All Asia Pacific
First LookResidents of Fiji learn disaster preparedness to weather coming stormsAs climate change brings more storms聽and聽flooding to the islands in the South Pacific, communities in Fiji are training residents in disaster preparedness, relocating entire villages where possible, and improving infrastructure around the island to keep residents safe.聽聽
In northeast China, a test for Beijing's big bet on fairer growthFor decades, the Communist Party's fate was tied to the pace of economic growth. Now, amid a changing economy, President Xi has emphasized his vision for a fairer society. But that dream can seem distant in regions hard hit by the transition.聽
First LookChina shows military strength with drill held over Sea of JapanChina flew a fleet of warplanes near Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan on Monday in efforts to demonstrate its growing military presence in the region.
First LookWhile world watches North Korea, China builds in the South China SeaWhile the world has turned its focus to North Korea, satellite images show new Chinese high-frequency radar facilities on its controversial man-made outposts in the Spratly and Parcel Islands. China has been pressured to halt its militarization of the contested land.
In Malaysia, religious concerns stall child-bride reformEven cases where men have avoided rape charges by marrying their underage victims have not prompted changes to the law allowing underage marriage. Conservative strands of Islamic opinion favor the practice.
First LookChina willing to work with South Korea to maintain peace on Korean peninsulaDuring South Korean President Moon Jae-in's visit to China, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirms his commitment to maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula, aiming to denuclearize the peninsula through diplomatic talks.
Beijing gives migrant workers their marching ordersFor decades, low-paid migrant workers from the Chinese countryside have been building the shiny new Beijing and keeping it running. Now the government is demolishing their homes and forcing them out of the city. How will the capital function without them?
First LookAustralia legalizes same-sex marriageAfter a nationwide postal survey showed the majority of Australians favor legalizing same-sex marriage, Australia's Parliament followed through with legislation, which allows same-sex unions to take place starting in January.
First LookQuestions of citizenship plague Australian ParliamentA surprising citizenship crisis has upended Australia's Parliament as a number of members have had their true citizenship called into question. Under Australia's constitution, dual citizens are not eligible聽for election.聽
First LookUS sends stealth jets to South Korea for joint exercise and show of strengthThe US and South Korea will carry out an annual joint military exercise including 12,000 US troops and hundreds of aircraft over the Korean Peninsula. This year's exercise comes amid heightened tensions around North Korea's recent missile test.
First LookEmperor Akihito sets date for his abdication of Japan's throneAs Japanese Emperor Akihito prepares to abdicate his throne in 2019, debate resurfaces over whether the women of the royal family should be able to succeed the throne.
China's rust belt gets long-awaited bridge to Russia. But is it still a lifeline?Locals in this frigid corner of China are counting on a rail bridge to Russia to revive a struggling economy. But while they've waited, the country has transformed 鈥� making the heavy industries it was built to support look more like the past than the future.
With thaw toward S. Korea, Beijing shelves patriot games 鈥� for nowFor months, Beijing punished Seoul for deploying the antimissile system, and encouraged Chinese consumers to do the same. But its habit of dialing citizens' nationalistic sentiments up and down to suit official policies may be getting harder.聽
First LookNorth Korea claims strongest missile yet after latest testNorth Korea launched Wednesday a 'significantly more' powerful missile than what it has tested before. The launch heightens global tensions as the US aims to prevent North Korea from developing an intercontinental weapon of mass destruction.
First LookBeijing evicts its major labor force with little noticeAuthorities in Beijing have been evicting domestic migrant workers from the capital in droves, triggering a public outcry over the harsh treatment of laborers the city depends on.聽
First LookIndonesian authorities raise volcano alert and amp up evacuation effortsIndonesia is on high alert as Mount Agung on Bali erupts. Authorities have shut down the international airport due to the amount of volcanic ash in the air and look to quickly evacuate people living within 10 miles of the volcano.
First LookSouth Korea fears continued weapons development from North KoreaSouth Korean intelligence agencies are keeping a close eye on their northern neighbor with suspicions that further missile tests by North Korea before year's end are likely. Political analysis also shows an internal overhaul of military officials within Pyongyang's聽government.聽
First LookShots fired at North Korean soldier attempting to defect at borderA North Korean soldier was shot five times while fleeing across to the south, marking it the first shooting at the jointly monitored border with South Korea in three decades.
First LookSouth Korea strengthens ties with Southeast AsiaSouth Korea begins implementing President Moon's "New Southern Policy" with a visit to Indonesia.
With N. Korea front-and-center on Trump trip, will South China Sea take back seat?Whether and how President Trump will discuss China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea remains an open question. The issue now appears to be a secondary US priority聽鈥� but a pillar of Beijing's plan for greater influence.
