ASEAN’s energy ambitions are a test of its unity
Amid the deepening energy crisis, leaders are urging the grouping to step up energy resilience.
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North Korean leader Kim calls ties with Russia top priority in Victory Day message to Putin
Kim Jong Un also reportedly pledged North Korea's continued commitment to a bilateral pact, signed in 2024, that includes a mutual defence provision.
Indonesia resumes search for three hikers missing after Mount Dukono eruption
Authorities have deployed at least 100 rescuers, military and police personnel in the search, which is being hampered by continued eruptions.
US concerned by Taiwan defence delay 'concession' to China
TAIPEI, May 9 - Further delays to Taiwan military spending are a \"concession\" to China, the U.S. State Department said, as Taipei's defence ministry detailed the impact of projects excluded from a package passed by the opposition-controlled parliament.
Search resumes for 3 hikers, including 2 Singaporeans, amid hopes they may still be alive
Search teams resumed efforts on May 9 to find three missing hikers, including two Singaporeans, stranded on Mount Dukono.
Search resumes for 3 hikers, including 2 Singaporeans, after Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia
Rescuers and residents said there remains a faint hope the hikers could still be found alive.
From trusted aide to biggest rival: Suvendu Adhikari set to become West Bengal chief minister
A former ally of Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader will be West Bengal’s next chief minister.
Vietnam adds hundreds of acres in South China Sea island-building effort
It is also constructing specialised infrastructure in the Spratly archipelago: US think-tank
Vietnam adds hundreds of acres in South China Sea island-building
WASHINGTON, May 8 - Vietnam has expanded its island building in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly archipelago in the past year, adding 534 acres (216.1 hectares) of land, and has also begun to construct specialized infrastructure there, a U.S. think tank reported.
Even in Japan, robots are far from being full‑fledged caregivers
The robot pauses at the edge of the room as an engineer checks its sensors. Then, with a soft mechanical hum, this humanoid machine begins to move. It lifts a mannequin from a bed, slowly and carefully. The engineers hold their breath. I am in a robotics lab in Tokyo, Japan, as
US imposes sanctions on 10 individuals, companies for aiding Iran's weapons sector
WASHINGTON, May 8 - The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies, including several in China and Hong Kong, for aiding efforts by Iran's military to secure weapons and raw materials used to build Tehran's Shahed drones.
US revises UN resolution on Iran but China, Russia still expected to veto
May 8 - Washington has revised its proposed U.N. resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining in the Strait of Hormuz but the changes are unlikely to avert Chinese and Russian vetoes, diplomats said on Friday.
A China move now on Taiwan would be an enormous gamble
“The Iran war weakens deterrence in Asia, undercuts confidence of US allies and partners, and makes conflict with China more likely.” That’s become an article of faith among those opposing the US fight with Iran. The US military – the navy in particular – is indeed smaller than
Return of IS-linked families sparks debate in terror-traumatised Australia
Most Australians do not want the women and children to come home, but advocates say they're in danger.
War rains on Putin’s parade, but at least he gets a 3-day truce
Russia’s inability to conquer Ukraine is spurring unusually harsh public complaints over both the lack of military progress and the growing economic costs of the war, a pair of failures being blamed on President Vladimir Putin’s leadership. The damage caused by bombardments by
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.