Top Stories
Same event, multiple sources, transparently cited.
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Malaysia’s Q1 2026 GDP grows 5.4% led by AI and high-tech sector investments
Malaysia’s economy expanded 5.4% in Q1 2026, driven by AI, semiconductor, and high-tech exports as trade hit a near four-year high.
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Iran submits new peace proposal to US through Pakistan amid Middle East war talks
Iran sent a new peace plan to the US via Pakistani mediation to end the Middle East war, prompting cautious diplomacy on May 20.
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Inquest hears evidence in death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir in Sabah
The Coroner's Court in Sabah heard evidence and testimonies on the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died in July 2025 after severe head injuries.
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Gold prices drop about 15% since February amid Iran war and inflation fears
Gold prices fell 14-15% since late February due to the Iran war and inflation concerns, trading near $4,465-$4,540 an ounce in mid-May 2026.
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Nvidia CEO Huang says China will open AI chip market; Nvidia cedes ground to Huawei
Nvidia CEO Huang Renxun expects China will eventually open its AI chip market but says Nvidia has largely exited amid restrictions.
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UK and Gulf Cooperation Council sign free trade deal after four years of talks
The UK and GCC states signed a free trade agreement on May 20, removing tariffs on 93% of British goods exported to the Gulf.
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AI-driven cyberattacks surpass credential theft, causing record data breaches and fraud losses
Hackers increasingly use AI to exploit software vulnerabilities, causing 31% of breaches and $208 billion in US fraud losses in 2025.
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Jeff Bezos urges zero federal income tax on bottom 50% of U.S. earners
Jeff Bezos called on May 20, 2026, to eliminate federal income taxes for the bottom half of U.S. earners, citing fairness and low revenue impact.
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DOJ Settlement Bars IRS from Auditing Trump and Related Entities on Tax Matters
A DOJ settlement on May 19, 2026, prevents the IRS from auditing or prosecuting Trump, his family, and affiliated businesses on prior tax issues.
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Alex Smalley, Maverick McNealy co-lead 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club
Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy share the lead at 4 under as Round 3 of the 2026 PGA Championship begins May 23 in Pennsylvania.
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Tesla Cybertruck driver arrested after driving into Texas lake to test Wade Mode
Jimmy Jack McDaniel drove his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake, Texas, to test its Wade Mode feature, leading to vehicle disablement and his arrest on May 18.
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Former US Congressman Barney Frank, Architect of Dodd-Frank, Dies at 86
Barney Frank, former Massachusetts congressman and key author of the Dodd-Frank Act, died at 86 on May 19, 2026.
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Malaysia investigates fake TikTok account insulting King Sultan Ibrahim using AI content
Malaysian authorities are probing a fake TikTok account using AI-generated content to insult King Sultan Ibrahim, prompting legal and regulatory actions.
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Alexandra Eala, Janice Tjen rise in WTA top 40, boosting Southeast Asian tennis profile
Alexandra Eala and Janice Tjen entered the WTA top 50 and top 40 respectively in early 2026, marking milestones for the Philippines and Indonesia.
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China confirms 200 Boeing jets purchase amid US-China $30B tariff talks
China confirmed buying 200 Boeing aircraft and discussed reciprocal $30 billion tariff cuts with the US, following summit talks in Beijing.
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Malaysian probes expose foreigners using homeless locals as company proxies to evade taxes
Investigations in 2025 found nearly 90% of shadow economy cases involved foreigners registering companies under homeless Malaysians to avoid taxes.
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Embracer Group to split into two public companies, revive dormant game IPs via partnerships
Embracer Group announced it will split into two public companies to manage major and secondary game IPs, seeking external partnerships for dormant franchises.
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Japan’s 30-Year Bond Yields Reach Record Highs as Pimco Takes Bullish Stance
Japan’s long-term bond yields hit record levels amid inflation worries; Pimco bullish on 30-year bonds and bearish on 10-year notes.
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OCBC Outbids Rivals to Acquire HSBC Indonesia Retail and Wealth Business
OCBC has secured the deal to buy HSBC Indonesia's retail and wealth assets, outbidding rivals by more than US$100 million.
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US and Israel planned to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader after killing Khamenei
The US and Israel planned to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader after airstrikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026.
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Nvidia to open AI research lab in Singapore focusing on embodied AI and optimization
Nvidia announced it will open its first AI research lab in Singapore to develop embodied AI and efficient AI computing models.
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British Deputy Ambassador James Roscoe Leaves Washington Post Abruptly
James Roscoe left his role as British deputy ambassador to the US on May 20, 2026, with no official explanation given by the UK Foreign Office.
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US charges seven executives including Singapore's Teo Siong Seng in container price-fixing cartel
The US DOJ charged seven executives from four major container makers, including Singapore’s Teo Siong Seng, with price-fixing from 2019 to 2024.
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Mikel Arteta guides Arsenal to first Premier League title since 2004
Arsenal clinched the 2025-26 English Premier League title under head coach Mikel Arteta on May 19, 2026.