Thousands of Asean’s endangered species face trafficking, consumption threats
Friday, May 22,2026,09:16
The Javan and Sumatran rhinos are down to their last few dozen, just like the Cat Ba langur of Vietnam, while the soala living in Laos’ Annamite mountains may already be gone for good. Southeast Asia’s remarkable biodiversity is under threat due to the encroachment of cities and farms, deforestation, warming seas and the trafficking of rare wildlife for food, traditional medicines, and as pets. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) told This Week in Asia that there were over... .. read more..
Asian Shares Extend Gains On US-Iran Deal Hopes
Friday, May 22,2026,08:41
Asian stocks ended higher on Friday, extending gains from the previous session on rising hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the Middle East conflict. .. read more..
India and China are cautiously getting closer, thanks to Trump
Friday, May 22,2026,08:30
Perhaps the most fascinating and important aspects of US President Donald Trump’s jolt to the global economy have been its unintended consequences, especially the impact on relations between China and India. Two consistent aspects of Trump’s meandering narrative are to “make America great again” by bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US, and to hobble China as an economic and strategic threat. A decade later, there has been negligible progress on either objective. Instead, the unintended... .. read more..
Why Rafizi’s party is bigger threat to Malaysia’s Anwar than opposition coali...
Friday, May 22,2026,08:16
Former Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli’s breakaway gamble is unlikely to bring down Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on its own, analysts say, but could still wound the ruling coalition by peeling away reformist voters who helped Pakatan Harapan (PH) take power in 2022. Rafizi and former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced on Sunday that they would quit Anwar’s People Justice Party (PKR), vacate their parliamentary seats and take over... .. read more..
Asia-Pacific markets trade higher as investors assess U.S.-Iran peace deal di...
Friday, May 22,2026,07:40
While oil prices fell in U.S. trading, reports that Tehran intends to keep its enriched uranium stockpile within the country stand to complicate negotiations with the U.S. .. read more..
U.S., Iran signal peace progress — but remain at odds over enriched uranium, ...
Friday, May 22,2026,07:38
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said there were "good signs" that an agreement to end the Middle East conflict is in sight. .. read more..
SoftBank Group adds over $61 billion to market cap in two days as shares surg...
Friday, May 22,2026,07:15
Shares of SoftBank Group extended gains for a second straight session Friday. .. read more..
Malaysia’s tourism-dependent Langkawi fears rising costs are deterring visitors
Friday, May 22,2026,07:15
On Cenang Beach, Mohamad Zaki Najmi sells fun and adventure activities that have powered Langkawi’s tourism economy for years – jet ski rides and boat tours on the Malaysian island’s turquoise waters. But costs are rising fast at the popular island resort, and the sea sports operator has been forced to pass it on to his customers, a last resort for tourism players in Malaysia as competition for international visitors in Southeast Asia heats up. Higher fuel prices, triggered by the US-Israeli war... .. read more..
Bloomberg accused of ‘unprecedented’ malice as Singapore ministers’ defamatio...
Friday, May 22,2026,06:58
Financial news outlet Bloomberg harboured “unprecedented” malice in the publication and handling of an article about the purchase of good class bungalows in Singapore, lawyers for two Singaporean cabinet ministers alleged on Friday during closing statements in a defamation lawsuit. Senior counsel Davinder Singh said the case was unprecedented in terms of ill intent and aggravation, seeking damages exceeding those against The Online Citizen chief editor Terry Xu, who was ordered to pay S$574,000... .. read more..
No update on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan: Presidential spokesperson
Friday, May 22,2026,06:14
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) Taiwan has not received any information about possible adjustments to a potential US$14 billion arms sale package that U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering, a spokesperson for Taiwan's Presidential Office said Friday. .. read more..
AIIB launches US$10 billion facility to help nations hit by Iran war fallout
Friday, May 22,2026,06:00
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has launched a US$10 billion facility to support members dealing with the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran, the group announced on Thursday. The Energy, Food Security and Economic Resilience Facility, sitting alongside the bank’s existing financing tools, offers up to US$10 billion over two years to help members tackle urgent needs around energy security, food security and economic resilience, according to a statement published by the... .. read more..
Taiwan shares close up 2.18%
Friday, May 22,2026,05:51
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) Taiwan shares ended up 899.76 points, or 2.18 percent, at 42,267.97 Friday on turnover of NT$1.19 trillion (US$37.38 billion). .. read more..
Three detained over alleged smuggling of Nvidia chips to Hong Kong
Friday, May 22,2026,05:20
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) Three Taiwanese men were detained Thursday for allegedly forging documents to smuggle AI servers containing advanced Nvidia chips into Hong Kong and possibly China, according to the Keelung District Prosecutors Office on Thursday. .. read more..
Japan core inflation softens to over four year low, weakening case for BOJ ra...
Friday, May 22,2026,05:03
Core inflation — which strips out prices of fresh food — was lower than the 1.7% expected by economists polled by Reuters and below the 1.8% reading in March. .. read more..
The Cuba situation is starting to resemble a pre-conflict playbook
Friday, May 22,2026,05:00
The U.S. pressure campaign against Cuba appears to have entered a new phase. .. read more..
NT$10 million prizes from Jan.-Feb. receipt lottery remain unclaimed
Friday, May 22,2026,04:37
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) Four NT$10 million (US$317,073) prizes and four NT$2 million prizes from the January-February uniform invoice lottery remain unclaimed, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Friday. .. read more..
Indian Shares Edge Higher On US-Iran Peace Deal Hopes
Friday, May 22,2026,04:37
Indian shares opened higher on Friday, tracking firm cues from global markets amid renewed optimism about U.S.-Iran talks. .. read more..
Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel is doubling down on Africa venture, UK's BT
Friday, May 22,2026,04:27
Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel is raising its stake in British and African ventures as it hunts for growth overseas .. read more..
Vietnam sells disgraced tycoon’s Hermes bags to recoup US$27 billion in damages
Friday, May 22,2026,04:11
Vietnam auctioned off two Hermes handbags owned by real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, convicted in the nation’s largest fraud case, for 14.21 billion dong (US$539,000) as efforts to claw back billions of dollars in ill-gotten wealth accelerate. The government is auditing assets owned by Lan and her affiliates to recoup billions in losses after courts ordered her to repay US$27 billion in damages. Lan has so far repaid a total of more than 12 trillion dong to about 42,000 bondholders with more... .. read more..
Australian Market Maintains Early Gains In Mid-market
Friday, May 22,2026,03:34
The Australian stock market is maintaining its early gains in mid-market moves on Friday, extending the sharp gains in the previous session, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving well above the 8,650 level, with gains in financial and mining stocks partially offset by weakness in energy stocks. .. read more..
Asian Markets Track Wall Street Higher
Friday, May 22,2026,03:28
Asian stock markets are mostly higher for the second straight day on Friday, following the positive cues from Wall Street overnight, on easing crude oil prices and global inflation pressures as traders watched the ongoing diplomatic process to end U.S.-Iran hostilities in the Middle East with positivity. The continuing blockade on the Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic capped the upward movement. .. read more..
China’s vast new canal link to Southeast Asia set to open earlier than expected
Friday, May 22,2026,03:00
China’s landmark Pinglu Canal has entered its final phase of construction and is set to begin trial operations as early as September, with a first shipping route linking the country’s heartlands to the free-trade port of Hainan, according to Chinese state media reports. The Pinglu Canal – China’s most ambitious waterway project in centuries – will stretch 134km (83 miles) from Nanning, capital of the southern Guangxi region, to the Gulf of Tonkin, known as the Beibu Gulf in China. The aim is to... .. read more..
Chinese gang caught using AI in Malaysia bungalow for Spanish job scam
Friday, May 22,2026,02:41
A scam syndicate has been renting a bungalow in an upmarket area in Malaysia’s Johor state and using AI to carry out job scams all the way in Spain. Police uncovered their activities when they arrested a total of 35 Chinese nationals during a raid at the bungalow in Gelang Patah at 11.50pm on May 14. Iskandar Puteri OCPD Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan said the suspects, aged between 21 and 39, used artificial intelligence technology and ready-made language templates to communicate with... .. read more..
Indian Shares Seen Tad Higher At Open
Friday, May 22,2026,02:40
Indian shares are seen opening a tad higher on Friday amid renewed optimism about U.S.-Iran talks. .. read more..
U.S. dollar down in Taipei trading
Friday, May 22,2026,02:36
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) The U.S. dollar was traded at NT$31.567 at 10 a.m. Friday on the Taipei Foreign Exchange, down NT$0.028 from the previous close. .. read more..
Taiwan headline news
Friday, May 22,2026,02:22
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) The lead stories in major Taiwan dailies on Friday are as follows: .. read more..
Win Streak May Continue For Thai Stock Market
Friday, May 22,2026,02:04
The Thai Stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, collecting more than 15 points or 1 percent in that span. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now sits just above the 1,530-point plateau and it may add to its winnings again on Friday. .. read more..
Higher Open Called For Indonesia Stock Market
Friday, May 22,2026,01:34
The Indonesia stock market has moved lower in eight straight sessions, sinking almost 1,100 points or 16 percent in that span. The Jakarta Composite Index now rests just beneath the 6,320-point plateau although it may find traction on Friday. .. read more..
CNBC Daily Open: Dow at all-time high as Iran reviews peace deal
Friday, May 22,2026,01:32
Global markets rally as investors continue to price in Middle East de-escalation. .. read more..
Japanese Market Sharply Higher
Friday, May 22,2026,01:29
The Japanese market is trading sharply higher on Friday, extending the sharp gains in the previous session, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The Nikkei 225 is moving above the 62,950 level, with gains across most sectors led by index heavyweights and financial stocks. .. read more..
Taiwan shares open higher
Friday, May 22,2026,01:23
Taipei, May 22 (CNA) The Taiwan Stock Exchange's main index opened up 79.71 points at 41,447.92 Friday on turnover of NT$12.78 billion (US$401.35 million). .. read more..
Hong Kong Shares Poised To Open To The Upside
Friday, May 22,2026,01:19
The Hong Kong stock market has finished lower in two straight sessions, tumbling more than 420 points or 1.7 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just shy of the 25,400-point plateau also it's expected to find its footing on Friday. .. read more..
Australian Market Notably Higher
Friday, May 22,2026,01:09
The Australian stock market is trading notably higher on Friday, extending the sharp gains in the previous session, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is moving above the 8,650 level, with gains in financial and mining stocks partially offset by weakness in energy stocks. .. read more..
China Shares May Stop The Bleeding On Friday
Friday, May 22,2026,01:04
The China stock market has finished lower in back-to-back sessions, tumbling more than 90 points or 2.2 percent in that span. The Shanghai Composite Index now sits just above the 4,075-point plateau although it may halt its slide on Friday. .. read more..
Taiwan Shares Tipped To Open In The Green
Friday, May 22,2026,00:34
The Taiwan stock market on Thursday snapped the four-day losing streak in which it had tumbled almost 1.750 points or 4.3 percent. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now sits just beneath the 41,370-point plateau and it figures to open to the upside again on Friday. .. read more..
Singapore Sock Market May Extend Thursday's Gains
Friday, May 22,2026,00:04
The Singapore stock market inched higher again on Thursday, one day after ending the two-day winning streak in which it had jumped more than 80 points or 1.6 percent. The Straits Times Index now rests just beneath the 5,050-point plateau and it may see additional support on Friday. .. read more..
Robots at Singapore’s AI zone to clean, patrol and deliver goods
Friday, May 22,2026,00:00
As robots become more advanced to carry out complex tasks, they are set to be at the forefront of the next phase of Singapore’s goal to become a world-class artificial intelligence hub. The city state hopes to position itself as a hub for “physical AI” – robots and autonomous systems that can clean buildings, deliver goods, patrol public spaces and eventually work in factories, hospitals and homes. Singapore’s stable regulatory environment, strong digital infrastructure and experience deploying... .. read more..
Malaysia Bourse Overdue For Support On Friday
Thursday, May 21,2026,23:34
The Malaysia stock market has moved lower in seven straight sessions, slipping almost 45 points or 2.5 percent in that span. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now sits just beneath the 1,710-point plateau although it may find traction on Friday. .. read more..
Japan Shares May Extend Thursday's Gains
Thursday, May 21,2026,23:19
The Japanese stock market on Thursday ended the five-day losing streak in which it had plummeted almost 3,400 points or 5.8 percent. The Nikkei now sits just above the 61,680-point plateau and it may add to its winnings on Friday. .. read more..
Higher Open Suggested For South Korea Shares
Thursday, May 21,2026,23:04
The South Korea stock market on Thursday halted the two-day slide in which it had tumbled more than 300 points or 4 percent. The KOSPI now sits just above the 7,815-point plateau and it's tipped to open in the green again on Friday. .. read more..
Not even a quick end to Iran war can save AI stock bubble now
Thursday, May 21,2026,21:30
The Iran war has baked in stagflation and starvation through big reductions in the supply of oil and fertilisers. This inflationary pressure will only increase. As inflation sucks liquidity out of financial markets and into the real economy, bond yields are being pushed up across the world. If bond yields rise by more than a percentage point, a likely scenario before the year’s end, the liquidity diversion could be big enough to pop the AI bubble. The US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted the... .. read more..
For China's Goodbaby, It Hasn't Been An Easy Stroll Lately
Thursday, May 21,2026,16:10
Goodbaby's first quarter revenue rose by 6.4%, though it fell on a constant currency basis as the company faced tariff hits in the U.S. and slumping demand in China image credit: Bamboo Works Key Takeaways: Goodbaby's revenue grew 6.4% in the first quarter, but the figure dropped by 0.9% on a constant currency basis The company's high-end Cybex stroller brand has helped it ride out U.S. tariff wars, reporting 12.9% year-on-year revenue growth during the quarter The rollercoaster ride of rising and falling U.S. tariffs last year, and resulting gyrations in Chinese imports to the country, is reflected in the latest quarterly results of Goodbaby International... .. read more..
Young Indians protest through parody ‘cockroach’ party
Thursday, May 21,2026,14:18
It began as a satirical online project. Now millions of young Indians are flocking to it as an outlet for their frustration. A parody political party called the Cockroach Janta Party, with the insect as its symbol, has exploded across India’s social media by turning absurdist humour into protest. Memes and short videos mocking corruption, joblessness and political dysfunction have flooded social media sites, where millions of users are embracing the cockroach – known for its ability to survive... .. read more..
Sickle-skillet fight in Changhua leaves 3 seniors hospitalized
Thursday, May 21,2026,13:45
Taipei, May 21 (CNA) A dispute between two elderly men in Changhua County turned violent Wednesday, after one attacked the other with a sickle and the second man fought back with a skillet, leaving three seniors hospitalized, police said. .. read more..
Philippine justice chief orders arrest of senator wanted by ICC
Thursday, May 21,2026,13:23
The Philippine justice chief ordered authorities on Thursday to enforce an International Criminal Court warrant for the arrest of a senator wanted on an alleged crime against humanity. He warned that anyone helping the senator evade a nationwide hunt would face criminal charges. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa “is a fugitive from justice”, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said in a news conference. “He should be brought to the ICC to face the charges.” Dela Rosa is a former national police chief who... .. read more..
Taiwan prodigy wins gold at Asian Taekwondo Championships debut
Thursday, May 21,2026,13:10
Taipei, May 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Wang Chieh-ling (王婕菱) on Thursday won gold in the women's 46-kilogram finweight category in her debut at the Asian Taekwondo Championships, beating Thailand's Patcharakan Poolkerd 4-2, 6-3 in the final held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. .. read more..
Oil market could enter ‘red zone’ by July as stocks dwindle ahead of summer t...
Thursday, May 21,2026,12:34
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the single most important solution to the Iran war energy shock is the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. .. read more..
Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals
Thursday, May 21,2026,12:33
As high fuel prices and disruption from the Middle East conflict force many Asian carriers to cut capacity and rearrange routes, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is moving in the opposite direction: adding long-haul flights to Europe in a bid to capture traffic from its Gulf rivals. Aviation analysts said the carrier’s expansion reflected a rare combination in the region: a strong balance sheet, insulation from sudden jumps in fuel prices due to its hedging strategy and a hub in Singapore that could... .. read more..
Taiwan to establish national AI strategy committee
Thursday, May 21,2026,12:25
Taipei, May 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Cabinet will establish a national AI strategy committee and draft the country's first AI development blueprint while seeking to balance technological innovation with social welfare and human rights protections, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said on Thursday. .. read more..
Iran reviews U.S. peace proposal as Trump says he’s willing to wait 'a few days'
Thursday, May 21,2026,12:23
It comes after President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait a few more days to "get the right answers" from Tehran. .. read more..