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 eight dead after freight train hits public bus in Bangkok

The incident occurred at around 3.40pm on May 16 on Asok-Din Daeng Road..

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 said.

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

Police chief says KL's visa-exemption policy 'makes it easier for foreign criminals to operate'

Malaysian delivery riders among 35 arrested for alleged loan sharking activities in Singapore

Malaysian 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 suspends boat operator after Italian divers’ deaths

The victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.

Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, China says war shouldn't 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.

Five takeaways from Trump and Xi’s superpower summit

The leaders discussed a range of topics, including trade and the Middle East.

India deepens defence, energy ties with UAE during PM Modi visit

Trump expected to drop IRS suit in exchange for MAGA slush fund

The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday accused US President Donald Trump of “orchestrating a $1,700,000,000 fraud on the American taxpayer to line the pockets of his MAGA political allies” amid new reporting on the terms Trump is seeking in talks to

Trump warns Taiwan against declaring independence, hours after summit with China's Xi

The US president says he wants Beijing and Taipei to "cool down" tensions over the self-governing island.

Trump suggests deadly Russian strike on Kyiv could set back peace efforts

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, May 15 - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday suggested a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv apartment building that killed 24 people, including three children, could set back efforts to find a peaceful settlement to Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Trump says did not discuss tariffs during summit with China’s Xi

The pair had been widely expected to discuss extending the one-year tariff truce.

Samsung executives make rare union visit as strike fears mount

The union has threatened an 18-day walkout beginning May 21 if its demands are not met.

Singapore court grants winding up bids for three entities linked to 1MDB scandal, liquidators say

Trump says US and China are aligned on Iran, Tehran must make a deal soon

The US leader said Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

'Museum-style memoir' unveiled on Goh Keng Swee's interactions with China leaders

The 244-page book was put together by Dr Goh's wife, Dr Phua Swee Liang, based on photographs, gifts, travel itineraries and personal records from his stint as an economic adviser to China between 1985 and 1990.