Floods kill at least 9, leave 5 missing in central Vietnam

HANOI - Floods triggered by record heavy rains have killed at least nine people and left five others missing in central Vietnam, the government said on Wednesday.

South Korea to award Trump its highest medal, gift him a golden crown

On the tarmac a South Korean military band greeted Trump with a rendition of "YMCA" and guns fired a salute.

Asia stocks join Wall Street records as tech bull run quickens

South Korea’s police to respond strictly to anti-China protests during Apec summit

The move follows a wave of anti-China rallies held in recent months near the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.

Popular herbal inhaler recalled following Thailand health warning

A batch of the widely used Hong Thai Formula 2 herbal inhaler has been pulled from shelves after the Thai Food and Drug Administration found excessive microbial contamination.

Trump lands in South Korea, says Xi talks will be ‘great outcome for world’

The main item on the agenda will be the unresolved trade agreement between the US and South Korea.

China says it ‘absolutely will not’ rule out use of force over Taiwan

The tone was much tougher than recent messaging in publications and a speech by a Communist Party leader.

China says it 'absolutely will not' rule out use of force over Taiwan

BEIJING/TAIPEI - China \"absolutely will not\" rule out using force over Taiwan, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media this week that pledged benign rule if the island comes over to Beijing.

Trump lands in South Korea, says Xi talks will be 'great outcome for world'

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to meet on Thursday.

Ship with radioactive zinc dust stuck near Philippine port, official says

The shipment was meant for Indonesia, but returned to Manila after it was found to be contaminated.

Veni, vidi, whoopsie: Australian schools make Caesar exam blunder

They mistakenly studied Augustus instead of Julius Caesar.

Indian PM Modi skipped Asean summit due to worries Trump would mention Pakistan

Relations between India and the US have soured since the Pakistan conflict five months ago.

Thai Herbal Hong Thai pledges stricter controls after recall of contaminated batch of inhalers

The firm's founder clarifies that the issue is confined solely to Lot 332, produced in December 2024.

Australia's human rights commissioner 'concerned' by Nauru deportation secrecy

SYDNEY - The first deportation of a person from Australia to the Pacific Island nation of Nauru under a billion-dollar deal to resettle non-citizens with criminal records raises \"serious human rights concerns\", Australia's Human Rights Commissioner said on Wednesday.

India’s megacities under threat of sinking land, says study

The study found that 878 sq km of urban land was sinking.

India plans repatriation of 500 nationals who fled Myanmar scam centre, Thai PM says

The plane will pick up the Indian nationals directly from Mae Sot in Thailand.

Malaysia Airport Holdings to face investigation over KLIA aerotrain service disruption

The new aerotrains began running on July 1 after its line was closed for a major upgrade in 2022.

Japan’s new leader Sanae Takaichi turns local luxury bag into viral sensation

The handbag PM Takaichi often carries is made by Hamano Inc, a 145-year-old Japanese leather goods maker.

Jakarta faces grave problem in accommodating the dead

Many residents, especially those from low- and middle-income groups, depend on free burial plots.

How Hungary understands Russia’s Ukraine policy

Unfortunately, the Budapest summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was canceled. The reason for this is that Moscow insisted on several demands that cannot be fulfilled in the current situation. The choice of venue was not accidental, as

Makgeolli, not wine: Ministers to toast with traditional South Korean drink at Apec banquet

Alongside trade talks, South Korea uses the banquet to introduce parts of its culinary tradition.

Yen for speed? Japan firm eyes launching 1-hour Japan-US travel via outer space

Applications will be accepted starting in fiscal 2026.

South Korea's President Lee warns protectionism and nationalism are rising

GYEONGJU, South Korea - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that the global economy was facing a crisis of rising protectionism and nationalism.

Study shows China closing in on US as global leader in science

Chinese scientists are taking the helm in almost half of all collaborations with US counterparts.

Gridlock misery in Penang’s Balik Pulau after landslides

With two out of three roads to the capital George Town cut off, traffic has been forced to a ­single access point.

South Korea’s trade chief charts path for surviving US-China competition

Seoul aims to deepen cooperation with the United States and stabilise supply chains with China.

South Korea's trade chief charts path for surviving US-China competition

GYEONGJU, South Korea - South Korea aims to deepen cooperation with the United States, stabilise supply chains with China, and diversify its trading partners to navigate global challenges, its top trade envoy said as the country hosts Asia-Pacific leaders for a trade forum.

Key issues at stake in Trump-Lee summit in South Korea

Trade, defence and nuclear energy are some issues that are likely to top the agenda of their talks.

Tibet halts Everest access over unseasonally heavy snow

It was unclear if there were tourists trapped inside the Everest region in Tibet.

Australia bars Blockchain Global director from leaving country

Australia's corporate regulator said on Wednesday the federal court has barred failed cryptocurrency exchange firm Blockchain Global's director, Ryan Xu, from leaving the country until December 20.

South Korea says it detected North Korean missile activity

SEOUL - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday said the military had detected missile activity in North Korea and was prepared for Tuesday's launch.

Elderly woman left behind by cruise ship on Great Barrier Reef island found dead

The ship's crew realised the 80-year-old was missing several hours after they had left the island

Hegseth to meet Japan counterpart Wednesday as Tokyo bolsters defence

TOKYO - U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is set to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on Wednesday, as Japan strives to fortify its defence posture and strengthen its decades-old alliance with the United States.

Trump heads to South Korea to face trade talks and North Korean missiles

Mr Trump is due to address a summit of CEOs and meet President Lee in Gyeongju.

Peace talks with Afghanistan ‘failed’, says Pakistan minister

Both nations could not find common ground in a second round of talks.

Afghanistan-Pakistan peace talks 'failed', Pakistan minister says

ISLAMABAD - Talks aimed at securing a long-term truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan concluded in Istanbul without a \"workable solution\", Pakistan's information minister said on Wednesday, in a blow for peace in the region after deadly clashes this month.

China’s hard-won strategic lead over the US: Can Xi make it last?

The upcoming US-China summit in Korea will be the first in which the People’s Republic of China holds a strategic advantage over the United States. How did Xi consolidate power internally, and what are his risks? It’s an appropriate time to reprint my essay on the topic from 30

BBC 'deeply concerned' about journalist unable to leave Vietnam

The journalist has been in Vietnam for several months while authorities have withheld their renewed passport.

North Korea test-fired cruise missiles ahead of Trump visit to South Korea

SEOUL - North Korea test-fired sea-to-surface cruise missiles to the west of the Korean peninsula on Tuesday, state media KCNA said on Wednesday, just as U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders are set to gather in South Korea for regional meetings.

North Korea announces missile test hours before Trump due in South Korea

The sea-to-surface missiles were launched vertically on Oct 28 from the Yellow Sea and flew for more than two hours.

Why Singaporeans are snapping up Japanese real estate

At one investment firm, Singaporeans have overtaken Hong Kong investors to become its top buyers of Japanese properties, now accounting for half of all transactions.

IN FOCUS: What's low-altitude economy, and is China struggling to make it fly?

China is on a policy-fuelled push to turn the likes of drones and flying taxis into everyday business. Patchy progress and lagging rules risk grounding its sky-high ambitions.

Commentary: China needs a consumption target

As China's 15th Five-Year Plan takes shape, household consumption looks to be the country’s most daunting challenge, says economist Stephen S Roach.

Commentary: Is the India-China detente real?

Existential differences and longstanding distrust make the current normalisation of relations between India and China deeply unstable, says an international relations observer.

North Korea test-fired cruise missiles ahead of Tump visit to South Korea

SEOUL - North Korea test-fired sea-to-surface cruise missiles to the west of the Korean peninsula on Tuesday, state media KCNA said on Wednesday, just as U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders are set to gather in South Korea for regional meetings.

Military goals behind push for small civilian nuclear reactors

Donald Trump’s recent visit to the UK saw a so-called “landmark partnership” on nuclear energy. London and Washington announced plans to build 20 small modular reactors and also develop microreactor technology – despite the fact no such plants have yet been built commercially

Allied shipbuilding is Asia’s next strategic supply chain

This article was originally published by Pacific Forum. It is republished with permission. Sparks flying from Japanese and South Korean shipyards capture how the region’s industrial powerhouses are repositioning their economies to balance risk and trade. With tensions between