For the first time in eight years, a North Korean team in the South

Today’s headlines: Prime Minister Modi’s party is heading for victory in several key states in the local legislative elections; The ADB is ready to assist Pacific nations affected by the war in the Middle East; Police in Sri Lanka have arrested 37 Chinese nationals on suspicion of cyber fraud; Taiwanese President Lai in Eswatini following Beijing’s attempts to block the trip; A man arrested for assault during a service at Singapore Life Church.

KOREA

North Korean women’s football club Naegohyang Women’s FC will play a match against South Korean side Suwon FC Women on 20 May. This was reported by the Ministry of Unification in Seoul, announcing the first visit in eight years by athletes from Pyongyang across the border. The North has sent a list of 27 players and 12 staff members, who will travel to the South for the semi-final of the Asian Women’s Champions League. For some time now, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been seeking to improve the (strained) relations with the Kim regime. The last time North Korean athletes visited the South was in 2018, during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which also saw the two countries ‘unite’ for the ice hockey team.

INDIA

A victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is on the cards in the elections in four Indian states: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, as well as the union territory of Puducherry. Early projections show the BJP leading in Assam and West Bengal (where it has never governed before), whilst the margin over its opponents is narrower in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The results of the state assembly elections are seen as an early indicator of support for Modi ahead of the 2029 general election. Counting will continue throughout the day, pending the final results.

ASIA-PACIFIC - IRAN

The Asian Development Bank is ready to provide urgent aid to Pacific nations affected by the war in the Middle East and fuel shortages. Speaking yesterday at the 59th ADB Annual Meeting in Samarkand, President Masato Kanda said that the countries have been “particularly exposed” to the conflict and need support to meet their energy needs. Kanda added that regional growth will slow to 2.8% in 2026 from 4.2% last year.

SRI LANKA - CHINA

Police have arrested 37 Chinese nationals suspected of running a centre dedicated to cyber fraud in the capital, the latest move in a crackdown by the authorities in Colombo. The suspects, aged between 23 and 44 and including one woman, were arrested following a tip-off that led to the seizure of 35 tablets, 147 mobile phones and 100 SIM cards. The arrests came a month after 152 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were detained on suspicion of cyber fraud at a hotel in the north-west. Immigration authorities arrested and deported 135 Chinese men and women in March.

SINGAPORE

A man was arrested yesterday for disturbing the peace after assaulting and slapping worshippers at a church on Prinsep Street.

Police reportedly received a call at around 9.10 am from the Singapore Life Church. By the time officers arrived, the man – a 33-year-old Malaysian of Chinese descent, already known to the church and responsible for disturbances in the past – had already left the premises. A 66-year-old woman was injured and taken to hospital.

TAIWAN - ESWATINI

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on 2 May for a state visit aimed at strengthening ties with one of the few remaining international diplomatic allies, despite growing pressure from China. The visit had been suspended a few days earlier after some African countries, under pressure from Beijing, had refused to allow him to cross their airspace. Lai attended a military welcome ceremony alongside Mswati III, followed by bilateral talks. Also on the agenda was the signing of a customs mutual assistance agreement and the strengthening of cooperation with the African nation. In response to the trip, Beijing described it as a “rat”.

RUSSIA - SYRIA

According to Reuters, Russia has become Syria’s main oil importer following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024. The figures show a 75% increase, with 60,000 barrels per day already being delivered this year, as Moscow has replaced Iran, previously Damascus’s largest supplier. This allows the Russians to maintain considerable influence in the country, as well as retaining their air and naval bases, as confirmed by sources within Damascus.

TURKMENISTAN

In Turkmenistan, the police are patrolling rooftops in search of Starlink satellite internet terminals, which people are using to avoid the slow and limited connections offered by local providers. In the eastern city of Turkmenabat, residents have reported raids by officials and police: “They arrive and immediately climb onto the rooftops,” said a local resident, with arrests made of those involved in installing the equipment.