TOP NEWS Thailand and Indonesia strengthen ties on all fronts to boost ASEANUS ‘had no role to play’ in clinching India-Pakistan ceasefire: Indian Foreign SecretarySix major financial institutions roped in to support investment growth in Johor-Singapore SEZMORE HEADLINES INDO-PACIFIC AND ASIA The Jakarta Post‘Personal touch’ on display at Australia PM Albanese’s return visit to Indonesia The Straits TimesAustralian PM Albanese to visit Singapore May 20 in first overseas trip after winning election The Jakarta PostNewly re-elected Australian PM Albanese to visit Jakarta after being sworn in The Straits TimesTop US general says America will keep promise to ensure Indo-Pacific allies’ security Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines, New Zealand finalise defence pact this week The Straits TimesAustralia plans critical minerals reserve to reduce global reliance on China The Straits TimesSingapore, Fiji lean on close ties to weather ‘increasingly turbulent’ world The Straits TimesASEAN, Australia and New Zealand’s upgraded free trade area deal enters into force The Jakarta PostAustralia asks Indonesia about Russian request to base aircraft in Papua The Straits TimesParties bank on Asian-Australian candidates at May election Down Under Vientiane TimesLaos, Australia strengthen economic ties China DailyAustralian politicians rebuked for endorsing Hong Kong fugitives The StatesmanIndian PM Modi conveys to New Zealand PM concern over anti-India activities The Statesman‘India offers Kiwis huge economic opportunity’: New Zealand PM Luxon in Delhi The Japan NewsJapan contributes US$3 million to climate change fund for Pacific Islands Forum: Foreign Minister The Straits TimesAustralia looks to Asian markets as it braces itself for US President Trump’s tariffsVIEW ALL MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS The Daily StarIsrael will take all of Gaza: PM Netanyahu The StarPope Leo XIV asks world not to forget about Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine The Jakarta PostOIC legislators rally for Palestine at Jakarta talks DawnPakistan sends fresh aid consignment to Gaza The Straits TimesIsrael says ‘most’ Gazans to be displaced in expanded operation Dawn‘Killing of innocent people is never right’: Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan on supporting Palestine Dawn‘Gaza lost a friend’ — Internet remembers Pope Francis’ support for Palestine after his passing The Straits TimesSingapore to send a medical contingent to treat Palestinians in Egypt in coming weeks The Daily StarIsrael makes new Gaza truce proposal The Jakarta PostIndonesian President Prabowo calls out Western silence in Gaza conflict The Jakarta PostGazans struggle to find water as clean sources become increasingly scarce The Jakarta PostGaza at center of Indonesia President Prabowo’s latest Middle East tour DawnUS to deny visas, green cards over anti-Semitic social media posts The Straits TimesCivilian infrastructure, medical workers in Gaza must be protected: Singapore Foreign Minister The StatesmanUS President Trump, Israel PM Netanyahu discuss Gaza hostages, tariffs at White House The Daily StarDhaka condemns Israel’s mass killing, human rights violations in GazaVIEW ALL CROSS-STRAITS RELATIONS The Straits TimesTaiwan President Lai’s approval ratings dip ahead of 1st anniversary in office amid uncertain US ties China DailyChina slams Taiwan’s ruling party for ‘erasing cross-Strait cultural ties’ The Japan NewsChina conducts 2nd day of exercises around Taiwan; naming suggests more drills to come this year The Straits TimesChinese influencers forced to leave Taiwan after advocating ‘military unification’ China DailyTaiwan students embark on Shandong tour China DailyChinese army enhances combat readiness with operations around Taiwan China DailyChina’s Taiwan Affairs Office launches section to report ‘malicious acts against Taiwan compatriots’ The Straits Times‘No name, no home port, no cert’: Taiwan seizes unregistered Chinese refuelling boat The Straits TimesFrom intelligence sharing to tabletop exercises, Taiwan to deepen military exchange with US China DailyChina’s military drill ‘stern warning’ to Taiwan ‘separatists’ The StatesmanThanking G7, Taiwan calls for peace and stability in Taiwan Strait China DailyChina warns of decisive action if Taiwan independence forces cross red line China DailyDeputies from China’s Fujian promote preservation of Taiwan-related cultural relics The Straits TimesTaiwan turns to companies in Ukraine for China contingency planning The Straits TimesChina will work to ‘firmly advance’ reunification with Taiwan China DailyDevotion to sea goddess Mazu stretches from Fujian to TaiwanVIEW ALL EAST ASIA VIEW MORE According to official sources, the incident occurred during the processing of exit procedures for a family of four from Taiwan returning from the southern island Phu Quoc to Kaohsiung on May 13. EAST ASIA, EAST ASIA - RIGHT, GEOPOLITICSChina provides medical supplies to Laos worth US$1.4 million ... CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT, EAST ASIA, EAST ASIA - RIGHT, GEOPOLITICS, Home PageMonitoring of nuclear-contaminated water discharged by Japan to continue ... Around Asia, CROSS-STRAITS RELATIONS, EAST ASIA, EAST ASIA - RIGHT, GEOPOLITICS, Home Page, SOCIETY, Top News, TOP NEWS, TOP NEWSChinese influencers forced to leave Taiwan after advocating ‘military unification’ ...SOUTH EAST ASIAVIEW MORE The leaders of the two Southeast Asian nations announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of their peoples and the wider ASEAN region. The six are Bank of America, HSBC, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, CGS International Securities, Maybank and CIMB.SOUTH ASIA VIEW MORE The plea had come from Pakistan’s Director-General of Military Operations to his counterpart in Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a parliamentary panel on cross-border security challenges post Operation Sindoor, sources said. The intelligence-based operations were conducted on Saturday and Sunday against the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group in KP and the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Front in Balochistan, per ISPR. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINESIsrael will take all of Gaza: PM Netanyahu ...ICC prosecution requests deadline extension for disclosure of witnesses in Duterte case ...Slow and costly: Nepal’s ‘fast track’ passport service lets down applicants ...Southeast Asia e-commerce sales projected to more than double by 2030: report ...Thai government scraps 10,000-baht handout, redirects budget to new economic stimulus plan ...ASEAN MATTERS The NationThailand and Indonesia strengthen ties on all fronts to boost ASEAN The StarWork together to overcome ASEAN Summit jams in Kuala Lumpur, say Malaysian business groups Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippine tourism department backs unified ASEAN visa system The Straits TimesUS President Trump blinked in trade war with China. Can Southeast Asia get a break, too? Viet Nam NewsInvestment in green growth gains momentum in Southeast Asia The StarMalaysia should leverage ASEAN chairmanship to expand halal market: DPM Ahmad Zahid The StarWhat you need to know about ASEAN’s exports to the US, in 5 charts Viet Nam NewsMalaysia tightens security ahead of ASEAN Summit Borneo BulletinBrunei chairs 48th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting The Straits TimesJapan, China, South Korea, ASEAN enhance regional financial safety net The StarMalaysia to push for greater ASEAN-BRICS cooperation at foreign ministers’ meeting Vientiane TimesASEAN culture leaders move closer to fulfilling development vision The Straits TimesASEAN, Australia and New Zealand’s upgraded free trade area deal enters into force Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines airs concerns during South China Sea talks between Beijing, ASEAN The StarWith Malaysia at helm of ASEAN, bloc to step up push for greater regional energy integration The Straits TimesASEAN will not retaliate against US tariffs, say its economic ministersVIEW ALL BEYOND ASIA VIEW MORE Since January, more than 4,700 international student records have been removed from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database managed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Reuters and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Beyond Asia, BEYOND ASIA right, GEOPOLITICSTop leaders of Vietnam, Belarus announce upgrade of ties to Strategic Partnership ... Beyond Asia, BEYOND ASIA right, GEOPOLITICSVietnam hopes for sustained momentum in ties with US: PM Chinh ... Beyond Asia, BEYOND ASIA right, GEOPOLITICS, Home Page, Top Row‘Great honour’: World leaders welcome Pope Leo XIV ...DEFENCE & SECURITY VIEW MORE The North Korean spy agency sent its instructions to the South Korean network online using steganography, a method of encryption in which data is hidden inside images or messages. Besides emails, they also made use of the comments section on YouTube. India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 and struck nine 'terror' sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in response to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month in which 26 people were killed.MORE HEADLINESMalaysian commission unveils new code of conduct allowing parents to have control over kids’ screen time ...Malaysia will strengthen territorial defence while keeping diplomatic channels open in South China Sea ...Vietnam launches handbook for child safety in cyberspace ...Japan’s foreign visitor count from Jan.-Nov. 2024 breaks 2023 record ...House OKs bill that lets foreigners lease land in Philippines for 99 years ...Batu Puteh issue: Malaysia transport minister stands his ground, maintains ex-PM Mahathir acted on his own ...WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM China DailyKeywords to understand pivotal areas highlighted at Davos The NationThailand inks historic EFTA with 4 European nations in Davos The Jakarta PostIndonesia pitches green energy investments at WEF meeting The Straits TimesMalaysia PM Anwar says China should not be singled out in South China Sea tensions Viet Nam NewsVietnam PM Chinh speaks at special policy dialogue during World Economic Forum The Straits Times‘The fun stops here’: Davos elites at economic forum grapple with realities of Trump’s return The NationPM Paetongtarn arrives in Davos, meets business leaders to boost investment in Thailand Asia News NetworkThe road to global cooperation runs through regions Philippine Daily InquirerFuture shock: Top global risks today and in next decade Viet Nam NewsPM Chinh’s participation at WEF Davos shows Vietnam’s commitment to int’l cooperation: Ambassador The Daily StarInflation biggest concern for Bangladesh in 2025: World Economic Forum The NationThailand to sign historic free trade agreement with European Free Trade Association in Davos The Straits TimesWar, geoeconomic confrontation pose biggest risks to the globe in 2025: WEF survey Asia News NetworkGlobal collaboration key in dealing with the climate crisis: WEF Panel China DailyWEF: Generative AI safety prioritised- experts Asia News NetworkGender parity benefits all—even men: WEF PanelVIEW ALL RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT DawnAfter Putin call, Trump says Russia and Ukraine to start ‘immediate’ talks on ceasefire The StarPope Leo XIV asks world not to forget about Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine The Korea HeraldNorth Korea formalises troop deployment, signals deeper alliance with Russia The Straits TimesNorth Korea confirms troop deployment to Russia, hails ‘heroes’ The Korea HeraldSeoul should bolster diplomatic ties with Moscow to deter North Korean threats: think tank The Korea HeraldSouth Korean spy agency tally of North Koreans killed or injured in Ukraine war rises over 4,000 The Korea HeraldNorth Korea appears to have deployed 3,000 more troops to Russia: South Korean military China DailyChina denies involvement in potential Ukraine peacekeeping mission DawnTrump, Putin agree to Russia-Ukraine energy infrastructure ceasefire for 30 days The Kathmandu PostNepal urges Ukraine to release seven captive Nepali nationals The Straits TimesSouth Korea, Ukraine discuss handling of North Korean prisoners of war The Kathmandu PostNepali man serving in Russian army killed in Ukrainian drone strike The Japan NewsJapan PM Ishiba seeks continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine The Straits TimesChina could gain diplomatic leverage as Trump-Zelensky clash highlights US volatility The Korea HeraldNorth Korea sends more troops to aid Russia in Ukraine: South Korean intelligence The Kathmandu PostNepal votes in favour of UNGA resolution on Ukraine despite India, China abstentionsVIEW ALL TRADEVIEW MORE Officials plan to assure both countries that the situation is under control and the disease has been eradicated. Firms are grappling with uncertainty over pricing and supply of raw materials, according to local industry associations.MORE HEADLINESIndonesia’s largest party expels Jokowi after he backed Prabowo for President’s post ...Myanmar court sentences Thai fishing crew members to prison ...Cambodia’s national carrier expanding fleet, announces name change ...REMEMBERING POPE FRANCIS Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines’ Cardinal Tagle tapped to assist Vatican administrator ahead of conclave Philippine Daily InquirerFilipino street kid now in college recalls encounter with Pope Francis The Korea HeraldMemorial Mass for Pope Francis held in Seoul Viet Nam NewsVietnam appreciates Pope Francis’ contributions to Vietnam-Vatican ties The Jakarta PostIndonesians of all faiths mourn Pope Francis’ passing The NationKing of Thailand conveys deepest sympathies to Vatican Philippine Daily InquirerThe populist pope Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippine President Marcos to attend Pope Francis funeral Philippine Daily InquirerThe pope of the excluded: Philippine Daily Inquirer The Japan NewsAtomic bomb survivors vow to carry on Pope’s legacy; remember message during Hiroshima, Nagasaki visits The Straits TimesAsia mourns Pope’s death: ‘His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church’VIEW ALL APEC SUMMIT 2023 The NationSelling Thailand to the world: How did Srettha do at APEC? Nestor CorralesMarcos brings home $672M in investment pledges from US Viet Nam NewsAPEC members appreciate Việt Nam’s practical contributions, proposal to host 2027 summit China DailyXi: Don’t politicize, weaponize trade issues The Japan NewsJapan-China Summit shows two nations remain far apart on improving ties The Straits TimesOpportunities aplenty for Singapore even in an uncertain world, says PM Lee as Apec meet ends The NationThailand and Canada boost ties and cooperation at APEC Summit Viet Nam NewsVietnam’s president calls for business support at APEC CEO Summit 2023 The Korea HeraldPresident Yoon proposes APEC scientist exchange to weather global crises The Yomiuri ShimbunPM Kishida heads to San Francisco to show diplomatic prowess amid domestic woes The NationThai PM explores collaborations, investments with US giants at APEC CEO Summit Philippine Daily InquirerPresident Marcos to pursue food and energy security, economy in APEC meet China DailyBiden-Xi leaders’ summit seen as crucial for world The Yomiuri ShimbunJapanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Attend APEC The Yomiuri ShimbunJapan, South Korea to collaborate; leaders set to announce clean energy plans The Straits TimesWill Apec meet the moment? PM Lee off to attend high-stakes summit in San FranciscoVIEW ALL CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT Viet Nam NewsAt least nine dead as heavy rain, landslides batter Vietnam’s northern provinces Dawn1 child dead, 11 injured in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to strong winds, storms The Kathmandu PostExperts witness climate toll on Himalayas from mountain flight The Straits TimesMicroplastics found in marine animals in Singapore’s coral reefs, mangroves: Study KuenselWater outage leaves Bhutanese town parched The Daily StarBangladesh bans plantation, sale of eucalyptus, akashmoni The Kathmandu PostWoman swept away in pre-monsoon flood in Nepal. Experts call it a wake-up call for preparedness The NationThailand’s Royal Irrigation Department, UNDP boost Yom-Nan climate resilience efforts The Korea HeraldIn South Korea, summer to be hotter, wetter than last year Viet Nam NewsInvestment in green growth gains momentum in Southeast Asia The StarCalls for more wildlife protection measures after elephant tragedy in Malaysia The Daily StarDhaka’s birds are disappearing — should we be worried? The StarGrowing amount of e-waste in Malaysia alarming The Kathmandu PostIllegal mining of riverbed materials threatens over 70 households in Nepali district The Japan NewsJapan to enhance surveying to preserve remote islands; erosion could diminish EEZ DawnClimate disasters increasing risks of death, disease amongst children and elderly in Pakistan: AmnestyVIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANNComing SoonANN NewsletterSign up hereFollow us: