Laos

Russia-Laos relations are based on friendship, mutual respect

MOSCOW: Moscow and Vientiane are developing their relations on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and trust, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, a TASS correspondent reported.

AseanPlus News

Myanmar struck by 5.0-magnitude quake: GFZ

BEIJING: An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 jolted Myanmar at 1936 GMT on Sunday (May 10), the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said.

Vietnam

Vietnam's seafood exports poised to rise by US$1 billion this year

HANOI: Vietnam's seafood exports are projected to increase by about US$1 billion in 2026 compared to 2025, driven by recovering global demand and businesses' efforts to adapt to changing market conditions.

Philippines

Twenty-four of 38 Filipino crew aboard hantavirus-hit ship to fly to the Netherlands

MANILA: Twenty-four of the 38 Filipino crew members aboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius will soon be repatriated to the Netherlands, where they will be quarantined, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Sunday (May 10).

Thailand

Thailand may face dual water risks as El Niño risk rises from May to July

BANGKOK: Thailand could face a "dual water crisis" in 2026 after the Thai Meteorological Department forecast that El Niño could occur during May to July 2026, putting many areas at risk of water shortages and prompting the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) to accelerate nationwide response plans and monitor 20 branches at risk of shortages.

Singapore

Muslim couples in Singapore to get early support for parenthood journey as pilot programme is made permanent

SINGAPORE: A pilot programme that prepares Muslim couples for parenthood and family life will become a permanent fixture in a broader programme that supports such couples from before their marriage to two years after their solemnisation.

Markets

Share futures wobble, dollar gains as Gulf talks teeter

SYDNEY: The dollar climbed in Asia on Monday on signs that talks between the United States and Iran were deadlocked, leaving the vital Strait of Hormuz all but shut and sending oil prices higher.

Indonesia

Indonesia reaffirms commitment to migrant worker protection at UN migration forum

JAKARTA: Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection of migrant workers during the Second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026 held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Markets

FBM KLCI expected to consolidate after strong rally

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI opened slightly higher on Monday but remained range-bound as it is expected to consolidate following the previous week's strong gains.

Entertainment

Taiwanese singer Cyndi Wang feels sharp pain after laser beam hits her leg during China concert

Wang's leg was hit by a laser during her concert in Shenzhen on May 5.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher against US$ amid ongoing West Asia peace talks

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Monday, as investors kept an eye on the ongoing peace negotiations over the West Asia crisis, an analyst said.

World

Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison

BANGKOK, May 11 (Reuters) - Thailand's ⁠influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on Monday, after ⁠about eight months behind bars following a court ruling that deemed he had ‌wrongfully stayed in hospital to avoid jail time.

Commodities

Oil jumps as US and Iran disagree on peace proposal

SINGAPORE: Oil prices jumped $3 a barrel on Monday as the United States and Iran failed to agree to a peace proposal drafted by Washington while the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, keeping global energy supplies tight.

Commodities

CPO likely to trade lower

KUALA LUMPUR: Crude palm oil (CPO) futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives are expected to trade lower this week, following a drop in crude oil prices below US$100 per barrel, a trader says.

Pakistan

At least 14 cops killed in twin attack

A car bombing at a police post in the country's northwestern region followed by an ambush on police personnel rushing to the scene has killed at least 14 officers, police said.

AseanPlus News

Everest set for crowded summit season

The country has issued a record 492 permits to climb Mount Everest this spring, officials said.

Commodities

Anwar to unveil oil supply plan

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a plan in mid-May to ensure oil supply continuity as a result of global supply uncertainties arising from the West Asia conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan govt plans to hike electricity tariff amid energy crisis

The country will increase electricity rates by up to 18% from today to offset the additional costs of generating power using thermal plants due to the Middle East conflict, the Public Utilities Commission said.

Indonesia

300 foreign nationals held in gambling crackdown

Authorities have detained more than 300 foreign nationals this week for allegedly running an online gambling ring in the capital Jakarta, police said

India

Perfect Mothers day gift

VIJAY'S mother, Sobha, a playback singer, expressed her happiness as her son took charge of the state. "I am so happy.