All Asia Pacific
High stakes as Japan's Abe eases sanctions over N. Korea abductionsAccounting for citizens kidnapped decades ago is a deeply sensitive issue in Japan, and failure to get results from the North's promise to investigate could cost the prime minister.聽
Indonesia elections: Where did Widodo's 30-point lead go?Despite a commanding early lead, Joko Widodo now just edges his opponent, a former military general, a week before Indonesians vote for their second directly-elected president.
Hong Kong democracy march draws thousands, but can it create change?July 1 is a public holiday and often draws Hong Kong residents airing grievances with Beijing. Many here are calling for a greater say in electing their leaders.
Hong Kong's democracy camp gathers 800,000 votes, irking ChinaOne in ten Hong Kong citizens participated in an聽unofficial referendum seeking to give city-state the power to elect its leader. Organizers have threatened to occupy Hong Kong's central financial district.
North Korea to put two American tourists on trial. Why now?Pyongyang says there is evidence that the two American tourists committed 'hostile acts.' This follows a flurry of contradictory North Korean rhetoric and a weekend testing of short-range missiles.聽
What is Occupy Central? Hong Kong 'democracy referendum' may kick it offOver 700,000 residents have voted in an unofficial pro-democracy referendum, which ends Sunday. Organizers have threatened to occupy Hong Kong's central financial district after the poll.
Why China stays quiet on Iraq, despite being no. 1 oil investorAbout 1,200 Chinese workers are caught in Iraq and waiting to be evacuated. China says its investments don't translate into leverage over the Iraqi government.
Taiwan defends its turf during landmark visit by Chinese officialTaiwanese politicians told the highest-level Chinese official to visit Taiwan since 1949 that the island's political future should not be determined by the mainland.
As Thai junta talks nice, foreign migrants remain on edgeRumors and tougher rules from Thailand's military rulers sparked the flight of 200,000 Cambodians last week. The junta now says it's acting to protect migrants, but more say they may leave.聽
Sexist heckling risks derailing Japan's push for working womenThe taunting of a female city councilor is a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's drive for 'womenomics.' Mr. Abe wants 30 percent of senior managers to be women by 2020.
Chinese anti-terrorism campaign moves swiftly in first monthThe unusually fast sentencing of over 300 terror suspects, mainly ethnic Uighurs in Xinjiang Province, raises concern among human rights watchers.
Why US ranks Thailand with North Korea, Iran on human trafficking abusesThe US State Department downgraded Thailand to its lowest ranking on its annual report, opening up the possibility of economic sanctions. Police and border guards are accused of working with traffickers.聽- Protests and coups: Is Thailand still the 'land of smiles?' Take our quiz.
Thailand鈥檚 beaches, temples, and nightlife attract millions of foreign tourists. Few stay long enough to learn the language or engage with the country鈥檚 complex political history and spicy popular culture. Are you the exception?
Will Chinese rebuke to Vietnam spur greater Southeast Asian cooperation?China defended its right to place an oil rig in disputed waters in a meeting today with Vietnamese officials. China's assertiveness has led several Southeast Asian countries to recently settle old disputes among themselves.
A great workaround for China's 'Great Firewall'?The 25th anniversary of Tiananmen Square has provoked a particularly harsh and extended Internet crackdown in China. Now one group says it has found a reliable way to defeat the censors.
South Korean police raid church compound in hunt for ferry ownerPolice raided a church compound today for the second time in two days, in a search for Yoo Byung-eun, believed to be the owner of the Sewol ferry which sank in April.
Will climate change unite or divide Australian PM, Obama?Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott meets with President Obama today. Differences on climate change is expected to dominate the agenda.
Beijing to residents: Less spitting, more queuing (please)China is hosting the APEC forum in November. City authorities are urging residents to improve their manners and claim that more are already lining up at bus stops.
Japan to renew bid for Antarctic whalingJust months after an international court ruled against Japan's 'research' whaling program, Prime Minister Abe has backed a new approach that advocates say will have demonstrable scientific value.
Fearful of cyberspooks, China struggles to break its Microsoft habitRevelations of NSA surveillance via US-supplied hardware and software have stirred China to put up barriers. But replacing a ubiquitous PC operating system is easier said than done.