Buddha’s birthday (Wesak Day): When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries?

The birthday of the historical Buddha or Shakyamuni Buddha, known as Vesak in several countries, celebrates the birth of the child who became Prince Siddhartha around the end of the 4th century B.C. This is a holy occasion for all Buddhists, but is celebrated on different dates depending on the school of Buddhism or country to...

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (May 13, 2024)

Malaysia: * PM Anwar starts official visit to Qatar / Anwar accorded official welcome in Qatar * Health Ministry to request for Influenza vaccine allocation for the vulnerable, elderly, says Dr Dzul * S'wak secondary schools to teach Science and Maths in English from 2026 * Enough is enough, Johor MB tells those spreading Forest City casino rumours * Fiscal...

Armed Certis cop arrested in Singapore’s Victoria Street; officer did not return gun and 10 bullets after duty

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A manhunt involving more than 100 police officers was launched on Friday evening, after a Certis auxiliary police officer did not return his revolver and 10 bullets after his shift. At a media briefing onFriday ( May 10), the police said the Singaporean man, 27, was arrested within 2½ hours after a...

Lee presented with ‘mee siam’ cake on last day in Parliament as prime minister

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was presented with a personalised 3D cake after Parliament adjourned on May 8, marking his final sitting in the house as prime minister. In a Facebook post, West Coast GRC MP Rachel Ong said: “Today being PM Lee’s last Parliament sitting as PM, we invited all members of Parliament to...

Scoot hit by multiple flight cancellations

SINGAPORE: More than 30 flights operated by budget carrier Scoot were cancelled over a recent five-day period, which the airline said was due to operational reasons. From May 2 to 6, 33 Scoot flights were cancelled, according to data from Changi Airport’s website. Some of these flights were travelling to or from Bangkok in Thailand, Kuala...

Korean YouTuber fatally stabbed while live-streaming in Busan

BUSAN: A South Korean YouTuber in his 50s was apprehended after killing another YouTuber who was live-streaming in Busan, the authorities said on Thursday (May 9). According to the Busan Metropolitan Police, the victim in his 50s was fatally stabbed while live-streaming on YouTube to his approximately 4,000 subscribers during a visit to the Busan District...

Visitors at China theme park hang upside down as ride stalls over May Day holiday

BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): At least 18 people were stuck upside down in mid-air after a theme park ride in Chongqing froze on May 4. They were left hanging for about two to three minutes before park employees got the ride moving again, local media reported. While no one was injured, some riders felt dizzy, it said. Videos...

China military took measures to warn Australia in jet incident, its ministry says

BEIJING (Reuters): China's military took necessary measures to warn Australia, the foreign ministry in Beijing said, after Australia said a Chinese fighter jet endangered an Australian military helicopter during an "unsafe" confrontation over the Yellow Sea. "The Australian military aircraft flew near China's airspace in a threatening way," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign...

Man on stabbing spree in China hospital attack leaves two dead, 21 wounded

BEIJING (AFP): Two people were dead and 21 wounded after a man went on a stabbing spree at a hospital in southwest China on Tuesday, local officials said. "A knife attack occurred at the Chengnan Hospital in Zhenxiong County, which resulted in two deaths and 21 injuries," a statement on the county's official WeChat account said. The...

Thai police arrest American fleeing 25-year jail term

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai police have arrested an American who fled a 25-year jail sentence in the United States for kidnapping, sex trafficking and other crimes, officers said Tuesday. Selva Delano Mudaliar was jailed for at least 25 years by a court in the US state of Oregon in March this year, according to a Thai police...