Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK

Many visitors who have been exempt for 60 days will soon have to apply for a visa after 30 days.

Two bodies of missing Italians recovered from inside Maldives cave

The two were among four divers located in the furthest chamber in the cave and their bodies were recovered by specialist divers.

Italy and India set to upgrade ties during Modi's visit to Rome

ROME, May 19 - Italy and India will seek to reinforce diplomatic and trade ties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Rome by elevating their relationship to that of a special strategic partnership, an Italian government official said on Tuesday.

UAE says drone that hit near its nuclear plant was launched from Iraq

May 19 - The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that six drones had been launched against it from Iraq in the past 48 hours, including one that caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the Gulf state on Sunday.

Malaysia to issue newly designed passports with 94 security features from June 1

The current passport has 49 security features.

We have to work to make trade a win-win: SM Lee in Guangxi

The potential for economic cooperation between Singapore, ASEAN and China is considerable, he said.

3 injured in knife attack at Japanese restaurant in Shanghai

Tokyo has demanded that Beijing ensure the safety of Japanese people living in China.

Hong Kong proposes smoking ban at all building sites after deadly fire

Any person found smoking on a construction site can be fined $490.

Philippine Senate probes security after shots fired last week

Security officers are being investigated for firing their weapons without provocation.

Bear attack suspected after partial body found in Tokyo mountains

Tracks believed to have been left by a large animal were also found nearby, local police said.

Heir to Thai beer empire Singha sacked after brother's abuse accusations

Thai beer heir sacked after brother’s abuse accusations

Move comes after days of controversy over allegations the man had sexually abused his own brother.

Indonesia plans to tighten state control over commodity exports

Under-invoicing is a widespread and longstanding problem in Indonesia’s commodities industry.

Bessent urges more disruption to Iran's financing, will review US sanctions list

PARIS, May 19 - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday called on allies to more forcefully disrupt Iran's financing networks and said the Treasury would scrub its sanctions list of outdated designations to make it easier for financial institutions to root out the most

Russian sanctions waiver extension shows G7 does not agree on everything, EU's Dombrovskis says

PARIS, May 19 - G7 member countries do not agree on everything, as the extension of the waiver on Russian sanctions shows, EU economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Tuesday, criticising the extension.

K-pop’s robot gamble: G-Dragon’s agency bets on humanoids, but will it pass fans’ vibe check?

Mandopop king Jay Chou’s company, for one, has bought into this future.

From ‘glass cars’ to dollar remarks, Prabowo’s quips draw laughs – but at what political cost?

His spontaneous remarks can appear superficial and insensitive to the pressures facing ordinary Indonesians.

Explosions heard in Iran's Qeshm island due to disposal of enemy ammunition

DUBAI, May 19 - Explosions were heard in Iran's Qeshm island on Tuesday due to the neutralization of unexploded enemy ammunition, the semi-official Iranian Tasnim news agency said, citing a local official.

Japanese zoo may ban photography near viral monkey Punch’s enclosure

Two men were arrested on May 17 after one of them intruded the macaque's enclosure.

Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say

May 19 - China's armed forces secretly trained about 200 Russian military personnel in China late last year and some have since returned to fight in Ukraine, according to three European intelligence agencies and documents seen by Reuters.

India to monitor Boeing fuel-switch test tied to Air India London incident, documents show

Boeing earlier told Air India that the module containing the fuel switches was found to be “serviceable”.

Thailand rolls back welcome mat for most foreign tourists

The move seeks to crack down on crime and illegal employment involving foreign nationals.

Thailand cuts visa-free stays, citing crime by foreigners

The new visa-free duration would be decided on a country-by-country basis, with most foreign nationals granted stays of up to 30 days, while some could receive only 15 days, said Thailand's tourism minister.

Lawson launches video guide for foreigners buying hot food in its Tokyo stores

The service will be offered at three stores in Tokyo through the end of May.

China, US should work together to promote AI development, governance: Beijing

Cooperation on AI was discussed despite the countries’ rivalry over the fast-evolving technology.

Bodies of two Italians killed in scuba diving accident recovered, says Maldives government

The two remaining bodies will be recovered on May 20.

Bodies of two Italians killed in scuba diving accident recovered, Maldives government says

MALE, May 19 - The bodies of two Italian divers killed in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives have been recovered, a Maldives government spokesperson said on Tuesday, as efforts continue to retrieve the remains of two others.

Naphtha shortage in Japan leads to packaging changes, price hikes

Japan's naphtha price in April had risen 83.2 per cent compared to February.

South Korea, Japan agree to shore up energy cooperation, strengthen security ties

ANDONG, South Korea, May 19 - South Korea and Japan agreed on Tuesday to expand cooperation on LNG and crude oil supply, including on stockpiling and petroleum product swap arrangements, their leaders said.

Man wears plastic bag over head, steals bread from unmanned bakery in S. Korea

He cut eye holes into the front of the plastic bag.

G7 finance ministers agree need for action on economic imbalances

PARIS, May 19 - G7 finance ministers agreed on Tuesday on the need for action to tackle trade imbalances in a fragmented global economy, saying the current situation was unsustainable, but were light on plans for concrete measures.

Tiananmen activist defends advocacy at Hong Kong trial

Chow Hang-tung, 41, is standing trial for “incitement to subversion” along with Lee Cheuk-yan, 69.

What's at stake in Armenia's June election?

May 19 - Armenia holds a parliamentary election on June 7 that pits the governing Civil Contract party, which is pursuing closer ties with the West, against an array of opposition parties, many of which are pro-Russian.

Malaysia seeks over US$250 million in compensation from Norwegian firm over scrapped missile deal: Minister

This comes after Norway confirmed that it had revoked the naval strike missile system’s export licences, citing tighter restrictions on some of its “most sensitive” defence technologies and saying that exports would be limited to its “allies and closest partners”.

Starbucks Korea head fired after 'Tank Day' promotion sparks public uproar

SEOUL, May 19 - The head of Starbucks Korea has been fired after a marketing campaign sparked public outrage and boycott calls for evoking painful memories of a brutal military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980.

Malaysia seeks more than $321m from Norway over axed defence deal

Oslo had abruptly cancelled export approvals for a naval strike missile system.

Malaysia seeks more than $250 million from Norway over axed defence deal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 - Malaysia's defence minister on Tuesday said a notice has been sent to Norway seeking compensation of more than 1 billion ringgit ($251.76 million), after Oslo abruptly cancelled export approvals for a naval strike missile system intended for Malaysian

Thai Cabinet approves more than $7.8b in new borrowing to finance subsidy scheme for consumers

The scheme will cover about 43 million people over four months.

Gaza aid flotilla says Israeli forces intercepted 41 vessels, 10 still sailing

ISTANBUL, May 19 - The organisers of an aid flotilla bound for Gaza said on Tuesday Israeli forces had intercepted 41 of their boats in the eastern Mediterranean, with 10 vessels still sailing toward the enclave.

Indonesian authorities using online disinformation campaigns to target critics, Amnesty says

JAKARTA, May 19 - Indonesian authorities, including the military, used online disinformation campaigns to brand activists and journalists as \"foreign agents\" and silence dissent, sometimes leading to physical threats, Amnesty International said in a report released on Tuesday.

Iran says peace proposal includes reparations for war damage, US troop withdrawal

DUBAI, May 19 - Tehran's latest peace proposal to the United States involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of U.S. forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the U.S.-Israeli war, state media reported on Tuesday.

Russia conducts major nuclear drills

MOSCOW, May 19 - Russia on Tuesday begins three days of nuclear drills that will include the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, the defence ministry said.

Residents in Terengganu village on edge as hungry sun bear targets livestock

The bear had also preyed on other domesticated animals belonging to villagers.

Pain for clicks: Inside China’s violent ‘PK livestreaming’ craze despite crackdowns

Chinese authorities are cracking down on violent livestreaming content but eliminating the issue will be hard, experts say, as social media sites still profit from such spectacle.

Taiwan ‘cautiously optimistic’ about US arms sales, defence minister says

Weapons sales are important for maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, said Mr Wellington Koo.

Taiwan 'cautiously optimistic' about US arms sales, defence minister says

TAIPEI, May 19 - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he was \"cautiously optimistic\" about arms sales from the U.S., after President Donald Trump said he was still considering whether to go ahead with new sales to the Chinese-claimed island.

Samsung, union narrow some differences as major strike nears

The two sides are trying to hash out a deal on bonus payments before 48,000 workers go on strike.

At least 21 killed as heavy rain drenches southern, central China

Authorities said they were launching emergency responses in several affected areas.