All Asia Pacific
First LookNorth Korean warplanes follow missiles, allied countries prepareHours after North Korea fired missiles over Japan, 12 North Korean warplanes flew near the North-South Korean border. The pattern of unusual activity has led to preparatory defense responses from South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
First LookMissile soars over Japan in North Korean weapons testNorth Korea has fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile over Japan in its longest-ever weapons test. The missile is capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam and farther, and Japan issued evacuation alerts and stopped trains as precautions.聽
First LookIndonesian soccer fans seek justice after deadly stampedeAs Indonesians face the aftermath of a deadly stampede at a weekend soccer match, the National Police have opened an investigation into 18 officers who fired tear gas into the crowd.聽The event was among the world鈥檚 deadliest disasters at a sporting event.
First LookNorth Korea tests missiles hours after Harris departs South KoreaNorth Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward its eastern waters after the departure of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. The launch was North Korea鈥檚 third round of missile tests this week, part of a record level of missile testing this year.
First LookWhy plans for Abe's state funeral are dividing JapanFormer Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's successor is organizing a state funeral for him. Here's why that unusual honor is prompting widespread protest.
United front: Understanding China and Russia鈥檚 deepening allianceChina鈥檚 deepening ties with Russia are likely to grow even stronger in coming years as each country reaps key benefits from the other. Yet historical mistrust and differing global aspirations remain potential weaknesses.
First LookXi Jinping to meet Putin in first trip abroad since pandemicChina鈥檚 President聽Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization聽summit later this month, a bloc of nations the Communist leader sees as a counterweight to NATO聽and U.S. alliances in the Asia-Pacific.
UN鈥檚 Xinjiang report: A stand against China, and chance for justiceThe release of the U.N.鈥檚 long-awaited report on human rights abuses in Xinjiang聽not only offers victims a chance for justice, but also reveals聽the limits of China鈥檚 increased influence.
First LookUN report questions China's treatment of Uyghurs and other groupsThe U.N. has released a long-awaited report examining a crackdown on Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups. Beijing on Thursday denounced the assessment as a fabrication cooked up by Western nations.聽
What China is 鈥� and isn鈥檛 鈥� learning from military drills near TaiwanAs the Taiwan Strait heats up, experts say preserving peace sometimes means having cleareyed assessments of the potential for war.聽
How women are banding together to change Japanese politicsCooperation is helping some Japanese women break into politics. For many others, it鈥檚 a way to cope with election losses and incremental progress.
The ExplainerPort politics: How China fits into Sri Lanka鈥檚 economic crisisChina may not have caused Sri Lanka鈥檚 debt crisis, but recent moves in the Indian Ocean show how it benefits from lopsided lending.
First LookIs job-hunting a dead end? Many Chinese students think so.In China, there are fewer companies with job openings, but a steady number of young people looking for work. As the nation鈥檚 economy continues to shrink, there were almost two graduates competing for every job opening this spring, according to a job-hunting website.
First LookAfter Pelosi's visit, China tests missiles in Taiwan watersChina launched military drills in the Strait this week as a reminder to Taiwan of Beijing鈥檚 might and its intention to retain control over the island. The U.S. and its allies have become increasingly vocal in support of Taiwan鈥檚 independence from the mainland.
Frozen bank accounts and unfinished homes: China鈥檚 鈥榙esperate situation鈥�Social contracts between governments and people must evolve, and China could be reaching such a juncture as its economic boom wanes.
First LookJapanese minister asks government to stop underestimating womenJapan鈥檚 Gender Equality Minister Noda Seiko calls out聽 Japanese government for superficial gender equality, 鈥渋t鈥檚 just talk,鈥� she says. Ms. Noda points out that the Japanese government is currently 90% male, and says women aren鈥檛 being sufficiently represented.
In the Philippines, free press won鈥檛 go down without a fightIt鈥檚 one thing to enshrine a freedom in the constitution 鈥� it鈥檚 another to ensure that freedom in practice.聽
First LookSri Lanka installs PM as president as protesters voice discontentSri Lankan politicians managed to overcome their differences and find consensus on a new president for the troubled nation. One problem: Their pick is the unpopular current prime minister, frustrating many Sri Lankans who are desperate for new leadership.
Will Abe Shinzo鈥檚 death give his agenda new life?Abe Shinzo was driven by ideology as well as pragmatism, determined to move Japan out of the shadow of World War II and onto the world stage.
First LookHow Shinzo Abe's assassination shapes Japan's election resultsThe preliminary vote counts showed Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party on track to secure a coalition for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who could rule until 2025.