Former abbot of China's Shaolin Temple sentenced to 24 years prison

BEIJING (AP) – A Chinese court on Friday sentenced a former abbot of China’s famous Shaolin Temple to 24 years in prison after he was found guilty of offences including misappropriation of funds and bribery, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

US stocks gain ground, adding to their records, as Dell soars

Stock indexes closed higher on Wall Street. The S&P 500 added 0.2% Friday. Tech stocks led the way, with Dell Technologies in a stunning 32.8% gain. The Dow added 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. European and Asian markets mostly rose. Brent crude fell 1.7%.

Philippine court orders senator's arrest for large-scale corruption

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – A Philippine anti-graft court ordered the arrest of a prominent senator on Friday over allegations he pocketed a kickback of millions of dollars in a flood-control project, in the latest crisis to entangle the Senate.

Leaders of ASEAN member states to meet with Putin at June summit in Russia

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold a commemorative summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia in June, the Philippines’ top diplomat said Friday.

Indonesians mark 20 years since mud volcano eruption swallowed entire communities

SIDOARJO, Indonesia (AP) – Residents in the East Java province of Indonesia scattered flowers, paid their respects and prayed at the edge of a mud lake on Friday, the 20th anniversary of the eruption of the Lusi mud volcano that inundated villages and killed at least 14 people.

Former leader of Hong Kong journalist group sent to prison for obstructing police

HONG KONG (AP) – A prominent Hong Kong journalist began serving a five-day prison sentence Friday after losing an appeal against his conviction for obstructing a police officer in a case that sparked concerns about the city’s declining press freedom.

Gujarat storms into IPL final chasing 214 to set up Bengaluru clash

NEW CHANDIGARH, India (AP) – Gujarat Titans will face defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League final after chasing down Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

Japan woos Philippine leader during state visit with arms sales in mind

TOKYO (AP) – Japan and the Philippines on Thursday agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation by accelerating talks on Japanese weapons sales and intelligence sharing at a time of fears over China’s military activity in Asia.

Temu hit with $232 million fine over unsafe toys and electronics

LONDON (AP) – Temu was hit with a 200 million euro ($232 million) fine Thursday after a European Union investigation found the Chinese online retailer failed to protect consumers from illegal products like toxic or hazardous toys and unsafe electronics.