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Indonesian President Jokowi delights crowd during Malaysia market visit
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, widely known as Jokowi, received an enthusiastic welcome from locals and Indonesians as he visited the Chow Kit market in Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The crowd had gathered at the popular wet market from as early as 11am, while security personnel placed barricades along the streets. Jokowi arrived at the market at…
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Najib Razak receives youth leadership award despite 12-year jail sentence
In Kuala Lumpur, the former Malaysian Prime Minister and Umno president, Najib Razak, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for stealing US$10 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, was granted the youth leadership award by his party’s youth wing. Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the recently-elected Umno Youth chief, stated that the award was a symbol of gratitude for…
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Umno president dismisses DAP apology demand for Malay, Islamic commitment
Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed demands for a public apology from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to prove its commitment to the Malay and Islamic agenda. The call for an apology was made by Umno Youth Chief Dr Akmal Salleh during the wing’s assembly. Hamidi, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, stated that the issue…
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Phuket vies for Specialised Expo 2028, boosting health and medical tourism
As the final presentation and vote for the Specialised Expo 2028 approaches, many Thai citizens are eagerly awaiting the decision, hoping that Phuket will be chosen as the host city. The Thai delegation is set to present their case to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on June 21, highlighting the southern resort island province’s potential as a host location.…
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Sanusi urged to own up for erasing Penang remark by Lim Guan Eng
In a recent development, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has urged Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to take responsibility for his previous comments about “erasing Penang.” Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, criticised Sanusi for accusing the media of misreporting after facing public backlash. Lim questioned Sanusi’s delayed response, asking, “If there was a mistake in…
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Malaysia, Indonesia unite against EU palm oil discrimination
In a historic move, Malaysia and Indonesia have joined forces to counter the anti-oil palm campaign and protect the interests of the palm oil sector. At a joint press conference, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo commended their respective ministers, Fadillah Yusof and Airlangga Hartarto, for their collaborative efforts in defending the oil palm commodity. Both…
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Ballot bafflement: Thai EC orders recounts in 47 polling stations after votes outnumber registered voters
The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand announced plans to conduct vote recounts in 47 polling stations across Thailand on June 11 as the number of ballots cast exceeded the number of registered voters. During a meeting held yesterday, the EC disclosed that out of the 95,000 polling stations nationwide, 31 stations will have their votes recounted for the party-list candidates,…
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Indonesia, Malaysia unite against EU palm oil discrimination law
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has urged for stronger cooperation with Malaysia to combat perceived discrimination against their palm oil products, as new European Union legislation threatens to impact exports. The EU enacted a law earlier this year prohibiting the import of commodities linked to deforestation, which is expected to adversely affect the palm oil industry. Indonesia and Malaysia are the…
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Caroline Lucas to step down as Green Party’s only MP
Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party and the first Green MP in the House of Commons, has announced her decision not to stand for re-election at the next general election. In a letter to her Brighton Pavilion constituents, the 62-year-old MP expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and highlighted the increasing urgency of environmental…
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Met Police chief apologises to LGBT+ community for force’s homophobic failings
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has issued an apology to LGBT+ activist Peter Tatchell and the wider community for the force’s historical homophobic failings. The apology comes in the wake of a report by Baroness Casey in March, which exposed racism, misogyny, and homophobia within the Met Police. Tatchell described the apology as a “ground-breaking step forward” and hopes…
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New Na Klang-Ao Jik road links Phuket and Phang Nga, boosting tourism
The newly completed Na Klang-Ao Jik road, which connects Phuket and Phang Nga, is set to provide a boost to local tourism and cross-provincial transport. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has invested approximately 282.8 million baht (US$8.5 million) in the 4.2-kilometre road, which is part of a city expansion project in Phang Nga’s Thai Muang district. The concrete road…
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Rain reigns: Nakhon Ratchasima’s reservoirs overflow with joy as planting season gets a splashy boost
Heavy rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima provided a significant boost to the province’s reservoirs, ensuring sufficient water management during the planting season. The unexpected downpour is due to a high-pressure system affecting Thai provinces and neighbouring countries and is predicted to continue until June 10. In the lower north-eastern region, the heavy monsoon resulted in a 70% chance of thunderstorms and heavy…
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Phuket lifeguards warn of poisonous jellyfish on island beaches
Phuket Lifeguard Service has issued an official warning to beachgoers and swimmers about the presence of poisonous jellyfish in the waters surrounding the island. The alert comes after several Portuguese man-o-war jellyfish was found washed up along the west coast beaches in recent days. A photo of one such jellyfish was posted on the Phuket Lifeguard Service’s official Facebook account,…
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Asia-Pacific aviation recovery boosted by China’s early reopening
Asia-Pacific aviation is set for a gradual recovery this year, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) citing China’s earlier-than-expected reopening as a significant boost for the industry. Philip Goh, IATA’s Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, noted that revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) for the region in April reached 82% of the corresponding period in 2019. Domestic RPK has already surpassed 2019 levels,…
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Yala craft beer uses Betong pomelo peel, garnering nationwide interest
A local craft beer originating in Yala province has gained popularity across Thailand due to its unique blend, which includes peel from the local Betong orange. The product’s demand consistently increased after being featured at Sol Bar. This bar is located at the headquarters of the Move Forward Party in Bangkok and is discussed heavily on social media platforms. The…
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Afghan students struggle as India cancels visas amid Taliban takeover
For two years, Yasmeen Azimi, a 22-year-old Afghan student, has been struggling to obtain a visa to continue her studies in India. Despite being admitted to a postgraduate programme in political science at Chandigarh University under a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in January 2021, her visa application has been rejected three times. India’s Ministry of…
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Two women killed as motorbike swerves to avoid truck and is crushed by trailer
Two women were tragically killed when their motorcycle collided with a trailer after swerving to avoid a pick-up truck making a U-turn on a road in Sadao district of Thailand’s Songkhla province. The victims, believed to be Myanmar migrant workers who were 25 to 30 years old, were run over by the trailer. Between last night and this morning, officers…
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World Ocean Day highlights alarming growth of plastic waste in seas
Annually, approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic products are manufactured globally, with nearly half utilised for single-use items such as shopping bags, cups, and packaging materials. It is estimated that 8 million to 10 million tonnes of these plastics end up in the ocean each year, covering an area of 11,000 square kilometres when flattened to the thickness of a…
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Israeli forces injure six in Ramallah raid, including three by gunfire
At least six individuals were hospitalised, with three suffering gunshot wounds, after Israeli forces fired at a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth. This incident took place during an Israeli raid in Ramallah, a Palestinian city located in the occupied West Bank. According to a witness who spoke to Reuters, a large Israeli military convoy arrived in the city centre early…
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Thai GDP growth at risk as new government formation faces delays
Concerns are rising within the private sector as the potential delay in the formation of Thailand’s new government could lead to a decline in the country’s GDP growth to 1-2%. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, stated that the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is closely monitoring the political situation. A new government…
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Selangor FC demolish Kelantan United 7-1 with del Valle’s hattrick
Selangor FC made a remarkable comeback from their previous 0-1 defeat to PDRM FC, as they triumphed over Kelantan United FC (KUFC) with a stunning 7-1 victory in a Super League match at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru. Selangor’s Colombian player Ayron del Valle, 35, was the star of the show, scoring a hat trick and contributing…
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Singapore FM condemns Jocelyn Chia’s MH370 joke, apologises to Malaysians
Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, criticised stand-up comedian Jocelyn Chia on Twitter for her insensitive and offensive remarks about Malaysia during a recent performance. Chia, a Singapore-born performer, made jokes about Malaysia’s development and the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, sparking outrage in Malaysia. “I am appalled by her horrendous statements. She certainly does not speak for Singaporeans. We treasure…
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World Bank to assess Ukraine dam destruction impact and needs
The World Bank has pledged to support Ukraine in assessing the damage and needs following the destruction of the massive Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric dam. The dam, situated on the front lines between Russian and Ukrainian forces, was destroyed on Tuesday, leading to severe consequences for essential services and the wider environment. Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s managing director for operations,…
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Man City face Inter Milan in Champions League final for treble
Manchester City’s reign over English football is undeniable, having secured numerous trophies under Pep Guardiola’s management. Now, they have the opportunity to conquer Europe as they face Inter Milan in the upcoming Champions League final on Saturday. Guardiola has already brought 11 trophies to the club in seven years, including the recent FA Cup victory against Manchester United and a…
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Telegraph Media Group faces sale over £1bn unpaid debt
The Telegraph Media Group, which owns The Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers and The Spectator magazine, is facing potential sale due to unpaid debt, according to a recent statement. Bank of Scotland, the lender, explained that it had no choice but to appoint a receiver over B.UK. Limited, the Bermuda-based holding company for the Telegraph Media Group, as the debt…
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Drunken British man flings bicycle through glass door after mobile phone meltdown in Krabi
Police apprehended a British man who launched a bicycle into the glass door of a house on Koh Lanta, an island in Krabi province in southern Thailand. He admitted being intoxicated and angry after losing his mobile phone. A 20 year old Thai woman, Kanittha Kokyai, filed a complaint at Koh Lanta Police Station saying that a foreign man caused damage…
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West Ham wins first European trophy in 58 years with late goal
A historic moment was witnessed as West Ham United claimed their first European trophy in 58 years, defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final. The late-game goal by Jarrod Bowen in the 90th minute brought an end to the long wait for the Hammers, who last won silverware in the 1980 FA Cup. The match took place in…
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Putin accuses Ukraine of barbaric act in dam destruction causing floods
On June 8, tensions escalated as Russian President Vladimir Putin labelled Ukraine’s destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam a “barbaric act.” The incident has resulted in widespread flooding and accusations from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Moscow was behind the dam’s destruction. Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia-backed forces were struggling to evacuate residents in the affected areas. Russian troops reportedly…
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Staley denies Epstein ties, blames JPMorgan in sex trafficking lawsuits
Jes Staley, the former JPMorgan Chase & Co executive, has officially denied any involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking activities and pointed the finger at JPMorgan for maintaining him as a client. In recent filings at a Manhattan federal court, Staley claimed that his interactions with Epstein were not the direct cause of any damages JPMorgan might face in the…
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Pattaya Police raid illegal karaoke bar, arrest owner and 5 Myanmar nationals
Pattaya City Police officers last night raided an unlicensed karaoke bar, catching five Myanmar nationals working there without the proper permits. The police have charged the bar’s caretaker and the five employees with various legal violations, including operating without official permission and selling alcohol unauthorised. During the operation, led by Surachet Eneksri, the deputy chief of Pattaya City Police Station,…
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