All Asia Pacific
First LookNorth Korea resumes ballistic missile launches after hiatusNorth Korea fired missiles into the sea on Monday after a months-long break, possibly because of the coronavirus concerns, some analysts speculate. Kim Jong-un hinted at聽a new "strategic weapon" in the works.
First LookAfter a month on lockdown, can China's economy bounce back?As global virus cases rise, the Communist Party insists it can use government aid to achieve the economic growth targets set before the coronavirus outbreak. Forecasters are less sure.聽
First LookSouth Korea virus alert level rises and focuses on a churchSouth Korea says that more than half the new cases are linked to a church in the city of Daegu. All branches of the church were temporarily closed.聽
First LookFood delivery services boom as coronavirus continuesE-commerce is thriving as coronavirus controls keep factories, restaurants, cinemas, offices, and shops closed across China. Shut-in Chinese are relying on the internet for food, entertainment, and shopping as delivery companies work overtime to meet demands.
The ExplainerCoronavirus outbreak: Three questions on China鈥檚 responseCoronavirus is only the most recent of several outbreaks that have originated in China. Why is that, and how is Beijing responding?
First LookThe reason behind China's spike in reported coronavirus casesThe new coronavirus cases appeared to surge almost 10-fold in a day when Hubei, the province of the outbreak, revised its diagnosis strategy. Global health officials say this new approach will accelerate the identification and treatment of patients.聽
First LookRelief arrives in Australia as torrential rains dampen wildfiresAfter a multi-month battle against nearly 150 wildfires across Australia, most of the fires in the east have been put out by a massive downpour on Tuesday. The early heavy rains, expected in March, came as a welcome surprise.
First LookAustralian court rules indigenous people can't be deportedThe Australian court's ruling protecting Australian indigenous from deportation recognizes their deep connections to Australia, which is a shift from identifying Aboriginals as "aliens." Lawyers say this isn't a case about citizenship, but rather about a sense of belonging.聽
First Look'Parasite' Oscar wins bring joy, pride to South KoreansSouth Koreans celebrate the unexpected "Parasite" wins that made history during the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony. Loyal fans of director聽Bong Joon Ho praise聽the movie for representing the underside of Korean society and shining a global light on Korean cinema.聽
First LookHeavy rains douse Australian bushfires, but cause floodingSeveral days of rain in New South Wales have put out one major Australian bushfire and helped with others. But flooding is prompting some evacuations.
Fighting 鈥榖ad鈥� fire with good: Australia revisits an Aboriginal traditionAustralia鈥檚 bushfire crises might be alleviated with more low-intensity burns, fire experts argue聽鈥� a traditional practice in Aboriginal communities.
First LookChinese 'hero' doctor dies, unleashing public fury at BeijingLi Wenliang was detained by police in December after warning people about the new coronavirus on social media. His death has聽reignited outrage over the Communist Party's lack of transparency and accountability.
First LookWhy virus travel bans can undermine the global economyTravel restrictions and business closures have little benefit, but hinder info-sharing, medical supply chains, and harm economies, says a WHO official.聽
Coronavirus outbreak highlights cracks in Beijing鈥檚 controlChina鈥檚 coronavirus outbreak has raised simple but powerful questions about its style of government, in a system with little room for dissent.
Pocketbook polarization: In Hong Kong, you are what you buyHong Kong protesters, keen to keep up momentum, are boycotting 鈥渂lue鈥� businesses deemed pro-China in favor of 鈥測ellow鈥� pro-democracy businesses.
First LookLessons learned from SARS: China locks down three more citiesIn the midst of a new virus outbreak, China works to avoid past mistakes by communicating information faster and restricting travel.
First LookChina's President Xi on first visit to Myanmar. Why?President Xi Jinping's first trip to Myanmar,聽a linchpin of China's geopolitical ambitions, deepens their relationship at a crucial time.
First LookTaiwan sends message of 'peace, parity, democracy' to BeijingIn her victory speech, President Tsai urged China to resume talks with Taiwan without preconditions while warning against threatening use of force.
First LookAustralian firefighters go on offense in bushfire battleThanks to a break in the weather, for the first time in weeks Australia's firefighters went on offense. But Sunday the death toll rose to 27.聽
Difference MakerThailand鈥檚 Steve Irwin wants to make snakes less scaryNirut Chomngam shares his knowledge with villagers in the Southeast Asian nation, where snakes frequently cross paths with humans.