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.

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.

Is AI scary? China’s workers share their hopes and fears

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

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.

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