Joanne Sheen had not been seen since December 2019
Sep 17, 2026
HANOI — “Chinese is definitely the trend now.” At a Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) testing center at Hanoi University in Vietnam on Sunday, 23-year-old Vu Thi Thao had just completed the Level 6 exam, the highest level of the test. “I quit my job at a Chinese railway company and am now preparing to become a Chinese-language instructor,” she said. “As Chinese companies expand into Vietnam at a rapid pace, the market for Chinese speakers has opened up significantly.” A Chinese language boom is sweeping Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. Unlike the Korean language learning boom that accompanied the Korean wave in the past, Chinese is increasingly becoming a key foreign language for employment. The trend has been driven by Chinese companies hiring large numbers of Chinese speakers as they move production bases to Southeast Asia to avoid U.S. trade restrictions. The growing popularity of Chinese in Southeast Asia is reflected in the numbers. According to data from the Chinese Testing International, Vietnam recorded 146,000 HSK test takers last year, the highest in the
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retained her key ministers on Thursday in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at solidifying the ruling coalition and advancing a food tax cut despite concerns over how it will be financed. Prime ministers in Japan routinely shuffle their cabinets to refresh the government's public image and to distribute ministerial posts to loyal supporters and experienced lawmakers from the same party. But Takaichi — who has unusually high approval ratings nearly a year into office — kept core members of her team, according to a cabinet list announced by her righthand man and top government spokesman Minoru Kihara. They include Kihara, finance minister Satsuki Katayama, foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi and defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The prime minister also retained key economic ministers, including trade and industry minister Ryosei Akazawa, who has led Japan's tariff negotiations with the United States, and economic growth strategy minister Minoru Kiuchi, who favours active fiscal spending. Under finance minister Katayama, Japan has repeatedly inter
In a remarkable achievement, eighth-grader Myreen Ahsan has successfully screened over ten million drug molecules using artificial intelligence in her research targeting treatments for frontotemporal dementia. This groundbreaking project has not only showcased her innovative skills but also secured her position as a national finalist in a prestigious science competition. Myreen will present her impressive findings in Washington, D.C. later this year, demonstrating the potential of machine learning in medicine.
Australian Joanna Wietrzyk, who started a global uproar after soiling herself and leaking feces at the popular indoor fitness competition, has apologized for continuing to race and forfeited her win.
OpenAI said on Wednesday it saw six reports of unexpected, concerning or unauthorized AI model behavior, and it would begin regularly publishing reports of these incidents.
A new 1.9-million-tonne country-specific quota, plus residual access, could allow India to ship up to 2.8 million tonnes of steel annually to the EU
Australia bars international students from bringing dependants in sweeping visa crackdownThe Australian government has unveiled a severe package of migration restrictions, taking direct aim at the international education sector to sharply reduce net overseas migration.Australia will stop foreign...
Kelly Osbourne has revealed her fears that her three-year-old son, Sidney, could struggle with addiction, describing it as a genetic disorder.
King Charles told the meeting, including representatives from Nvidia, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind, that there surely needed to be sufficient means of control “before it is all too late”.
At least 178 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a devastating US-Israeli strike on a primary school in Iran
A new ‘Health Sensing System’ gives you best-in-class data and finally makes good use of it – but there’s also one controversial change
MANILA, Philippines – Here are INQToday’s top stories this afternoon: Former President Rodrigo Duterte will remain in detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague after Trial Chamber III found no change in circumstances that would warrant his release. At the Sandiganbayan, a witness in the plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta told the
Nicholas Brandram’s family say he ‘took his own life after months of immense pressure caused by a Metropolitan Police investigation’ after living with the ‘shame, anxiety and humiliation’ of the probe
The experts said the findings were reached despite difficulties caused by the ongoing conflict, displacement and an internet shutdown in Iran, as well as limited cooperation from both governments.
JEJU CITY, South Korea — After 15 minutes of sailing through rolling waves, the boat approached a lone box-shaped platform standing in the sea off Jeju Island’s west coast. Measuring 32 meters long and 23 meters wide, the concrete structure is anchored in water about 15 meters deep. It is the core of a wave
Affected pints were shipped nationwide
India has proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 as per a gazette notification on 8 September. It aims to curb the unauthorised sale of prescription drugs.
The vote marks the sixth time in a row that the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has kept rates on hold
Donald Trump was interrupted by a heckler during a campaign rally in North Carolina whilst supporting Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley on Wednesday (16 September).
China has asked Iran to influence Yemen's Houthis to de-escalate regional tensions. This appeal follows Saudi Arabia's request for Beijing's assistance with Houthi advances. China depends on secure energy routes and seeks to prevent wider conflict spread. Iran responded that regional stability requires ending the US-Israeli war. Beijing's leverage faces a test as it seeks to secure vital shipping lanes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was important that Australia, which last year became the first place in the world to ban social media for teens, put the ‘right protections in place as technology evolves’
Israeli settlers, some carrying rifles, sang, danced and carried Torah scrolls as they inaugurated a synagogue at the newly revived settlement of Homesh.
South Africa police have cautioned against assuming that all the killings are linked but many women are afraid.
UN mission also accuses Iran of crimes against humanity during its anti-government protest crackdown
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to be doing well during his appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, his first in-person appearance before the tribunal since his arrest 18 months ago. Duterte appeared before Trial Chamber III during the third status conference in his case, where he
National Park Service instead suggests measure to mitigate the impact of the planned Memorial Circle monument, which is facing opposition from veterans groups
Paris has been a muse for filmmakers for over a century. The French capital has inspired countless scenes on the big screen. A new book brings them all together. Ruby Boukabou, author of 'The Movie Lovers' Guide to Paris', joins us to talk through her movie-themed walking tours in some of the city's most cinematic neighbourhoods.
Over £8m a day is being spent on emergency provision, new figures show
More than 3,510 people have died from Ebola in eastern DR Congo since the outbreak was declared four months ago, with Ituri accounting for 78% of confirmed cases. Congolese authorities say the epidemic has now passed its peak, pointing to signs that the outbreak is beginning to slow.
Some communities in Zimbabwe are adopting water-saving techniques such as aquaponics and rainwater harvesting to protect crops as the country braces for El Niño-driven drought. Sharon Mazingaizo has this report.
Save up to 50% on Chessington World of Adventures tickets with the latest verified discount codes, ticket offers and short-break deals, including advance booking discounts, student savings and free entry for children under 90cm
