New Zealand boosts defence spending in face of ‘adverse’ security environment
The NZ$3.5 billion (S$2.63 billion) in new funding will include extending the life of Anzac-class frigates and acquiring new drones.
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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 vowed to boost capital spending on defence, schools and hospitals while keeping a tight grip on new operating spending.
‘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.
Thirteen dead after overloaded bus rear-ends truck in central China
The bus was meant for nine passengers but had 16 people on board.
Any conflict over Taiwan would risk US-China nuclear escalation, study finds
Both militaries are likely to stage sweeping operations targeting rival command and communications hubs.
Australia introduces Bill to overhaul property tax breaks, capital gains rule
The reforms have proven unpopular with voters according to polls.
Crackdown nabs 8,000 litterbugs in six Malaysian states
Minister Nga Kor Ming cited Japan and Singapore as examples Malaysia should emulate.
Marcos’ sister flags support for Philippine V-P Sara Duterte ahead of senate trial
Senator Imee Marcos said she has "great confidence" in the impeached Philippine Vice-President.
The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
The BBC visited China’s EV factories and found they are dominating the ecosystems shaping the global auto industry.
Gardenia move: As Malaysia draws more Singapore manufacturers, experts flag competition fears
Companies like Gardenia, Yeo’s and APB Singapore are moving production operations from Singapore to Malaysia. While boosting investment, this could intensify competition for labour, industrial land and other limited resources, say observers.
Commentary: Ex-Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi’s 'kamikaze' mission is a brazen double dare
Two former Malaysian ministers have launched their own political party. There is much derring-do in the move, it is too early to write off the new entity, says this ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute researcher.
RTS set to start in 2027, but JB residents are bracing themselves for ‘years’ of congestion
Experts warn that poor feeder transport from the train station will shift Causeway jams deeper into Johor.
Global fuel crisis adds urgency to Cambodian push to tap US$300 billion energy resources
Cambodia’s energy minister said the oil shock from the Middle East conflict has increased urgency to resolve a long-running maritime dispute with Thailand.
Trump boosts prediction markets as his family profits
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday used his social media platform to boost prediction markets – a burgeoning industry from which Trump’s family stands to profit – and lashed out at state leaders working to regulate them, singling out officials in Illinois, New York and
Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon 'a combat zone,' warns residents to leave
BEIRUT, May 27 - Israel's military on Wednesday declared a new swathe of southern Lebanon as a combat zone and said residents in the area should move north, warning it would act \"with great force\" against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in the zone.
China's military says it drove away Dutch frigate in South China Sea
“We firmly oppose this and solemnly urge the Dutch side to immediately cease its infringing and provocative acts,” said PLA Southern Theatre Command spokesperson Zhai Shichen.
Minister: Israel won’t allow Trump to make a peace deal with Iran
As Israel launched a new bombardment of Lebanon on Tuesday, its far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir suggested that it was trying to derail ongoing peace negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Iran. During a press briefing on Tuesday, the influential
Trump hawking Abraham Accords to a Middle East that’s lost trust
As the US and Iran try to come to terms on a peace deal to end their months-long war, US President Donald Trump this week has introduced a new demand – that other countries in the Middle East sign on to his Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel. There are reasons
‘Trump’ buffalo spared sacrifice, sent to Bangladesh zoo
Hours before it faced the knife, the government stepped in to save the animal, which has become an online sensation.
Viral fame spares ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo from Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh
DHAKA, May 27 - A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh - nicknamed \"Donald Trump\" for its distinctive blond tuft - has been spared from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention, a Home Ministry official said on Wednesday.
Singapore encourages North Korea to keep dialogue channels open amid global uncertainty
Foreign Minister Balakrishnan, during his visit to Pyongyang, invited his counterpart to attend a regional security forum.
China’s military says it drove away Dutch frigate in South China Sea
The Netherlands said the frigate was operating in accordance with international law.
Thai cop says viral image of policemen in sparkly dresses is fake
He says he used AI to “create a friendlier image of the police”.
The challenge of militant Islam
It is not fortuitous that many of the flags of western industrial democracies such as Britain, Sweden and Norway feature a cross. This harks backs to their Christian traditions. Conversely, more recent nation-states such as France, Italy and Germany shunned featuring religious
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan concludes working visit to North Korea
Dr Balakrishnan departed for South Korea after the visit.
Cambodia sentences six men for murder of South Korean student linked to scam centre
A court found all six guilty of torture, murder and aggravated fraud.
China issues new rules to keep senior military officials in check
This is the latest push in Xi’s years-long effort to purge corruption from the armed forces.
Bangladesh probes hospital deaths of six newborns
The babies aged between one and three days old died within hours of one another.
ICC sets trial date for Philippines' Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity
THE HAGUE, May 27 - Judges at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday set November 30 as the start date for the trial of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who is charged with crimes against humanity during his deadly war on drugs.
Duterte’s ICC trial for ‘crimes against humanity’ to start on Nov 30
The Philippines left the ICC in 2019, but the court ruled it has jurisdiction over alleged crimes between 2011 and 2019.
Russia warns Armenia on supplies over EU bid; Trump backs PM Pashinyan
MOSCOW, May 27 - Russia said on Wednesday it had warned Armenia it would suspend or terminate the supply of cheap oil, gas and rough diamonds if Yerevan pressed ahead with its bid to join the European Union.
Iran says draft deal with US would reopen Hormuz shipping, end naval blockade
DUBAI, May 27 - Iran's state TV said Tehran had obtained a draft of an initial, unofficial framework for a memorandum of understanding with the United States on ending their conflict.
Hong Kong school suspends principal for swearing at security guards in Singapore
The decision was taken because the principal’s behaviour fell short of public expectations, said the manager of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School.
Taiwan president gifts Trump autobiography of TSMC founder
TAIPEI, May 27 - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday gifted U.S. President Donald Trump the two-volume autobiography of the founder of chip firm TSMC, saying he hoped it would help him understand the industry's development.