Trump says he will speak with Taiwan’s President
The sitting presidents of the US and Taiwan have not spoken since 1979.
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Trump says he will speak with Taiwan's president
WASHINGTON, May 20 - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he would speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
UN says $781 million shortfall in life-saving Rohingya refugee aid
A UN official said it was crucial that the “crisis doesn’t become forgotten”.
If they speak, Taiwan President would tell Trump China is the one undermining peace in the Strait
President Lai said he would also point out that Taiwan is committed to maintaining the status quo.
Watch: Did Trump and Putin get the same treatment in China?
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russia's Vladimir Putin with a near-identical ceremony to Trump's last week.
Xi basks in spotlight as he hosts Putin days after Trump
Two presidential visits days apart is how Xi Jinping wants the world to see him: talking to everyone, tied to no-one.
Nuclear energy, Taiwan and Trump's 'Golden Dome': key points from the Xi-Putin talks
BEIJING/MOSCOW, May 20 - China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hailed progress in their 'comprehensive partnership' and criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome project but did not announce a breakthrough on a major natural gas pipeline.
Philippine Supreme Court rejects bid to block arrest of senator wanted by ICC
MANILA, May 20 - The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by Senator Ronald dela Rosa for a temporary restraining order to prevent his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court.
Thai faith healer charged with rape, child abuse
The police has urged other victims to come forward.
Russia and China scold the United States over 'Golden Dome' plans
MOSCOW, May 20 - Russia and China said on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile-defence shield plans threatened strategic stability and that Washington had been irresponsible not to work on a replacement for a landmark nuclear treaty.
Philippine Supreme Court says won't stop ICC arrest of drug war enforcer
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa has evaded government agents trying to arrest him and is currently at an unknown location.
Canadian lawmaker visits Taiwan to show ‘solidarity’
Mr Michael Chong said he was “reasserting Canadian sovereignty” by not letting China dictate “where we can go internationally”.
Malaysia coalition to stay intact until term ends, says minister
The remarks are aimed at easing concerns over the stability of PM Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Japan says it has enough power to meet scorching summer demand
The assessment comes amid global shortages caused by the war in the Middle East.
Chinese personnel swim, use boats to evacuate people in flood-hit areas
HONG KONG, May 20 - Rescue workers used boats or swam through floodwaters to evacuate people in waterlogged areas across central and southwest China on Wednesday after torrential rain killed at least 25 people and shut businesses, schools and transport links.
Activist sailed to Gaza to break the Israel siege. Now Vietnam faces a diplomatic dilemma
Hanoi's bamboo diplomacy tested as Israeli arms ties clash with Gaza solidarity.
Myanmar military claims recapture of Thai border town
The move allowed it to expand the frontier trade crossings it claims to control in the grinding civil war.
China says it will buy 200 Boeing jets, seek extension of US trade truce
Both sides will work together to address each other’s concerns on export controls.
Indonesia police name S’pore-based palm oil group Musim Mas as suspect over environmental breaches
The ecological damage is valued at 187.8 billion rupiah (S$13.5 million).
Starbucks Korea faces boycott calls over ‘Tank Day’ event
The coffee chain had launched an event that appeared to use the 1980 massacre to sell tumblers.
Humpback whales make record swims between Australia and Brazil
Such vast journeys by the rorquals – which can grow up to 17m long – are exceedingly rare.
Norwegian journalist's question to India's Modi sparks online backlash
Journalist Helle Lyng asked the Indian Prime Minister why he does not take questions from the press.
S. Korean President urges ‘limit’ to labour action amid Samsung unrest
Samsung's labour union leader said a planned 18-day work stoppage would go ahead on May 21.
Last two bodies of Italian divers killed in scuba diving accident recovered, Maldives says
MALE, May 20 - The last two bodies of Italian divers killed in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives have been recovered, the media office of the Maldives president said on Wednesday, completing recovery efforts after the island nation's deadliest diving tragedy.
China to work with US on slashing tariffs
China hopes “the US side will honour its commitment” made during the recent round of negotiations.
Japan to sell eels bred in captivity in ‘world first’
The move could eventually ease pressure on the endangered fish.
Labour, love and loneliness: Korean workers sent to Germany still carry the cost of sacrifice
In the 1960s and 70s, South Korea sent 20,000 miners and nurses to West Germany in exchange for loans to rebuild its economy devastated by the Korean War. CNA traces these workers’ journeys across both nations.
China’s Xi and Russia’s Putin unite in criticism of US, but fail to clinch big gas deal
The Kremlin signalled ahead of the Beijing meeting that it was seeking further agreements on energy.
US charges three Malaysian state telecoms officials for multimillion-dollar fraud
Three senior executives at the US subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia allegedly misappropriated over US$20 million from the state telecommunications firm through false statements and forged records on various occasions between July 2020 and February 2026.
Indonesia to bring commodity exports under centralised control, president says
Indonesia, a global commodities powerhouse, is the world's largest exporter of thermal coal and palm oil.
Chinese mall turns secret classroom snacking into viral sneak-eating contest
Participants had to finish a bowl of rice soaked in soup without getting caught eating by teachers.
Philippine Supreme Court denies Senator's bid to prevent arrest in ICC case
MANILA, May 20 - The Philippine Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a bid by top Senator Ronald dela Rosa for a temporary restraining order to prevent his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court.
Philippine Supreme Court denies Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s bid to prevent arrest in ICC case
He is wanted for alleged crimes against humanity over his role in a bloody “war on drugs”.
Probe launched after knife slips through Incheon airport security
A passenger forgot that she put a 9cm knife inside her carry-on bag.
Indonesia's Prabowo announces 2027 fiscal deficit target of 1.8% to 2.4% of GDP
The president's remarks come amid increased scrutiny of Indonesia's US$1.4 trillion economy, with Moody's and Fitch earlier this year cutting their respective credit rating outlooks for the country.
Indonesia to bring commodity exports under centralised control, President Prabowo says
Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal and palm oil.
Sky bridges, citizen science protect endangered Malaysia monkeys
For Malaysia's endangered dusky langurs, survival increasingly depends on man-made crossings.
China confirms it will buy 200 Boeing jets after Trump-Xi summit
The two sides will also work towards an extension to the tariffs truce they agreed in October, China's Commerce Ministry said.
US charges three Malaysian state telecoms officials over multimillion-dollar fraud
The trio were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
5.9-magnitude earthquake hits Amami Islands in south-western Japan
The quake was off the coast of the main island of Okinawa Prefecture at about 50km underground.
Japan asks China to ensure citizens’ safety after Shanghai stabbing
Three people were taken to hospital, with Japanese media later reporting two were Japanese.
Indonesia’s Prabowo unveils ambitious growth and fiscal deficit targets, seeks ‘magnificent prosperity’
Prabowo sets 2027 fiscal deficit target of between 1.8% and 2.4% of gross domestic product.
Samsung, union resume negotiations with minister mediating
The walkout could involve more than 50,000 workers.
Taiwan's future cannot be decided by 'external forces', president says
TAIPEI, May 20 - Taiwan's future cannot be decided by \"external forces\", only by its own people, and the democratically governed island will not give up its freedom, President Lai Ching-te said on Wednesday as he marked two years in office.
Taiwan President says ‘foreign forces’ cannot decide island’s future
Mr Lai Ching-te said his government was increasing defence spending to “prevent a war”, not to start one.
Penang to crack down on littering with use of bodycams
There are 1,822 CCTVs statewide for surveillance and monitoring purposes, said a local official.