NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A seven-year-old novice monk has entered a national competition to become a Patimokkha reciter, raising the prospect of a new record as the youngest participant to pass the demanding test.
Phra Maha Jai Khemacitto of Wat Chana Songkhram, who oversees the sixth Novice Patimokkha Recitation Project in 2026, said 11 novices aged between seven and 17 have applied so far.
Among them is novice Trin Apivansanong from Wat Nikhom Phang 16 in Pak Chong district. If he passes, he would become the youngest successful candidate in the project’s history, surpassing last year’s record set by a nine-year-old novice.
The Patimokkha is a recitation of the 227 monastic rules in Theravada Buddhism, traditionally performed every fortnight on the Uposatha day. The ritual, conducted entirely in Pali, serves as a core discipline governing the conduct of monks and maintaining harmony within the Sangha.
A Patimokkha reciter must memorise the full text accurately without omission or error. The recitation, which spans around 30 pages, typically takes about an hour to complete and cannot be read from a script.
On 5 May, reporters visited Wat Nikhom Phang 16 to meet the young novice. Phra Maha Chit Vajirayana, the abbot who oversees his training, said Trin had expressed a wish to ordain while still in kindergarten in Ayutthaya before joining the temple in early 2025.
Despite his age, the novice has shown remarkable progress, the abbot said. “At first, I was unsure because he is only seven. But over the past five to six months, his memory and focus have been exceptional,” he said, noting that the boy can now recite long passages with precision.
The novice is currently revising the full text in preparation for the competition. Temple officials have called on the public to offer encouragement as the young participant takes on the challenge.
Trin later demonstrated parts of the recitation, delivering the Pali verses fluently.
Lisa arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the "Costume Art" exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Lisa Lalisa Manobal made her second consecutive appearance at the Met Gala, arriving in a dramatic sheer gown in line with the event’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code, held to mark the museum’s “Costume Art” exhibition.
Lisa arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
The BLACKPINK star also served on this year’s host committee alongside Teyana Taylor, Sabrina Carpenter and Doja Cat, among others.
Lisa wore an ethereal white couture gown by Robert Wun, featuring crystal embellishments and a striking veil with sculptural hand details. The look was paired with jewellery by Bvlgari and heels from Gianvito Rossi.
Lisa arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Her styling was overseen by Brett Alan Nelson.
The appearance marks Lisa’s second year attending the Met Gala, further cementing her presence on one of fashion’s most high-profile stages.
PHAYAO — 5 May 2026, A dramatic fire broke out in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store opposite the University of Phayao after a severe electrical short circuit ignited overhead power lines and communication lines.
Witnesses said a loud explosion was heard before sparks began falling from the cables, which quickly caught fire. Flames spread rapidly along the communication wires, flaring high in the air and causing panic among nearby residents and students, who fled the area for safety.
Provincial Electricity Authority officials and rescue workers rushed to the scene, cutting power immediately to prevent further spread before working to extinguish the blaze. It took some time to bring the fire under control.
Initial reports indicated that at least two poles were damaged, while numerous communication lines were destroyed. Authorities are now working to repair and replace the damaged infrastructure to restore electricity as soon as possible.
Alysa Chang, left, and Li Cheng-wen hold up their snail racers in Fenglin town, Hualien County, eastern of Taiwan, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
FENGLIN, Taiwan (AP) — The Taiwanese town of Fenglin has grown a reputation as a place where life moves slowly and people can catch their breath.
Rather than push against this rhythm, the town of around 10,000 has chosen to embrace it and make it part of its identity. Enter the snails.
Owners place their snail competitors at the starting point during a snail race in Fenglin town, Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Fenglin has been putting on snail races as a way to celebrate its focus on a slower, sustainable lifestyle that values healthcare, longevity and community connections while bringing in more tourists in the wake of a strong earthquake in 2024 that dampened travel in surrounding areas.
“The earthquake two years ago had a relatively big impact on tourism because people are worried an earthquake may happen again,” said Hsu Lu, a 32-year-old resident. “Many people have left Hualien because of earthquakes,” Hsu said, referring to the surrounding county and the site of frequent quakes.
Snails are one way to bring tourists back, even if slowly.
People cheer during a snail race in Fenglin town, Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Focus on quality of life
Fenglin has associated itself with snails since 2014, when it joined the Cittaslow international network of small cities focused on quality of life and locally sourced foods. Cittaslow’s symbol is a snail carrying an assortment of buildings on its back.
The designation of a slow city seemed to fit Fenglin, whose population has shrunk threefold over the past few decades. Today, it is also an example of Taiwan’s “super-aged” society, with more than 20% of its residents older than 65.
To help reinvigorate local tourism after the April 2024 earthquake, which killed 19 people and injured more than 1,100, Fenglin residents decided to host a snail race the following month, said organizer Cheng Jen-shou.
“We thought that our event could attract people, and that would be a small help,” he said.
This year, the town held the third edition of the race over the May Day holiday.
Several dozen enthusiastic residents and tourists attended the event, which featured six snail races spaced out over two days. The winners from each race competed in the final, but not before posing in front of their audiences while slowly being pulled on a piece of plywood across a green carpet as their fans cheered them on.
Snail owner Lin Mei-hui places her champion snail racer on the podium after a snail race in Fenglin town, Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
Snail race attracts dozens from near and far
Li Cheng-wen, a 70-year-old retiree from Fenglin, brought several snails to the race. He caught them in his vegetable garden snacking on his leafy greens, and instead of killing them as some farmers do, he decided to raise them as pets, he said. He feeds them slices of bananas, papaya and vegetable leaves and showers them daily.
“As to the criteria for choosing snails for the race, I usually select those that are very active and pleasing to the eye,” Li said.
Kelvin Hong and Tiara Lin also brought a sightly snail to the race. The couple traveled all the way from the southern city of Kaohsiung, about a five-hour drive away, together with their 2-year-old daughter, Murphy, and their giant African snail, Aquaman.
The couple had signed up Aquaman for a previous race in 2024, but just as they were headed for Fenglin, Lin went into labor. Now the whole family returned to cheer on Aquaman.
Brother Snail, a recurring champion
Despite being larger than most of its homegrown competitors — which had been picked out from local gardens or the side of the road — Aquaman was rather slow.
Once the race started, it and nine other snails were placed near the center of a round table covered with a thin vinyl sheet. The first to reach the edge of the table was crowned the winner.
The absolute champion was Guage, or Brother Snail. Its owner, 39-year-old Tanya Lin from Hualien, had been raising the snail since 2024, when it also won one race.
This year, Brother Snail crossed the 33-centimeter (13-inch) tablecloth in 3 minutes and 3 seconds. That performance earned it the top spot on a tiny stadium and a prize of organic sweet potato leaves.
An alternative to a fast-paced lifestyle
Besides the snail race, the local government has been trying to attract tourism by offering guided e-bike tours with stops at historic tobacco barns, Japanese colonial-era buildings and a Hakka-minority museum.
The idea of a slower pace of life was compelling enough to attract university students Annette Lin and Tanya Liu, who rode the train for about 30 minutes from Hualien on Saturday to check out the snail race and Fenglin’s slow vibes.
The friends found the competition unique and enjoyed Fenglin’s leisurely pace — but only as a respite from the busy city life.
“I think for travel or a trip, it’s a great choice,” Liu said. “But maybe living here would not really be my dream choice.”
A woman rides a bike past a statue of a snail in Fenglin town, Hualien County, eastern of Taiwan, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
DUBAI — 4 May 2026, Iran’s navy said it blocked the entry of U.S. warships into the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, issuing what it described as a “swift and decisive warning,” according to state television.
The statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington would begin an effort on Monday morning to free ships stranded in the strategic waterway, calling it a “humanitarian gesture” to assist neutral countries amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Iranian Fars news agency reported that a U.S. warship sailing near the port of Jask, at the southern entrance to the strait, was hit by two missiles and forced to turn back while attempting to transit the area.
Iran’s armed forces also issued repeated warnings on Monday to foreign naval vessels, saying they should not enter the Strait of Hormuz or face a “decisive response.”
Meanwhile, oil prices eased on Tuesday after sharp gains in the previous session, as signs emerged that the U.S. Navy may be loosening Iran’s control over the key shipping lane, raising hopes that supply from the Middle East could resume.
Brent crude for July delivery fell 68 cents, or 0.6%, to $113.76 a barrel, after rising 5.8% on Monday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.59, or 1.5%, to $104.83, following a 4.4% increase in the previous session.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters work to out the fire after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Guandu Town of Liuyang, central China's Hunan Province, in the early hours of May 5, 2026. (Chen Sihan/Xinhua via AP)
BEIJING (AP) — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported Tuesday.
China’s official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of Liuyang, a prominent fireworks powerhouse.
This photo released by Xinhua News Agency, this aerial drone photo taken May 5, 2026 shows rescuers working on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Guandu Town of Liuyang, central China’s Hunan Province. (Chen Sihan/Xinhua via AP)
Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged.
Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses near the explosion site, the Xinhua report said.
Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast and police have detained the person in charge of the company, Xinhua said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” to search for people who are still unaccounted for and save the injured. He called on authorities to investigate the cause swiftly and pursue serious accountability, the report said. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, this aerial drone photo taken in the early hours of May 5, 2026, rescuers work on site after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Guandu Town of Liuyang, central China’s Hunan Province.(Chen Sihan/Xinhua via AP)
To prevent other accidents during the operation,rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. They also deployed three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.
Liuyang has a long history of fireworks production. The Guinness World Records organization said the first accurately documented firework, the Chinese firecracker, was attributed to Li Tian, a monk who lived near Liuyang during China’s Tang dynasty dating to around 618 to 907 C.E. Li discovered that putting gunpowder in enclosed hollow bamboo stems created loud explosions and bound crackers together to create the traditional New Year firecrackers to drive out evil spirits, Guinness said.
In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.
CHONBURI — 4 May 2026, A brawl broke out on Pattaya beach after a foreign tourist allegedly assaulted a Thai man who had warned him about smoking cannabis in a public area, police said.
Kittipong Sa-ardchandee, 29, the victim, said he had been relaxing and eating with relatives by the beachfront when a group of foreign tourists at a nearby table began smoking cannabis, the smell drifting to other visitors.
He said he approached them politely to ask that they not smoke in a public space. Despite the tourist’s Thai girlfriend attempting to intervene, the man reportedly became angered.
Kittipong said that as he turned to walk back to his table, the foreign tourist adopted a fighting stance and attacked him from behind, triggering a scuffle. The assailant allegedly claimed to be a “boxer”.
The victim added that earlier, another group of Thai diners had also warned the same tourist and were similarly assaulted.
Municipal officers quickly intervened to stop the incident, but the foreign tourist continued to provoke the group, pacing near the scene and making obscene gestures. Authorities eventually ordered him to return to his accommodation and instructed both parties to disperse to prevent further escalation.
CHONBURI — 5 May 2026, A Chinese man reportedly suffered severe adverse symptoms after trying cannabis for the first time, prompting an emergency response at a Pattaya shop.
The incident was reported at 01:30 to the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Rescue Centre. Responders were dispatched to a cannabis shop identified as “Bow Thailand” in Soi 15, Pattaya Second Road, South Pattaya, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district.
First responders arrive as bystanders support the Chinese man, who had been vomiting repeatedly
At the scene, a 35-year-old Chinese national was found experiencing muscle spasms, laboured breathing, chest tightness and persistent vomiting. Friends had attempted to assist by applying cold compresses, but his condition did not improve.
Rescue personnel provided initial assistance, including the use of ammonia inhalants in an attempt to revive him. However, the man refused further treatment and declined transport to hospital, leading responders to stand down.
According to Mr. Suriya Chamnan-yom, a volunteer with the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya unit, the call initially reported chest tightness at a cannabis shop on Pattaya Second Road. Upon arrival, responders found the patient in distress with convulsions and continuous vomiting.
Mr. Suriya Chamnan-yom (left), a Sawang Boriboon Pattaya volunteer, speaks with reporters at the scene
Staff at the shop said the group had purchased cannabis and the man began experiencing symptoms shortly after taking a single inhalation. He was reported to have no known underlying medical conditions.
Health authorities note that while cannabis is widely used, first-time and inexperienced users may experience adverse effects, particularly with higher doses or potent strains.
Experts generally advise first-time users to start with a very low dose, avoid mixing with alcohol or other substances, and use cannabis in a safe, supervised environment. Individuals with underlying health conditions or sensitivity to psychoactive substances may face higher risks.
Cannabis at the scene supports reports the man had taken only a small amount before becoming unwell
Families of Palestinian refugees who have arrived in Italy from the Gaza Strip through humanitarian corridors due to serious medical reasons, take part in a visit to Rome's Baths of Caracalla offered by the "Guides for Gaza" association, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Rome. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
ROME (AP) — The Baths of Caracalla, the sumptuously decorated public baths complex near the Colosseum, were long a place of leisure, healthcare and relaxation for ancient Romans.
On Sunday, the place provided a different sort of decompression to a group of Palestinian children and their families who had been evacuated from Gaza for medical care, thanks to Italy’s program of “humanitarian corridors.”
“We brought families with children so they could experience visiting an ancient archaeological site,” Luisa delle Fratte, a tour guide in the group Guides for Gaza, told The Associated Press. “We also offered them a snack, some games and moments of social interaction and togetherness.”
Ordinary Italian families milled about the sprawling site, some settling on the grass to enjoy the springtime sun. The Palestinian families, all of whom now reside in Rome, blended right in — following their tour guide and translator, taking selfies in front of the ruins and watching the jets of water shooting upward from the new reflecting pool. Organizers say they intended the day as a respite from medical treatments and memories of the war.
Families of Palestinian refugees who have arrived in Italy from the Gaza Strip through humanitarian corridors due to serious medical reasons pose for a group photo during a visit to Rome’s Baths of Caracalla offered by the “Guides for Gaza” association, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“I was injured and lost my ability to speak, as well as mobility and normal function in my hand and leg,” 13-year-old Ahmed Skena said, struggling to string together his words. He haltingly added that he also lost his father and brother in the war.
Mariam Dawwas, 25, attended with her husband and four young children, one of whom is ill. They wound up in Italy after being displaced over 10 times.
“Thank God, I am still in a better situation than in Gaza, away from the bombing. At least I am safe, I have shelter, and there is light for my children,” she said.
Some of the families at Caracalla on Sunday knew each other from Gaza, but hadn’t seen one another since their evacuation, said Delle Fratte of Guides for Gaza, a network founded last year in Umbria and Tuscany, and recently expanded to Naples and Rome.
“It was very beautiful to see them there embracing again and meeting one another once more,” she said.
Families of Palestinian refugees who have arrived in Italy from the Gaza Strip through humanitarian corridors due to serious medical reasons, take part in a visit to Rome’s Baths of Caracalla offered by the “Guides for Gaza” association, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
While the Palestinian families toured the ruins, other guides offered tours to Italians in exchange for donations to support Gazelle, a nonprofit involved in child protection projects in the Gaza Strip.
The war in Gaza began with a 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which the militants killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and abducted 251. More than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.
SURAT THANI — A shop owner on Koh Phangan has warned fellow operators after two foreign youths allegedly took drinks without paying, according to a post shared on a local Facebook page.
The owner posted on the public page “Koh Phangan” describing the incident, which occurred while a young female employee was alone in the shop.
According to the post, the two youths had earlier purchased items and later returned, asking for a refund and claiming the products were fake. The employee refused, saying the shop sells only legitimate goods with proper tax stamps.
The pair then turned to a refrigerator, took two cans of beer and told the employee they would take them instead, the owner said.
The owner added that the employee, being young and not wanting trouble, allowed them to leave. The post was shared as a warning to other business operators, noting that “tourists come in many forms”.
The incident drew online reactions, with some users urging the owner to report the case to police, warning that failing to act could encourage repeat behaviour.
