Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (May 15, 2026)

Satrio Wiratama, meaning 'noble and brave knight' and known as Rio, is a 170-day-old male giant panda cub, the first panda cub born in Indonesia from a couple brought from China in 2017, at the Panda Palace of Taman Safari Indonesia in Bogor, West Java, on Friday, May 15, 2026. (Photo by Aditya Aji / AFP)

Malaysia

* Scammers taking advantage of Malaysia's visa exemption policy, says IGP

* A non-issue: M'sia won't support Jho Low's pardon bid, says Anwar

* New Putrajaya MACC director pledges to keep up 'momentum of excellence'

* Country's fuel supply still stable with no need for rationing, says PM

* Govt decision to de-list liquid nicotine from Poisons Act 'irrational', rules High Court

* Madani reforms continue to drive economic momentum - PM

* CAP urges govt to relist nicotine into Poison Act

* Pangkor boat tragedy: Navy finds body of 11th victim

* Teacher wins RM1mil in Bank Simpanan Nasional SSP draw

* Anwar directs ministries to engage traders, youths at KL markets

* MACC to strengthen strategic cooperation with AGC, says Abd Halim

* Major crackdown on scams leads to RM57.68mil seized, 187 suspects nabbed

* Student, 24, charged with two counts of murder over fatal crash on Jln Ampang

* Ringgit supported by Malaysia's strong economic outlook, reform momentum - Bank Negara

* M'sian delivery riders nabbed for suspected roles in cross-border ah long pressure tactics

* Put the people's welfare first, save political power plays for the ballot box, says Anwar

* Country's projected 5.3% GDP growth for Q1 shows resilience amid global pressures, says Anwar

A group of Buddhist monks takes part in the Walk For Peace 2026 in Surabaya on Friday, May 15, 2026. A total of 56 monks from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos travelled on a sacred journey from the island of Bali to Borobudur Temple, a distance of 660km, carrying a message of tolerance, universal peace, and social harmony ahead of the Wesak festival on May 31, 2026. -- Photo by JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP

Singapore:

* Singapore to block VEP approval for foreign vehicles with unpaid fines from foreign vehicle from Nov 2

* Man in Singapore loses more than RM15mil in a Strait of Hormuz funding assistance scam

* Jail and caning for male nurse who repeatedly molested understudy in Singapore hospital

* Singaporean tutor allegedly assaulted pupil, 8, causing forearm fracture

* 'Mortal Kombat' star Ludi Lin says eating durian would have helped him bulk up

* SIA net profit falls to $1.18bil in FY26, warns major headwinds from Middle East conflict

* Singapore court grants winding up bids for three entities linked to 1MDB scandal, liquidators say

* Starbucks told by Islamic Religious Council of Singapore to remove or amend signs referring to halal certification

* Four foreigners caught moving cash exceeding S$20,000 into Singapore; 43 held for tax, duties evasion at checkpoints

* Samsung Electronics proposes unconditional talks with union; strike plan holds

Indonesia:

* Court ruling raises further questions over future of Indonesia's Nusantara

* Nine suspected illegal gold miners killed in landslide in Indonesia's West Sumatra

* Indonesia mine landslide kills nine

* Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

* Nearly 200,000 Indonesian children exposed to online gambling

* Oil rises more than 1% after Trump flags China's interest in US supplies

* Letter lays bare growing Chinese investor unease over Indonesia’s business climate

* A Range Rover, a ‘Dutch Lady’ and a political dynasty rising in Indonesia’s new capital

* Outcry as prosecutors seek 18-year sentence for former Indonesia education minister Nadiem Makarim

* HK actress Cecilia Cheung reportedly gifts 16YO son jacuzzi-style bathtub for his birthday

Veterinarians conduct a routine health check on Satrio Wiratama, meaning 'noble and brave knight' and known as Rio, a 170-day-old male giant panda cub, the first panda cub born in Indonesia from a couple brought from China in 2017, at the Panda Palace of Taman Safari Indonesia in Bogor, West Java, on Friday, May 15, 2026. -- Photo by Aditya Aji / AFP

Thailand:

* Thai lawmakers vote to revive clean air bill

* Thai actress Mild Lapassalan's husband accused of sexually abusing own brother

* Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin fight back to reach Thailand Open semis

* Hantavirus declared Thailand’s 14th dangerous communicable disease

* Thailand charts next phase of smart, green mobility transition

* Thailand urges new global order as BRICS meets under shadow of Iran conflict

* Chinese national accused of smashing passport auto-gates at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport

* Thai businesses warn corruption crisis is worsening as survey reveals agency-level alleged bribery risks

Philippines:

* Power cuts hit millions in the Philippines during hottest month of the year

* Philippine Ombudsman suspends Sergeant-at-Arms over Senate shooting

* Dangerous heat index forecast in 46 areas in the Philippines

* Japan considers missile exports to the Philippines, NHK reports

* Philippines: Senator wanted by ICC flees from Senate

* Veep Duterte’s impeachment trial set to open next week

* Philippines will 'definitely' comply with ICC request to arrest senator, minister says

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (centre) attends a photo exhibit and friendship meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. -- Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam repatriates 28 rare turtles from South Korea under CITES cooperation 

* Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting

* Vietnam's electricity consumption hits record high amid prolonged heatwave

* Ho Chi Minh City reopens short-term apartment rental market under new rules

* Your peace sign could get your fingerprints stolen

* Two Vietnamese men arrested over break-in at Tokyo home where family was murdered over 25 years ago

Myanmar:

* 'A move to protect the people': Myanmar releases anti-online Scam Bill for public consultation

* Ten more illegal Chinese nationals arrested near Thanlwin River in online scam crackdown

* Myanmar junta’s forced remittance rules pull in US$5.6bil

* Myanmar endeavours to save traditional textile crafts from the brink

* Oil flat as Hormuz tanker crossings ease supply fears

In this photo provided Friday, May 15, 2026, by the North Korean government, Vietnam's Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (centre) and his delegates visit the Tower of Juche Idea in Pyongyang, North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. -- Photo: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Cambodia:

* Manet warns against misinterpreting his words: ‘Cambodia will not kneel’

* Laos, Cambodia pledge to bolster security cooperation

* Cambodian forest rangers poisoned by wild fungi

* Bessent to CNBC: US, China discussing AI 'guardrails'

* WHO warns loosely regulated nicotine pouches risk youth addiction

Laos:

* Laos seeks funding support to eliminate malaria by 2030 amid major progress

* Laos tightens tourist entry rules with mandatory hotel booking proof

* Trump to seek tangible trade wins in Xi summit

Brunei:

* Two Brunei worksites face enforcement action over safety violations

* Brunei Crown Prince visits Leju Robot, Huawei in China

* Brunei Crown Prince meets Party Secretary of Shenzhen, China

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar welcomes Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Hang during the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India. -- Photo: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

AseanPlus:

* Trump heads home after China talks

* Violent Sarawak robbery gang crippled with arrest of 23

* Antiques trader nabbed in wildlife crime op, suspected tiger teeth seized

* Ringgit closes mostly higher against major currencies on strong GDP data

* For 27 years, this Malaysian grandma taught dancing to help seniors stay active

* Gas Malaysia to partner Tokyo Gas, VTTI on regasification terminal

* Xi gives Trump rare tour of secret garden at heart of Chinese government

* North Korea slams Britain over sanctions on children's camp

* Trump leaves Beijing with few wins but warm words for Xi

* Trump says made 'fantastic trade deals' with Xi

* China launches crackdown on illegal practices in TCM sector

* Indian PM seeks trade, energy stability on UAE-Europe tour

* Militant attack on security compound kills nine in Pakistan

* India hikes fuel prices as Middle East war strains supplies

* Rare South-North Korea football match sells out in 12 hours

* Bucking right-wing base, Trump defends Chinese students in US

* Rapprochement, debates, dissidents: US presidential visits to China

* Alibaba shares surge 7% in Hong Kong as firm accelerates pivot to AI

* Chinese-American found guilty in New York ‘secret police station’ case

* South Korea’s Lee, Japan’s Takaichi to hold summit in Andong on May 19-20

* Hong Kong tech crimes are dropping. So why is hacking becoming more lucrative?

* Hong Kong to launch public consultation on five-year blueprint 'by early June’

* The cameras are watching: Dhaka’s drivers and bikers are finally following rules

* ‘Basically a Chinese racket’: How China streaked ahead at a global AI conference

* X agrees to British crackdown on hate speech and militant content, regulator says

* Japan may face more price hikes for food, hot spring facilities, central bank says

* Samsung's South Korean union sticks to strike plan after talks offer; shares slide

* ‘Transactional’ but pivotal: How Xi-Trump talks could redefine US-China fault lines

* Tourism Administration of Taiwan heads to Malaysia again for dual-city promotional blitz

* Powerful earthquake magnitude of 6.3 jolts northeastern Japan; no tsunami warning issued 

* China parent brings son, 12, to work, where he plays with fire, destroying entire office

* Cosmic order, political authority: the messaging in temple setting for Trump’s China visit

* Exclusive-Reliance-Disney launch legal battle against Indian TV rival over Bollywood films

* Australian court upholds ruling for transgender woman, doubles damages against female-only app

* 'Culinary Class Wars' judge Anh Sung-jae pauses YouTube channel after wine controversy backlash

* China practices for sleep protection and better quality of rest include use of scissors, walnuts

* Special counsel seeks seven-and-a-half-year prison term for ex-South Korean First Lady in bribery case

* US set to drop criminal fraud case against India’s Gautam Adani, sources say, as deal reached in civil case

* Malaysian rock band Disagree breaks its silence after more than a decade with new single 'Let’s Do It All Again'

* Australians from hantavirus-hit cruise ship arrive home to quarantine

* Australian judge criticises Tesla for 'gobsmacking' slow progress in class action lawsuit

* Soccer - Kano named Japan women's team coach on permanent basis

* Golf: PGA Championships - Scheffler makes bogey start as crowded PGA Championship field battles at Aronimink