AI stock boom pushes Seoul's Kospi index over 8,000 for the first time

Solomon Islands elects former China critic Wale as prime minister

SYDNEY, May 15 - Solomon Islands parliament on Friday elected opposition leader Matthew Wale as prime minister, after incumbent Jeremiah Manele was ousted from power last week in a no-confidence vote.

Japan airport to bear Pokemon name to help revitalise disaster-hit area

The airport under the new nickname will feature 111 Pokemon characters.

Scientists dig up Southeast Asia's largest dinosaur in Thailand

The body language of the Trump-Xi summit spoke volumes

When Mr Trump met Mr Xi on May 14, the interaction was warmer and more relaxed than past meetings.

Trump to seek tangible trade wins in Xi summit

He is hoping to seal business deals in sectors including agriculture, aviation and artificial intelligence.

Trump and Xi set for second day of talks after Taiwan warning

The two leaders are scheduled to have tea and lunch before Mr Trump flies back to the US.

Why Barisan Nasional may call early Johor, Melaka state polls in second half of 2026

Early elections in these two states would allow Barisan Nasional to drum up momentum and signal that the pact has regained strength ahead of the next general election, observers say.

Commentary: UMNO has ambitions for Malaysia's next general election but little room for manoeuvre

Being part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government has helped UMNO retain some relevance, but this will bring a different challenge come election time, says Asian Studies professor James Chin.

Commentary: Trump’s disinterest not the only reason the Quad is in limbo

The Quad risks geopolitical insignificance if summit-level meetings are not resumed, says former foreign correspondent Nirmal Ghosh.

Commentary: Modi’s austerity appeal shows his luck may have run out

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for Indians to change their consumption habits to insulate the economy is a startling move, says Mihir Sharma for Bloomberg Opinion.

Traditional Malay houses get second life as resorts and even the set for horror flicks

Such wooden houses on stilts are becoming a rare sight as Malaysians opt for newer homes with modern creature comforts.

A Range Rover, a ‘Dutch Lady’ and a political dynasty rising in Indonesia’s new capital

Allegations of corruption and nepotism have sparked protests against one of the province’s most powerful political families.

Indian capital announces work-from-home days to weather fuel shortage

Delhi’s chief minister said “once a week, each of us should have a no-vehicle day” amid fuel disruptions from the Middle East conflict.

Trump-Xi summit puts US exports, Iran at center of reset bid

US President Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping has produced a package of Chinese commitments on US soybeans, energy and aircraft, giving both governments a basis to steady relations after years of trade and security tensions. The

US DOJ said dropping fraud charges after Adani hired Trump lawyer

The US Department of Justice is reportedly preparing to drop charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani shortly after he hired one of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyers to represent him. The New York Times reported on Thursday that the DOJ – now headed by former

Antiwar activists to Congress: Pressure Trump for China peace

As US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a coalition of anti-war groups was calling on Congress to pressure the administration to “prioritize peace, cooperation, and stability” at a time when the US-China relationship is increasingly hostile.

Giant new dinosaur identified from fossils in Thailand

The nagatitan is the largest dinosaur found in South-East Asia and weighs as much as nine elephants.

How Trump plans to keep pushing his tariffs despite court losses

President Donald Trump just can’t quit tariffs. He suffered a major defeat when the Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 against the sweeping emergency tariffs he’d announced the previous year. Then, on May 7, a federal court knocked down the interim tariffs he’d announced

Why Putin will have been watching the Trump‑Xi summit nervously

The opening headlines from the summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing signal an openness on the Chinese side towards stabilizing relations with the US. In his opening remarks, the Chinese president noted that China and the US “should be partners not rivals.” But

Five Italians die in Maldives diving incident, foreign ministry says

ROME, May 14 - Five Italian nationals have died following a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, Italy's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

At Cannes, Japanese director Fukada says AI undermines the creative process

CANNES, France, May 14 - Using artificial intelligence to \"jump straight to the result\" could mean art fails to achieve its purposes of self-expression and to deepen our understanding of the world, Japanese filmmaker Koji Fukada said at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

Antisemitism watchdog rips ‘blood libel’ smear vs New York Times

A Jewish-led organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism was among the groups and individuals who have condemned attacks on The New York Times and one of its most prominent columnists, who published accounts by alleged Palestinian victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by

‘Fire and water’: Xi warns Taiwan issue could rupture China-US ties

Analysts see the framing of the Taiwan issue as Beijing’s way of ensuring it is in the front and centre of Xi-Trump talks.

Trump encounters fanfare and a more confident China

Despite bilateral tensions, there was a sense of pride surrounding Mr Trump’s visit to China.

Getting to yes on reopening Hormuz

Originally published by Pacific Forum, this article is republished with permission. Iran’s response to the latest US peace proposal and President Donald Trump’s fulsome rejection of it is another setback for the cumbersome, indirect Iran-US negotiations being conducted through

Taliban detains three journalists in Afghanistan, UN says

KABUL, May 14 - Afghanistan's Taliban government has detained at least three journalists on unspecified charges, the United Nations mission there said on Thursday in a statement that called for the protection of reporters.

‘New positioning’ in Sino-US ties: What does ‘constructive strategic stability’ really mean?

Chinese President Xi Jinping says he and US President Donald Trump have agreed on a relationship based on “constructive strategic stability”. Analysts weigh in on what the "new positioning" means.

Narrative warfare and shadowy shots at middle-power diplomacy

Modern geopolitical competition is increasingly shaped not only by military capabilities or economic leverage, but also by the ability to shape narratives. States now compete simultaneously across diplomatic, informational and psychological domains, where perception can

India bans sugar exports for four months to protect supply

Raw sugar futures in New York slumped as much as 2.3 per cent to to 15.022 cents per pound.

Malaysian singer Namewee acquitted of drug-related charges

The Attorney General’s Chambers had accepted Namewee’s second representation to drop the charges.

Honda makes its first annual loss in 70 years

The firm will now pivot away from scrapping its target for all of its vehicles to be electric by 2040.

Flattery and fanfare as Trump welcomed to China - but thorny issues remain

The leaders of the world's two superpowers were all smiles for the cameras during the US president's visit to Beijing.

From pig farms to petrol prices, Anwar’s government is running out of easy answers

The Anwar administration is fielding disapproval from the palace to its own party members.

Iraq sought financial assistance from IMF as result of Iran war, source close to IMF says

WASHINGTON, May 14 - Iraqi officials have approached the International Monetary Fund about securing financial assistance as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, a source close to the IMF said on Thursday.

USS Doris Miller delay exposes latest cracks in US carrier power

The USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier’s latest construction delay is more than a shipbuilding setback — it is a warning sign for the future of US global carrier power. This month, multiple media outlets reported that the US Navy’s newest Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future

Vessel seized off UAE's Fujairah and heading toward Iranian waters, UKMTO says

DUBAI, May 14 - A vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel on Thursday while at anchor northeast of the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah and was heading towards Iranian territorial waters, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.

No hugs, ancient Greece and KFC: Five highlights from Trump-Xi talks

Many in China joked Trump could enjoy KFC's “Crazy Thursday” – a discount campaign by the fast-food chain KFC.

Scientists dig up South-east Asia’s largest dinosaur in Thailand

The fossils of Nagatitan were first spotted by a villager in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Chaiyaphum.

China’s Xi expressed interest in buying US oil, White House says

China has not imported any US oil since May 2025 because of 20 per cent tariffs imposed during the trade war.

Afghanistan’s water crisis worsened in 2025: UN report

Drought prevalence rose to 64 per cent in 2025 from 34 percent the year before.

India condemns sinking of cargo vessel off Oman after suspected attack

NEW DELHI, May 14 - India said on Thursday that an Indian-flagged wooden cargo vessel had sunk while sailing through Omani waters following a fire from a suspected drone or missile strike.

Philippines warns of serious power cuts as heat, outages strain grids

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines warning of potential outages in Visayas and Luzon.

Letter lays bare growing Chinese investor unease over Indonesia’s business climate

The letter underlines how sudden policy shifts in Indonesia are not good for business.

Iran allowing transit of Chinese vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Fars news reports

DUBAI, May 14 - Iran has begun allowing some Chinese vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following an understanding over Iranian management protocols for the waterway, the semi-official Fars news agency said on Thursday, citing an informed source.

Iran and UAE clash at BRICS foreign ministers' meeting

DUBAI, May 14 - Iran's foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against his country during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Iranian state media reported.

Trump, Xi agreed Strait of Hormuz ‘must remain open’, says White House

China is directly affected by the lack of petroleum crossing the Strait of Hormuz.