All Asia Pacific
With group effort, Japan suicides fall to 15-year lowJapan has one of the world鈥檚 highest suicide rates. But last year the number of suicides fell below 30,000 for the first time in 15 years, thanks in part to community efforts.- South Korea tries to recall a US adoptionSouth Korea has taken up a fight for the return of a baby it charges was adopted illegally by a US family. Critics say Korea is just embarrassed by the number of foreign adoptions.
China pivots to join US in UN resolution against North KoreaThe Security Council will likely vote in the next week on a resolution condemning Pyongyang's recent rocket launch. The document already has the backing of North Korea's closest ally 鈥� China.
Jakarta, Indonesia's megacity of 10 million, is under waterA state of emergency has been declared after heavy rains have paralyzed much of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Analysts worry the flooding could affect economic investment.
Japan's Abe: Will the hawkish nationalist have to rule as a moderate?The new prime minister ran on a platform of聽restoring national pride and standing up to China, but pressures in and outside the country may force him to dial back that rhetoric.
Chinese reporters say censorship leaves them 'dancing in handcuffs'Though Chinese聽journalists are back to work at a prominent weekly after major protests, the paper has become a focal point for debate about Communist Party censorship.
What was 'Mr. Google' doing in North Korea?Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, returned from a four-day visit to North Korea on Thursday with a message for the North: Embrace the Internet.聽- Will China end prison labor camps?'Reeducation through labor' has long allowed China to control dissent while circumventing the legal system. Critics worry about a cosmetic change that may make it harder to monitor human rights violations.
What does Google want with North Korea?Google chairman Eric Schmidt, known for his advocacy of Internet freedom, could travel as early as next week to North Korea 聽鈥� a country almost entirely sealed off from online communications.- Myanmar launches airstrikes on Kachin rebelsThe Myanmar government has carried out airstrikes this week against ethnic rebels in northern Kachin state, raising fresh concerns about reforms and a fragile peace process.
In South Korea, Kim Jong-un's New Year speech generates surprise - and doubtNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for economic reform and expressed a wish to improve relations with South Korea, departing from the usual North Korea rhetoric.
Could the US learn from Australia's gun-control laws?As the US debates its gun laws in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting, some Australians are urging the US to consider modeling its laws after Australia's.
South Korea charges North building missile that could reach USSouth Korean officials say they have evidence that North Korea is working on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach as far as the United States.
Japanese firms set spending record in buying up foreign assetsJapanese corporations will have spent more on foreign companies than they did at the height of the '80s. But few heads are turning, showing how much has changed in perceptions of Japan.
South Korea's president-elect promises 'new era of change'Park Geun-hye's calls for聽inter-Korean dialogue are mixed with a firm stance against compromise.
South Korea elects its first woman president, Park Geun-hyeConservative candidate Park Geun-hye has made history by winning South Korea's presidential election, becoming the country's first female president-elect after defeating her liberal rival.
Japan's hawkish Abe claims the win, but not a mandateShinzo Abe is set to become Japan's seventh prime minister in 6-1/2 years on Dec. 26. While he is known for a tougher line on China, many say he will focus largely on Japan's economy.
Dictator's daughter leading polls ahead of South Korean electionConservative candidate Park Geun-hye holds the slight edge ahead of an election Wednesday that could affect relations with North Korea.- Chinese police suspect man who stabbed 23 kids 'influenced' by doomsday rumorJust hours before the Newtown, Conn., massacre, a man stabbed 23 children in a rural Chinese elementary school.聽
Japan's deadlock over? A supermajority emerges in exit polls.Japan鈥檚 main conservative party pulled off a major victory in Sunday鈥檚 election, giving its leader,聽Shinzo Abe, a mandate to push for big public spending and a hawkish foreign policy.