Punch, the lonely monkey who drew crowds to a Japan zoo, growing up well amid limelight
Since first hitting the headlines, Punch has slowly integrated into his troop and made friends.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
TikTok parent ByteDance plans tiered subscriptions for AI chatbot Doubao
Doubao had 345 million monthly active users in March 2026.
Rescuers find body of first confirmed fatality from Mount Dukono eruption; believed to be Indonesian national
Two Singaporean hikers remain missing despite their locations having been identified.
Top Sri Lankan Buddhist monk arrested over alleged sex abuse
Pallegama Hemarathana was arrested at a private hospital where he had sought treatment.
Thai police probe weapons cache at Chinese man’s home
Local police said they were “investigating security implications”.
US, Iran no closer to ending war as Gulf clashes flare
WASHINGTON/CAIRO, May 9 - The U.S. and Iran appeared no closer on Saturday to finding an end to their war after the two sides traded fire in the Gulf amid a tenuous ceasefire, while a U.S. intelligence analysis concluded Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months.
Thai police probe military-grade weapons cache at foreign man's home
Local police are "investigating security implications" after assault rifles, explosives, grenades and anti-personnel mines were found at the man's home, near the beach resort of Pattaya.
ASEAN discussions on regional fuel stockpile in very early stage, says PM Wong
ASEAN already has a rice stockpile with China, Japan and Korea. The question is whether the region could pursue something similar for energy, says Singapore’s prime minister.
Mount Dukono eruption: Key facts about one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes
Local authorities in April had imposed a climbing ban after increased volcanic activity.
China trade beats forecasts in April despite Middle East war
While the US-Israel war on Iran has produced new risks for China's economy, its trade has so far appeared to be weathering the disruptions.
How Pakistan became the world’s most useful middle power
As geopolitical competition intensifies across multiple regions, countries capable of maintaining working relationships with rival powers are becoming increasingly valuable. While global attention remains centered on major-power rivalry, another category of states is quietly
When the world’s greatest power can’t win
For three decades after the Cold War, Washington operated under a dangerous assumption: that military supremacy could indefinitely compensate for diplomatic exhaustion. The United States possessed the world’s most advanced armed forces, unmatched naval reach, and a financial
North Korea to deploy new artillery along border with South
Deployment of the "new-type 155-millimetre self-propelled gun-howitzer" would potentially place Seoul within striking range.
Nuclear holocaust threat just another day in Trump World
As he struggles to force Iran’s capitulation, US President Donald Trump issued what seemed to be yet another threat to commit an act of mass destruction against the country through nuclear warfare. When negotiations have faltered in recent weeks, Trump has on multiple occasions
Post-pax world needs a post-Cartesian mind
Ravi Kant’s recent Asia Times essay argues that the next world order will not be built like the old ones. Pax Britannica rested on sea lanes and finance. Pax Americana rested on markets, media and military reach. But the next global order, Kant suggests, will be organized
No Malaysians on board hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship
Dr Dzulkefly said the infection should not be taken lightly, as its complications can potentially be fatal.
US, EU and China profoundly split on AI intimacy
Globally, hundreds of millions of users now interact regularly with AI companions. The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a global health threat. AI companions offer an immediate, if unproven, response. In 2014, Microsoft launched Xiaoice in China, an AI
Sri Lanka arrests more than 260 foreigners over cyberscams
Authorities have arrested hundreds of foreign nationals in recent months as Sri Lanka intensifies a sweeping crackdown on suspected cyber scam operations.
Philippines ex-president Duterte taps new lawyer for ICC trial
Duterte plans to hire a replacement counsel, whose name was redacted in the document.
ASEAN’s energy ambitions are a test of its unity
Amid the deepening energy crisis, leaders are urging the grouping to step up energy resilience.
North Korean leader Kim calls ties with Russia top priority in Victory Day message to Putin
Kim Jong Un also reportedly pledged North Korea's continued commitment to a bilateral pact, signed in 2024, that includes a mutual defence provision.
Indonesia identifies location of two Singaporean hikers at Mount Dukono but eruptions hamper rescue
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency says the hikers’ locations were identified on Friday (May 8), but rescue efforts have been hampered by extreme terrain and heightened volcanic activity.
US concerned by Taiwan defence delay ‘concession’ to China
Taiwanese President Lai said while he appreciated the funding, this was only the first step.
US concerned by Taiwan defence delay 'concession' to China
TAIPEI, May 9 - Further delays to Taiwan military spending are a \"concession\" to China, the U.S. State Department said, as Taipei's defence ministry detailed the impact of projects excluded from a package passed by the opposition-controlled parliament.
Search resumes for 3 hikers, including 2 Singaporeans, amid hopes they may still be alive
Search teams resumed efforts on May 9 to find three missing hikers, including two Singaporeans, stranded on Mount Dukono.
Rescuers locate position of 2 Singaporean hikers on Mount Dukono, but volcanic activity hampers search
Rescuers and residents hope the hikers could still be found alive.
From trusted aide to biggest rival: Suvendu Adhikari becomes West Bengal chief minister
A former ally of Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader will be West Bengal’s next chief minister.
Vietnam adds hundreds of acres in South China Sea island-building effort
It is also constructing specialised infrastructure in the Spratly archipelago: US think-tank
Vietnam adds hundreds of acres in South China Sea island-building
WASHINGTON, May 8 - Vietnam has expanded its island building in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly archipelago in the past year, adding 534 acres (216.1 hectares) of land, and has also begun to construct specialized infrastructure there, a U.S. think tank reported.
Even in Japan, robots are far from being full‑fledged caregivers
The robot pauses at the edge of the room as an engineer checks its sensors. Then, with a soft mechanical hum, this humanoid machine begins to move. It lifts a mannequin from a bed, slowly and carefully. The engineers hold their breath. I am in a robotics lab in Tokyo, Japan, as
US imposes sanctions on 10 individuals, companies for aiding Iran's weapons sector
WASHINGTON, May 8 - The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies, including several in China and Hong Kong, for aiding efforts by Iran's military to secure weapons and raw materials used to build Tehran's Shahed drones.
US revises UN resolution on Iran but China, Russia still expected to veto
May 8 - Washington has revised its proposed U.N. resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining in the Strait of Hormuz but the changes are unlikely to avert Chinese and Russian vetoes, diplomats said on Friday.
A China move now on Taiwan would be an enormous gamble
“The Iran war weakens deterrence in Asia, undercuts confidence of US allies and partners, and makes conflict with China more likely.” That’s become an article of faith among those opposing the US fight with Iran. The US military – the navy in particular – is indeed smaller than
Return of IS-linked families sparks debate in terror-traumatised Australia
Most Australians do not want the women and children to come home, but advocates say they're in danger.
War rains on Putin’s parade, but at least he gets a 3-day truce
Russia’s inability to conquer Ukraine is spurring unusually harsh public complaints over both the lack of military progress and the growing economic costs of the war, a pair of failures being blamed on President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The damage caused by bombardments by
Nepal issues record 492 climbing permits for Everest
The last record was in 2023 when 478 permits were issued in a post-pandemic rush on the mountains.
Satellite imagery shows Philippine construction on two islands in disputed Spratlys
Experts say the runway and port expansions will increase readiness amid Chinese escalations in the South China Sea.
Rising fuel prices strand hundreds of Indonesian fishermen
State-owned gas and oil company Pertamina said in April the price increase was necessary due to geopolitical conditions.
No promised US manufacturing boom as Trump tariffs ruled illegal
A panel of federal judges ruled Thursday that US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 10% tariffs on most imports are unlawful, another major legal blow to the centerpiece of the Republican president’s economic agenda – which has failed to produce the manufacturing boom he
Marcos says ASEAN fuel-sharing scheme still needs to be ironed out
The grouping had produced a declaration calling for the ratification of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement.
‘Dukono erupts every second’: Local guides warn of risks on volcano hike
While authorities have warned people not to come within 4km of Mount Dukono’s crater, the lack of an official ban means many climbers still make the trek.
Singapore working with Indonesia to assist Singaporeans affected by Mount Dukono eruption
Nine Singaporeans were reportedly among the 20 hikers who were climbing Mount Dukono when the volcano erupted.
Costa Rica's Laura Fernandez vows 'war' on crime ahead of inauguration
SAN JOSE, May 8 - Costa Rica's Laura Fernandez is set to be inaugurated president on Friday, with the right-wing politician vowing to wage a \"war without quarter\" on crime in the small Central American nation, long recognized as a bastion of peace and prosperity.
Norway police hold Chinese woman in custody over suspected espionage
OSLO, May 8 - A Chinese woman suspected of complicity in espionage in Norway will be held in police custody for up to four weeks while the case against her is investigated, a Norwegian court ruled on Friday.
Trump claiming Iran war ‘win’ – here’s the reality
Two months into the war in Iran, the reasons the US gave for launching this conflict – and Washington’s minimum criteria for claiming success – now appear unintelligible. So much so that US officials are now arguing the war had actually ended in America’s favor almost a month
EU-Japan joining hands to break China’s supply chain grip
The European Union and Japan are hardening their economic partnership against what they increasingly regard as China’s strategic manipulation of global supply chains. This sharpening convergence was on full display in early May, when the EU and Japan convened the 7th High-Level
ASEAN mulls sharing fuel, food resources as fears of prolonged disruptions grow
Leaders proposed a regional fuel stockpile and a standby arrangement for food security at the 48th ASEAN Summit on Friday (May 8).
Indonesia pledges to overhaul medical training programme after deaths of four intern doctors
This follows the deaths of four intern doctors in just two months amid mounting scrutiny.