The original Star Wars trilogy remains a favourite with fans and reviewers alike, but the latest film has caused a disruption in the force.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warns Beijing against militarising the South China Sea following reports that China has installed missile systems in the hotly disputed Spratly Islands for the first time.

French President Emmanuel Macron's next stop on his Pacific sojourn is the French territory of New Caledonia, where the countdown to a vote on independence is fast approaching.

Expectations grow that North Korea will soon release three Americans held as prisoners, as a gesture of goodwill ahead of an unprecedented US-North Korea summit due to take place in coming weeks.

Despite allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars of state money ended up in his personal bank account, and arrests of people who bring it up, support for Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak remains strong in regional areas.