International dive group joins Maldives search for missing Italians

Several fatalities have been reported in recent years but diving and water sports-related accidents are still relatively rare.

Trump and South Korea’s Lee discuss outcome of US-China summit

The Korean president found Mr Trump and Mr Xi's talks over affairs on the Korean Peninsula to be constructive.

Trump and South Korea's Lee discuss outcome of US-China summit

SEOUL, May 17 - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Sunday and discussed the outcome of the U.S.-China summit meeting, the South Korean Blue House presidential office said in a statement on Sunday.

Anwar says ready to call GE and ‘fight’ BN after it signals intent to go solo in Johor

Speaking at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) convention, PM Anwar Ibrahim suggested that Barisan Nasional’s announcement that it would go solo in contesting upcoming Johor state polls was akin to threats that could amount to “betrayal” to their unity government partnership.

Train driver charged after deadly crash in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 17 - Thai police have charged a train driver with negligence after a crash on Saturday in central Bangkok in which a freight train collided with a public bus at a rail crossing, killing eight people and injuring 32.

Snap polls in Malaysia possible if unity government fractures, says PM Anwar

The PM also hit out at certain state governments for giving handouts just before the elections.

Former Malaysian ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi to quit PM Anwar’s PKR, give up MP seats

Rafizi Ramli, who was formerly economy minister, said the “kamikaze mission” was worth it as he wants to offer a political platform to those who believe that political power belongs to the people.

Ho Chi Minh City seizes over 8,000kg of unquarantined meat in large-scale food safety crackdown

The products lacked quarantine certificates and failed to meet veterinary hygiene standards.

Two ex-Malaysian ministers to vacate parliament seats, join new party

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 - Two prominent former Malaysian ministers said on Sunday they would vacate their parliamentary seats and resign from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling coalition party to join a small party that they would take over.

Train driver charged over fatal collision with bus in Bangkok

He was charged with negligence causing death and serious injury.

Philippine lawyers ask Supreme Court to reject senator’s plea to block ICC arrest

MANILA, May 17 - Philippine government lawyers have urged the Supreme Court to reject the bid of fugitive Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his role in a bloody \"war on drugs\", to block his arrest and surrender.

Taiwan won’t be sacrificed, US arms sales a commitment, President Lai responds to Trump

Mr Lai also reiterated his stance that Taiwan was a “sovereign, independent, democratic country”.

'Taiwan independence' means we don't belong to Beijing, president says

TAIPEI, May 17 - The expression \"Taiwan independence\" means the island neither belongs to nor is subordinate to Beijing and that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future, President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday.

Malaysia PM Anwar’s staunchest critic Rafizi finds a new party – and a new fight

Former ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi have left the ruling PKR for the Malaysian United Party.

Hundreds of students fall sick in Indonesia's Surabaya after consuming state programme's free meals

Students complained of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, though most only required light medical examinations.

North Korean women footballers land in South Korea ahead of rare match

Nepali duo break own records on Mt Everest

Mr Kami Rita Sherpa scaled Mt Everest for a record 32nd time.

Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time

KATHMANDU, May 17 - A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday, an official said, smashing his own record set last year.

‘I do not know if she is still alive’: Son of Aung San Suu Kyi makes plea for her release

The junta said on April 30 that it has placed Suu Kyi under house arrest but this has not been independently verified.

200 students in Indonesia’s Surabaya fall ill after consuming free meals

As of the afternoon of May 11, no students had been reported to require hospitalisation.

Philippines asks top court to allow ICC drug war arrest of senator

The International Criminal Court (ICC) last week unsealed an arrest warrant against senator Ronald Dela Rosa, accusing him along with other "co-perpetrators" of the "crime against humanity of murder".

Philippines asks court to deny stop-arrest petition from senator sought by ICC

A local arrest warrant is not needed to enforce the ICC’s order, the government argues.

South Korea says it will pursue all options to avoid Samsung strike

Samsung accounts for 22.8 per cent of the country’s exports.

Trump-Xi summit’s cautious progress and subtle win-wins

President Donald Trump departed China on May 15, 2026, after a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that was scrutinized from every angle for clues on where the relationship is heading. Trump hailed the trip as “incredible,” while Xi remarked that it marked a “new

Qantas flight to Dallas diverted after man bites flight attendant

He has been slapped with a no-fly ban on all Qantas planes.

Malaysia-Norway tensions deepen over scrapped missile deal

Norway is limiting sales of its most sensitive defence technologies to allies and closest partners.

China ramps up missile buildup for a Taiwan war

China’s accelerating missile buildup is increasingly turning industrial capacity, stockpile depth, and sustained precision-strike capability into decisive factors in the emerging military balance over Taiwan and the wider Indo-Pacific. This month, Bloomberg reported that China

Crackdown in South-east Asia pushes scam networks to Sri Lanka

Scammers are drawn by Sri Lanka’s relaxed visa regime and reliable, high-speed internet.

Crackdown in Southeast Asia pushes scam networks to Sri Lanka

China, which has stepped up cooperation with regional governments in recent years to crack down on scam networks, has acknowledged the geographical shift.

Famous temple in Japan’s Mount Koya urges summer visitors to avoid revealing attire

Many visitors have been wearing short skirts and revealing tops during the warmer months.

Foreign tourists are falling out of love with Goa - here's why

Foreign visitors to Goa have nearly halved from their pre-Covid peak even as domestic tourism is booming.

‘Hardcore fans’ of Proton in UK, Australia hoping for brand’s return, but Malaysian carmaker has other plans

Proton enthusiasts are keeping the brand alive in the United Kingdom and Australia, but the Malaysian automaker says its focus is on regional markets.

Japan’s bullied children have found a new controversial avenue to get back at their tormentors

Victims and their families are increasingly turning to vigilante justice on social media.

A tikka tangle: All-veg menus at Indian state banquets raise hackles

It is bad diplomacy to risk leaving foreign guests with an unsatiated stomach.

A teen noticed sacrifices of Indonesian helpers. His initiative to help now reaches beyond Singapore

The Peduli initiative now runs chapters in Indonesia's West Kalimantan.