Premium Hokkaido melons fetch record $46,600 at season’s first auction

Known for their juicy orange flesh and sweetness, Yubari melons are often sent as gifts in Japan.

India capital’s motor-rickshaws get Trump makeover

Drivers usually risk a fine if they display adverts on their vehicles.

Malaysia’s energy supply secure despite global uncertainties, says PM Anwar

The Malaysian government is working to ensure energy supply security can be extended until December.

US navy chief says $14bn arms sale to Taiwan paused due to Iran war

Hung Cao told a Senate hearing they were "doing a pause" on the sale to make sure they had munitions for the Iran war.

Thailand turns to AI and science to upgrade durian export quality

It highlighted five major areas of development aimed at upgrading the durian industry.

Pakistan seeks breakthrough in US-Iran peace talks

WASHINGTON/DUBAI, May 22 - Iran's foreign minister met his Pakistani counterpart on Friday to discuss proposals to end the U.S.-Israeli war, Iranian media reported, with Tehran and Washington still at odds over Tehran's uranium stockpile and controls on the Strait of Hormuz.

Perikatan Nasional to contest all seats in Johor election, setting up potential three-way fight with PH and BN

Johor Perikatan Nasional chairman Sahruddin Jamal said the opposition coalition’s strength in Malaysia’s southern state should not be underestimated.

‘Everything has become expensive’: Pakistanis struggle with rising prices ahead of Eid al-Adha

Higher fuel and food prices, coupled with economic uncertainty linked to tensions in the Middle East, are forcing people to cut expenses for next week’s festive season.

Taiwan says it has not been told by US of changes to military sales

TAIPEI, May 22 - Taiwan's presidential office said on Friday it had not received any information about the U.S. adjusting military sales, after a senior U.S. official suggested there was a pause due to the need to have enough arms for the war with Iran.

Businesses, creators in Thailand urged to trademark ‘sound marks’ to shield against AI, deepfakes

The government-led push targets non-traditional trademarks.

From digital vouchers to shopping complex revamp, Johor looks across Causeway for inspiration

The pilot scheme aims to help residents cope with rising costs and revitalise local businesses.

Hokkaido zoo employee arrested on suspicion of murdering wife, admits to strangling her at home

Tatsuya Suzuki strangled his wife with a rope at their home, according to investigative sources.

Malaysia to introduce new rules to protect youth on online platforms

Online service providers will be required to include safeguards for users under the age of 16.

Turkey revokes licence for university seized by state in criminal probe

ANKARA, May 22 - Turkey has revoked the operational licence for Istanbul Bilgi University, effectively forcing it to close, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette on Friday, after the university was seized by the state in a criminal investigation last year.

APEC trade envoys gather in China to discuss trade imbalances, supply chain resilience

SUZHOU, China, May 22 - Asia-Pacific trade envoys gathered in China are expected to discuss multilateral cooperation, trade imbalances and supply chain resilience in the face of global shocks, including the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

From lab idea to $2.9b start-up: Ultrasound destroys cancer without scalpels

The histotripsy technique can liquefy tumor cells while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed.

South Korean ministry to shun Starbucks vouchers in 'Tank Day' campaign backlash

Japan government to get access to Anthropic’s latest AI

Due to safe and security concerns, access to the model is currently limited to IT companies.

Why China might react badly to any call between Trump and Taiwan’s president

Mr Trump’s comments on speaking with Dr Lai raised concerns about further Chinese war games around Taiwan.

Explainer-Why China might react badly to any call between Trump and Taiwan's president

May 22 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would speak with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, an unprecedented move for a U.S. leader that could roil U.S. relations with China and maybe prompt more Chinese war games around the island.

South Korean ministry to shun Starbucks vouchers in ‘Tank Day’ campaign backlash

The uproar has also prompted boycott calls from consumers on social media platforms.

India generates record power as demand surges in severe heatwave

Temperatures sizzled at 45.3 deg C in the capital New Delhi on the afternoon of May 21.

Chinese authorities demolish villager's madcap 10-storey home

The structure drew comparisons from media and tourists to the fantastical creations of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.

Pattaya hotel rooftop fire injures four, no deaths reported

Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit on the rooftop.

Vietnam sells convicted mogul’s Hermes bags in recovery push

Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was ordered to repay US$27 billion in damages.

US Navy official says Taiwan arm sales on 'pause' over Iran war

Briton makes 20th Everest ascent, most by a foreigner

KATHMANDU, May 22 - A British climber improved his own Everest record on Friday and notched his 20th ascent of the world’s highest mountain, hiking officials said.

Briton Kenton Cool makes record Everest climb as climbing season’s death toll rises to 5

He first climbed Everest in 2004 and has since repeated the feat every year.

US Navy official says Taiwan arm sales on ‘pause’ due to Iran war

Taiwan is waiting on an US$14 billion weapons deal that President Trump is keeping on hold.

Hello Kitty: Fans flock to Japan museum showcasing history of Sanrio characters

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm and is closed on Tuesdays, except on national holidays.

Samsung union to start vote on tentative wage deal

The vote will run through May 27 and around 70,000 members are expected to be eligible to vote.

Philippine artisans keep weaving traditions alive despite rising costs

As the Philippines looks to boost tourism, authorities have increasingly promoted immersive cultural experiences centred on traditional arts and weaving.

‘Filter of fantasy’: Japan trials anime therapy to treat depression

Participants were given online counselling by a psychologist appearing on screen as an anime avatar.

South-east Asia’s fishermen are being pushed to the brink by fuel costs

A protracted blockade in the Hormuz Strait leaves the South-east Asia desperately short of fuel.

Rescue and relief efforts intensify as rain risks rise across southern China

By the morning of May 21, the death toll from heavy rains stood at 16.

Japan envoy in China vows ‘best efforts’ to realise Takaichi-Xi leaders’ summit at APEC

Takaichi has said Japan remains open to dialogue with China, but Beijing has not responded to her overtures.

Australian women linked to ISIS leave Syrian camp, ABC reports

SYDNEY, May 22 - A second group of Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group have departed a refugee camp in northeast Syria and may be returning to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.

Goldman Sachs to pay US$500 million to settle shareholder lawsuit over 1MDB scandal

Goldman helped 1MDB sell US$6.5 billion of bonds and collected an estimated US$600 million in fees.

Record 274 climbers scale Everest via Nepal in one day

The summit bonanza comes after a late start to this climbing season due to earlier route obstructions.

Garbage bags sell out in parts of Japan as naphtha shortage spurs stockpiling

There are concerns that supply of naphtha may become scarce due to the situation in the Middle East.

JB motorists upset over costly pothole damage

Experts say potholes were caused by heavy vehicle loads, poor utility excavation works, among other factors.

Human urine becomes option for farmers in fertiliser supply crunch

The World Bank expects fertiliser prices to rise in 2026, pushing affordability to its worst since 2022.

China’s top diplomat touts Moldova ties after Putin visit despite differences over Ukraine war

The two sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, according to a ministry readout of the meeting.

China's top diplomat touts Moldova ties after Putin visit despite differences over Ukraine war

BEIJING, May 22 - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told visiting Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popsoi that Beijing \"cherishes\" ties with the Eastern European country and aims to deepen them, a statement on Friday said, despite differences over Russia's invasion of

‘Eternal flame’ still burns after fire destroys Buddhist hall in Japan that is over 1,200 years old

It was the second time in recent decades that Reikado Hall, near Hiroshima, has burned down.