All Asia Pacific
First LookWill Philippines really leave UN? Foreign secretary plays down threatsPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened Sunday to withdraw his country from the United Nations after the international body urged an end to extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers.
Why Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is threatening to leave the UNPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to withdraw his country from the United Nations in a press conference late Saturday night after criticizing the UN's handling of the Syrian conflict.聽
China's Olympians disappoint their government, but not the peopleOfficial Beijing is upset by China's relatively meager medals haul in Rio. But ordinary citizens are showing more sympathy for the athletes - and less for nationalistic chest-thumping.
First LookNorth Korean diplomat's mysterious defection latest in rising numberThae Young Ho is a familiar face among correspondents seeking to travel to North Korea, and among far-left circles in London. His defection to South Korea is one among many North Korean officials this year.
First LookSouth Korea bristles at Japan's honors for the dead on WWII anniversaryAs Japan marks the聽71st anniversary of the end of World War II, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe avoided visiting a controversial shrine that honors Japanese war dead, including war criminals.聽
First LookHong Kong's 'Umbrella Movement' leaders avoid jail timeThree leaders of a rally that sparked huge prodemocracy street protests in 2014 in Hong Kong have been聽sentenced to community service on Monday.
Series of blasts hit popular resorts in southern ThailandTwin blasts hit the upscale resort of Hua Hin just hours after two bombs killed one person and wounded 21 late on Thursday.
Philippines seeks formal talks with China amid South China Sea tensions-RamosManila wants formal discussions with China to explore pathways to peace and cooperation.
No longer divine, Japanese emperor wins people's hearts with his humanityUntil 1945, Japanese thought their emperor was remote, and descended from gods. Emperor Akihito has changed the monarchy's image, and his聽suggestion this week that he might like to abdicate was met sympathetically.聽
North and South Korean gymnasts' Olympic selfie captures 'great gesture'Hong Un Jong of North Korea and Lee Eun-ju of South Korea, both competing in gymnastics at the Rio Olympics, overlooked their countries' differences to pose for a photograph together.聽
If 'all women can shine' in Japan, can they do so on the imperial throne?If Japan's emperor is allowed to abdicate, its politicians may have to answer an uncomfortable question: why can't women inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne?
US destroyer visit latest twist in China-US military tiesThe visit is聽the latest in a long-term effort to build trust between the countries' militaries amid a rivalry for dominance in Asia.
Japan warns China of worsening ties over East China Sea disputeTensions between Asia's two largest economies have risen since Japan saw an increasing number of Chinese coastguard sailing near the disputed islets.
First LookWhy did China fly 'combat patrols' over the Spratly Islands?In the wake of an international court's ruling rejecting China's claims to disputed territory in the South China Sea, China said the combat exercises were an effort to protect its 'maritime interests.'
China's rights lawyers say sentence sends a chilling 鈥� and blunt 鈥撀爉essageProminent lawyer Zhou Shifeng got seven years in prison for subversion Thursday, underscoring China's deepening intolerance for dissent. Many rights lawyers have been stripped of their status.
Thai election in 2017 regardless of referendum vote, says junta chief
First LookAre the Olympics cool enough for surfing? IOC says yes, adding 5 sportsThe International Olympic Committee approved baseball/softball,聽karate, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.聽
First LookJapan protests North Korean missile launch as 'grave threat'South Korean officials said the missile鈥檚 trajectory was one of the longest of North Korean tests.聽
First LookAs Duterte takes reins in Philippines, drug trafficker deaths soarMore than 400 people believed to be linked to illegal drugs have been killed since President Duterte took office in June. Human rights groups and international drug authorities are calling for the killings to stop.- China court warns against illegal fishing in riposte to Sth China Sea rulingThe Chinese Supreme Court said on Tuesday that people caught illegally fishing in Chinese waters could be jailed for up to a year.
