All Asia Pacific
First LookWhy a two-day rally by Thai students could be a turning pointStudent activists have been at the forefront of protests in the past few months. But observers say this weekend's rally could force a government crackdown as activists push for democratic reforms to the monarchy 鈥� long seen as sacrosanct in Thailand.
First LookSelf-made and strong-willed: Meet Japan's new Prime Minister SugaYoshihide Suga, a farmer's son, is a self-made politician, a rarity in Japan's largely hereditary political landscape. He succeeds Shinzo Abe and is known for having an iron-fist approach in policy matters.
The ExplainerHimalayan pullback: The tense history of India-China borderIndia and China have pledged to deescalate the tensest standoff along their contested border in decades. But deep mistrust and nationalism continue.
First LookJapan's ruling party elects Yoshihide Suga to replace Shinzo AbeLeadership shift: Japan's Liberal Democratic Party chose Yoshihide Suga as head after outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation. Mr. Suga is expected to be officially tapped for prime minister in a parliamentary election later this week.
First LookBeijing opens its skies to international flightsFor the first time since March, travelers from designated countries can fly to Beijing. China has gone weeks without new cases of local infections of COVID-19. Elsewhere across Asia, numbers continue to spike in India and South Korea reports a new surge.
The ExplainerApp wars: TikTok aside, Trump WeChat ban could be bigger dealPresident Trump鈥檚 executive order seeks to ban the messaging app WeChat. What is it聽鈥� and why would restrictions matter?
First LookJapan's economic recovery met with challenge as Abe resignsAfter a stagnant economy in the 1990s and 2000s, Japan found a semblance of stability and progress under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Mr. Abe鈥檚 resignation because of a health issue leaves many of his goals unrealized and an economy staggering to recover from the pandemic.
First LookNew Zealand mosque shooter sentenced to life in prisonAustralian Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who pled guilty to killing 51 people in two Christchurch, New Zealand mosques in March 2019, has been sentenced to life without parole.聽New Zealand, which banned semi-automatic weapons after the attack, abolished the death penalty for murder in 1961.聽
First LookWhy Thai pro-democracy protests are spreading beyond the campusSunday's pro-democracy rally in Bangkok, Thailand, was one of the largest in years. It ended peacefully after eight hours of speeches, kits, and music.
First LookNorth Korea rejects aid from South as they reopen border cityNorth Korea is dealing with both the coronavirus and the aftermath of聽heavy floods which wiped out thousands of homes and crops in recent weeks.聽South Korea offered financial aid to their northern neighbor, but聽Kim Jong Un has聽rejected outside help.
First LookWhat does Jimmy Lai's arrest mean for Hong Kong press?In the highest-profile use of China's new national security law, Hong Kong authorities have arrested pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai and raided his news organization's headquarters. Some analysts are concerned the media will start to self censor as a result.
First LookCOVID-19 success story: New Zealand hits 100 days with no casesCountries around the world are looking to New Zealand for answers as the country marked 100 days with no new COVID-19 cases.聽鈥淚t was good science and great political leadership that made the difference,鈥� one epidemiologist聽suggests.聽
First LookHiroshima 75 years later: Survivors still fight for A-bomb banA scaled-down ceremony marked the 75th anniversary of the attack on Hiroshima. Survivors of the world's first atomic bombing confronted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe聽about Japan's refusal聽to sign a nuclear weapons ban treaty.
First LookCan businesses survive second lockdown? Australians wonder.The Australian government forecasts a second Melbourne lockdown could push up Australia's underlying unemployment, affecting both local and nationwide economic activity. This time, masks are compulsory and there's a curfew.
First LookVirus or politics? Hong Kong delays elections for one year.The pro-democracy opposition says Hong Kong's decision to delay legislative elections聽is another attempt by Beijing to prevent their bloc from taking the majority in the Hong Kong legislature.
First LookMalaysia court finds ex-PM guilty of fraud. Will he go to jail?The ruling against former聽Prime Minister Najib Razak could bolster the prosecution鈥檚 case in upcoming trials, proving Malaysia鈥檚 legal system's ability to tackle international financial crimes. But while his party remains in office the ruling could be overturned, experts warn.
From South Sudan to Australia: One man鈥檚 quest to save storiesSouth Sudanese refugee Peter Deng founded Africa World Books in Perth, Australia, to help the diaspora, and their new neighbors, learn about his home.
First LookBig Hong Kong voter turnout in defiance of Chinese security lawAt estimated 600,000 citizens voted this weekend in a symbolic Hong Kong election to protest against tough national security laws imposed by Beijing.
First LookUK and Australia turn their backs on China, welcome Hong KongersAustralia is the latest nation to express concern about China鈥檚 new security law by ending its extradition treaty and extending visas for Hong Kongers. China called the move a 鈥渟erious violation of international law鈥� and聽threatened Australia with聽economic retaliation.
Protests, then a pandemic: Can Hong Kong tourism hang on?Hong Kong鈥檚 response to the pandemic, and its economic hardships, includes a H.K.$120 billion stimulus package with a cash handout for every resident.