China's railway hit new single-day passenger record on May Day

SHANGHAI, May 2 - China's railway network transported 24.8 million passengers on May 1, setting a new single-day record, according to data from the China State Railway Group.

Two teenagers killed in petrol station fire in Vietnam’s Da Nang

The flames reportedly started from the rear before rapidly spreading.

Monkey malaria cases rising in Sabah; 1 person dead: Malaysian health minister

Monkey malaria is a form of malaria transmitted from monkeys to humans through mosquito bites.

Don’t mistake Suu Kyi’s house arrest for Myanmar’s freedom

News that Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest has stirred deep emotions among Myanmar’s people and many abroad. For those who have long admired her courage in the face of persecution, it is natural to feel relief. After harsh conditions in prison, any

Reclusive Turkmenistan shows signs of cautiously opening up

ASHGABAT, May 2 - From a brightly lit, open-plan office Azat Seyitmuhammedov runs an e-commerce startup, Wabrum, that he founded almost a decade ago.

Old and new Gulf faultlines exposed by Iran war

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on April 28 that it will leave the global oil producers’ cartel OPEC. Its decision is the latest sign that the war in the Middle East has not only deepened animosities between Iran and its Gulf neighbors, but among the Gulf states too.

Malaysian man dies after collapsing while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

The 65-year-old man from Pahang reportedly died of heart complications.

One reason to learn muay thai? You can stay in Thailand longer

The Destination Thailand Visa is for foreigners who sign up for “Thai soft power” activities.

Donroe Doctrine is becoming everything China feared

On April 28, the State Department issued a joint statement “in solidarity with Panama” in response to an uptick in detentions of Panama-flagged vessels at Chinese ports, which it characterized as “a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade.” This comes on the heels of a

Travel rush under way at start of 5-day stretch in Japan’s Golden Week holidays

People faced congestion as they headed to their hometowns or departed for vacations.

Chinese national dies after falling from a height at KLIA Terminal 2; probe under way

Investigations showed that the woman was scheduled to fly back to China on May 2.

2 foreign nationals die after falling from a height in separate cases at KLIA Terminal 2

Both cases have been classified as sudden deaths and are under investigation.

US, UN troubled by Cambodian court decision to uphold defunct opposition leader’s conviction

Kem Sokha was sentenced in 2023 to 27 years in prison for treason but serves time under house arrest.

US 'troubled' by Cambodian court decision to uphold defunct opposition leader's conviction

WASHINGTON, May 1 - The U.S. State Department said on Friday that Washington was \"troubled\" by a Cambodian appeals court's decision that upheld a 27-year sentence for former opposition leader Kem Sokha for his treason conviction.

‘The store looked almost identical’: Pharmacies in Malaysia warn of fake websites that impersonate them

In one instance, a customer was hospitalised after consuming a counterfeit product.

Tourism worsens Bali waste crisis

The waste issue could strain Bali’s image and tourism sector, the backbone of the local economy.

Over 70% say first-ever constitutional change in Japan needs broad consensus

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has pushed to bring about a change to the post-war supreme law for the first time.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi to meet top Vietnam leaders in Hanoi

The Japanese leader will hold talks with Vietnamese President To Lam as both sides aim to boost bilateral ties amid a drop in Japanese investment in Vietnam.

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi meets top Vietnam leaders in Hanoi

Japan is Vietnam's largest provider of official development assistance and a key investor and trading partner.

Australia worried over mouse infestation's impact on food supply

May 2 - Australia's government said on Saturday it was worried about a plague of mice in the west and would keep working with industry to curb its impact on food supply.

Australia worried over impact of mouse infestation on food supply

The country is the world’s fourth-largest wheat exporter.

Social media addiction suspected among 7% of Japanese adolescents: Survey

Around a third of those with problematic use spend at least six hours on social media on weekdays.

Civil groups slam Indonesia government’s plan to vet human rights defenders

Activists argued that the state’s responsibility is to protect rights defenders, not vet them.

Japan, Vietnam seek deeper partnership with energy and minerals push

HANOI, May 2 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed on Saturday to strengthen bilateral ties with Vietnam, with energy cooperation and critical minerals at the forefront, during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

To keep global trade alive, don’t write off friendshoring

The world economy is at a crossroads. International trade is slowing, economic uncertainty is rising, and trade between the US and China – the world’s two largest economies – risks pulling apart. And it is not just trade: the two countries also invest less in each other than

A Tang spring that survived an emperor’s flight

A visitor standing before The Court Lady Guoguo’s Spring Outing does not first see history. They see movement. There is no palace. No riverbank. No flowering tree. No painted spring landscape to tell the eye where it should rest. Across the silk handscroll, only a small

PNG Prime Minister Marape shores up economic partnerships in China

Experts welcome Chinese investment, but stress environmental and social safeguards are necessary.

China says UN should revisit Lebanon peacekeeping mission decision

May 1 - China's ambassador to the United Nations said on Friday that there was a need to revisit the U.N. Security Council's decision to end the mandate of a longrunning peacekeeping mission in Lebanon at the end of this year.

Advocacy group Access Now says major human rights conference was canceled after Chinese pressure on Zambia

WASHINGTON, May 1 - Advocacy group Access Now said a major human rights conference was canceled at the last minute following pressure from Chinese officials on the government of Zambia.

61% of Americans see Trump’s Iran war as ‘mistake’: new poll

More than 6 in 10 Americans now say President Donald Trump’s war in Iran was a “mistake,” according to a poll out Friday from the Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos. Within two months, the war – which has inflicted thousands of civilian deaths and caused gas prices to spike

China says urgent need to maintain Iran war ceasefire

Mr Fu also rejected allegations from some US officials about military cooperation between China and Iran as "false."

China says there is urgent need to maintain Iran war ceasefire

Mr Fu also rejected allegations from some US officials about military cooperation between China and Iran as "false".

Brouhaha over Iran war costs to US taxpayers

Outside analysts’ estimates of the total cost to American taxpayers of President Donald Trump’s Iran war have varied widely, but most put the number higher than the US$25 billion offered by the Pentagon. Iran’s foreign minister on Friday joined the analysts crying foul when he

White House says Iran war 'terminated,' as war powers deadline arrives

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president can wage military action for only 60 days before ending it.

Ukraine rolls out army reform plan as peace talks stall

KYIV, May 1 - Ukraine announced plans on Friday to carry out reforms of the army this summer to address problems with infantry shortages and the discharge of the longest-serving soldiers, four years into a grinding war with Russia in which talks have stalled.

Magnitude-5.6 earthquake strikes Taiwan region, GFZ says

Cruise boat capsizes in central India, leaving at least 9 dead

29 people have been rescued so far, with search teams continuing to look for those still missing.

Nepal temple celebrates return of stolen Buddha statue

The statue was taken from the temple in the 1980s and later emerged at a New York cultural centre.

Russia pounds Ukraine with drones in daytime attack

May 1 - Russia launched more than 400 drones at Ukraine in a daytime attack, injuring 10 people in the western city of Ternopil, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.

5.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Taiwan region, says research centre

The quake hit at 8.39pm local time at a depth of 97km, off the small island of Yilan in north-eastern Taiwan.

Ride-hailing drivers cheer Prabowo’s May Day cap on commission cut; will they end up worse off?

Indonesia’s new rules cap the commission taken by platforms at 8 per cent of drivers’ earnings, down from 20 per cent.

Indonesia train crash kills four: Police

A train collided with a car in Central Java, killing four people including two children, just days after another fatal crash outside Jakarta.

4 killed, including 2 children, as train hits car in Indonesia

The driver of the car did not see the oncoming train due to thick fog.

Pakistan’s Hangor subs tighten China link, test India at sea

Pakistan is betting on Hangor-class submarines to sharpen its undersea edge as its deterrent increasingly rests on deepening military integration with China rather than any single platform. Last month, multiple media sources announced the commissioning of Pakistan’s first

Former Malaysian minister Rafizi expects to be charged amid probe into govt deal with chip giant

The MACC is probing alleged abuse of power, fraud and governance issues linked to the deal.

Former Malaysian spy Blossom Wong, who sported cheongsams on missions, dies at 87

She was known for her bravery in handling several high-risk operations, including undercover assignments.

Ukraine strikes Russian port of Tuapse again as environment crisis deepens

May 1 - Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Black Sea port of Tuapse on Friday for the fourth time in 16 days as authorities struggled to cope with a mounting environmental disaster from toxic black smoke clouds and oil leaking into the sea.

India heatwaves set to last longer than usual amid power grid strain

Temperatures surged beyond 40 deg C in April in India.

Asian currencies wilting in the Iran war’s heat

TOKYO – India and Indonesia aren’t often at the center of the global financial zeitgeist. But as the rupee and rupiah lead Asian currencies down and down, events in Mumbai and Jakarta speak to the ways the Iran war is imperiling economies everywhere – and at an accelerating