US not 'turning back' on Asia allies, but expects them to boost defence - 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 urges allies to boost defence spending amid 'alarm' over China's buildup

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

In an unstable world of crises, solutions must come from Asia-Pacific: Vietnam President To Lam

He repeatedly stressed the need to uphold a rules-based order, practise self-restraint and build trust.

Canada might be able to double exports to China, Chinese foreign minister says during rare visit

OTTAWA, May 29 - China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said on Friday that Canada could surpass its goal of increasing exports to China by 50% by 2030 during a meeting with Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

Shangri-La 2026: US heft, Chinese reluctance, Indian reckoning

Every year, in a gleaming hotel ballroom in Singapore, the Indo-Pacific strategic order gets set for a public display. This happens not through signing of communiqués or conventions but through who shows up, at what level, and what they dare to say in front of an “unscripted”

Rescuers pull first trapped person from flooded Laos cave

May 29 - A team of specialist divers said they pulled one man from a flooded cave in central Laos on Friday, as four more people remained trapped with two others still missing.

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.