Purges in China’s military allow Taiwan some respite – for now

Turmoil in China’s senior ranks raises questions about morale and whether the chaos reduces the threat to Taiwan.

$900 fine for a delivery rider’s death: Do couriers have any rights?

The death of a Turkish delivery courier has brought into focus the conditions under which riders work.

Japan counts down to ‘Moon Sniper’ landing on lunar surface

A successful touchdown will make Japan the fifth country ever to put a spacecraft on the moon.

Why has the Maori king of New Zealand called a national meeting?

The gathering will discuss how Maori rights can be protected by upholding their interpretation of Treaty of Waitangi.

North Korea touts ‘underwater nuclear weapon system’, blasts US drills

Pyongyang promises to deter ‘hostile military manoeuvres’ after naval exercises between US, South Korea and Japan.

Israeli arrests of Palestinian journalists soared in 2023: CPJ

More than a dozen Palestinian journalists held in Israeli jails since the start of the Gaza war on October 7.

What’s behind North Korea’s shock change of policy towards the South?

Pyongyang announces it is scrapping its long-term aim of reunification with South Korea.

Thai democracy activist sentenced to more jail time for ‘royal insults’

Lawyer Arnon Nampa is already serving a four-year sentence for comments about the monarchy made at a rally in 2020.

Ons Jabeur knocked out of Australian Open by teen sensation Mirra Andreeva

Tunisia’s Jabeur lost 6-0 6-2 to Russia’s 16-year-old Andreeva in the second round.

Malaysia charges two with ‘wounding religious feelings’ in now-banned film

Mentega Terbang, about a teenager exploring religion, was banned in September after criticism from conservative Muslims.

Two Malaysians in Guantanamo plead guilty to conspiring in Bali Bombings

Mohammed Nazir Bin Lep and Mohammed Farik Bin Amin agreed to give evidence against alleged mastermind Hambali.

China posts sluggish GDP growth in 2023, population declines again

Official data shows GDP was 5.2 percent in 2023, hitting a government target, but recovery looks uneven.

Strike threat over claim pro-Israeli lobby forced out Australian journalist

Sacked last month, Antoinette Lattouf joined the ranks of journalists dismissed for expressing support for Palestinians.

China vents fury at Philippines over Taiwan congratulations

Relations sour further as Beijing accuses Manila of interfering in China’s internal affairs.

Arakan Army fighters claim control of key city in northwestern Myanmar

Lying along the Kaladar River in Chin State, Paletwa is a strategically important city on a major trade route.

North Korea’s Kim shuts agencies working for reunification with South Korea

Kim Jong Un says his country does not want war but does not seek to avoid it.

Philippines plans military upgrades to disputed South China Sea outposts

Manila will upgrade islands and acquire more ships to modernise its military amid tensions with China.

Andy Murray contemplates future after first-round exit at Australian Open

Murray and Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova are the biggest names to crash out in the first round so far.

Ex-boss of China’s state-run bank Everbright arrested on corruption charges

Tang Shuangning is latest in long line of high-profile figures to be ensnared in Xi Jinping’s anticorruption drive.

Taiwan’s Tsai and Lai welcome US support as Beijing fumes over election

Unofficial delegation from Washington meets self-ruled island’s president and president-elect in Taipei.