Xu Yao in court. (Source: Shanghai First Intermediate People's Court)

China executes man for killing billionaire linked to 3 Body Problem

Xu Yao was found guilty of poisoning Lin Qi, the founder of Yoozoo Games, which holds the film adaptation rights for the science-fiction trilogy.

6:39pm

South Korean firefighters and rescue team try to search at the overpass collapsed while it was being dismantled in Seoul, South Korea. (Source: Choi Jae-gu/Yonhap via AP)

Three dead in South Korea as overpass collapses during demolition

The accident occurred during a safety inspection of the decades-old bridge in Seoul.

3:30pm

Chung Yong-jin, a chairman of Shinsegae Group, bows to apologize in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Starbucks Korea boss apologises for ad which evoked massacre

The marketing campaign was widely perceived as mocking victims of a bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980.

Tuesday 2:16pm

India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal makes remarks with Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, not shown, before a bilateral meeting in Ottawa, on Monday, May 25, 2026.

India trade minister says Canada ties reset after 2023 activist death

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to India has helped pave the way for a complete reset of Canada-India relations, India's trade minister said.

Tuesday 1:19pm

Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin rescuers work to reach seven people who have been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos

Rescuers race to reach 7 trapped in Laos cave after flash floods block exit

A group of villagers in Xaisomboun province went into the cave to look for gold on May 19, but heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the exit, according to Laos and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation.

Tuesday 8:28am

1:30

First responders gather near the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance in Tokyo

Over 20 hospitalised after unknown substance sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

The Tokyo Fire Department said 26 people complained of suddenly developing throat pain and felt unwell near the Ginza Six shopping complex.

Tuesday 7:52am

A rescuer comes up from the coal mine shaft, May 24, 2026.

Safety lapses probed after China coal mine blast kills 82

The Liushenyu coal mine has “seriously” violated the law, according to local officials.

Mon, May 25

Workers cut cables during a search operation at a collapsed building where multiple people are believed to be trapped in Angeles city in Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Monday, May 25, 2026.

Three dead after unfinished hotel collapses in Philippines

Seventeen workers are missing following the incident in Angeles City of Pampanga Province.

Mon, May 25

The Shenzhou-23 manned mission launches from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Jiuquan, northwestern Chin.

China launches Shenzhou 23 spacecraft, astronaut set for yearlong stay

The much-anticipated launch comes as China prepares for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030.

Mon, May 25

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks the red carpet before attending a reception at the US Embassy in New Delhi.

Rubio tries to halt a trust deficit between Washington and Delhi

Visit comes during an economic and diplomatic downturn between the United States and India, strained largely by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies

Sun, May 24

Paramilitary soldiers and volunteers recover victims from an overturned train coach on a railway track at the site of bomb explosion, in Quetta, Pakistan.

Powerful bomb explodes in southwest Pakistan, dozens injured

Force of the explosion caused two train carriages to overturn and catch fire, sending thick black smoke into the air.

Sun, May 24

Caution tape marks the area around a collapsed building in Angeles city in Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Sunday May 24, 2026.

Dozens believed trapped as nine-storey building collapses in Philippines

Building pancaked before dawn during a thunderstorm in Angeles City in Pampanga province, north of Manila.

Sun, May 24

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in Kolkata.

Rubio arrives in India ahead of Quad talks to reset strained ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India ahead of a meeting next week with his counterparts from India, Australia, and Japan, members of the Indo-Pacific strategic alliance known as the Quad.

Sat, May 23

This photo released by Xinhua News Agency, shows a scene at the rescue site of the Liushenyu coal mine in Changzhi city.

Coal mine gas explosion in China kills more than 80, dozens trapped

Almost 250 workers were underground when the explosion occurred Friday evening.

Sat, May 23

A man visits the web page of the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party on a laptop in Dharamshala, India.

Frustrated Indian youth flock to political party led by cockroach

The Cockroach Janta Party has exploded across India’s social media by turning absurdist humour into protest.

Fri, May 22

President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, May 14, 2026, in Beijing.

Trump and Putin visiting China shows Xi's now in the driver’s seat

It’s been quite a week for Beijing, with back-to-back visits by the leaders of the US and Russia.

Fri, May 22

Air New Zealand has announced three new non-stop international flights from Christchurch to launch later this year.

Air NZ announces three new international routes from Christchurch

The new routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth are part of an agreement with Christchurch Airport to boost the South Island's international connectivity.

Wed, May 20

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, on August 31, 2025.

Putin visits China to reaffirm ties as Xi seeks stable US relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin is travelling to China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping less than a week after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip to Beijing.

Tue, May 19

Turkish police (file image).

Police hunt gunman after at least six killed in Türkiye

Police were searching for the assailant who remained at large after opening fire in several locations in the southern city of Tarsus.

Tue, May 19

US President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing.

The band played in China but a 'dumpster fire' awaits Trump at home

The US president returned from the spectacle of a Chinese state visit to a less-than-welcoming American economy.

Tue, May 19

Police divert traffic near the scene of a double-fatal crash in Selwyn.

Hong Kong tourists killed in double fatal Rakaia crash

The three-vehicle crash just north of New Zealand's longest road bridge over the Rakaia River closed State Highway 1 for several hours on Friday.

Mon, May 18

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'

"Taiwan will not provoke or escalate conflict, but it will also not relinquish its national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life, under pressure," President Lai said in his statement.

Mon, May 18

This image released by the Maldives President's Media Division, shows divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Saturday, May 15, 2026.

Maldives military diver dies in search for bodies in underwater cave

The military diver died of underwater decompression sickness during the search for the bodies of the four Italian divers.

Sun, May 17

Rescuers work at a train crash site near an airport rail link station in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Train collides with bus at Bangkok rail crossing, killing at least 8

"I saw the train pass, dragging the bus with it," a witness to the incident said.

Sun, May 17

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Key takeaways from Trump's trip to China

The US president spent the trip overtly flattering China's leader, despite Xi Jinping not reciprocating.

Sat, May 16