Indonesian president recognises ‘problems’ with free meal scheme
Mr Prabowo Subianto said that the scheme still has public support despite the list of problems.
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China says talks with US yielded agreement to reduce levies
Both teams are still currently negotiating over the details.
India drug bust seizes 227kg of captagon in first big haul
Anti-narcotics officers also arrested a Syrian national, who was a member of an “international drug syndicate”.
At least eight dead, 32 injured in Thailand after freight train hits bus
BANGKOK, May 16 - At least eight people were killed and 32 others were injured in Thailand on Saturday after a freight train struck a bus at a rail crossing in Bangkok, igniting a fire that engulfed the vehicle, rescue officials and a deputy transport minister said.
Trump left China empty‑handed – but avoided something worse
When Britain sent its first formal diplomatic mission to China in 1793, one of the participants from London, Peter Auber, remarked that the group had been “received with the utmost politeness, treated with the utmost hospitality, watched with the utmost vigilance and dismissed
Trump returns from China with stability and a stalemate
WASHINGTON/BEIJING, May 16 - President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing this week may have produced modest results by the standards of U.S.-China summits but it highlighted a clear benefit for China: after the extremes of last year's trade war, the countries have reverted to
At least eight dead, 25 injured in train collision that sparks bus fire in Thailand
BANGKOK, May 16 - At least eight people were killed and 25 others injured after a train collision triggered a fire that engulfed a public bus in Bangkok on Saturday, rescue officials and police said.
Train-bus collision kills at least 8 in Bangkok: Police
Images on social media show the train approaching a level crossing at a moderate speed before colliding with the bus, which instantly burst into flames.
Freight train collides with bus in Bangkok, at least eight dead: Reports
The collision reportedly caused the bus to burst into flames and damaged several other vehicles.
Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional to contest all 56 seats in Johor’s next state election: Chief Minister Onn Hafiz
This means BN – whose lynchpin party is the United Malays National Organisation – will not cooperate in Johor with other political pacts like Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan, as well as the Perikatan Nasional or Malaysian United Democratic Alliance in the
Canada deepens Arctic defense ties with Nordics after Trump threats
CAMBRIDGE BAY, Nunavut, May 16 - Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s barrage of threats to seize Greenland, authorities on the frozen island have been seeking help from a northern ally: Canada.
Sri Lanka raises tax on imported cars as Middle East crisis bites
Sri Lanka slapped a 50 per cent surcharge on customs duties on vehicles on May 16.
At least 8 dead, over 30 injured in train collision that sparked bus fire in Bangkok
“The fire is now out and we are trying to recover the bodies,” the police chief said.
Akita dog gifted by Japan to Russian President Putin has died
The Akita prefectural government presented Yume to Mr Putin in July 2012.
Japan pharmaceutical firm warns against rare diseases drug after deaths
Tavneos has been distributed to around 8,500 patients in Japan since its launch, Kissei says.
Car crashes into pool at South Korea sports centre, swimmers rescue driver
There were about eight people in the pool at the time.
Perikatan Nasional chairman named Malaysia’s new opposition leader
He replaces former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainuddin.
187 arrested as Malaysian police bust global scam rings
The suspects are believed to be involved in cross-border online scam activities.
Malaysian delivery riders among 35 arrested for alleged loan sharking activities in Singapore
Riders were allegedly recruited through Telegram groups.
Samsung Electronics, South Korea union to resume pay talks on May 18, union says
Samsung Electronics chairman apologised to customers and the public over the labour dispute.
Maldives rescue diver dies in search for missing Italians
Earlier, the Maldives suspended the operating licence of a luxury vessel from which the Italians had been diving from.
Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, China says war should not have started
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI, May 16 - U.S. President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though China gave no indication it would weigh in.
Indonesia blindly drifting into a US vs China storm
Earlier this month, Indonesia and Japan signed a defense cooperation agreement that could eventually allow Jakarta to acquire lethal weaponry from Tokyo. The move was the latest in a series of strategic engagements signaling that Indonesia is beginning to lean toward one side
Malaysian delivery riders among 35 arrested for harassing Singapore borrowers in cross-border loan sharking crackdown
The enforcement follows a New Straits Times report earlier this month about gig workers in Malaysia being recruited online to carry out deliveries in Singapore as part of intimidation tactics by loan sharks.
Man dies after shark bite off Western Australia coast
SYDNEY, May 16 - A man attacked by a shark off Western Australia's coast on Saturday died of his injuries, police said, in what is the second fatal shark attack in Australia so far this year.
Malaysia’s visa-exemption policy being exploited by global scam rings, says police chief after US$14.7m raids
Malaysian police are working closely with the Immigration Department and other enforcement agencies to monitor the entry of foreigners and tourists, says Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail.
Malaysian police probing claims fugitive Jho Low had secret meetings in KL
The man behind the 1MDB scandal is reportedly seeking clemency from US President Donald Trump.
Malaysian police to boost sensitivity training for handling autism cases
The Inspector-General of Police said they are committed to advancing social inclusivity.
Eurovision Song Contest final takes the stage amid Gaza boycott
VIENNA, May 16 - The Eurovision Song Contest's final takes place in Vienna on Saturday, with the organisers hoping the annual show of glitz and Europop will be a success despite five countries' withdrawal over Israel taking part.
Man killed by great white shark in western Australia
The incident happened at around mid-morning off Rottnest Island near Perth.
Trump-Xi summit: Win, lose or draw?
It was always going to be unrealistic to expect a grand bargain.
Ready or not, AI government is already here
In April, the General Services Administration announced plans to automate 1 million work hours annually after cutting nearly 40% of its staff since October 2024, with similar reductions being seen across the government workforce. While the Elon Musk-led Department of Government
Taiwan presses case for US arms after Trump says he’s undecided on new sales
President Trump has yet to approve US$14 billion worth of arms for Taiwan.
‘A burden for many locals’: Commuters cry foul over hike in cross-border taxi fares
Taxi drivers were seen explaining the new scheme to passengers.
Japan restaurants hit by visa pause for high-demand foreign workers
The number of special visa holders is reaching its preset quota.
Malaysia will not support or pursue any pardon for Jho Low, PM Anwar says
Jho Low was previously identified as a central figure in the 1MDB scandal.
From misfit to rap sensation: A 'Reble' storms into Indian hip-hop
Reble has emerged as one of hip-hop’s most distinctive new voices, channelling defiance into a sound rooted in India’s northeast.
Crossing the Causeway? Here’s your guide to 9 JB malls and what each is best for
Not all JB malls offer the same experience. We map out the city’s best-known malls by their standout strengths, so you know exactly what to expect.
‘Seismic shift’ toward Aussie orbit likely under Solomon Islands’ new prime minister
Experts say that Matthew Wale will be ‘more moderate’ and ‘less enthusiastic’ about China than his predecessors.
Commentary: Vietnam wants to be a global semiconductor hub, and America is all in
The signs of growing global confidence in Vietnam’s potential to emerge as an alternative chip manufacturing hub to China are apparent, particularly in the United States, says this writer.
China's U.N. ambassador criticizes US Hormuz resolution
May 15 - China's U.N. ambassador on Friday criticized a proposed U.S.-Bahraini resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the content and timing were not right and passing it would not be helpful.
Rearming Japan: ambition, constraints and limits
Originally published by Pacific Forum, this article is republished with permission. In barely half a year, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed Japan’s defense policy into unfamiliar territory. The FY2026 main defense budget has reached 9.04 trillion yen (approximately
Pageantry over policy: Takeaways from Trump's China trip
WASHINGTON, May 15 - U.S. President Donald Trump's two-day state visit to Beijing featured wide-ranging talks on Taiwan, Iran and trade with Chinese President Xi Jinping but yielded few concrete outcomes on the issues dividing the world's two largest economies.
Indonesia’s first giant panda is set to charm the public
Satrio Wiratama, born in November 2025, will make his public debut this month.
Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 45 days, US State Dept says
WASHINGTON, May 15 - Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire U.S. President Donald Trump declared on April 16, the U.S. State Department said on Friday.
Chinese factories welcome any tariff relief from Trump-Xi summit, but diversification continues
Washington's ratcheting up of tariffs in 2025 has led Chinese factories to find new ways of doing business.
‘Japan Passing’? Trump eases Tokyo jitters with phone call to Takaichi after Xi summit
The Japanese Prime Minister later noted that the US President gave a “detailed explanation” of his talks with Xi.
Energy crisis set to worsen as Trump weighs renewed Iran assault
The global energy crisis caused by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran is set to worsen in the coming months, as The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the world is “burning through its oil safety net.” Even though oil prices surged at the start of the war, which
Trump downplays risk of Sino-US conflict over Taiwan after historic meeting with Xi
The summit, high on optics and modest on deliverables, sought to stabilise ties in the short term.