AseanPlus News

Qantas flight diverted after man bites flight attendant

SYDNEY: Australia's Qantas was forced to divert a flight bound for the United States over a disruptive passenger, with local media reporting the man bit a flight attendant.

China

Xi, Putin hail opening of China-Russia Expo, stress cooperation

HARBIN, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory messages marking the opening of the China-Russia Expo in the north-easten city of Harbin, highlighting deepening economic ties between the two countries.

Nation

Socso screening shows 59.2% of workers overweight or obese

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 59.2% of workers who underwent the Health Screening Programme organised by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) between 2023 and 2025 were found to be overweight or obese, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

India

India drug bust seizes 227 kg of captagon in first big haul

MUMBAI, India: Indian police have seized 227 kilograms of the powerful synthetic stimulant captagon worth nearly US$19 million, the country's first seizure of the drug, the interior minister said on Saturday (May 16).

Japan

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

TOKYO: It took 14 agonising years for Japanese authorities to formally recognise the torment that Kazui Sato suffered at the hands of his junior high classmates was indeed bullying – or ijime.

Nation

PKR Youth urged for probe into alleged foreign funding links

PETALING JAYA: PKR Youth has urged authorities to immediately investigate allegations of foreign funding linked to political activities aimed at destabilising the government.

Technology

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

SEOUL, May 17 (Reuters) - South Korea ⁠will pursue all options, including emergency arbitration, to avoid a ⁠labour strike at the country's biggest employer Samsung Electronics and to ‌minimise any damage if one does occur, its prime minister said on Sunday.

Living

Food and drink magic by a Michelin-starred restaurant and an award-winning bar

The Akar Dining and Three X Co pairing dinner was a great example of how chefs and bartenders can work together to create a unique meal.

Social media

Instagram users can turn off new feature if send photos by mistake

Instagram has introduced a new feature called Instants, which lets you share photos that disappear after being sent to selected contacts right after you take them.

South Korea

South Korea prime minister to seek all options to avoid Samsung strike, Yonhap says

SEOUL: South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on Sunday (May 17) he would seek all options, including emergency arbitration, to avoid a strike at Samsung Electronics.

Brunei

Programme promotes Brunei-South Korea friendship

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Embassy of Korea in Brunei Darussalam held the inauguration ceremony for its first-ever SNS (social network service) Supporters programme at the embassy on Friday (May 15).

Nation

Teresa Kok urges Pakatan to field more women candidates

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia remains among the lowest in Asean for women's representation in Parliament, says Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who urged Pakatan Harapan to field more female candidates in the upcoming elections.

Cambodia

Two South Koreans rescued after being held in scam-related captivity in Cambodia

SEOUL: Two South Koreans who were held captive in Cambodia in scam-related incidents have been rescued in separate operations conducted through cooperation between South Korean and Cambodian authorities, police said Sunday (May 17).

Cricket

Cricket-Allen says shedding self-imposed pressure key to IPL resurgence with Kolkata

May 17 (Reuters) - Finn Allen said ⁠shedding self-imposed pressure and rediscovering his enjoyment of batting has helped revive his ⁠form after he fired Kolkata Knight Riders to a 29-run win over ‌Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League on Saturday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Myanmar

Myanmar strengthens food safety through GAP-certified farming

YANGON: As countries increasingly emphasise food safety, Myanmar is promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to produce safer agricultural products and strengthen export standards, Ye Min Aung, vice president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), said during the GAP certificate presentation ceremony held on Friday (May 15) in Yangon.

Nation

Bomba warns of flash flood risk as Kelantan peatlands face degradation

KOTA BARU: Peatlands in Kelantan, which serve as natural water catchment areas, are increasingly threatened by open burning and land clearing for agricultural activities, raising concerns over a higher risk of flash floods in several parts of the state.

Vietnam

Vietnamese airlines cut nearly 5,000 flights in April amid Middle East tensions

HANOI: Vietnamese airlines reduced their flights by nearly 5,000 in April compared to the previous month due to tensions in the Middle East, which pushed aviation fuel prices higher, the Vietnam News Agency cited Uong Viet Dung, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, as saying on Friday (May 15).

Social media

X pledges crackdown on illegal content in UK

Elon Musk's X has committed to cracking down on illegal content to protect UK users, Britain's media regulator said Friday, as it steps up pressure on social media platforms.

Americas

5 things to know about Seattle, a 2026 FIFA World Cup host

Five things you should know about Washington's Seattle, also known as the Emerald City.

Sri Lanka

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

COLOMBO: A surge in arrests of suspected foreign scammers in Sri Lanka has authorities concerned that the island is fast becoming a hub for online crime, following sweeping crackdowns in hotspots Cambodia and Myanmar.