All Asia Pacific
First LookStability over change: Fumio Kishida to become Japan's new PMJapan鈥檚 former foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, is likey to become prime minister following Wednesday鈥檚 party election. He聽promises to increase Japan鈥檚 military budget, stand up to China, and herald a 鈥渘ew capitalism鈥� focused on growth and income distribution.
Why some Pacific powers may be siding with US against ChinaA U.S.-led grouping of maritime powers in Asia meets Friday at the White House in what many see as a united front against an assertive China.聽
First LookMalaysian mothers win citizenship rights for their childrenIn a landmark ruling, Malaysian mothers are now allowed to pass their citizenship to their children born overseas 鈥� a privilege previously only granted to fathers. The change helps ease access to residency, education, and health care for families.
First LookDemocracy leaders charged under Hong Kong national security lawOn Friday, leaders of a pro-democracy group in Hong Kong who organized the annual Tiananmen聽remembrance vigil pleaded not guilty to charges of subversion brought under the national security law. Critics say the law continues to roll back essential freedoms.
First LookMyanmar opposition leader calls for 鈥榩eople's revolution鈥�On Tuesday, the National Unity Government, a resistance group in Myanmar, declared a 鈥渟tate of emergency鈥� and called for a nationwide revolt in a Facebook video 鈥� showing that opposition to the military government remains strong since the February coup.
First LookTurn it off: China imposes 3 hour weekly gaming limit for kidsChina鈥檚 new video-game rule goes into effect Wednesday. The restrictions align with the Communist Party鈥檚 vision for a wholesome republic, but critics say leaders are trying to prevent young people from using online games as a way to organize politically.聽
When climate adaptation fails, who is responsible? Indonesia is asking.Fishing communities in Indonesia are struggling to adapt as warming oceans disrupt their fishing practices. Some are turning their backs on the sea.
First LookChina passes data privacy law, tightens control over companiesOn Friday, China approved a strict data privacy law, but concerns about the Communist Party government accessing data remain. Meanwhile, the U.S. has not yet enacted a federal data privacy law.聽
First LookWhy Taiwanese books are being iced out of Chinese marketsBook publishers in Taiwan are losing access to Chinese markets as political relations between the two worsen. While book censorship is not new, the categories of censored topics have expanded beyond religion to any book that shows a separate Taiwanese identity.
The ExplainerCan China find a market solution to its outsize carbon emissions?China鈥檚 emissions trading market is a first step toward its goal of聽reducing carbon emissions. But it may not lead to short-term reductions.聽
First LookHealing step: Australia pledges $813M for Indigenous peoplesIn an act of apology, the Australian government will distribute 1.1 billion Australian dollars to address Indigenous inequity. The compensation includes聽payouts to children of the Stolen Generations who were separated from their families under assimilation policies.
First LookNew Zealand prime minister apologizes for racist 'Dawn Raids'Pacific Islanders were targeted for deportation from New Zealand in the mid-1970s during home raids to find, convict, and deport visa overstayers.
To curb urban flooding, China is building 鈥榮ponge cities.鈥� Do they work?China鈥檚 鈥渟ponge cities鈥� program to absorb rainwater was severely tested by last week鈥檚 record downpour in the central city of Zhengzhou.聽
First LookNorth and South Korea improve ties with renewed communicationAfter over a year of dormancy, North and South Korea have revived key communication channels. It鈥檚 a sign that relations are improving and tensions are easing, even as negotiations over North Korea鈥檚 nuclear weapons remain suspended.
Free speech? Hong Kong trial ends in guilty verdict for protester.The first conviction of a protester under Hong Kong鈥檚 new security law underscores how far free speech has been throttled in the city.聽
Wish we were there: Athletes鈥� parents work around Olympics banAdaptability may be the name of the game for Tokyo Olympics 鈥� and not only for the athletes. Parents are finding new ways to support their Olympians.
First LookHong Kong activist found guilty in first for new security lawFormer waiter Tong Ying-kit, the first person charged under Hong Kong鈥檚 national security law, was found guilty of terrorism and inciting secession. Activists say the ruling聽represents an聽鈥渙minous moment for human rights鈥澛爄n Hong Kong.
Olympics have lockdown aura. But the narrative isn鈥檛 locked in.Against a pandemic backdrop, the Tokyo Games include no shortage of challenges. Yet the promise of internationalism and athleticism remain.
First LookRainfall 'not seen in 1,000 years' floods China, at least 100k evacuatedHeavy rainfall across Central China has triggered massive flooding.聽In an effort to control rising water levels and fatalities, the Chinese military has blasted a dam to release floodwaters and lessen pressure on one of its most heavily populated provinces.
First LookBiden backs Trump-era position on South China SeaSecretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement rejecting China鈥檚 claims to the South China Sea.聽The message came ahead of the fifth anniversary of an international tribunal鈥檚 ruling in favor of the Philippines, against Chinese maritime claims.
