All Asia Pacific
First LookFollowing US lead, Australia and New Zealand restrict visas for skilled foreignersTheir move echoes the United States' 'America First' policy, but critics have decried the move as mostly political posturing.
Why is the Chinese government encouraging its citizens to report foreign spies?Suspicion of foreigners can still be felt as China works through what it means to be part of the global community. But a new program to offer cash rewards to people to report foreign agents may prove counter-productive, some experts say.
First LookOn holiday, South Koreans opt for noodle dish over nuclear fearsAs tensions rise over a possible North Korea nuclear test this weekend, average South Koreans show few signs of concern.
What might a conflict with North Korea look like?As 'strategic patience' over the North's nuclear program is bumped by a more aggressive US posture, conflict has become more of a possibility 鈥� and it likely would not be a short and sharp one.
First LookChina warns against 'military force' to ease North Korean tensionsChina urged both North Korea and its opponents to exercise caution, as fears mount the North could conduct another nuclear test and more missile launches as part of this weekend's celebrations of state founder Kim Il Sung.聽
First LookWhy Japan's crown prince holds up Malaysia as a 'model for the international society''Diversity and tolerance are the words that come to my mind in describing my image of Malaysia today,' he said in a rare news conference.
First LookAs US Navy aircraft steam toward western Pacific, North Korea warns of nuclear strike if provokedState-sponsored media in North Korea said Tuesday that the nation could bring a nuclear attack on the US after a US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was seen coming toward the western Pacific.聽
Face-to-face at Mar-a-Lago, Trump and Xi will put their chemistry to the testXi has reason to feel confident as he meets Trump in Florida. But the leaders' dramatically distinct personalities聽鈥� and definitions of 'diplomacy' 鈥� may be the most important wild card.聽
First LookIn step toward stability, Thai king signs new constitutionBut some critics say the move will give the military a power say over Thai politics for years, possibly decades.
A Tai Chi sweep? China bids for UNESCO cultural heritage status.In the birthplace of tai chi, hopes are high for later this year, when UNESCO will decide whether to add tai chi to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity聽list. Advocates want to make sure that Japan or South Korea doesn't beat China out.聽
In Debbie's wake, Australia begins to pick up the pieces'Nature has flung her worst at the people of Queensland,' said Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. 'There will be ... a lot of damage done now to recover, to clean up, to restore power, to make power lines safe.'
First LookCyclone Debbie prompts thousands of evacuations in northeast AustraliaAuthorities have urged 30,000 people in coastal towns in Queensland聽to evacuate their homes, as forecasters predict tidal surges and winds of and winds of up to 185 miles per hour.
First LookNorth Korea's latest missile launch failed. How often does that happen?The results of North Korea's missile tests have been mixed. According to a recent investigation, the United States is partially responsible for the comparatively high failure rate.
North Korea's nuclear threat: Where do the US and China go from here?As tensions escalate on the Korean peninsula, China鈥檚 patience with the US is growing thin. But US Secretary of State Tillerson left his first official trip to Beijing without concrete steps on North Korea.
Smoothly but warily, U.S. and China stick to script in Tillerson visitNo formal agreements were reached on the visit, but the Secretary of State, a novice diplomat, avoided several potential US-China landmines, including China's trade policy and its聽handling of North Korea.
How is Japan readying itself against an unpredictable North Korea?Under Article 9 of its constitution, Japan 'renounces聽war as a sovereign right of the nation.' But its notion of self-defense may be getting broader聽鈥� and, increasingly, the rationale stems from North Korean threats.
First LookNine years after disaster, Fukushima to host 2020 Olympic baseball gamesFukushima, evacuated after the March 2011 nuclear disaster, will welcome the world for baseball and softball matches聽in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Games.
China embraces public activists 鈥� in battling pollutionAs it moves to address the environmental toll of three decades of intense economic growth, the聽Chinese government is cautiously working with people who help expose polluters through social media and the release of real-time pollution data.聽
First LookWhy a New Zealand river now has legal personhoodThe new person status for the river is the result of a settlement between the government of New Zealand and the M膩ori people, whose culture has a deep connection with the body of water.
First LookAppealing to public, Philippine lawmaker files Duterte's first impeachment complaintRep. Gary Alejano filed the impeachment complaint on Thursday, but it will be an uphill battle to secure enough support to take down Rodrigo Duterte.