Friday, marking the nation's largest drug seizure. Two men were arrested, and authorities link the haul to an organised crime group.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has rejected proposals for an Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon, directly challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that Israeli forces will remain indefinitely.
Iran and the United States have finalized a draft agreement on temporary relief from sanctions affecting Iranian oil exports, according to Tehran's negotiating team. The development comes as talks continue under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed this month.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Switzerland to participate in technical-level negotiations between the United States and Iran, marking Islamabad's involvement in regional peace efforts.
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Iran has signalled that upcoming negotiations with the United States in Switzerland will prioritize implementing a memorandum's core provisions: ending regional conflicts, lifting oil export sanctions, and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
The United States and Pakistan held high-level discussions at a Swiss resort, with Vice President JD Vance meeting Pakistan's Prime Minister and Army Chief as technical talks on the Iran nuclear agreement progressed.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged Thailand to appoint a Joint Boundary Commission chief and begin long-stalled border survey operations, reaffirming both nations' commitment to resolving frontier disputes through peaceful diplomatic channels.
An interim US-Iran agreement took effect Thursday, lifting a blockade on the critical Strait of Hormuz and allowing oil tanker traffic to resume. Global oil prices dropped to their lowest levels since the conflict began in February, though key nuclear negotiations remain unresolved.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force is deploying radar systems across four strategic locations to strengthen early warning capabilities and close surveillance gaps in Malaysian airspace as part of its long-term modernisation plan.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has signalled Malaysia's support for emerging prospects of a US-Iran peace agreement, citing positive developments reported by Pakistani and Russian counterparts during regional diplomatic engagements.
Malaysia's armed forces are participating in a major 13-day joint exercise with Indonesia's military in Lampung, involving nearly 720 personnel from both nations. The drill emphasises disaster response, cybersecurity, and maritime cooperation amid rising regional security threats.