MANILA, May 10 — The Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to the illicit narcotics trade as part of its efforts to build a drug-free region, The Philippine News Agency reported.

During the 48th Asean Summit and Related Meeting in Cebu on Friday, the bloc acknowledged the important role of the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) and its subsidiary mechanisms in advancing regional coordination to address the proliferation of illegal drugs.

The South-east Asian leaders expressed support for the biennial AMMD, looking forward to the Philippines’ chairship of the 9th meeting this year, according to the Asean chair’s statement released yesterday.

Among the commitments made during the summit was the continued implementation of the Asean Workplan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs, anchored on the Asean Political Security Community Strategic Plan.

The priority deliverables would complement the member-states’ shared objectives for a “safe and secure Asean,” the Asean chair stated.

Asean would also observe the Asean Drug Victims Remembrance Day on June 26, in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, highlighting the region’s concerted efforts to strengthen community resilience and raise public awareness of the grave repercussions of illicit drug use.

The leaders lauded the continued contributions of the Asean Narcotics Cooperation Centre, particularly its publication of the annual Asean Drug Monitoring Report (ADM), as a key initiative supporting the regional efforts to combat illegal drugs.

They also noted the outcomes of the 19th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ADMM-Plus convened in 2025.

“We acknowledged notable progress in regional defence cooperation made in the past two decades, including the founding of the ADMM-Plus in 2010, which reflects Asean’s commitment to an open and inclusive regional security architecture,” the Asean chair said.

The organisation welcomed the expanded defence cooperation among the member-states, allowing the ADMM and ADMM-Plus to address current security challenges in the region and prepare against future threats.

They also commended the growing engagement with external partners, both under the ADMM/ADMM-Plus framework and beyond, including through the continued implementation of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

“We noted initiatives under the Philippines’ Chairship aimed at investing in the future, by advancing the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. We looked forward to the flagship activities of the seven ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (EWGs) in the ongoing 2024-2027 cycle,” the Asean chair said.

Human rights protection, peace efforts

The leaders cited significant gains in the work of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in promoting and protecting human rights in the region, including efforts to strengthen the commission’s institutional capacity and enhance cross-sectoral and cross-pillar collaboration.

They backed the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan 2026-2030, looking forward to its “timely, effective and results-oriented” implementation, aligned with Asean 2045: Our Shared Future and its vision of a people-centred, people-oriented, and human rights-based Asean Community.

“With this mechanism, we can enhance regional cooperation to address the lived realities and needs of the peoples of Asean, especially those from vulnerable and marginalised sectors,” the statement read.

They likewise expressed support for the continued discussions on the Asean Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, as well as the Asean Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development.

They stressed the importance of the AICHR’s cooperation with relevant international and regional partners to support capacity-building, technical cooperation, and exchange of good practices.

The regional bloc sought stronger collaboration with national peace institutions, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation and inclusive peace processes.

They emphasised the need to advance peace initiatives in the region by allowing the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts.

“We encourage continued efforts by the Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (Asean-IPR) through research, advocacy and engagement with relevant Asean bodies, entities and academic institutions that champion peacebuilding and reconciliation, and by actively advancing peace education and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas,” the Asean chair said. — Bernama-PNA

PARIS, May 10 — Elon Musk has launched a tirade against French judicial authorities currently investigating possible abuses on his X social network — prompting a fresh legal complaint from a gay rights group yesterday.

France opened an inquiry in January 2025 into allegations that X, formerly known as Twitter, was used to interfere in French politics.

The probe has since widened to cover allegations of Holocaust denial, distribution of sexual deepfakes and most recently possible complicity in the distribution of images of child sexual abuse.

Responding to a post on the latest phase of the inquiry, Musk wrote in French on Friday: “They’re faker than a chocolate euro and gayer than a flamingo in a neon tutu!”

French campaigning group Stop Homophobie filed a complaint against Musk over his latest comments.

The group’s lawyer, Etienne Deshoulieres, told AFP they had filed a complaint for “public insults towards a group of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity”.

The SpaceX and Tesla tycoon, under investigation along with former X CEO Linda Yaccarino, recently failed to respond to a summons from the French judiciary for an informal interview.

He already labelled French magistrates “mentally retarded” in an earlier post in French, following a raid on X’s Paris office in mid-February.

At the time of the raid, the social network condemned what it called an abusive judicial action with political motives and denied any wrongdoing.

Contacted by AFP about Musk’s latest published remarks, X declined to comment. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for insults against Islam and the institution of the Malay Rulers to be dealt with firmly, fairly and wisely, to protect religious dignity, state institutions and national harmony.

He said unease among the Malay community is deepening as the sanctity of Islam and the standing of the Malay Rulers are increasingly being challenged through various issues that stir public sensitivities.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, cited concerns including insults against the word Allah, jokes mocking halal matters, objections to the azan (call to prayer), and acts of disrespect towards the Malay Rulers.

“Islam is the religion of the Federation, and the Malay Rulers are the pillars of national sovereignty. So when these two main pillars are disturbed, the people’s anxiety cannot be treated as a small matter,” he said in a speech at the Musyawarah Nasional themed Malay Unease: What Is the Solution?

He stressed that while freedom of speech must be respected, it cannot be used as a pretext to insult religion, belittle the institution of the Malay Rulers or undermine national harmony.

Ahmad Zahid said it is time to review and strengthen the country’s legal framework to ensure it remains relevant to current challenges.

He added that Malay unease extends beyond religion and royalty, also involving economic, education, unity and political stability issues.

On the economy, he said Malays remain the largest group of consumers and workers but are still not strong asset owners, stressing the need to move beyond aid towards ownership, control and participation in future industries.

On education, he highlighted the mismatch between graduates and industry needs, noting that 35.8 per cent or 1.96 million graduates are working in semi-skilled or low-skilled jobs.

He said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should be strengthened as a key pathway for youth mobility.

Ahmad Zahid also warned that rising racial sentiment and prejudice on social media could erode national unity, adding that disputes over language, identity, food heritage and cultural sensitivities are increasingly causing tension.

He further said Malay politics must return to unity, civility and strategy, warning against internal divisions and power struggles that could weaken the community’s position.

“Malay politics must return to reason, civility and strategy, not just to win elections, but to ensure this race continues to hold the power to decide its own future,” he said.

PASIR PUTEH, May 10 — Two men, both aged 25, have been remanded for six days to assist in investigations into the death of a person with disabilities (PwD) at Ladang Merdeka Cherbu, Padang Lati, Bachok, three weeks ago.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate Nik Mohd Fadli Datuk Nik Azlan today, allowing police to detain the suspects until next Friday for investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Earlier, the two suspects arrived at the court complex at about 9.40 am dressed in lock-up attire and were escorted by police personnel.

It was previously reported that a 20-year-old man with learning disabilities died after he was allegedly assaulted in an incident at Ladang Merdeka Cherbu, Padang Lati, Bachok, on April 15.

The victim, Muhammad Zakir Fikry Mohd Zainal, suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at 12.55 am while receiving treatment at Universiti Sains Malaysia Specialist Hospital in Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu. — Bernama

SEOUL, May 10 — NewJeans is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States over allegations that its 2024 track How Sweet copied elements from an outside demo.

Billboard reported that four songwriters, including Audrey Armacost, filed the lawsuit against the group, its agency ADOR and parent company HYBE, seeking a share of royalties.

The plaintiffs claimed that How Sweet contains similarities to their demo One of a Kind, which they submitted for consideration by NewJeans in January 2024 but were later told had not been selected.

The lawsuit alleged that the first verse of How Sweet, released in May 2024, mirrors the structure and melodic progression of their demo and describes the two works as “quantitatively and qualitatively similar.”

The complaint stated that both songs shared the same meter and key and included “an approximately eight‑bar, 31‑note melodic sequence consisting of four series.”

Armacost, along with co‑writers Aidan Rodriguez, Adam Gokcebay and Michael Campanelli, accused HYBE, ADOR, the NewJeans members and other collaborators of using their work without licensing the demo.

They argued that they are entitled to a portion of the royalties generated by what they describe as the “great commercial success” of How Sweet.

The complaint said, “Plaintiffs, as joint authors and co‑owners of the composition of How Sweet, are entitled to their pro rata share of the profits that defendants have each gained from the exploitation of How Sweet.”

Their lawyer, Trevor Barrett, told Billboard that the four writers were “deeply disappointed to discover this blatant copying of their original song” and intend to pursue recognition of their rights through the lawsuit.

ADOR rejected the allegation and said it had verified with Bana (Beasts And Natives Alike), the team behind the song’s production, that no infringement occurred.

The agency said, “ADOR and the members will respond to the lawsuit in accordance with Bana’s position,” according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

SEMPORNA, May 10 — Twenty-four Chinese citizens were deported after they were detained during immigration operations in Semporna last month.

The group, comprising 23 men and one woman, were blacklisted from entering Malaysia after they were found to have violated the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.

Sabah Immigration Director Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the deportation followed arrests made during Ops Kutip, Ops Mahir and Ops Sapu on April 21.

The operations involved the inspection of 45 people, leading to the detention of 34 foreigners for various immigration offences.

“Those detained consisted of 33 Chinese nationals — 30 men and three women — and a Pakistani man.

“They were investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” she said in a statement, Saturday.

Investigations and subsequent prosecutions at the Tawau Sessions Court on May 4 involved nine of the Chinese citizens.

Sitti Saleha said six Chinese men charged under Regulation 39(b) pleaded not guilty and were released on court bail pending mention on June 11.

“Meanwhile, two women and a man from China faced two charges under Section 15(1)(c) and Regulation 39(b).

“All three pleaded guilty and paid the fines for the Section 15(1)(c) offence, but the court denied bail for the charge under Regulation 39(b),” she added. — Daily Express

PETALING JAYA, May 10 — Police have confirmed that a person fell from a tower block in Jalan Ampang yesterday, with the case classified as sudden death.

In a brief statement, Wangsa Maju district police said: “We have received a report regarding the incident at a tower in Jalan Ampang.”

A video of the incident has since circulated widely on social media, with users claiming it took place around 1pm.

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — A hat-trick by Cameroonian import Jerome Etame helped Kuching City FC secure a crucial 3-1 victory over Melaka FC in their Super League match at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka, last night. 

The Cameroonian emerged as the central figure for the visiting team, netting three goals in the 40th, 71st, and 87th minutes to ensure Kuching City brought home three valuable points and climb to second place in the league standings.

Both teams traded attacks from the start, with Melaka creating the first opportunity through Shahrel Fikri Fauzi in the fourth minute, though his shot missed the mark.

Kuching City then began to dominate play and nearly took the lead through Ronald Ngah in the 14th minute, but his attempt in front of the goal was not clinical.

Etame finally broke the deadlock with a free kick in the 40th minute to put Kuching City ahead before the end of the first half.

As the second half resumed, Melaka did not wait long to equalise, as Muhamad Umar Hakeem Suhar Rezwan executed a solo run before beating Kuching City goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq Nadzli in the 47th minute.

However, Etame put Aidil Sharin Sahak’s squad back in front in the 71st minute following an assist from Jimmy Raymond, before completing his hat-trick with a solo run after receiving a pass from Gabriel Tamin in the 87th minute.

With one match remaining this season, Kuching City now sits in second place with 50 points after 23 matches, just one point ahead of third-placed Selangor FC.

Kuching City is scheduled to host Kuala Lumpur City FC in their final league match at the State Stadium on May 17, while Selangor will face PDRM FC at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Peres emerged as the hero for Sabah FC, scoring a late penalty to ensure “Sang Badak” recorded a 1-0 win over Brunei representative DPMM FC in another match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. — Bernama

KYIV, May 10 — Russia and Ukraine yesterday traded accusations of violating a three-day US-brokered ceasefire but no major strikes were reported by the warring sites so far.

US President Donald Trump initially announced the surprise truce, which coincides with Russia’s World War II victory celebrations, along with an exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side that is set to take place in the coming days.

“Since the beginning of the day, the number of attacks by the aggressor has reached 51,” the Ukrainian General Staff said.

Volodymyr Petrov, press officer of the 33rd separate mechanised brigade, told AFP that “the ceasefire is ongoing” but that the Russians were still attacking with drones and artillery.

“We’re responding in kind,” said the soldier fighting in the eastern Kharkiv region.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia launched just 44 drones from 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Friday, one of the lowest numbers in months.

The Russian defence ministry said that “despite the declaration of a ceasefire, Ukrainian armed groups launched attacks using drones and artillery against our troops’ positions”.

It did not provide the exact number of violations yesterday. 

Casualties were still reported on both sides, as Moscow and Kyiv continued to exchange drone strikes.

Russian drones killed two civilians and wounded three in Ukraine’s central-eastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, local authorities said.

In Russia’s western Belgorod region, three people were wounded by Ukrainian drone strikes, said governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

No attacks were recorded on Russia’s Victory Day parade on Red Square.

The four-year war has seen occasional short-term truces, typically declared around Orthodox Easter. They have often been marked by mutual accusations of violations.

The war has cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes, making it Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. — AFP

SINGAPORE, May 10  — Seven Singaporean hikers evacuated from Mount Dukono will travel home today, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). 

In a statement, MFA said officers from the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta are presently at Mount Dukono, North Halmahera, working with the Indonesian authorities on the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations for two missing Singaporeans.

At the same time, they are also working with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the return of the affected group to Singapore.

“The MFA expresses its deep appreciation for the ongoing efforts of local authorities in North Halmahera, where the SAR operations continue under highly challenging conditions,” it said yesterday. 

Mount Dukono, located on the northern part of Halmahera island in North Maluku province erupted on Friday morning.

Three individuals including two Singaporeans went missing during the eruption, while 17 hikers comprising seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians were evacuated. — Bernama

RIYADH, May 10  — Record winners Japan were drawn in the same group as champions Qatar for next year’s AFC Asian Cup, while hosts Saudi Arabia will meet Kuwait, Oman and Palestine.

The draw for the 2027 edition of the continent’s showpiece event, which runs from January 7 to February 5, took place on Saturday in Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia are staging the Asian Cup for the first time as the kingdom views the tournament as a precursor to hosting the 2034 World Cup.

“We have the advantage of playing at home,” Saudi head coach Giorgos Donis told AFP.

“We have the stress but we will manage it with our experience,” the Greek added.

For the third time running, the Asian Cup will feature 24 national teams, with 23 already confirmed.

The sole remaining spot will go to either Lebanon or Yemen, who contest a play-off in Doha on June 4.

A tie would be enough for Lebanon to qualify.

At the draw, Japan were placed in Group F alongside Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.

Japan have lifted the trophy a record four times, although they have not won the tournament since 2011.

Saudi Arabia and Iran each have three wins, with Qatar crowned champions for the past two tournaments, in 2019 and 2023.

Last time out, the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts defeated Jordan 3-1 in the final.

Both countries have qualified for this summer’s global finals, with Jordan competing for the first time.

On Saturday, teams were divided into four pots of six in accordance with the latest FIFA ranking as of April 1. At 18th in the official standings, Japan are the lead country in Asia, with Iran second (No. 21), South Korea third (No. 25) and Australia fourth (No. 27).

Allocated first position in Pot 1, Saudi Arabia are looking to add to the three titles they won in 1984, 1988 and 1996.

The opening match will be played on January 7 between Saudi Arabia and Palestine at the refurbished King Fahd Sports City Stadium, its 72,000 capacity making it the largest of the venues used.

LONDON, May 10 — Daniel Dubois recovered from two early knockdowns to win a second world heavyweight boxing title with an 11th-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley in a brutal all-British battle in Manchester yesterday. 

Victory meant the 28-year-old deprived World Boxing Organisation champion Wardley of his belt, with Dubois having lost the International Boxing Federation version of the title to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley in July last year.

Wardley dropped Dubois to the canvas within barely 10 seconds of the opening bell at the Co-Op Live arena.

And in the third round Wardley, making his maiden title defence, landed a huge overhand right on Dubois, who took a knee before beating the count again.

But from then on Dubois connected with a series of crushing blows to leave Wardley’s face a bloody mess and referee Howard Foster could easily have stopped the fight long before the 11th round of a scheduled 12.

Dubois, who now has a professional record of 23 wins and three defeats, with 21 knockouts, had been angered by an apparently casual comment made by Wardley in a pre-fight interview.

Wardley (21-0-1,19 KOs) said Dubois would be a “bin man” if the London heavyweight was not a boxer.

That led Dubois to respond by saying: “Well, I am going to take out the trash. I am the dustman, he is the trash, mate. I’ll take out the trash.”

‘Great warrior’ 

Yet he was full of respect for Wardley following yesterday's gruelling bout, with Dubois telling broadcaster DAZN: “It was a war, we went through the sticky moments. Thank you Fabio for that, thank you. I know I’ve got heart, bundles of heart. I’m a warrior in there.”

Dubois added: “I had to pull it out the bag and rely on it and use all of my skills. What a great fight, what a great battle. But, I’m number one again.

“He (Wardley) is a durable guy, durable warrior, great warrior. Thank you for a great fight, man. It was an honour to be in the ring with you,” he said before veteran promoter Frank Warren confirmed there was a rematch clause in the contract.

Dubois desperately needed a victory following a crushing defeat by Usyk—a loss made worse after a video surfaced showing a reported “gathering” at his house just hours before the bout.

Yet it was Wardley who started the stronger.

It was far from one-way traffic, however, with Dubois drawing audible gasps from the crowd when he rocked Wardley with a colossal right in the fourth round only for the champion to demonstrate a granite chin.

But such was the onslaught from Dubois that by the sixth round Wardley’s face was covered in blood from a cut to his nose, which caused the referee’s shirt to turn red as well.

But the gutsy Wardley, 31, somehow made it to the end of the round and in the seventh he took more punishment from Dubois.

By the ninth round, Wardley could barely see out of his right eye and his head was swollen, yet still the fight continued.

It seemed only a matter of time before the bout was stopped, with Wardley’s face a grotesque sight, yet his corner still refused to pull him out and Foster let him box on before belatedly calling a halt to the contest. — AFP