All Asia Pacific
Ice bucket challenge comes to China 鈥� with an equine twistThe ice bucket challenge to raise funds for ALS research is now a hit in China. Participants have added Chinese characteristics to the craze.聽
North Korea allows rare interviews with detained Americans. Why now?Washington has repeatedly offered to send a little-known envoy to North Korea to seek the release of three Americans, but Pyongyang appears to want a bigger name. One of the detained Americans interviewed Monday said George W. Bush would be suitable.
Hong Kong citizenry stirs as Beijing nixes direct democracyThousands of Hong Kong citizens are expected in coming weeks to stage protests after China announced it would screen the nominees for Hong Kong's chief executive.
For Myanmar political predictions, locals look to the starsPopular 'astrology pundits' are featured as serious political commentators in the Myanmar press. This in a country that once聽changed its currency on the advice of an astrologer.聽
Why Japan's Abe and India's Modi are Asia's new best friendsIndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Japan Saturday for a five-day state visit focused on trade and defense ties. India and Japan have mutual concerns about China's rise 鈥� but China is also both countries' largest trade partner.
Will China vet Hong Kong election? Protests hang in the balanceThe occupation of Hong Kong's central financial district could start early next week, after Beijing releases its guidelines Sunday on how the city's next leader will be elected. Beijing has promised Hong Kong will have 'universal suffrage' by 2017.
Do you play for 'Team Australia'? Muslims debate anti-terrorism pushPrime Minister Tony Abbott announced a $60 million anti-radicalization effort this week. Australia has more nationals fighting in Iraq and Syria, per capita, than any other country.
Pakistan faces a major political crisis: 6 things to knowStreet protests in Islamabad haven't yet forced Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign, but they are boosting the role of the powerful Army.
Banned in Beijing: China shutters film festival just before opening nightThe director of the annual Beijing Independent Film Festival was jailed and forced to promise not to open the festival. The move comes as social media, arts, and religion are increasingly restricted.聽
China dismisses US complaints about jet fighter interceptChina argues that the close encounter between one of its jets and a US reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea was routine and that US surveillance in the area is provocative.
Academic flap turns up heat on China's Confucius InstitutesA dustup at a recent Chinese studies conference, and renewed pressure from US academics, has increased opposition to the government-funded programs that aim to spread Chinese language and culture.
In China, a search for modern values at Confucius' birthplaceChina's rulers are increasingly promoting Confucius, a figure once reviled by Chairman Mao, as a symbol for modern China. Tourists, seminar groups, and professionals are flocking to the ancient philosopher's聽birthplace.
In a first, Indonesia's capital gets an ethnic Chinese governorBasuki Purnama, a businessman turned politician, is due to replace Joko Widodo, Indonesia's president-elect, as governor of Jakarta. He would be the highest profile ethnic Chinese official in Muslim-majority Indonesia,聽where ethnic Chinese have been targeted before.
As maritime disputes simmer, Vietnam counts cost of anti-China riotsHundreds of Asian factories were attacked in May after popular anger erupted over Chinese oil exploration in disputed waters. Vietnam depends on foreign investment to generate growth and has promised to avoid a repeat.
A filmmaker peers into the dark past of China's Great Famine'Spark' documents a group of students who tried to expose the truth of Mao's 'Great Leap Forward,' which led to tens of millions of deaths from starvation in 1959-62.
Analysis: Abe draws ire even as he avoids war shrine on WWII anniversaryThe prime minister marked Japan's surrender by attending an event at a sports stadium. But other politicians did go to Yasukuni, sparking sharp commentary from China and South Korea.
Talk is suddenly cheap in Myanmar 鈥� and that could be costlyInexpensive calls and data are coming to Myanmar after years of junta-era restrictions. But some worry that the new Internet and phone access could fuel strife between Muslims and Buddhists.
On first trip to Asia, Pope Francis greets a growing congregationPope Francis arrives in Seoul Thursday on his first visit to Asia, one of the few regions where Catholicism is growing. In South Korea, the number of Roman Catholics has nearly tripled since the last visit of a pope in 1989.
FocusSouth China Sea: Key facts to knowMore than half of the world鈥檚 shipping tonnage sails through these waters, which may hold valuable oil and gas reserves. China is asserting its territorial claims here.
FocusChina expands its reach in the South China Sea. What's the end goal?Beijing wants to assert its聽preeminence in Asia. But not so strongly as to push its neighbors into the arms of the United States.聽
