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

This sharpening convergence was on full display in early May, when the EU and Japan convened the 7th High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) in Brussels. The meeting reflected a notable hardening of language and intent. European and Japanese officials focused squarely on

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.

Indonesia detains over 200 foreigners over trading scam

Their victims were mostly located in Europe and Vietnam, said the authorities.

Massive 11,000-carat ruby discovered in Mandalay, says Myanmar

The Mogok rubies are the most expensive in the world.

Iran seizes oil tanker Ocean Koi in Gulf of Oman, state media says

DUBAI, May 8 - Iran has seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman over an alleged attempt to disrupt Iran's oil exports, Iranian state media said on Friday, quoting an army statement.

Putin is ready to talk with EU but won't make the first move, Kremlin says

MOSCOW, May 8 - Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate with \"everyone\", including the Europeans, the Kremlin said on Friday after the Financial Times reported that European Union leaders were preparing for potential talks.

Kyoto murder suspect says he killed adopted son after being told he is ‘not real father’: Sources

The police said they obtained information indicating the suspect and victim had been on bad terms.

Rupiah rout stoking fears of a 1997 repeat in Indonesia

TOKYO – Indonesian officials are working overtime to dismiss any suggestion that Jakarta is catching a whiff of 1997 in the air. But the force of their interventions to steady the rupiah tells a very different story. Bank Indonesia is hemorrhaging currency reserves to put a

What cues India can take from China to fix its foul air and water

India’s poor air is driving much needed investment away from the country.

Three dead after volcano erupts on Indonesian island

Officials had previously issued warnings on climbing the active volcano due to safety concerns.

Ex-SriLankan Air CEO Kapila Chandrasena found dead amid fresh bribery probe

His death comes as the authorities reopen an investigation into alleged bribery.

Taiwan's parliament approves US$25 billion defence spending bill

The result was announced by the parliamentary speaker after a final vote on the bill, which falls well short of the government's proposed budget of nearly US$40 billion.

Japan’s ammonia push risks locking Indonesia into coal

In the uneasy politics of energy transition, few ideas are as seductive — or as risky — as compromise. Ammonia co-firing, now being advanced through Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) at Indonesia’s Suralaya and Paiton coal plants, is one such compromise. It promises

Malaysia, Singapore fine-tuning RTS Link co-located facility SOPs, says Saifuddin

The RTS Link is expected to ease congestion along the Causeway once operations begin.

South Korea’s arms exports face competition as Japanese weapons hit the market

Japan’s lifting of restrictions on arms exports marks a significant shift from its post-WW II pacifist defence policy.

Malaysia plans cloud seeding for drought-hit ‘rice bowl’

A drought in Malaysia's “rice bowl” north has delayed planting of the staple crop and raised supply fears.

China confirms attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz earlier this week

BEIJING, May 8 - China's foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Taiwan parliament approves extra defence spending but less than government wanted

TAIPEI, May 8 - Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament approved extra defence spending of $25 billion on Friday, or just about two-thirds of the amount sought by the government to bolster the armed forces in the face of a rapidly modernising Chinese military.

Taiwan Parliament approves extra defence spending but less than what government seeks

The opposition-controlled Parliament approved two-thirds of the amount sought by the government.

South Korea begins probe into ship fire in Strait of Hormuz amid Iran dispute

The ship suffered an explosion and fire in the engine-room area on May 4 while anchored near the UAE.

'No room for illegal activities’: Malaysia stresses security, efficiency for JB-Singapore RTS Link

Speaking to reporters on Friday (May 8), Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also pledged that Malaysia will adopt a more “proactive approach” to ensure immigration glitches do not recur ahead of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) launch.

Stung by West Africa rejections, France courts rest of continent at Kenya summit

NAIROBI, May 8 - Shorn of influence in its former colonies in West Africa, France will seek to deepen ties elsewhere on the continent next week at an Africa summit in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, its first in an English-speaking country.

Police arrest bus driver in fatal Fukushima highway crash, search operator

Police are investigating possible violations over unlicensed commercial operations.

Around 200 foreigners detained over suspected online scam operation, say Batam authorities

Indonesian authorities say those rounded up are mostly Chinese nationals, with the rest from the Philippines and Vietnam. They were reportedly involved in illegal activities such as romance scams and phishing schemes.

Child deaths mount from Bangladesh measles outbreak

Doctors are struggling to contain a surge in infections that have killed more than 300 children.

Escalation risks rise as political centers weaken

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Berlin faces a new test as the AfD moves closer to powerDiego Faßnacht reports that Germany’s September election in Saxony-Anhalt is emerging as a national stress test

As it happened: Two Singaporeans among three hikers reported dead after Indonesia's Mount Dukono erupts

Twenty hikers were on the slopes of the volcano when disaster struck, a local police chief told reporters.

Iran weaponizes petroyuan in war reparations push

After weeks of blockades by Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, it’s clear the narrow waterway is now pivotal to the outcome of the conflict. The US has begun to escort ships through the narrow passage, but behind the military manoeuvring lies a deeper

South Korea parliament drops constitutional amendment vote tied to martial law

SEOUL, May 8 - South Korea's parliamentary speaker Woo Won-shik said on Friday that a bill to amend the constitution to tighten rules on martial law would not proceed to a plenary vote after a filibuster by the opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP).

South Korea Parliament drops constitutional amendment vote tied to martial law

The move came after South Korea was rocked by Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law.

Rebel Wilson accused of 'complete revision of history' as defamation case closes

The Bridesmaids star claims an actress retracted a complaint about sexual harassment by a producer.

Former China Eastern boss charged with bribery

The charge comes nearly a year after he was investigated for graft.

Time to scrap constitutional constraints on Japan’s military

Despite constitutional constraints on its armed forces, Japan has continued to move closer toward military normalization this year. Although it is controversial, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region should welcome this trend. In April, Japan’s cabinet approved revisions to

US report into China Eastern crash suggests fuel cut, cockpit struggle

Three hikers remain missing after Mount Dukono eruption

Mount Dukono, located in North Maluku province, erupted on Friday morning, sending a smoke cloud 10km into the air.

Global perceptions of US fall below Russia under Trump, survey finds

May 8 - Global perceptions of the U.S. have deteriorated for a second consecutive year and are now worse than views of Russia, an annual study on democracy published on Friday showed, as U.S. President Donald Trump's policies continue to severely strain the NATO alliance.

Two Singaporeans among 3 hikers feared dead after Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia

Mount Dukono, located in North Maluku province, erupted on May 8 at 7.41am.

Death toll rises to 37 in China fireworks factory blast

BEIJING, May 8 - The death toll has risen to 37 from 26 and one person remains missing after a fireworks factory explosion in the southern Chinese province of Hunan, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday, in the deadliest blast reported in China since 2019.

Death toll rises to 37 from China fireworks factory blast

The incident is the deadliest blast reported in China since 2019.