Taiwan says 'no information' on cooperation with South Korea on US chip tariffs

China pledges Tonga fresh investment as debt repayment looms large

BEIJING - China’s President Xi Jinping pledged fresh investment in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga in a meeting with King Tupou VI in Beijing on Tuesday, as China works to deepen its influence across the Asia-Pacific region.

China launches first emergency mission to Tiangong space station

After arriving at the station, the spacecraft will remain docked until around April 2026.

Vietnam’s year of floods, mud and death

Vietnam has been hit by 14 typhoons in 2025. Five was the average a few decades ago.

Thailand to send aircraft carrier for flood relief as rains intensify

China launches Shenzhou-22 mission to Tiangong space station

It will make its way to the Tiangong space station, where three Chinese astronauts have been awaiting a replacement spacecraft.

Explainer: Why are tensions flaring again between Afghanistan and Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD - Tensions flared between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday as the Taliban accused Pakistani forces of air strikes in eastern Afghanistan, which killed 9 children and a woman, and injured four others.

From Paul VI to Leo XIV: A history of the pope's overseas tours

VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo will embark on his first trip outside Italy on Thursday, travelling to Turkey and Lebanon. Here is a history of papal foreign visits, which have become a major part of the agenda for the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Air India, Akasa cancel flights after Ethiopia volcano erupts

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Nov 23 for the first time in recorded history.

New Zealand to eradicate feral cats as ‘stone-cold killers’ are driving some species to extinction

Poisoned sausage baits and tree-mounted devices capable of spraying toxins are being considered.

KL court orders Jho Low’s sister and associate to pay $4.7b to 1MDB

The judgment in default was granted by the court, as both did not attend the trial.

South Korea issues alert after 6th case of swine fever

The government culled 1,423 pigs from the affected farm.

Three people killed, 16 injured in major Ukrainian drone attack on southern Russia, officials say

MOSCOW - Three people were killed and at least 16 injured in a major Ukrainian drone attack on southern Russia with residential buildings damaged in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar, Russian officials said.

South Korea's 'TV dad' Lee Soon-jae dies at 91

Lee became a beloved household name for his famous roles in films and on TV for nearly 70 years.

Hat Yai property market drenched: Floods force major design overhaul

The property market's downturn is expected to take three years to recover.

Metal detectors to be used at all exam centres in Johor to tighten security

Students taking the SPM, Malaysia's equivalent of the O levels, will be offered free meals.

Undersea cable risks imperil East Asia’s AI future

The vulnerabilities of East Asia’s submarine telecommunications cable system have become impossible to ignore in the AI age. Yet the responses proposed or recently adopted by Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the United States remain inadequate. A more creative, collaborative and

Hat Yai floods deal blow to Thai tourism as Malaysians expected to cancel all trips

Thailand expects Malaysian tourists to cancel all trips to southern destinations.

Giant hail hits parts of Australia’s east in wild spring storm

Hail as large as 14cm was reported overnight in the city of Brisbane.

Australian Senate suspends far-right leader over 'disrespectful' burqa stunt

SYDNEY - Australia's Senate on Tuesday suspended far-right Senator Pauline Hanson for seven sitting days after she wore a burqa to Parliament as a political prop in her campaign to ban the Muslim garment in public, triggering condemnation from lawmakers.

Australian Senate suspends far-right leader Pauline Hanson over ‘disrespectful’ burqa stunt

The move triggered condemnation from lawmakers, with one describing it as a "hateful and shallow pageantry".

Taiwan pleased Trump made no mention of island in readout of Xi call

Taiwan has offered subtle support to Japan amid Tokyo’s growing dispute with China.

How do Pakistan and Taliban Afghan militaries stack up as tensions flare?

Fresh tensions flared between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday as the Taliban accused Pakistani forces of a bomb attack in Khost province that killed nine children and a woman.

Toxic mines put Southeast Asia's rivers, people at risk: Study

Research from the United States-based Stimson Center think tank marks the first comprehensive study of potentially polluting mines in mainland Southeast Asia.

Two climbers die after fall on New Zealand's highest peak

Hikes to the summit of Mount Cook are known to be challenging even for experienced climbers.

Nine children killed in Pakistani attack in Afghan province, Taliban says

At least nine children and a woman were killed after Pakistani forces bombed the home of a local resident in Afghanistan's Khost province, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Tuesday.

Japan PM Takaichi talks up Trump bond in first talks since China clash

This was the first conversation between Japan PM Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump since her remarks on Taiwan.

‘Return’ to China not an option, Taiwan’s Premier says in response to Xi

This comes after Xi Jinping pressed his country's sovereignty claims in a call with Donald Trump.

Thai woman found alive in coffin after being brought in for cremation

‘Extremely good friends’: Japan PM Takaichi touts Trump bond after first talks since China dispute

Trump gave a brief explanation of the recent state of US-China relations, she said.

Japan sends letter to UN chief rebutting China’s demand over Taiwan remarks

Tokyo said it expects the Taiwan question to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

Japan PM Takaichi to speak with Donald Trump by phone on Tuesday, FNN says

TOKYO - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump are preparing to speak on the phone on Tuesday, Japanese broadcaster Fuji News Network reported.

Flood-hit Malaysian states: Higher education institutions can switch to online learning

Malaysians have been advised to postpone travel to Vietnam and Thailand.

Taiwan, China, World War Two and its aftermath

Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday that Taiwan's \"return to China\" at the end of World War Two was a key part of Beijing's vision for the world order.

Music eases surgery and speeds recovery, Indian study finds

A new study finds patients who listen to music during surgery wake faster and need fewer painkillers.

Dharmendra, iconic Bollywood actor and Indian cinema's 'He-Man', dies at 89

The legendary actor, who appeared in over 300 films such as Sholay and Chupke Chupke across six decades, was hospitalised multiple times before his death.

Thai police seek to arrest mother of 12-year-old forced into sex work in Japan

Thai police are alleging human trafficking in connection with the case.

Trump says he will visit China in April after call with Xi

The two leaders discussed trade, Ukraine and Taiwan in their first phone call since meeting in South Korea last month.

Nvidia’s H200 chips could be ‘sugar-coated bullets’ for China

Washington reportedly is considering allowing the export of Nvidia’s H200 graphics processing units (GPUs) to China, but Chinese commentators warn the offer could amount to “sugar-coated bullets” that would slow the long-term growth of China’s artificial intelligence chip

Trump touts 'extremely strong' China relations after call with Xi

Chinese leader Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump that Taiwan's "return to China" is a key part of Beijing's vision for the world order.

Brash but popular: Indonesia’s new finance minister Purbaya wins public praise but worries investors

While ordinary Indonesians celebrate his boldness, investors and analysts have expressed some unease about Purbaya’s expansionary policies and combative tone.

Statehood issue again could block Israel, Arabs from making nice

Mohammed bin Salman wants to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham accords, the network of agreements to normalize Israel’s relations with other countries in the Middle East and, increasingly, beyond. Donald Trump would have enjoyed hearing this when the Saudi crown prince

Iran's foreign minister to hold talks in Paris on Nov. 26, French foreign ministry says

PARIS - France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart in Paris on November 26 to discuss bilateral and regional issues as well as Iran's contested nuclear programme, France's foreign ministry said on Monday.

Three vessels bound for US Gulf Coast terminals to load soybeans, sorghum for China

CHICAGO - Two cargo vessels were headed for grain port terminals near New Orleans on Monday to load with the first U.S. soybean shipments to China since May, according to a shipping schedule seen by Reuters.

‘I Deliver Parcels in Beijing’ depicts grueling gig-economy toil

From the HBO drama Succession to Netflix reality show Selling Sunset, TV depictions of work tend to treat it as a vehicle for social betterment rather than a means of survival. The Chinese writer Hu Anyan’s arresting memoir, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, just published in an

Think India’s digital ID system’s the world standard? Think again

The UK government is promoting its plan for a new digital identity scheme as a way to streamline services, prevent fraud and ensure that welfare benefits reach only those entitled to them. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has argued that digital ID is central to modernizing