Sonoita vying to become next Napa
The Supreme Court seems likely to shut down a lawsuit by Falun Gong over Cisco's aid to China
K9 Zona's new children's book promotes online safety
European Parliament backs EU-wide consent-based definition of rape
Panama's Copa Airlines to buy 60 Boeing 737 Max jets
The unexpected pelicans of Colorado hold a special meaning for an award-winning wildlife photographer
Asia|Travel|World
China praises blocking of Taiwan president's Africa trip, Taipei defiant
China heaped praise on Wednesday on three African countries that refused to
April 22, 2026Asia
Asia|World
China condemns Japanese leaders' war shrine offerings, visits
China on Wednesday condemned the Japanese prime minister's offerings to the Yasukuni shrine and visits by other Japanese officials to the war shrine.
April 22, 2026
Asia|Political|World
Chinese navy brushes past Okinawa islands as tensions with Japan flare
China said a group of its
April 22, 2026
Asia|Crime|Environment|Health|Interview|World
Back home, Hong Kong fire victim gathers memories from the ashes
Dorz Cheung was at work when one of Hong Kong's deadliest fires broke out in November.
April 22, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
South Korea producer prices rise in March at fastest in more than 3 years
South Korea's producer prices rose in March at the sharpest pace in more than three years on a surge in oil prices sparked by the Middle East conflict, central bank data
April 22, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
Japan considers inviting Philippines President Marcos for state visit next month, Nikkei reports
The Japanese government is in talks to invite Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Japan as a state guest as early as next month, Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday.
April 22, 2026
Asia|Political|Technology|World
US did not move defense system from Korea, general says
The United States did not move a key missile defense system from South Korea to the Middle East for the Iran war, the commander of U.S. forces in Korea said on Tuesday
April 21, 2026
Asia|Economy|Political|US|World
US commander warns Taiwan not to 'starve the chicken' on defense
The head of the U.S. command for the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday stressed the importance of Taiwan passing its stalled
April 21, 2026
Asia|Crime|Health|Sports|World
Sick American basketball player jailed in Indonesia over cannabis gummies pleads for early release
Jarred Shaw's globe-trotting basketball career has taken him to 20 different teams across the world but a stint in Indonesia has resulted in the American languishing
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World
MUFG Bank seeks financing partners to share buyout risk, CEO says
Japan's largest lender, MUFG Bank, is seeking partners such as life and non-life insurers to share risk as it increases financing beyond
April 21, 2026
Asia|Political|Travel|World
Taiwan president cancels Africa trip blaming Chinese pressure
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday he had cancelled his trip to Eswatini this week, after his government accused China of
April 21, 2026
Asia|Crime|World
Indonesia rights bodies find widespread abuses in 2025 protests
An investigation by Indonesian state-run rights bodies found widespread violations by security forces including sexual abuse of some minors during last
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
Japan scraps a ban on lethal weapons exports in a change of its postwar pacifist policy
Japan is scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World
Taking Bank of Korea helm, crisis-era veteran pursues ambitious won overhaul
As Shin Hyun Song takes the helm of the Bank of Korea this week, the seasoned economist faces an ambitious task: making the won a global currency without
April 21, 2026
Asia|Economy|Environment|Political|World
China flexes energy leverage as the Philippines, US start annual war games
China on Tuesday implied energy assistance for the Philippines could be tied to Manila holding military drills with the U.S. and other allies, as its top
April 21, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Myanmar president seeks peace talks within 100 days, rebels reject offer
Myanmar's new military-backed government wants to hold peace talks with opposition armed groups by the end of July, the country’s junta leader-turned-president said, but two key
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World
Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules
Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
China's youth jobless rate rises to 16.9% in March
The jobless rate in China for those under 30 years of age in urban areas, excluding college students, rose in March, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.
April 21, 2026
Asia|Economy|World
South Korea economy likely returned to growth in Q1 - Reuters poll
South Korea's economy likely returned to growth last quarter due to strong semiconductor exports and steady domestic demand, a Reuters poll of
April 21, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|MidEast|Political|World
Seized Iranian ship likely carrying equipment deemed dual-use by US, sources say
The Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, is likely to have what Washington deems dual-use items
April 20, 2026
Asia|Environment|Science|World
Earthquake sets off brief tsunami alert and a megaquake advisory in northern Japan
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake Monday off northern Japan sparked a short-lived tsunami alert and an advisory of a slightly higher risk of a possible megaquake
April 20, 2026
Asia|MidEast|Political|World
China's Xi, in call with Saudi crown prince, calls for Strait of Hormuz to remain open
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for normal passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to be maintained, in a phone call on Monday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince
April 20, 2026
Asia|Political|World
US and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines as China objects
The United States and the Philippines have kicked off one of their largest combat exercises, aimed at deterring aggression in Asia
April 20, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
India and South Korea plan $50 billion trade push with new deals
India and South Korea said on Monday that they would boost their economic ties by expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals,
April 20, 2026
Asia|Political|World
China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust
China on Monday warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region, as the United States and the Philippines begin annual
April 20, 2026
Asia|Crime|World
Grieving, traumatized survivors return to their homes 5 months after deadly Hong Kong fire
Five months after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, thousands of displaced fire victims are beginning to return to see what remains of their homes and retrieve their belongings
April 20, 2026
Asia|Business|Technology
Samsung SDI signs first EV battery supply deal with Mercedes-Benz
South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI said on Monday it has signed a multi-year agreement with Mercedes-Benz to supply batteries for electric vehicles, marking its first
April 20, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World
Huawei signs deal with Vietnamese bank SHB to expand Vietnam footprint
Vietnamese lender SHB and China's Huawei Technologies Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Sunday, SHB said, a move that will allow the Chinese technology
April 20, 2026
Asia|Business|Crime|Economy|World
Hong Kong fire victims scour scorched homes for keepsakes
Victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades began government-supervised visits to their ravaged former homes on Monday for the first
April 20, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World
China leaves lending benchmarks unchanged for 11th month in April
China on Monday left benchmark loan prime rates (LPRs) unchanged for the 11th consecutive month in April, in line with market expectations.
April 20, 2026
Asia|MidEast|Political|World
Pakistan prime minister speaks with Iran's president
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that he spoke with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian about the conflict in the Gulf.
April 20, 2026
Asia|Political|Science|Technology|World
North Korea launches multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward sea
South Korea says North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the North’s eastern waters
April 19, 2026
Asia|World
North Korea fires ballistic missiles again, flexing muscle amid Iran war
North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday, accelerating its missile launches amid Iran war tensions and talk of possible meetings with the
April 19, 2026
Asia|World
New Zealand defends military patrol flight near China
New Zealand on Saturday defended the actions of a military patrol aircraft flight near China after Beijing said it had undermined its security interests.
April 18, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Myanmar cuts ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, frees former president
Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her lawyer told Reuters on Friday, as part of an amnesty by a new president who ousted her government in
April 17, 2026
Asia|Crime|World
Former President Win Myint freed in broad Myanmar prisoner amnesty
Myanmar's former President Win Myint has been freed as part of a broad prisoner amnesty by newly inaugurated President Min Aung Hlaing
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
Indian refiners pay for Iran oil in yuan via ICICI Bank, sources say
Indian refiners are settling payments for rare cargoes of Iranian oil purchased under a temporary U.S. sanctions waiver using
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Political|World
India fails to pass parliament expansion bill linked to quotas for women
An Indian government bill to expand assemblies that would have brought forward plans to reserve a third of the seats for women did not get enough votes to get through
April 17, 2026
Africa|Americas|Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|MidEast|Political|Stock Markets|US|World
Macron and Starmer welcome Hormuz reopening and push for permanent navigation security
France and the U.K. have welcomed the announcement by Iran and the U.S. that the Strait of Hormuz is open
April 17, 2026
Arts|Asia|Entertainment|Sports|World
Olympic pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara retire
Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have announced their retirement from figure skating, two months after winning the Olympic gold medal with a record-breaking skate
April 17, 2026
Asia|Political|World
Iran negotiators, citing possible Israeli attack, got Pakistan escort home from peace talks
Pakistan's air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the U.S. last weekend, launching a major
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Political
Sri Lanka's Energy Minister resigns
Sri Lanka's Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody and ministry secretary Udayanga Hemapala resigned on Friday following an outcry over coal imports for
April 17, 2026
Asia|Political|World
China says its military activities around Taiwan are 'reasonable, justified'
China's regular military activities around Taiwan are "entirely justified and reasonable" and any tensions are the fault of the government in Taipei, the Chinese defence
April 17, 2026
Asia|Crime|Travel|World
Record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, UNHCR says
Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for
April 17, 2026
Asia|Crime|Environment|World
South Koreans breathe sighs of relief as escaped wolf is returned to zoo safely
The South Korean internet as erupted in celebration as a 2-year-old wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea was safely captured Friday after a nine-day search that drew national attention
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World
Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% yr/yr in Q1, official advance estimate shows
Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% in the first quarter from a year earlier, official advance estimates showed on Friday, moderating from its pace at the end of 2025 as
April 17, 2026
Asia|Political|World
South Korea says it is unaware of US protest over minister's remarks on North Korea nuclear site
South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Friday it was unaware of any U.S. protest or curbs on intelligence sharing after a media report said Washington
April 17, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Myanmar to free more than 4,000 prisoners in amnesty
Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing has approved an amnesty for 4,335 prisoners, state television reported on Friday, the third such move in the past six months.
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
South Korea draws back investors even as Iran war exposes cracks
South Korea's capital markets are luring back foreign buyers after a brutal March, as hopes of stability in the Middle East, a red-hot AI memory
April 17, 2026
Asia|Crime|Environment|World
Eight people killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia's West Kalimantan, authorities say
All eight people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed in Indonesia's West Kalimantan province, authorities said on Friday as search teams tried to retrieve
April 17, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Travel
Pricier fuel hits Tokyo cherry blossom river cruises
A few dozen tourists hopped onto a small cruise boat in Tokyo to admire the cherry blossoms lining the Meguro River -- a seasonal
March 31, 2026
Asia|Political|US|World
Look at Hong Kong and don't be naive about China, US senator says on Taiwan trip
Taiwan should look at what happened to Hong Kong and not be naive about China's
March 31, 2026
Asia|Economy|Environment|World
Indonesian forest loss surges by 66% in 2025, driven by Prabowo's self-sufficiency drive, report shows
Forest loss in Indonesia surged by 66% in 2025, hitting its highest rate in eight years as a result of weak environmental
March 31, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
UN says initial findings show roadside blast killed Lebanon peacekeepers
A roadside explosion appears to have struck the convoy of two Indonesian peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon, the U.N. peacekeeping chief said on Tuesday, citing initial
March 31, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
China's new home prices rise in March; big cities see seasonal pickup, private survey shows
China's new home prices edged up in March, reversing a decline in the previous month, supported by a seasonal pickup in demand in major cities, a private survey showed on
April 01, 2026
Asia|Economy|MidEast|Political|World
China, Pakistan call for Iran peace talks, normal navigation in Strait of Hormuz
China and Pakistan on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, urging the swift launch of peace talks and the restoration of normal
March 31, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
China's factory activity expands but price pressures intensify, private PMI shows
China's manufacturing sector expanded in March for a fourth straight month as output and new orders continued to grow, but rising price pressures sharply intensified, a
April 01, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|World
China set to extend fuel export ban with small exemptions, sources say
China is poised to extend its ban on refined fuel exports into April, five industry sources with knowledge of the matter said, though
March 31, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
South Korea and Indonesia discuss energy security, sign agreements on minerals and tech
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks on Wednesday with Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto, discussing energy security and agreeing
April 01, 2026
Asia|World
Pakistan, Afghanistan open fresh talks in China to end conflict, say sources
Afghanistan and Pakistan have opened a new round of talks in China to end the deadliest fighting between two Muslim
April 01, 2026
Asia|Europe|MidEast|Political|World
French navy chief says China will have to engage more in Strait of Hormuz discussion
China will at one point have to engage more directly on how to restore oil traffic flows in the Strait of Hormuz because the number of vessels it has going through is
April 01, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World
Vietnam's infrastructure push to boost growth and deficit, S&P Ratings says
Vietnam is forecast to remain Asia's fastest-growing nation after India through 2028, supported by exports and infrastructure investments, although heavy public spending may
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
Myanmar parliament to hold vote to elect president on Friday, house speaker says
Myanmar's parliament will hold a bicameral vote to elect a president on Friday, house speaker Aung Lin Dwe said on Thursday, with the country's former military chief and junta
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Crime|Technology|World
Singapore charges one more individual with AI chip fraud
Singapore prosecutors charged one more person with fraud on Thursday for making false representations to U.S. server supplier Dell Technologies, linking
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
India factory activity cooled in March with oil costs rising amid Middle East turmoil, PMI shows
India's manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace in nearly four years in March as the war in the Middle East stoked uncertainty, disrupted supply chains and dented
April 02, 2026
Asia|Political|World
Taiwan to strengthen Pratas islands' defences as China steps up pressure
Taiwan will strengthen its defences of the Pratas as China steps up its activities around the islands which lie at the top end of the South
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World
South Korea, Vietnam leaders to meet in Hanoi next week, sources say
Vietnam's president To Lam is set to meet his South Korean counterpart
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Stock Markets|World
Mercedes investors warn luxury focus could hamper China recovery
Investors pressed Mercedes-Benz on its recovery plans for China on Thursday, warning that a luxury-focused strategy could hurt the German
April 16, 2026
Asia|Europe|MidEast|Political|World
Macron says it is unrealistic to open Hormuz Strait by force
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S.
April 02, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Pakistan, Afghanistan hold talks in China to end months of conflict
Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding talks in China to try to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Europe|MidEast|Political|Science|Technology|World
Russia will ask US and Israel to cease fire while it evacuates staff from Iranian nuclear plant, RIA reports
Russia will ask the United States and Israel to ensure a ceasefire while it evacuates more Russian staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, RIA news agency
April 02, 2026
Asia|Economy|Environment|Political|World
China calls for promoting Middle East ceasefire in talks with EU, Germany
China on Thursday repeated calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in conversations with Western counterparts, widening its
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
China's detentions of Panama-flagged vessels raise concerns, Rubio says
Detentions of Panama-flagged vessels by China that followed a Panamanian court ruling raise serious concerns about efforts to
April 02, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
Japan's services growth slows as Middle East war dents confidence, PMI shows
Japan's services sector grew at its weakest pace in three months in March, a private survey showed on Friday, as rising uncertainty over the Middle East war crushed business
April 03, 2026
Asia|Political|World
China says peace talks advance between Afghanistan, Pakistan
Negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are advancing steadily, China said on Friday following reports that the South Asian neighbours were meeting there to try to
April 03, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing elected president by pro-military parliament
Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected president on Friday after breezing through a parliamentary vote, formalising his grip on political power in the war-torn nation five
April 03, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World
IMF urges BOJ to keep raising rates even as Iran war poses new risks
The International Monetary Fund urged the Bank of Japan to continue raising interest rates, even as the Middle East war posed "significant new risks" to the
April 04, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World
Vietnam Q1 growth slows as costlier Middle East energy tests 2026 target
Vietnam's economy slowed in the first quarter from the three months prior, data showed on Saturday, as heavy exposure to Middle Eastern oil
April 04, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|MidEast|World
India makes first Iranian oil buy in seven years with no payment problems
Indian refiners have purchased Iranian oil amid the Middle East conflict that has disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil ministry said on Saturday.
April 04, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|MidEast|Political|World
South Korea asks Gulf nations for steady energy supply, safety of Korean vessels
South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with envoys from Gulf countries to shore up energy security and the safety of Korean vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, the
April 05, 2026
Asia|MidEast|Political|World
China ready to cooperate with Russia to ease Middle East tension, foreign minister says
China is willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the U.N.
April 05, 2026
Asia|Economy|Political|World
North Korea distancing itself from Iran to leave door open for US talks, Seoul says
North Korea appears to be distancing itself from longtime partner Iran and carefully managing its public messaging to preserve the possibility of a new relationship with the
April 06, 2026
Asia|Crime|Political|World
Myanmar's new president Min Aung Hlaing faces genocide complaint in Indonesia
JAKARTA, April 6 - A criminal case against Myanmar's newly-elected President Min Aung Hlaing was filed in Indonesia on Monday by a group of civil society organisations, accusing the leader of acts of
April 06, 2026
Asia|Political|Travel|World
Taiwan opposition leader to visit China as Beijing ramps up 'reunification' push
Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun leaves on Tuesday for China and a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping on what she says is a peace mission as Beijing makes a
April 06, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Environment|Finance|World
South Korea's Lee says country must balance risk as Hormuz disruptions threaten oil supplies
South Korea must accept a degree of risk in importing crude oil from the Middle East amid blockages of the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday.
April 06, 2026
Asia|Political|World
North Korea says South Korea's Lee is 'wise' for expressing regret about drones
North Korea said on Monday it was "very fortunate and wise" for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to convey regret to Pyongyang for drone incursions in a rare
April 06, 2026
Asia|Political|World
South Korea says 'credible intelligence' indicates North Korean leader's daughter is successor
South Korea's spy agency now believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor, lawmakers said on Monday,
April 06, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|World
Foreign investors flee Thailand as Iran war, energy shock dash hope for economic revival
Foreign investors are selling Thai assets as an energy shock from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran threatens to snuff out hopes for
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|World
Instant View: China's Q1 growth beats forecast as economy braces for fallout from Iran war
China's economy expanded 5% in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, according to official data on Thursday, surpassing analysts' expectations even as policymakers
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World
China to retain ultra-long special bond tenors this year, sources say
China's finance ministry will keep this year's ultra-long special treasury bond issuance to 20-, 30- and 50-year maturities, the same as last year, people with knowledge of the
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Finance|World
China's Q1 economic rebound faces rough seas as Iran war jolts global outlook
China's economy picked up speed early in 2026, riding an export surge before the Iran war sent energy costs soaring and put global
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
South Korean President Lee to make state visits to India and Vietnam
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to India, the first by a South Korean leader in eight years, before heading to Vietnam, a presidential adviser
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World
Samsung asks court to block illegal strike activities by unions
Samsung Electronics asked a court on Thursday to block its South Korean labour unions engaging in illegal activities during strike, a spokesperson said, as a wage dispute
April 16, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World
TSMC lifts revenue forecast, pledges more capital spending to meet AI chip demand
TSMC raised its annual revenue forecast on Thursday and said it was stepping up capital spending this year as the world's
April 16, 2026
Asia|Political|World
South Korea says Pyongyang's response to drone apology marks progress in easing tensions
South Korea's Unification Ministry said on Tuesday that North Korea's rare conciliatory response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over drone incursions
April 07, 2026
Asia|Economy|Political|World
Vietnam's top leader To Lam consolidates power, gets China-style mandate
Vietnam's lawmakers unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state president for the
April 07, 2026
Asia|Political|World
Key facts on relations as Taiwan opposition leader visits China
Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun arrived in China on Tuesday on what she says is a mission of peace, happening at a time Beijing has ramped up its military and political
April 07, 2026
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World
Vietnam's top leader To Lam wins state presidency, gets China-style mandate
Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state
April 07, 2026
Asia|Economy|Political|World
Vietnam's top leader To Lam expands power, new PM elected
Vietnam's lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country's state
April 07, 2026