Severe thunderstorms and hail on May 2 injured five people in the northern province of Thai Nguyen and damaged about 350 houses, along with nearly 920 hectares of crops. Schools and power poles were also affected.
KAJANG, May 3 — The remains of a nine-year-old girl who was found drowned in Sungai Langat at noon today will be laid to rest at the Sungai Long Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Langat tonight.
Earlier, a post-mortem on Nur Qaseh Deandra Mohd Qayyum was completed at the Kajang Hospital Forensic Department at 3.47pm.
Her body was then bathed and shrouded at the hospital before being transported by hearse at 6pm to Taman Rakan Mosque in Cheras for funeral prayers.
The victim was found by the search and rescue (SAR) team at 12.17pm, about 10.6 kilometres from where she was reported to have fallen.
Last Friday, she was believed to have been swept away by strong currents while trying to retrieve a ball that had fallen into a drain as she was playing with friends at an apartment area in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. — Bernama
In the first four months of 2026, Hue welcomed more than 2.6 million visitors, up 30.3% year-on-year. Of the total, international arrivals surpassed 1.13 million, rising 27.7%, while domestic tourists exceeded 1.53 million, up 32.3%.
BEIJING, May 3 — China accused the Philippines of landing personnel on a disputed reef in the South China Sea today as Manila said it would dispatch ships to drive off Chinese vessels it said were conducting research illegally.
The exchange extends a run of heightened tension between China and the Philippines, a US ally, over Sandy Cay, an unoccupied sandbar in the South China Sea.
Today, China’s Coast Guard said it had identified five Philippine personnel who had landed on Sandy Cay, an action Beijing termed “illegal,” according to state-run media outlet Global Times. The report did not specify what — if any — further action China had taken.
Manila said last week it had dispatched its coast guard to Sandy Cay after state media reports showed Chinese coast guard personnel arriving on Sandy Cay holding a Chinese flag.
Ties between China and the Philippines are strained over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire waterway.
Also today, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard said Manila had identified four Chinese vessels conducting what it called illegal research in its waters and threatened to deploy aircraft and ships to force them to move away.
China’s foreign ministry and the Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately reply to requests for comment. — Reuters
LONDON, May 3 — The Rolling Stones have confirmed that the title of their upcoming music project is Foreign Tongues.
It comes after months of teasing by the rock group, through mysterious billboards and posts, which sparked rumours that the band would release a new album – their first since their 2023 Grammy Award-winning record Hackney Diamonds.
The Press Association understands the Stones will release their new album on July 10, after band members Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards shared the artwork for the upcoming record on Saturday, with each musician posting a different portion of the cover.
Jagger shared a photograph which covered the bottom part of the cover and showed an illustration of what appears to be his mouth and chin.
Wood shared the middle portion of the cover which revealed his eyes and nose.
Richards completed the puzzle and shared the top half which featured an illustration of the head – some messy hair wearing a multicoloured bandana.
On Friday, the band shared a snippet from an unnamed song over a 13-second video to their 4.2 million fans of their signature tongue and lips logo on a moving background.
The caption consisted of two emojis, including one of a CD, leading fans to believe they are hinting at a new record.
Rumours of new music were first sparked last month when a series of cryptic messages including posters and QR codes linked to The Cockroaches popped up around London believed to be connected to the band.
The Rolling Stones have also reportedly released music and performed gigs under the pseudonym, The Cockroaches, with teaser videos hinting at the name shared on their Instagram.
The Cockroaches later released a limited-edition vinyl single, titled Rough And Twisted on April 11, which was reportedly only sold exclusively at independent record stores.
Formed in London in 1962, The Rolling Stones have a long history of chart-topping albums and number one singles, including (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Paint It Black and Start Me Up.
After long-serving member Charlie Watts died in August 2021 at the age of 80, Steve Jordan has stepped in as the group’s drummer with its current line-up consisting of Jagger, Richards and Wood.
Throughout their decades-long career, The Rolling Stones have had 14 UK number one albums and eight number one hits.
The rock band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa
SUNGAI PETANI, May 3 — An elderly man is feared drowned after he was believed to have fallen into a river in Kampung Padang Tengah, Tikam Batu, today. The victim has been identified as Mohamad Khalid @ Halim Salleh, aged 83.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department Zone 2 officer and senior operations commander, Fire Supt Bryan Del Bungkias, said an emergency call was received at 8.55 am.
He said the victim is suspected to have fallen into a drainage ditch near his home, based on his blanket found at the edge of the water. The distance from his house to the ditch is approximately 30 metres.
A team of officers and firefighters from the Tikam Batu Fire and Rescue Station was deployed to the scene to conduct search-and-rescue operations.
Bryan said the Water Rescue Team and the Royal Malaysia Police K9 unit have also been called in to help.
He added that members of the Water Rescue Team conducted dives in the area where the victim is believed to have fallen at 10.44 am, while searches along the riverbank are actively underway. — Bernama
SINGAPORE: The idea that men should foot the bill on a first date is still pretty much the default, but one 29-year-old Singaporean woman thinks it’s time to change that.
Posting on the r/sgdatingscene forum, she shared that she has a personal rule when it comes to first meetups. She never lets her date pay for everything.
“I never let my dates pay everything on the first date,” she wrote, before explaining why the whole expectation feels off to her. She asked people to think about it this way: if a guy goes on three first dates in a week, covering all those bills would ‘be insane.’ “I have a brother, so I can kind of feel for men. I wouldn’t want him paying for all of his first dates,” she added.
For her, the fairest setup is simple. Go halves at the start. “My stance is that on a first date, it’s a 50/50 split. THEN if there’s a romantic connection and you guys decide to continue going on more dates, the guy can offer to pay (not every date, lah, of course),” she explained.
She also pushed back on the idea that a man paying on the first date proves he is a “provider.” In her view, first dates are often more about putting on a good show than revealing who someone really is.
“First dates are low-key performative,” she said, adding that she has seen men who are struggling financially still insist on paying just to “secure a second date.”
“I know a lot of girls would be like, ‘But I want a provider, yada yada.’ Hmm, someone could pay on the first date but not be a provider. I wouldn’t use the first date to gauge whether or not he’s a provider.”
She also pointed out that some so-called ‘compromises’ are not as fair as they sound. “Some people might argue that on first dates, the guy can pay for dinner and the girl can pay for dessert/a movie. But hor… This is also quite unfair because dinner is usually 3-5x the cost of the dessert/movie.”
Her post struck a chord with many in the comments.
One male commenter said he finds it “ridiculous” to pay for someone he has just met, especially when there is no guarantee of a connection.
“Unfortunately, many females (or at least the ones that I went on dates with) often expect the guy to pay but refuse to play their part during the date. I do not mind paying, provided they make the date fun, choose a place that is not too expensive, and do not give the entitled attitude,” he added.
Another user said they actually feel more comfortable splitting the bill on a first date.
“I completely agree with your takes, and I personally feel more comfortable when we split the bill on the first date!! My take on that is we’re both still getting to know each other, so I don’t have the expectation for you to fully pay!”
A female commenter also backed the 50/50 approach, saying it does not make sense for one person to shoulder everything.
“I also support 50/50… Like, it’s not right for y’all to pay for everything on dates. And we don’t need to go to some high-end restaurant. I am too Singaporean and used to local food from a young age. I just want chicken rice.. I am sure there are a lot of girls like me.”
Still, not everyone agreed.
Some argued that whoever initiates the date should be the one to pay. One user explained, “As a male…if I’m the one who asked the girl out, I will cover 100%, just because I’m the one who initiated. Fair mah. Subsequently, assuming the 2nd date, 3rd date, 4th date happens and no massive confession yet, then it’s 50/50.”
Another commenter pointed out, “I don’t expect anything, but the reality is that if I met two guys, one paid and one didn’t, I would have a better impression of the first one. First dates are just kind of one of the first avenues for you to score brownie points. Like girls would also always wear full makeup/be the prettiest on first dates.”
“I don’t think guys MUST pay, but it depends on how much the guy wants the girl. He can choose to split, but he must also accept the reality that the girl may meet another guy who paid and choose that guy instead.”
In other news, a woman who has been married for 20 years confessed on social media that her husband has “never contributed financially to the household” and instead spends his money on pets such as “hamster cages, parrots, fish, and dogs.”
In an anonymous post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, she said she married him “for love” and truly believed they “would build a life together.” Over time, however, she found herself carrying all the financial responsibilities on her own.
Read more: Singapore mum of three says she paid for the family for 20 years while husband spent on pets
This article (Singaporean woman says first dates should be 50/50, not paid by men) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.
BACHOK, May 3 — The government will continue to monitor suspicious offers related to badal haji services, particularly at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and on social media platforms.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the monitoring is being carried out continuously to ensure Malaysians do not fall victim to scams, especially at the last minute ahead of the Haj season.
“To date, no complaints have been received regarding badal haji fraud. Nevertheless, Tabung Haji has deployed personnel to monitor activities on social media as well as at KLIA.
“I advise Malaysians, particularly Muslims, to always refer to the relevant authorities to verify any offers or information and avoid potential losses,” he told reporters after officiating a Bakery and Pastry Business Empowerment Programme in Kampung Telong here today. Also present was Tabung Haji group managing director and chief executive officer Mustakim Mohamad.
Zulkifli noted that the cost of performing the Haj is high, and unrealistic offers may not fulfil the required pillars and obligations of the pilgrimage.
Earlier, Malaysian consul-general in Jeddah Tengku Mohd Dzaraif Raja Abdul Kadir also cautioned Malaysians against dubious badal haji services, particularly those offered at unusually low prices compared to actual costs.
Meanwhile, 30 women from the Kelantan Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities took part in the programme to improve their skills and generate income by producing and selling their products. — Bernama
The Vietnamese Youth Alliance in Singapore (VNYA) on May 2 organised VNYA Concert 2026, under the theme “NHIP – The Rhythm of VietNam”, creating an emotional cultural space for Vietnamese students, workers and international friends in the city-state.
JERTIH, May 3 — An elderly woman was killed when the van she was in skidded and crashed into a tree in Kampung Anak Ikan here at 1.50 am today.
Besut district police chief Supt Mohd Rozaime Ab Rahman said Munah Awang, 76, died while being treated at the Besut Hospital’s emergency unity at 4.30 am.
“The victim was aboard a Toyota Hiace van with 10 other people, aged 12 to 60, and were on their way from Perak to Kampung Alor Serdang, Setiu.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the van driver, a man, lost control of the van, which was headed from the direction of Kota Bharu, Kelantan to Kuala Terengganu, and skidded off the road and hit a tree,” he said in a statement today.
Several other passengers who had minor injuries were also sent to Besut Hospital for treatment, he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. — Bernama
Vietnam's total import-export turnover in April was estimated at 94.32 billion USD, up 0.8% from the previous month and 26.7% year-on-year, according to the National Statistics Office.
Modern medicine prides itself on being a universal science, built on evidence from clinical trials.
But there’s a bias in medical research. While Africa accounts for roughly 25% of the global disease burden and 19% of the global population, the continent’s people are largely invisible in some clinical trials.
The scale of the erasure is revealed in a landmark study of 2,472 randomised controlled trials globally published between 2019 and 2024.
I led this team of researchers, who scrutinised the world’s most influential medical publications to quantify African representation. They included the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Nature Medicine, and the British Medical Journal. There were also three leading cardiovascular journals in the study: Circulation, the European Heart Journal and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
I am a physician-scientist working at the intersection of cardiometabolic epidemiology and biomedical data science. I also focus on large-scale population studies in Africa and data-driven cardiovascular prevention.
Randomised controlled trials are a cornerstone of evidence-based medicine. Introduced in the mid-20th century, they rigorously evaluate the safety and effectiveness of treatments by randomly assigning participants to different groups. This is done to minimise bias. Trials like these have been central to major medical breakthroughs, from cardiovascular therapies to vaccines. They continue to guide clinical decisions and the development of new treatments worldwide.
Our findings show a profound imbalance in the global clinical research landscape. Across the five most prestigious general medical journals, only 3.9% of trials were conducted exclusively in Africa. In cardiovascular health, the numbers drop to a statistical whisper. Of the major trials published in leading cardiology journals, just two studies (0.6%) were conducted solely on African soil.
This is a crisis of scientific accuracy. When clinical trials exclude African populations, they produce evidence that lacks “external validity”. This refers to how well the results of a study can be generalised beyond the participants. It asks whether findings from a clinical trial will still hold true when applied to different populations, settings, or real-world conditions.
Without that validity, doctors are essentially conducting unmonitored experiments on millions of patients every day.
Modern medicine cannot claim to be universal if entire populations remain invisible in the evidence base. Biology, health systems and disease patterns are not identical across the world.
Read more: Africa is losing health workers when it can least afford to – a pattern rooted in colonial history
Many treatments used across the continent are based on evidence generated in non-African populations, raising concerns about their applicability.
Moreover, most Africa-based trials still focus on infectious diseases, despite the rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
Emerging evidence shows that genetics, environment and diet can radically alter how a body responds to a drug. It therefore makes no medical sense that an entire continent is left out of the trial net.
There’s also evidence showing that certain treatments have different safety profiles in Black patients. Diabetes and gout are just two examples. So are certain common blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Research shows that they carry a three- to four-fold higher risk of severe, life-threatening side effects in people of African descent compared to other populations.
When clinical trials exclude populations, doctors are forced to extrapolate findings from one population and apply them to another.
The study also highlights a dangerous lag between global research funding and the evolving reality of African health. The new data show that nearly 76% of trials conducted exclusively in Africa focused on infectious diseases. But the continent is undergoing a massive epidemiological shift. Non-communicable diseases – heart disease, stroke, and diabetes – now account for about 38% of all deaths in many African nations.
The middle class in Africa has tripled to 300 million people from roughly 100 million people in the early 2000s. More people are now living long enough with lifestyles that increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Consequently, there is a growing need and market for long-term treatments that manage these diseases, rather than short-term therapies for infections. Yet cardiovascular trials continue to be discouraged.
Even within the continent, the data show deep “black holes” of information. South Africa accounted for over 62% of all trials conducted on the continent. Central Africa, a region that’s home to more than 180 million people, was virtually non-existent in the global research record. It contributed less than 3% of the continent’s limited trial output. Possible reasons include South Africa’s decades of cumulative investment, seen in stronger academic hubs, research governance, experienced trial units, and more established sponsor relationships. Other regions face barriers like fewer resourced research institutions, less access to trial platforms, and sometimes language and publication issues that can reduce visibility in top-tier journals.
The inequity extends into the hierarchy of science itself. Even when African sites are included in large, multicontinental trials, they are often relegated to the role of “recruitment hubs” rather than scientific partners. Our study found that African scientists led only 3.6% of multicontinental trials that included an African site.
Read more: Africa needs to speed up research excellence: here’s how
Africa should not simply be a location where studies are conducted.
It must be a place where research is conceived, led and interpreted. The current model creates a cycle of external dependence where international institutions manage the funding and the data. This leaves local research systems fragile and unable to translate evidence into national policy.
There is need for “ring-fenced” funding for African-led research, the development of regional trial networks, and a mandate for medical journals to report on the diversity of trial populations.
There are signs of a rising momentum. Organisations like Alliance for Medical Research in Africa are working to equip a new generation of African investigators. Africa must create a research ecosystem that is too important for the global community to ignore.
Bamba Gaye does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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