AseanPlus News

Sydney light show called off after malfunctioning drones crash into water

SYDNEY: A show featuring dozens of drones in dazzling displays above Sydney's Darling Harbour has been called off, organisers said Tuesday (May 26), after the flying gadgets malfunctioned and fell into the water.

Vietnam

Vietnam forecasts intense heat and complex typhoons in summer

HANOI: Vietnam is expected to enter a more intense period of heatwaves, heavy rain and tropical storms from next month as meteorological authorities warn of hazardous weather across much of the country during the peak rainy and typhoon season.

India

Rubio to revive 'Quad' alliance in India, but staying power unclear

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pic) was to meet Tuesday (May 26) with Australia, India and Japan to revive the so-called Quad security alliance-- viewed suspiciously by China -- following disagreement on Iran and questions over US commitment.

Indonesia

Two elephants calmly pass through South Sumatra market

MEDAN: Residents of Ogan Komering Ilir regency, South Sumatra, were surprised on May 19 by the visit of two Sumatran elephants to Jukung Market in Air Sugihan

Nation

Maritime sector urged to embrace digital transformation to stay competitive

GEORGE TOWN: Competitiveness in the maritime sector will depend increasingly on digital intelligence, governance capabilities and regional cooperation rather than physical infrastructure alone, says Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.

Thailand

Scammers hijack Thais Help Thais Plus scheme with fake SMS links

BANGKOK: Online scammers are exploiting public interest in the government's Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 scheme by sending fake SMS and chat messages that pressure people into clicking fraudulent links and handing over personal information.

Markets

FBM KLCI slips further, focus turns to bank earnings

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI is extending its decline amid a lack of clarity in the Middle East situation, even as the domestic corporate earnings period enters its closing days.

Nation

Sacked Bersatu reps in Kedah stay on as exco member, deputy speaker

ALOR SETAR: A Kedah assemblyman sacked by his party and made an independent elected representative has retained his post as a state executive councillor.

Nation

Two hardcore criminals killed in shootout

KUALA LUMPUR: Two hardcore criminals were killed in a shoot-out with the police at Jalan Persiaran Seri Putra 2, Bandar Seri Putra, Bangi Lama, Kajang on Monday (May 25).

Entertainment

HK star Cecilia Cheung marks 46th birthday by giving away 46 flight tickets to fans

The actress says her fans have given her the courage to walk through many stages of life.

World

Cambodian king pardons former opposition leader

PHNOM PENH, May 25 (Reuters) - Cambodia's ⁠king has pardoned former opposition leader Kem Sokha for a treason conviction, just ⁠weeks after he lost an appeal to overturn that verdict, according to a ‌royal decree released on Monday. 

World

Second group of Australian women linked to Islamic State to return home

SYDNEY, May 26 (Reuters) - A group ⁠of seven Australian women and 12 children linked to the Islamic State ⁠militant group have made travel plans to return home, authorities said on ‌Tuesday, in what would be the second such Australian group to leave a Syrian refugee camp this month.

Philippines

Construction collapse toll hits four

The death toll rose to four in the collapse of a building under construction near the Philippine capital, with more than a dozen people still believed missing, authorities said.

Corporate News

Ride-hailing sector warns of profit hit 

JAKARTA: The government's plan to bring ride-hailing players, like Grab and Gojek, under the same regulatory umbrella as online marketplaces is prompting pushback from industry groups, which warn that the two sectors operate under different business models.

Japan

20 injured by unknown sprayed substance

AROUND 20 people were injured at a luxury shopping complex in central Tokyo yesterday after a man sprayed a substance inside.

AseanPlus News

Revellers descend on ‘bun island’

AN iconic bun festival drew throngs of revellers to the densely populated city's outlying island, Cheung Chau, to celebrate a century-old tradition that is rooted in prayers for peace and blessings.

China

Taikonauts reach space station

THE nation launched a Shenzhou-23 spacecraft and eased it into a successful docking with a space station early yesterday as part of Beijing's ambitions to send humans to the Moon by 2030, state media said.

Thailand

Abuse case sparks outcry

A high-profile alleged sexual abuse case within a wealthy Thai beer brewing family has prompted a wave of painful accounts from survivors of unconnected abuse in the conservative country.

India

Surviving the salt inferno

The country faces challenging heatwaves each year, but few places endure conditions as searing as its western desert salt pans, where workers rely on simple techniques to survive almost unbearable temperatures.

Vietnam

Police bust major syndicate trafficking laughing gas

Police have initiated criminal proceedings against five suspects linked to a large-scale illegal nitrous oxide (N2O) laughing gas trafficking network operating in Ho Chi Minh City, the Economic Crime Police Division announced