All Asia Pacific
- What is Gloria Steinem doing in North Korea?Thirty women, including American political activist Gloria Steinem and two Nobel laureates, are scheduled to cross the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea this Sunday as a symbolic step towards ending tensions between the two nations.Â
- China to invest billions in Brazil's economy, Chinese premier saysToday Chinese Premier Li Keqiang makes his first official trip to Latin America, stopping in Brazil to present an economic plan that includes investing billions of dollars in the Brazilian railway system.Â
- The ExplainerWhy Southeast Asia faces a migration crisis this summerThousands of Rohingya Muslims are fleeing by sea from Myanmar, abetted by human smugglers whose crews later abandon ships mid-crossing. The surge in sea crossings has led to finger pointing among neighboring countries.Â
- Myanmar says Rohingya migrant crisis not its faultBoats filled with more than 2,000 desperate refugees have arrived in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in recent weeks.Â
- China chides US over South China Sea prior to Kerry visitChina has rattled the region with its assertive claims in the South China Sea, where islands and reefs are contested by China and five other Asian governments.
- Indonesia's president pledges reforms in restless Papua. What next?The sparsely populated island of Papua has long remained Indonesia's poorest, most repressed region. But President Joko Widodo appears determined to usher in a new era of change.
- China charges prominent human rights lawyer as Xi tightens screwPu Zhiqiang, who was arrested last year, faces charges of inciting hatred and provoking trouble that carry a lengthy prison sentence. He's among nearly 2,000 political activists detained since President Xi took power in 2012.
- For Asia's giants, trade trumps border dispute as leaders meet in ChinaPutting geopolitics mostly aside, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to focus on improving economic relations.Â
- Malaysia turns away 800 migrants in two boats while Thailand tracks thirdDespite appeals by the United Nations and aid groups, no government in the region – Thai, Indonesian or Malaysian – appears willing to take the refugees.
- Investigation to begin after 72 killed in Philippine factory fireAmong the questions being raised is if the factory followed fire and building safety standards.
- Dozens feared dead after Philippines slipper factory fireLocal officials said the fire apparently was ignited by sparks from welding works at the factory's main entrance door, triggering an explosion of the chemicals used to make the slippers.
- Malaysia to push back Rohingya unless boats are sinkingSoutheast Asia is in the grips of a spiraling humanitarian crisis. Around 1,600 migrants have landed on the shores of Indonesia and Malaysia in recent days.
- As Europe debates migrant crisis, a surge of boatpeople in Southeast AsiaRohingya Muslims from Myanmar who face persecution at home are making perilous boat crossings to Thailand and Malaysia, provoking strong reactions from regional governments. Thailand is a hub for human trafficking.
- North Korea fires ballistic missile from submarine. Prelude to talks?On Saturday, North Korea claims it successfully test-fired a newly developed ballistic missile from a submarine. The test comes as Washington and Pyongyang are preparing to renew nuclear weapons talks. Â
- China launches campaign to 'name and shame' its ill-mannered touristsIf Chinese travelers open an aircraft exit door before takeoff, they might land on a new national tourism blacklist. Rectification for the nouveau riche?
- Xi stands with Putin on 'Victory Day.' Can Russia play a China card?President Xi Jinping is the only major head of state attending Saturday's WWII anniversary celebration in Moscow. And Russia and China increasingly share commercial interests and perspectives. Yet is Xi bringing what Putin wants?
- Japanese zoo sorry for naming baby monkey CharlotteOpponents largely said giving the princess' name to a monkey was disrespectful to British royals.
- Amid grumbles at home, Taiwan's ruling-party chief meets Xi JinpingEric Chu is the chairman of the Nationalist Party, a historic adversary of China's Communist Party that is now united by a desire to boost economic cooperation. That has stirred opposition in self-ruled Taiwan.Â
- Focus'Breaking Bad' in China: how meth is spreading across rural heartlandMeth has overtaken heroin as the most widely used drug in Asia's most populous country – and it could pose an even greater threat.
- North Korea arrests South Korean student for illegal entryWon Moon Joo, who's a junior at New York University, was arrested on April 22 after crossing the Amnok River from China.