All Asia Pacific
First LookLatest leader-swap frustrates AustraliansFormer Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was forced out of office on Friday by disgruntled lawmakers, the fourth prime minister pushed out of the job since 2010 in a period of political instability. The leadership change has struck a particularly sour note among Australians.聽
First LookSeparated Korean families reunite for brief, long-awaited meetingsDozens of elderly South Koreans crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea for emotional reunions with relatives. The weeklong event, the first of its kind in almost three years, comes as the rival Koreas ramp up their reconciliation efforts.聽
First LookJapanese Emperor expresses remorse for his father's warAhead of his abdication, Emperor聽Akihito again expressed remorse for World War II in a speech on the anniversary of Japan's surrender. Throughout his reign, he has visited some of the harshest battlefields of the war and promoted pacifist, democratic views.
First LookNorth and South Korean leaders agree to a fall meetingNorth and South Korean leaders are planning to meet for the third time this year in September, continuing聽diplomatic negotiations on denuclearization amid renewed worries.聽
Will rising summer temperatures raise world鈥檚 climate change concern?It鈥檚 been an extraordinarily hot summer 鈥� with deadly effect 鈥� all across the Northern Hemisphere. Has the heat been changing how people think about climate change?
First LookIn China's 'Solar Valley,' solar cookout aims to woo chefs, reduce carbonA solar cooker company held a cookout to show that traditional Chinese dishes can be made in its devices. China is a "global hotspot" for black carbon emissions, half of which comes from residential kitchens and heaters.聽
First Look海角大神s in China's heartland face government suppressionChinese President Xi Jinping聽is waging the most severe systematic crackdown on 海角大神ity since religious freedom was written into the country's constitution in 1982, experts and activists say.
First LookJapanese students create VR experience of Hiroshima bombingThe Japanese high school students are using virtual reality to transport users back in time to before, during, and after the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima 73 years ago today.聽
First LookNew Zealand prime minister joins ranks of working momsJacinda Adern, New Zealand's third female and youngest ever prime minister, has returned to office after six weeks of maternity leave, hoping one day her path "will be normal" among elected leaders.
First LookSoutheast Asian nations and China come closer to South China Sea agreementChina and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have been working to prevent conflict in the disputed waters of the South China sea for years. In a new sign of progress, an early draft of the negotiations has been agreed upon.聽
In China鈥檚 Belt and Road initiative, environmentalists see risky businessEnvironmentalists and local villagers have raised concerns about a hydroelectric dam being built on the Batang Toru River 鈥� part of China's massive "Belt and Road" infrastructure program.聽
In Philippines' 'city of the future,' smart planning goes greenSixty miles north of Manila is the site of New Clark City, designed to be a smart, resilient, green metropolis. Some hope it could provide a model for more environmentally sound cities elsewhere.聽
First LookKorean generals discuss easing decades-long military standoffNorth and South Korean officials met for rare high-level military talks, which concluded with no agreement. Experts say it is unclear聽what progress can be made in the near future聽because easing tensions must include North Korea's denuclearization.聽
First LookNew memo reveals Japanese leaders' thoughts on eve of Pearl HarborA used bookshop owner in Japan found the memo tucked away in a journal. The document gives the first glimpse into conversation between Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo on the eve of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
In Malaysia, a new attempt to know one's neighbor 鈥� and his faithProximity doesn't always breed familiarity. In religiously diverse Malaysia, many people feel they tolerate each other's faiths without understanding them. But a new government may offer new opportunities, some hope.
First LookNew Zealand approves paid leave for domestic violence survivorsIn a country where police respond to a domestic violence incident every four minutes, employers must now give survivors escaping abusive situations up to 10 days paid leave. New Zealand is the second country after the Philippines in 2004 to pass this kind of policy.
For Malaysia鈥檚 democracy advocates, huge hurdles remain after surprise winIn the first 100 days of their country鈥檚 first democratic transfer of power, Malaysian democracy advocates are keeping the pressure on their new government to deliver promised reforms.
First LookNew images show North Korea dismantling missile facilitiesThe report from a Washington D.C.-think tank comes amid concerns about North Korea's willingness to live up to the commitments made at the June summit with President Trump. The images are claimed to show dismantling work at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station.
First LookAmid Bali trash crisis, local heroes fight to keep island cleanAs tourism rapidly increases in Bali,聽garbage collection services and infrastructure have failed to keep up. But citizens are making efforts with initiatives like self-funded apps, green camps for children, and volunteer cleanups, to counter the growing trash problem.
A Sumatran fishing town's message for Rohingya refugees: WelcomeMore than 1 million Rohingya have fled persecution in Myanmar, with most headed to crowded camps in Bangladesh. But about 1,740 have landed in Indonesia's Aceh province, where some locals say shared faith has guided their response.聽
