All Asia Pacific
First LookMyanmar, UN sign pact to encourage the return of Rohingya refugeesMore than 700,000聽Rohingyas, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, have fled the country to escape government persecution since August 2017. On Wednesday, the United Nations and Myanmar signed an agreement that could be the first step toward solving the crisis.聽
What Beijing's surge in the South China Sea meansFive years ago China set out to assert its control over the South China Sea, regardless of international law or any of its neighbors' opinions. It has now succeeded, challenging traditional US preeminence in the western Pacific.
First LookBoth Koreas agree to discuss military, family reunionsThe Korean War was temporarily halted with an armistice agreement in 1953, but now聽the聽two聽Koreas聽are working to improve ties with upcoming talks to discuss issues that have kept the two nations divided.
First LookGlobal leaders assemble to discuss other pressing issues in Asian securityWhile the proposed US-North Korea summit on June 12 has dominated international conversations, this weekend's Shangri-La Dialogue is an opportunity for defense officials to examine China's growing naval presence and the role of the US in Asia.聽
First LookChina cuts tariffs again to boost consumer spending on local productsWith its third tariff reduction in six months, China wants its citizens to buy avocados, cosmetics shoes, and other goods from home instead of abroad in efforts聽to nurture self-sustaining economic growth based on consumer spending instead of trade and investment.聽
First LookNew Malaysian government offers hope for simmering ethnic tensionsWith the surprising loss of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak two weeks ago, the country has undergone a dramatic transformation. Now, new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is urging greater equality for the region's many ethnic minorities.聽
First LookSummits give aging North Korean spies hope of returning homeFormer cold war-era North聽Korean spies trapped in the South are hoping the recent聽thaw in聽tensions between their countries聽will allow them to聽return home to their "ideological homeland." 聽
First LookAs summit approaches, North Korea's media sharpens its toneNorth Korea's state media has taken on an angry tone and released strongly worded commentaries slamming Seoul and Washington for their join military exercises, raising concerns higher that the Kim-Trump summit may not happen.
First LookIn 're-education' program, China incarcerates thousands of MuslimsIn the western region of Xinjiang, the Chinese government has detained tens of thousands of Muslim citizens in camps. The program forces captives to renounce their religious and ethnic ties in favor of broad nationalism and support for President Xi Jinping.聽
First LookChina steps in to urge North Korea to go through with US summitPresident Xi Jinping, representing North Korea's most important ally and economic partner,聽has emphasized the need for regional trust and called for the end of US-South Korea military exercises in exchange for denuclearization in聽North Korea.聽
First LookOn cue, North Korea threatens to cancel Kim-Trump summitNorth Korea聽has聽threatened to withdraw from its summit with the United States in Singapore saying it has no interest聽in being pressured into abandoning its nuclear weapons. While the nation has a long history of scrapping deals at the last minute, some analysts say the bluster may be an attempt to gain leverage going into the talks.
Emboldened China 鈥� and its webizens 鈥� telling foreign firms to fall in lineChina has increased pressure on international companies to use Beijing-approved language for areas it considers its sovereign territory, such as Tibet and Taiwan. A nationalistic consumer market makes those orders hard to ignore.
First LookSingapore seen as natural choice for US-North Korea summitThe Southeast Asian city-state's longstanding diplomatic relations with and proximity to North Korea, in addition to being a large trading partner with the United States, makes it an obvious host for the meeting between President Trump and Kim Jung-un.聽
First LookNorth Korean prisoner release brings hope, frustration to SouthWith the release of three detained Americans from North Korea, many South Koreans with relatives who have been abducted by the North are hopeful for a reunification with loved ones. So far, though, progress for these families has been slow.聽
First LookOpposition win ends 60-year rule, sending political tremors through MalaysiaVoters delivered a strong message against corruption by electing former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday. Mr. Mohamad is credited with modernizing Malaysia despite previously ruling with a heavy hand. At 92, he becomes the world's oldest elected leader.
Modern dancers go toe-to-toe with Cambodian traditionWhat happens to a classic when it鈥檚 combined with modern ideas? In Cambodia, officials鈥� concern for traditional culture 鈥� four decades after it was threatened by the Khmer Rouge 鈥� is not preventing new art from being created. But a contemporary dance company is challenged by little money and limited access to an audience that could ensure its survival.聽
Reunification? Many young South Koreans say, 'Let's not.'Many older South Koreans hope to see a unified Korea. But for their children and grandchildren, uniting with the dramatically different North is a less appealing prospect.
First LookMacron's visit precedes independence referendum in New CaledoniaThe island territory of New Caledonia is just six months away from a referendum that could provide a path toward sovereignty from France. On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the island to encourage reconciliation.
First LookIn historic summit, Korean leaders repeat commitment to denuclearizeThe meeting will perhaps be most remembered for the image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in holding hands and grinning following Mr. Kim's walk across the border.
South Korea's mission at Friday summit: Proving talk with Kim is worth the whilePresident Moon Jae-in's approach to his northern neighbor resembles the 'sunshine policy' of past administrations, which failed to make lasting gains. When he meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, he'll need to convince observers聽鈥� from Seoul to D.C. 鈥� that this time is different.
