World | Asia Pacific
Australia was a haven for generations of Jews. Now, they wonder about the future.The Bondi Beach massacre has shattered the sense of security held by Australian Jews, generations of whom found a warm haven far from the horrors of Europe.聽Some now hope Australians see that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem.
Among palm trees and luxury malls, China launches an ambitious experimentA large tropical island off China鈥檚 southern coast will gain independent customs status on Dec. 18 鈥� a move Chinese leaders hope will jump-start development in Hainan and pioneer new levels of openness for the rest of the country, despite the rise of protectionism.
鈥榋ootopia 2鈥� is doing very well in the US. It鈥檚 breaking records in China.Disney has struck gold with the 鈥淶ootopia鈥� franchise, breaking box-office records in one of the most profitable but challenging movie markets in the world.
Japan鈥檚 new PM promised to 鈥榳ork, work, work.鈥� For some, that鈥檚 now a red flag.An industrious leader is typically considered a positive. But in Japan 鈥� a country that has its own word for 鈥渄eath from overworking鈥� 鈥� the new prime minister鈥檚 habits are reigniting a debate: How much work is too much?
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What to know about the apartment tower fire in Hong KongHong Kong officials are investigating why construction materials, netting, and bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of the buildings caught fire.
What Xi hopes to gain from tapping into his predecessor鈥檚 legacyWhat does it mean when Xi Jinping 鈥� China鈥檚 strongman leader 鈥� praises Hu Yaobang, the liberal reformer whose sudden death sparked the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests? Our reporter asks sinologists who study Chinese leaders.
Why Japan鈥檚 new warning on Taiwan has Beijing outragedJapan and China are facing off in an angry spat over the status of Taiwan 鈥� part of China for Beijing, an independent and friendly state for Tokyo.
Trump sees a 鈥榗on鈥� in climate change. Xi sees cash.While President Trump decries climate change as a 鈥渃on,鈥� China鈥檚 Xi Jinping is going all-in on green tech. The latter approach is providing some hope as the COP30 climate conference gathers in Brazil.
Making noodles in a cave, our China writer gets a slice of country lifeDeep in rural China, a Monitor writer learns to cook authentic handmade noodles, gaining a new understanding of country life in the process.
At summit, US and China declare ceasefire in trade warChina hopes that its refusal to bow to U.S. trade pressure will persuade Mr. Trump to seek a more conciliatory relationship with his country鈥檚 main rival.
For South Koreans, K-pop is more than pleasure. It鈥檚 about power, too.The popular Netflix film 鈥淜Pop Demon Hunters鈥� is the latest K-pop rage. South Korea has been relying on this cultural export to shore up soft power.聽
Xi targets corruption and rivals in purgeChinese President Xi Jinping is purging top military and political leaders in a campaign aimed at curbing corruption and removing potential rivals.聽
China鈥檚 five-year plans date back to Mao. A new one has the world鈥檚 attention.The world's second-largest economy is deciding its economic strategy for the next five years, a decision with high global stakes.聽
What China鈥檚 landmark climate pledge means for the fight against global warmingIn a first, China has set an absolute target for cutting emissions. Its pledge also covers greenhouse gas emissions and economic sectors.
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