What China hears in Hegseth’s speech is America softening its tone in their rivalry

Many of America's allies and partners are likely to draw a different conclusion.

Taiwan’s more relaxed than most of us about Trumpian deal-making

The most common worry expressed around the world concerning the summit meeting in Beijing on May 14-15 was the fear that the future of Taiwan and its 23 million residents might be traded off in a deal between the men leading the world’s two true superpowers, Xi Jinping and

Japan, South Korea to resume search-and-rescue drill after 9 years in sign of warming ties

Defence exchanges between both sides stalled after a 2018 dispute in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Philippines remains under threat from China despite Trump-Xi summit, minister says

He said the country has "no choice but really to be resilient and to stand up against Chinese aggression".

Sri Lanka’s top monk suspended over alleged child sex abuse

Pallegama Hemarathana allegedly sexually abused an 11-year-old girl in 2022.

India says signed BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam

NEW DELHI, May 30 - India has signed a deal with Vietnam under which it will supply BrahMos missiles which it has jointly developed with Russia, and is in \"final stages\" for a similar deal with Indonesia, India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Saturday.

With world leaders’ ‘abysmal failure’ to uphold global order, ASEAN holds lessons: Timor-Leste president

President José Ramos-Horta also called on the Southeast Asian grouping to have the “audacity to declare the South China Sea a zone of peace” in a special address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 30.

Vietnam to release nearly 10,000 prisoners

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with N. Korea in abduction issue

Japan lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

Rescuers free 4 more men trapped in semi-submerged Laos cave

A total of five people have now been rescued, while two remain missing.

Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos, two still missing

BANGKOK, May 30 - Rescuers pulled four people from a flooded cave in Laos on Saturday, Thai volunteer rescuers said, hours after another man was brought out late on Friday.

Rescuers free four more men trapped in semi-submerged Laos cave

A total of five people have now been rescued, while two remain missing.

Four more men trapped in semi-submerged Laos cave freed: Rescuers

A total of five people have now been rescued, while two remain missing.

Russia recalls envoy to Armenia over EU ties ahead of vote

MOSCOW, May 30 - Russia said on Saturday it had recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations in protest at its rapprochement with the European Union as a June 7 election nears.

US, South Korea in talks over American commander’s remarks that drew China’s ire

The Chinese embassy in Seoul said that the comments had “truly crossed the line”.

Uncleared debris from Sumatra floods triggers wildfire in Aceh

The debris quickly fuelled flames that firefighters have been struggling to contain.

From lottery draws to fiscal spending, China broadens digital yuan footprint

Some say Beijing's move is aimed at reducing dependence on a Western-dominated global payments system.

China’s top diplomat says Canada ties ‘fully restored’

Mr Wang Yi’s short visit to Canada was the first by a Chinese foreign minister in a decade.

Indian court ruling on Google keyword ads could reshape online advertising

Google allowed rivals of Hindware to use “Hindware” as a keyword to target their own advertising.

Laos cave survivors ate wooden gold pans to stay alive

Experts warned against treating such actions as safe or advisable outside of emergency situations.

How curry shops got caught in Japan’s immigration crackdown

Conservatives say that foreigners are exploiting Japan’s visa rules to stay indefinitely.

Asia rice prices surge 20% in May as war, weather threaten output

Prices could rise further as weather risks and war-driven surges in energy and fertiliser costs threaten production.

US not 'turning back' on Asia allies, but expects them to boost defence, says Hegseth

The US defense secretary is questioned about US commitment, including further arms deals, at an Asian security summit in Singapore.

Sabah’s special grant interim payment increased to $483 million next year, says PM Anwar

It will be a short-term measure taken while waiting for negotiations to be finalised.

Cuba is next — and everyone in Washington knows it

The hemisphere’s longest-running standoff may finally be reaching its breaking point — but not necessarily in the way anyone expects. Cuba, in the spring of 2026, feels exactly like that. After 67 years of communist rule, sustained by a rotating cast of foreign patrons — Soviet

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang expected to visit South Korea

Huang's visit comes as a global artificial intelligence boom drives strong demand for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix memory chips, helping support South Korea's economic growth and stock market rally.

UN Security Council race turns Indo-Pacific vs Eurasia clash

A quiet diplomatic battle is taking shape between the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan over the United Nations Security Council’s sole Asia-Pacific non-permanent seat for the 2027-2028 term. The General Assembly will elect new members on June 3. Long seen as the clear favorite, the

Foreign-owned homes in South Korea top 108,000; Chinese nationals hold more than half

Foreign-owned homes accounted for 0.55 per cent of the country’s 19.65 million housing units.

Silicon shock: the macro of technology inflation

For a quarter-century, the price of computer software and accessories fell by roughly 5% annually. It was the modern economy’s most reliable disinflationary anchor. In late 2025, that anchor snapped. Last week, a technical note by three US Federal Reserve economists, including

South Korean police search Seoul city offices, builders over deadly overpass collapse

A safety inspection was under way when part of the concrete slab gave way, killing three people.

The deep, dark roots of unending US-Russia rivalry

Washington’s relationship with Russia appears likely to continue its decades-long decline, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying on May 22 that formal diplomatic talks over the Ukraine war are effectively frozen. US President Donald Trump’s last meeting with Russian

Australia extends measure that releases petrol and diesel from domestic reserves

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he reached a judgment that it is best to provide ongoing flexibility.

Pete Hegseth sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

The Pentagon chief, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, said stronger, more self-reliant allies are key to deterrence.

Myanmar’s junta chief-turned-president heads to India, with an eye on China

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing will hold talks with India's Narendra Modi during the five-day trip.

In Bangkok, I learnt chilling is not an option – from the coolest creative spots to an 'art forest' day trip

Bangkok's creative energy is in overdrive. The new Voco Bangkok Surawong puts you right in the middle of it.

Watch live: US defence chief Pete Hegseth speaks at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

His address comes as global tensions remain elevated, with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Watch: US defence chief Pete Hegseth speaks at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

His address comes as global tensions remain elevated, with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Mumbai's famed dabbawalas fed millions for over 100 years - now they are disappearing

Dabbawalas, who deliver home-cooked meals, are leaving the trade as remote work and rising costs threaten their future.

After decades risking arrest, South Korea's tattoo artists step into the limelight

Only licensed doctors were allowed to ink tattoos in Korea - breaking the law could lead to heavy fines or jail.

Sink or swim: As an AI wave sweeps China, its workers are adapting fast

They have mixed sentiments, from optimism to resignation that adaptation may be unavoidable.

Not just a live-in helper: Indonesia’s new law changes how its domestic workers see their role

More of them are no longer viewing it as semi-volunteeristic work, but as a real profession, said an expert.

Quad’s Fiji port plan will challenge China’s Pacific supply-chain dominance

Experts say the project signals to the region that the US, Japan, India, and Australia can offer more than Beijing.

First of five men found alive in flooded Laos cave rescued

The bedraggled man was led to safety by rescuers after nine days stranded in the cavern

The sustained heatwave in India and Pakistan is quite dangerous

India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June. But this year’s heat is something else. Intense, sustained heat began in mid-April. Daily maximum temperatures have topped 46°C in