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Ex-head of China's 'kung fu' temple jailed for 24 years for graft and bribery

13 Sept 06:06 Key points summarised by AI

Former Shaolin Temple abbot, Shi Yongxin, was sentenced to 24 years in prison and fined 3.5 million yuan ($517,000) for crimes including embezzlement and bribery.
Shi abused his role for nearly three decades, engaging in embezzlement, misappropriation, and taking/giving bribes totaling approximately 300 million yuan.
Known as the 'CEO monk' for commercializing the temple, his controversial leadership was also marred by allegations of violating Buddhist precepts, including maintaining relationships with multiple women.
His conviction marks a significant reversal from a cultural ambassador to a disgraced figure, with the Buddhist Association of China stating he "brought it on himself."

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.