All Asia Pacific
First LookChina pivots from zero-COVID policies after protestsChina is relaxing quarantine measures and easing COVID-19 testing requirements for the first time in three years, according to new rules from the national health authority.
Why China鈥檚 COVID-tracking QR codes raise surveillance concernsWill Chinese be freed from their digital health codes once the country ends its strict 鈥渮ero-COVID鈥� policies?
鈥楢 new situation鈥�: After protests, China relaxes COVID restrictionsChinese cities are easing lockdown and testing restrictions after nationwide protests. It鈥檚 a reminder that public pressure can spark change, even within a top-down government.聽
In the Philippines, a deadly storm holds lessons on climate resilienceIn the Philippines, one village鈥檚 struggle to rebuild in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Nalgae highlights the limits of climate resilience strategies. Does running from high-risk areas always make a community safer?
First LookChinese President Zemin remembered for leading China on world stageFormer Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who died Wednesday, led communist China through massive economic growth and globalization. Known for his charisma and stability doctrine, his death comes as the current government faces widespread protests and unrest.聽
In mass protests across China, goals go beyond easing COVID rulesIn China, protests have erupted across the country in response to COVID-19 restrictions. As the protests spread, demonstrators are calling for all kinds of freedoms in a rare show of national unity.聽
First LookContinued lockdowns prompt unprecedented protests in ChinaProtests erupted after a fire broke out聽in an apartment building聽in the city of Urumqi, where some have been locked in their homes for four months.
Filipino journalists are often slain. This case is different.In a country where journalists are killed with impunity, one case may offer lessons on seeking justice.
In Japan, Unification Church scandal stains integrity of ruling partyIn Japan, the relationship between LDP lawmakers and the controversial Unification Church has gone from open secret to political crisis. At stake: The ruling party鈥檚 integrity.
In battle of worldviews, Xi and Biden bet on responsible competitionRecent domestic victories have only solidified the deeply divergent worldviews of President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but at their first face-to-face meeting, they found common ground.
In Philippines, a push to preserve accounts of life under martial lawAfter the victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Philippines, many are rushing to safeguard archives and promote public history.
First LookDogs of peace or war? Political gifts get fuzzy in South Korea.Two North Korean hunting dogs gifted to former South Korean president Moon Jae-in by North Korea are causing political tension. Mr. Moon can鈥檛 afford to take care of the canines, but current President Yoon Suk-yeol refuses to pay for their expenses.聽
The ExplainerUS semiconductor ban targets highest of Chinese high techHarsher controls by the United States on the export of advanced semiconductor chips aim to push China out of the global supply chain.
First LookRising tension: North Korea fires ICBM in latest missile barrageOn Wednesday, North Korea launched more than 20 missiles in one day, the highest amount in a single day ever. On Thursday, they launched six missiles into the sea, including an intercontinental ballistic missile that caused Japan to issue an evacuation alert.聽
First LookSouth Koreans seek answers to crowd surge, police apologizeSouth Korean officials have apologized and accepted responsibility for the October crowd surge that left 156 dead in the country鈥檚 worst disaster in years. They have called for innovation in crowd management and support for bereaved family members.
First LookSouth Korea responds to fatal Halloween crowd surgeAfter the deadliest crushing disaster in South Korean history, support is flowing in while officials investigate the cause of the accident to improve safety standards in other public places.聽
Why Xi鈥檚 fixation on loyalty could be perilous for ChinaThe ascent of Xi loyalists to top Communist Party positions this week promises Xi Jinping an iron grip over China鈥檚 government for at least the next five years. But prizing loyalty above all else doesn鈥檛 guarantee stability.
How Xi Jinping is reshaping China, in five chartsChinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to win a rare third term in this week鈥檚 20th Communist Party Congress. Understanding how Mr. Xi has transformed China over the past decade can offer clues for what comes next.
Safety or stagnation? Why China鈥檚 isolationism may backfire.China鈥檚 increasingly isolationist policies stem from Xi Jinping鈥檚 belief that the only safe China is a self-sufficient China.聽But openness, experts say, is also a source of strength.
First LookDown Under submerged as record floods engulf VictoriaAfter surviving wildfires triggered by El Ni帽o heat in 2019, Australia is seeing the effects of La Ni帽a with record floods across Victoria and Tasmania.聽鈥淚t鈥檚 far from over,鈥� said聽Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews, urging residents to evacuate.