Ex-head monk of China's 'kung fu temple' jailed for embezzlement

Shi Yongxin is sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzlement and bribery.

Rescuers free one of seven men trapped in Laos cave

The seven men had been trapped in the cavern since May 20.

Russian-led economic union to look at suspending Armenia over EU ambitions

MOSCOW, May 29 - The Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will consider suspending Armenia later this year out of concerns its pursuit of European Union membership jeopardises the union's economic security, according to a joint statement published on Friday.

Not dying yet, the Quad even with Trump has a vital role to play

Analysts have tried to make sense of US President Donald Trump’s second term with countless, sometimes contradictory, labels. He’s isolationist and transactional. He’s a populist. Or, more recently, a neoconservative. One way to make sense of both him and the broader state of

Former head of China's 'kung fu' temple sentenced to 24 years, state media reports

BEIJING, May 29 - The former abbot of a Chinese temple famed as the birthplace of kung fu has been sentenced to 24 years in prison and fined 3.5 million yuan ($517,000) for crimes including embezzlement and bribery, state media reported on Friday.

China’s low-key presence at Shangri-La Dialogue a lost opportunity, Australia says

For the second year running, China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun has skipped the defence forum.

China appoints veteran banker Ding Xiangqun as financial regulator's Communist Party chief

Beijing is taking steps to stabilise leadership at the National Financial Regulatory Administration after former head Li Yunze was demoted in April due to what was treated as a suspected disciplinary violation.

Phuket lifeguards warn tourists of jellyfish-like Portuguese man o’ war on beaches

The venom of this species can cause intense burning pain and may be life-threatening in some cases.

New Zealand can no longer take its security for granted, says defence minister as military spending rises

New Zealand could move faster towards its target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence if security conditions warrant it, Defence Minister Chris Penk tells CNA.

Defrocked Shaolin abbot given 24 years in jail for embezzlement

According to the court, Liu Yingcheng, who as abbot went by the name Shi Yongxin, embezzled assets worth more than 131 million yuan (US$19.4 million) from 2003 to 2025.

Vietnam's To Lam warns of three global crises, sets out solutions in Shangri-La Dialogue keynote address

The Vietnamese leader spoke of the challenges facing the world, including the erosion of international rules and law, a crisis in development models characterised by slowing growth and climate change, and a crisis of trust among nations.

Pakistan foreign minister set to discuss Iran with Rubio in Washington

KARACHI, May 29 - Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Washington on Friday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that are expected to include the latest developments in negotiations on ending the Iran war.

US consulate builder in Milan hit by court action over abuse allegations

MILAN, May 29 - Prosecutors have placed the Italian branch of U.S. construction giant Caddell Construction under investigation over alleged worker exploitation at the site of a new U.S. consulate in Milan, judicial documents seen by Reuters showed on Friday.

Thermos recalls 4 million vacuum food jars in China over defective stoppers

The sealing stoppers may forcefully eject when opened, causing injury, the company warns.

Singapore security employee union says it stands by officers involved in Hong Kong school principal incident

The Union of Security Employees said that it stood firmly behind the officers, who had been placed in an "incredibly challenging operational environment".

EU calls for 'more robust' response on China trade imbalance

Ex-head of Hong Kong journalist union jailed 5 days for obstructing police

Mr Ronson Chan was arrested by police in 2022 for refusing to show his ID.

17 people hospitalised after chemical leak at South Korean university lab

Students experienced symptoms such as breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness and eye irritation.

Indonesia stops free meals programme during school holidays, weekends to cut costs

An economist said a three-week suspension can save up to 20 trillion rupiah (S$ 1.43 million).

Kanye West to perform in the Netherlands despite bans elsewhere

AMSTERDAM, May 29 - U.S. rapper Kanye West, who has been barred from performing in several countries due to past antisemitic comments, is set to hold concerts in the Netherlands next month, after its migration minister said there were no legal grounds to deny him entry.

Japan woman sues state over rape case mishandling, insults

Government surveys in Japan show few rape victims report the crime to the police.

Specialist divers head to Laos to join ‘extremely challenging’ cave rescue

Seven people were trapped in a cave after heavy rains triggered a landslide last week.

Japan’s Kansai airport expands international area in first major renewal

The number of boarding bridges for international flights increased from 34 to 40.

OpenAI gives Japan banks access to latest model to prevent cyberattacks: Japan’s finance minister

Japan’s three biggest banks are expected to gain access to the GPT-5.5 model.

Under the sea: Primary school in rural Taiwan holds graduation ceremony in wet suits and goggles

Each pupil is accompanied by a diving coach as they collect their certificates underwater.

China opposes any country using freedom of navigation to undermine sovereignty

A Canadian warship passed through the Taiwan Strait last week.

China opposes any country using freedom of navigation to undermine its sovereignty

BEIJING, May 29 - China said on Friday it firmly opposes any attempt by any country to undermine its sovereignty and security \"under the pretext of freedom of navigation\", in response to a Canadian warship passing through the Taiwan Strait.

Migrants trying to flee to Bangladesh amid fears of India crackdown

Many are in limbo, caught between Indian pressure to leave and Bangladesh’s refusal to accept them.

Singapore, Vietnam expand tech and manufacturing ties

Both countries highlighted growing collaboration in science, technology and innovation during Vietnamese President To Lam's state visit to Singapore.

Why Malaysia’s PM Anwar is considering a snap election

Government lawmakers told Reuters in March an election could be held as soon as July.

Explainer-Why Malaysia's Anwar is considering a snap election

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 - Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he would consider calling for snap polls if tensions within his ruling alliance got worse.

Philippine court orders arrest of ex-president Estrada’s senator son over graft scandal

He is accused of receiving more than $12 million in “illicit payouts”.

The leakage and lies keeping Indonesia’s rupiah weak

Indonesia embodies one of the strangest paradoxes in emerging-market economics. Every time global commodity prices, from coal to crude palm oil (CPO), surge, the country posts impressive trade surpluses. Yet the glow of those export windfalls rarely translates into a stronger

Japan passes Bill to raise visa fees, introduce online pre-entry screening

The fee changes will be implemented later this fiscal year.

Tens of thousands delayed at Malaysia immigration checkpoints after five-hour system crash

Thursday’s disruption follows a similar incident on Apr 23. An official said “problems are bound to happen” with the decades-old Malaysian Immigration Systems (MyIMMs), which will be replaced by 2028.

USTR’s Vietnam designation mistakes transition for failure

On April 30, the US Trade Representative designated Vietnam as a Priority Foreign Country for intellectual property, the most severe classification in the annual Special 301 Report and the first time in 13 years any country has been tagged with the label. The designation rests

Arrests made as police clear protest camp at 2032 stadium site

SYDNEY, May 29 - Police in Brisbane made five arrests on Friday as they cleared a protest camp from the city park where the main stadium for the 2032 Olympics will be built.

Imported voters, fake websites: Russia's covert efforts to stop Armenia's pivot West

LONDON/WASHINGTON, May 29 - Russia has intensified covert efforts to undermine the leader of Armenia’s bid for re-election next month, fearing his victory could lock in the former Soviet republic’s realignment with the West, according to Western intelligence and government

China’s chip champion rewrites the rules of scaling

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Huawei challenges Moore’s Law and ASMLScott Foster examines Huawei’s new Tau Scaling Law and LogicFolding architecture, which seek to bypass the limits of Moore’s Law

Mother-in-law of Indian bride whose death set off media frenzy arrested

Twisha Sharma's death on 12 May has sparked rival claims of murder and suicide and dominated headlines.

Bank of Japan squeezed by Takaichi, Trump and Iran war inflation

Speaking on Wednesday (May 27), Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda cautioned that central banks must prevent this year’s oil‑driven inflation surge from hardening into a lasting global problem. “If inflation expectations are already high and wages are accelerating, the risk of

Puppy Pawlitics: Dog class elections gain traction at South Korea’s pet kindergartens

Canine campaigns for class president promise extra playtime, better snack choices and happier school days.

Japan firm begins world’s first sales of fully farmed eels

Most eels consumed in Japan are caught at sea early in their life cycle and raised at fish farms.

Police raid Batam online gambling centre earning $717k per month

The centre was based out of a luxury housing complex in the Riau Islands, Batam.

Malaysia PM Anwar under pressure amid growing defections from his party

PKR defectors have mostly been rank-and-file members or local party officers.

Australia’s embattled Liberals tap former PM Abbott as party president, reinforcing rightward shift

Mr Abbott ran unopposed and was confirmed as president at a meeting on the afternoon of May 29.

Australia's embattled Liberals tap former PM Abbott as party president, reinforcing rightward shift

CANBERRA, May 29 - Australia's struggling opposition Liberal Party installed former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a pugnacious social conservative and campaigner against climate action, as its president on Friday, reinforcing its swing to the right as it works to regain power.