Tokyo, Manila launch intelligence-sharing, maritime border talks amid China’s shadow

The countries share maritime interests and a wariness about China’s assertive behaviour in the East and South China seas.

North Korea not keen on external engagement, says Vivian after Pyongyang visit

Pyongyang's focus seems to be on self-reliance and military deterrence, Dr Balakrishnan said.

White House got $620m rare earths deal for firm tied to Trump Jr.

This article was originally published by ProPublica. It is republished with permission. When the Pentagon announced a $620 million loan last year to a small North Carolina startup linked to Donald Trump Jr., defense officials and the company tried to tamp down suspicions of

Why ‘Singapore washing’ will never be the same

In April, China’s National Development and Reform Commission moved to unwind Meta’s planned US$2 billion acquisition of Manus, the AI-agent startup founded in Beijing that had relocated its headquarters to Singapore in mid-2025. Meta had agreed to buy the company in December.

Russia says US missiles in Japan for drills would threaten Russia

MOSCOW, May 28 - Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday that allowing U.S. missile systems to be deployed on Japanese territory as part of military drills would threaten the security of Russia's eastern borders.

Principal of HK school involved in swearing incident at SAFRA Jurong resigns

The school's board of directors will meet to decide whether to accept the resignation.

Vietnam authorities charge driver in Ha Giang Loop crash that killed British teen

He allegedly failed to pay attention to the road and collided with a motorbike in front and an oncoming lorry..

Man gored to death by buffalo during Aidiladha sacrificial ritual in Malaysia, say Johor police

In a separate goring incident on the same day, a man suffered a fractured rib.

Japan, Philippines to discuss information sharing pact to ease arms exports

TOKYO, May 28 - Japan and the Philippines said on Thursday they would begin talks on an agreement to share classified information to allow Tokyo to step up transfers of military equipment to Manila, including warships.

Korban with a ‘kampung’ feel: More Muslim Singaporeans head to Johor for Hari Raya Haji ritual

Besides the atmosphere across the Causeway, livestock farmers also cited reasons such as tighter rules in Singapore.

Philippines, Japan committed to bolstering maritime security: Marcos

China’s Defence Minister to skip Shangri-La Dialogue for second year

Beijing said it is sending a delegation of “experts and scholars” to the security forum.

Pakistan commuters switch to EV scooters as petrol prices soar

The shift towards electric bikes has accelerated following sharp increases in fuel prices linked to volatility in global oil markets amid tensions in the Middle East.

Vietnam President To Lam to meet Singapore leaders during state visit, speak at Shangri-La Dialogue

This is Mr Lam’s first visit to Singapore as the president of Vietnam.

Indonesia’s top court rules to bar parties that breach 30% gender quota from legislative polls

Parties contesting legislative elections must adhere to the quota or be removed from the race.

China sends defence university delegation to Shangri-La Dialogue for second straight year

Beijing will not send Defence Minister Dong Jun to Asia's top security summit, where US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to speak.

The fading mirage of US-guaranteed Gulf security

Wars in the Middle East are often decided less by what is destroyed than by what continues functioning afterward — and how quickly those systems begin to fail. That distinction has become harder to ignore in the aftermath of recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which Washington

Why President Xi’s potential North Korea visit carries strategic weight for China and beyond

A potential state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pyongyang reportedly soon would mark his first overseas trip of the year and reinforce Beijing’s influence as North Korea-Russia ties deepen amid global tensions, analysts say.

New Taiwan-Japan ferry service debuts on ship that has war evacuation role

The ship will link Taiwan’s northern port city of Keelung with Japan’s Ishigaki.

China says Taiwan should not ‘interfere’ in its air force missions around island

China's warplanes and warships operate around the island almost daily.

Philippine senator Estrada faces arrest on corruption charges

MANILA, May 28 - A Philippine senator and son of a former president could soon face arrest after an anti-graft body charged him on Thursday of receiving illicit payouts in an infrastructure scandal that has slowed economic growth and hammered consumer and investor confidence.

Belgrade bets on Beijing as Budapest pivots to Brussels

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s state visit to China on May 25, 2026, sent a major geopolitical and geoeconomic signal at a moment when the international system is becoming increasingly fragmented between competing power blocs. The visit, marked by meetings with Xi Jinping

US says its embassy in Kyiv remains open

May 28 - The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv remains open, it said on Thursday, denying reports about changes to its operations following warnings from Russia that diplomats and foreigners should leave the Ukrainian capital before it escalated attacks.

Philippines charges senator over flood infrastructure scandal

Jinggoy Estrada denied involvement in the scheme, saying the accusations were “outright lies”.

Japan to study GPS tracking of stalkers as part of countermeasures review

This comes after a woman was fatally stabbed in March by a man believed to be her former partner.

China vows to support Cuba against ‘power politics and bullying’

China has close ties to Cuba and has promised to donate 60,000 tons of rice to help Havana.

In Myanmar’s info war, foreign pens mouth junta’s lines

Myanmar’s revolution is now being decided as much in headlines and briefing rooms as in the wartime hills of Sagaing and Karenni. The most dangerous narratives are no longer the crude slogans on military television; they are the polished “balanced” commentaries in think tank

Hacking claims, mismatched answer-sheets: Controversies rock school exam in India

Students blame the CBSE's newly-launched digital evaluation system used for marking this year's Grade 12 exams.

Global fuel crisis adds urgency to Cambodian push to tap $383 billion worth of energy resources

Cambodia's hopes for further industrialisation rest on more fossil fuel assets.

LRT train derails near Chan Sow Lin station in KL, 25 passengers safe

Investigation and recovery works are ongoing at the location, Rapid KL said.

Can South Korea really afford nuclear submarines?

South Korea’s push for nuclear-powered submarines could transform it from a US security client into an undersea strategic power, while at the same time accruing steep financial, technological and proliferation risks. This month, multiple media outlets reported that South

South Korea’s unfinished fight for menstrual rights

South Korea will pilot a project to install free sanitary pad dispensers at various locations.

New Zealand boosts defence spending in face of ‘adverse’ security environment

The $2.6 billion in new funding will include extending the life of Anzac-class frigates and acquiring new drones.

From Arash to Epstein: Iran’s loaded billboard propaganda

Since the US–Israel war against Iran began in late February, images of giant billboards in Tehran have been ubiquitous across traditional and social media. These billboards have been placed in some of the busiest and most visible parts of the city, and are constantly being

Thai court acquits opposition politician accused of royal insult

BANGKOK, May 28 - A Thai criminal court has acquitted a prominent Thai opposition political figure charged with cybercrimes and insulting the royal family during a 2021 Facebook livestream, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Australia extends quarantine for hantavirus-hit cruise ship passengers

They have been quarantined since returning on May 15.

Kuwait says air defences intercepting hostile missile, drone attacks

May 28 - Kuwait's army said on Thursday that its air defences were intercepting hostile missile and drone threats, but did not say where they were coming from.

Penang gazettes 50 heritage items in major cultural preservation move

This includes the Guar Kepah archaeological site, the Penang Tanjong dialect and asam laksa.

Rescuers in Laos say more oxygen needed to save 7 divers trapped in cave

Five of the seven divers have been found alive so far, but none have been rescued yet.

French veterans laid to rest in South Korea, decades after war

The United Nations Memorial Cemetery holds more than 2,300 soldiers from 14 nations.

Australian woman linked to Islamic State charged with terror offences

SYDNEY, May 28 - An Australian woman who returned home in September from a Syrian refugee camp has been charged with allegedly joining Islamic State and entering and remaining in a declared conflict zone, authorities said on Thursday.

13 dead after overloaded bus rear-ends truck in central China

The van, which had a maximum capacity of nine passengers but was carrying 16, hit the rear of the truck while on an expressway in Henan province in the early hours of Thursday (May 28).

New Zealand shuns ‘sugar hits’ in budget, slashes growth forecast as Iran war jolts economy

The government will boost capital spending on defence, schools and hospitals but dismissed the need for 'sugar hits'.

‘Shoebox’ flat reform leaves low-income Hong Kong residents in limbo

Subdivided flats are being phased out after a law to regulate them came into effect in March.

Australia sues 3M for $1.82b over contamination from PFAS at defence sites

The so-called forever chemicals have been found to cause health problems including boosting the risk of cancer.

Nvidia chief Jensen Huang to join board of Beijing’s Tsinghua University: Media

The 65-member SEM board was established in October 2000 and currently includes top US tech leaders.