All Asia Pacific
First LookWhy China wants to tone down its biggest online shopping dayChina鈥檚 annual Singles鈥� Day typically features "excessive" online shopping and glamorous galas with celebrity features. This year, amid President Xi Jinping鈥檚 push for 鈥渃ommon prosperity,鈥� companies will scale back and instead emphasize charity and sustainability.
First LookWhy Yahoo is discontinuing its platform in ChinaFollowing the lead of other major tech companies, such as Microsoft and Google, Yahoo announced Tuesday that it would no longer offer its services in China. The departure comes as China鈥檚 government increasingly limits the data these companies can collect and store.聽
Will China鈥檚 energy crisis dampen its effort to cut emissions?China will play a key role in whether the world can curb global warming. But recent power shortages reveal challenges ahead.
First LookYoung farmers bring new vision to Thailand's forestsIn Thailand, a small but growing back-to-the-land movement is drawing young people away from cities to take up farming. In the region of Mae Tha, residents won land lease rights in a protected forest, which is boosting conservation and jobs.
Japan鈥檚 elections showcase constraints on its democracyJapan鈥檚 democracy makes little room for outsider candidates, including women and innovators. The result is widespread voter apathy.
First LookLove over royalty: Princess Mako of Japan marries 'commoner'Former Princess Mako of Japan married commoner Kei Komuro on Tuesday in a controversial decision to prioritize love over her royal status.聽The newlyweds will move together to New York to begin a new life.聽
First LookWhat the Facebook leaks say about social media ethics in IndiaFacebook in India has only selectively curbed hate speech, misinformation, and anti-Muslim content, according to leaked documents obtained by The Associated Press and other media outlets.
First LookAmid stalled negotiations, N. Korea confirms new missile testOn Wednesday, North Korea confirmed it tested a new missile that can be fired from a submarine, two years after the last test of the same type.聽The U.S. has said it is open to resuming nuclear diplomacy, but North Korea considers the U.S. stance hostile.聽
First LookShortages, outages, and more: Why China's growth is slowingChina鈥檚 economy grew only 4.9% in the last quarter, down from 7.9% in the previous quarter. The slower growth is likely caused by limits on energy usage and parts shortages that have hampered manufacturing.聽
Cram school is out, forever. Why Chinese parents aren鈥檛 rejoicing.China鈥檚 crackdown on for-profit tutoring of K-12 students is part of a campaign aimed at curbing capitalist excess and promoting common prosperity.聽
First LookChina harasses Taiwan with fighter jets, blames US for meddlingTensions flared as Chinese military flights near Taiwan intensified 鈥� the country dispatched 149 jets over four days, a record. While the show of hostility and recurring territorial ambitions is apparent, analysts say war is not imminent 鈥� it is more likely a show of power.
First LookInvaluable but unprotected: Asian gig workers fight for rightsBy providing services like food delivery, app-based businesses have thrived across Asia during the pandemic. Now, the gig workers who keep the industry running are fighting back against exploitative labor laws.
First LookWhy Philippine President Duterte says he's retiring from politicsPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he won't run for vice president, opening the way for his daughter to run for president.
First LookMissiles and talks: N. Korea wants to reopen lines with S. KoreaNorth Korea, which has tested ballistic missiles in the past week, plans to reopen communication lines with South Korea after a year. The strategy is part of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un鈥檚 desire for international recognition as a nuclear power, experts say.聽
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
