US officials have said they believe China is closely monitoring how Russia's invasion of Ukraine progresses to assess their own plans when it comes to Taiwan. 

In response to a question about reports last year on construction of more than 100 new nuclear missile silos in China's east, he said China "has always pursued an appropriate path to developing nuclear capabilities for protection of our country".

Relations between China and the United States have been tense, with the world's two largest economies clashing over everything from Taiwan and China's human rights record to its military activity in the South China Sea.

Authorities spotted the boats around the boomerang-shaped Whitsun Reef in April -- a year after a similar "swarming" incident caused a diplomatic row -- but the foreign office waited till Thursday to disclose it had launched a formal complaint with the Chinese embassy in Manila.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the two countries shared concerns about the Pacific as China pushes to expand its influence in the region.

In delivering a keynote speech at the three-day forum attended by defense ministers, officials, and experts, the premier is also set to announce plans to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific" in a security environment that has deteriorated amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's increased assertiveness.

The government is initially limiting eligible tourism arrivals to guided tours from 98 countries and regions deemed as having the lowest risk of infection, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.

The agreement, expected at a summit on Saturday in Singapore, is part of Tokyo's drive to deepen security cooperation with Southeast Asian nations as China is bolstering its economic and military power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Muslim cleric Abdul Somad Batubara's recent denial of entry into Singapore has sparked questions of whether Indonesia should consider taking a firm stance against religious intolerance.

Self-ruled, democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as part of its territory to be retaken one day -- by force if necessary. 

Peter Dutton, who left office as defence minister a few weeks ago after his conservative coalition lost elections, disclosed his previously secret plans to choose the US Virginia-class submarines.

Cannabis businesses and farms welcomed the move, which saw the government remove the hemp plant from the country's narcotics list. But some experts also warned that medical use of cannabis without a doctor's supervision could cause harmful effects.

More than 230 groups, many advocating for the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Hong Kongers, signed a joint statement calling for "the immediate resignation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights".

Mohammad Shahzihan Ahmad, director of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department, said in a statement that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah told his department not to prevent anyone from attending the festival scheduled for July 16 in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor state.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, which attracts top-level military officials, diplomats and weapons makers from around the globe, will take place June 10-12 in Singapore, the first time the event has been held since 2019 after it was postponed twice because of COVID-19.

Harshit Srivastava, a youth leader from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, was arrested in Kanpur city following communal tensions last week during a protest by Muslims to denounce the anti-Islam comments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded curtly when asked about a spat between Canberra and Beijing over the May 26 incident, which Australia's government has described as "very dangerous".

Australian officials say the premier was “deeply touched” by President Jokowi’s gift of a Spedagi bamboo bicycle.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed Western officials, said a new facility at Cambodia's Ream base -- strategically located on the Gulf of Thailand -- was being built for the "exclusive" use of the Chinese navy.

"A study conducted by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) found that the festival does have religious elements, so we advise Muslims not to participate in it," he is quoted as saying on Monday about the upcoming 46th edition of the Bon Odori Festival.

The United Nations, the US State Department and France last week denounced the rejection of the appeals of a veteran activist and a former lawmaker, a decision that paves the way for the country's first executions in decades.

"Any nuclear test would be in complete violation of UN Security Council resolutions (and) there would be a swift and forceful response to such a test ... I believe that not only ROK and United States and Japan but the entire world will respond in a strong and clear manner," she told reporters after talks with her South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun-dong, in Seoul. ROK is the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomes Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Indonesia as the two neighbors seek to further deepen ties.

Wong will be the fourth prime minister to lead the financial hub since its independence in 1965, though the timing of the handover from current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is as yet undecided.

Australia has argued it is not unusual for it to undertake surveillance flights in the South China Sea -- a region Beijing insists comes under its domain despite a 2016 Hague ruling that dismissed its claims.

Lawrence Wong will take up his new post with effect from June 13, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement.

Before the formal talks began, Albanese accompanied his host, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, for a ride through the presidential palace in Bogor on bamboo bicycles.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Indonesia on Monday to meet its President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and shore-up relations between the two neighbors, in his first bilateral visit since being elected last month.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob unveiled a journalist fund of RM 1 million (US$228,366) to help maintain relationships between Malaysian and Indonesian news media.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Timor Leste on Friday.