Blast in rebel-held Myanmar kills dozens: Rescuers

The end of a regulatory grey zone: Why China is cracking down on offshore brokerages

China’s toughest crackdown yet on offshore brokerages is closing a popular route to overseas markets for mainland investors. Analysts say the move is about more than investor protection.

Raids, stranded victims and new criminal tactics - inside Cambodia’s fight against scam centres

Cambodia says it is carrying out its toughest crackdown yet on online scam centres, with hundreds of facilities targeted. In the first of a two-part series, CNA goes on the ground to find victims stranded and signs of operations shifting into smaller urban sites, while experts

Thai Singha beer scion speaks up: Once felt ‘like dying’ but ‘made a promise to myself to be free’

Psi Samut Scott revealed his trauma publicly after family inaction to "preserve image".

Snatch thieves, mall pickpockets: How to stay safe in Jakarta

Recent robberies in the Indonesian capital have raised safety concerns among travellers.

Jakarta crime fears rise, but rupiah slide keeps Singaporeans coming for shopping and food

Despite reports of robberies in the Indonesian capital, Singaporeans whom ST spoke to are still flocking to the city.

Anwar Ibrahim’s loneliness is self-inflicted

Figures happy to back Anwar's unity government over 3 years ago are now distancing themselves from the embattled PM.

China criticises Czech Senate President’s trip to Taiwan

Milos Vystrcil is leading a business delegation on a visit to Taiwan this week.

Blast in Myanmar village reportedly kills 55 and injures dozens more

May 31 - At least 55 people were reportedly killed in a blast in Myanmar's Kaung Tat village, which a rebel army said was caused by the accidental explosion of material stored for use in mining.

Huge blast kills dozens in rebel-held village in Myanmar

Insurgents say it was caused by explosives being used for mining close to the Chinese border.

Malaysia requires social media age checks barring under-16 accounts

Major social media platforms will have to verify users’ ages and bar children under 16 from registering accounts.

Laos cave survivors help with plan to find last two missing men

So far, five men have been freed from the narrow, flooded cave but efforts are ongoing to locate two more.

Philippines defence chief backs US calls for higher military spending, says allies must pull their weight

Speaking to CNA's Leong Wai Kit on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr also defended recent military exercises with allies, and blames China's "expansionism" for tensions in the South China Sea.

Along the river, before the fall: China pre-Renaissance city life

A boat is about to hit the bridge. That is where Zhang Zeduan’s Along the River During the Qingming Festival begins to reveal its secret. Beneath the great arched bridge, boatmen shout, ropes tighten, a mast is being lowered, and a heavy river vessel struggles through a crowded

Survivors advise rescuers in search for last two stuck in Laos cave

A Laotian rescue group said the information on the cave system from the recused men was "considered substantial" and "being used to prepare the search plan for the remaining two people".

Taiwan condemns China after New York Times reporter expelled after presidential interview

TAIPEI, May 31 - Taiwan's presidential office condemned China on Sunday after the New York Times said one of its reporters was expelled from the country following an interview the newspaper did with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

No Dong Jun, but plenty of China at Shangri-La Dialogue

China’s defence minister may not have attended this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue but the country still loomed large and remained at the centre of discussion.

AUKUS undersea drones development boosts regional security: Australia deputy PM

Growing threats to critical underwater infrastructure, such as telecommunications cables and energy pipelines, underscore the need for stronger maritime defence capabilities, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told CNA's Tan Qiuyi on the sidelines of the

Illegal mine collapses in China, killing five just days after Shanxi disaster

BEIJING, May 31 - A mine shaft collapse during an illegal mining operation in China's southwestern Yunnan province killed five people and injured one, state media reported, days after the country's deadliest mining accident since 2009 left at least 82 dead.

Typhoon Jangmi expected to bring heavy rain to western, eastern Japan

The typhoon is expected to approach the southern island of Okinawa and the Amami Islands.

The great Indo-Pacific hedge: Deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends

The United States, however, remains central to the region’s security.

China mine collapse kills five, days after deadly Shanxi blast

An illegal excavation site collapsed in Yunnan province, at about 4.30am local time on May 31.

Singaporean hiker fractures arm while descending Malaysia’s Gunung Datuk

The man was believed to have fallen at a rocky area near the summit staircase.

Japan says it remains open to dialogue with China, rejects ‘new militarism’ label

Japan rejects 'new militarism' label as its defense minister says Tokyo is open to talks with China.

Thai Lion Air cutting flights on 15 routes, including Phuket-Singapore, as jet fuel costs surge

Flights between Singapore and Phuket will be suspended from June 3 to Aug 1.

Taiwan vows not to be ‘silenced’ after China expels NYT reporter

The expulsion was over an interview that NYT conducted with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

China patrols Scarborough Shoal after Philippines warns of threat

The shoal has become a frequent flashpoint between China and the Philippines over sovereignty and fishing rights.

The US says ships and submarines trump summits. South-east Asia politely says ‘no’

Hegseth's "model ally" rankings unsettled South-east Asian delegates over trade leverage fears.

Japan defence minister denies militarism and criticises China's 'huge arsenal'

Shinjiro Koizumi makes some of Tokyo's most pointed remarks yet in the dispute over Japan's military build-up.

Two decades later, impacts from Indonesia mud volcano linger

Dozen of residents gathered to mark two decades since mud volcano eruptions began displacing thousands.

US to send only used nuclear subs to Australia in amended defence deal

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles branded the move as a “cost-effective” measure.

Malaysia slams 'deafening silence' over scrapped Norway missile deal

Malaysia and Norway have fallen into a diplomatic dispute this month since the latter revoked export approvals for certain technologies.

Malaysia rebukes Norway over cancelled missile deal; calls out global ‘hypocrisy’ on war crimes

The US is exploring selling Malaysia missiles to fill the gap Norway's exit left, said the Malaysian defence minister.

Energy crunch fuels car pool growth

The world’s largest carpooling platform BlaBlaCar said soaring energy costs have pushed 600,000 additional drivers onto the app in 2026.

Mining turns India’s heat-shield hills to dust

Residents have long protested that the hills are being torn apart by unchecked mining.

Watch: Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing speaks at Shangri-La Dialogue on security partnerships

The plenary session at the Shangri-La Dialogue focused on how security partnerships are adapting in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery: What to know about this iconic Buddhist landmark in Bhutan

A woman from Singapore died while making the trek to the landmark on May 30.

Australian researchers teach brain cells to play ‘Doom’

Researchers say they are just scratching the surface of what the neurons could be capable of doing.

‘Totally hooked’: Hong Kong targets claw machine addiction

The colourfully lit machines, often seen drawing people, have come under regulatory scrutiny in May.

Ceasefires by other means

The week began with the ceasefire in Iran seeming more a negotiation over what the meaning of the war was in the first place, rather than a straightforward attempt at peace. It ended in a similarly surreal position. In between, Iran accused the US of continuing strikes.

US says it struck another vessel in eastern Pacific, killing three

May 30 - The U.S. military said on Saturday it had carried out a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific killing three men, the second strike in as many days.

Japan pushes back against accusations of 'new militarism'

"Think about it. There's a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled 'new militarism'?," said Japanese defence minister Koizumi Shinjirō.

Japan refutes 'new militarism', accuses China of rapidly arming

"Think about it. There's a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled 'new militarism'?," said Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

New Zealand lacks billions ‘under the couch’ for greater defence spending: Finance Minister

She was responding to the US' accusation that New Zealand’s defence spending is not enough.

ASEAN set to sign landmark regional digital economy framework agreement in November 2026

The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement is targeted to be signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit later this year.

How stamps and postcards helped India count its people

India's post office turned stamps, postcards and letters into tools for counting a nation after independence in 1947.

UK foreign minister due to visit China and India to discuss global issues

LONDON, May 31 - British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will travel to China on Monday, and then onwards to India later in the week, with the visits to focus on global issues from the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine war to the recent Ebola outbreak.

Ferrari wanted to take on Chinese EVs with the Luce - then the backlash started

The brand's first EV has been heavily criticised, with some saying it has abandoned Ferrari's roots.