Stories tagged “Asia Pacific.”
30 stories
Sonova, a Swiss hearing aid maker, has launched its third hearing-aid platform utilising real-time AI, called Phonak EON, which offers a smaller, lighter device with an advanced AI that makes speech twice as understandable while requiring less listening effort.
Online scam syndicates in Asia-Pacific are becoming more sophisticated, using agentic AI to carry out multi-step tasks and cheat victims. Losses from transnational online scams tripled to $114 billion last year.
Kim Jong-un's sister has cast doubt on Donald Trump's claims of secret US-North Korea talks, saying the US remains an enemy of Pyongyang. Trump said he plans to meet Kim later this year, but Kim Yo-jong said she knew 'absolutely nothing' about the supposed communications.
South Korea admits Trump blindsided Seoul by cutting military drills
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that Seoul received no warning from Donald Trump regarding his decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises, a move Trump announced publicly and linked to South Korea's stance on Iran.
China’s top envoy to visit Seoul as Trump shakes U.S.-South Korea ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit South Korea for two days from Wednesday, stepping up engagement with Seoul as President Donald Trump sows doubts about Washington’s reliability in the region.
U.S. allies call South Korea cooperation ‘critical’ after Trump orders exercise cut
U.S. allies expressed concern over President Donald Trump's order to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, which they see as a bid to lure North Korean leader Kim Jong Un back to talks.
A U.S. Indo-Pacific priority? Not so fast
It's increasingly difficult to make sense of U.S. foreign policy, particularly its focus on the Indo-Pacific region. Successive administrations have long challenged the readiness to follow through on this strategy, and inconsistencies are becoming impossible to cover up.
Indonesian mother recounts emergency birth during 7.7-magnitude quake
An Indonesian mother, Maria Florida Nogo Kelen, recounts her experience of giving birth during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed 68 people in eastern Indonesia.
Systems Limited Named Among Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion 2026 Companies
Systems Limited has been recognized among Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion 2026 companies, marking the sixth time the Pakistani technology company has secured a place on the prestigious list.
The Australian Labor Party government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has championed the virtues of a 'stabilized' relationship with President Xi Jinping's China, but lately, there have been signs of trouble. Albanese's tone toward Beijing is hardening, and he has beco…
Thousands await aid after deadly 7.7-magnitude quake on Indonesia's Flores island
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Indonesia's Flores island has killed 48 people, injured dozens, and damaged hundreds of homes and buildings. Thousands of evacuees are awaiting essential aid, including food, medicine, and shelter, as aftershocks continue.
North Korea’s Kim and Russia’s Putin Reaffirm Ties on Korean Liberation Day
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin as Pyongyang marked the anniversary of independence from Japan’s colonial rule. Kim expressed hope for the future of ties that had ‘carried forward the history of common s…
South Korea president proposes talks with Pyongyang to formally end Korean War
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the long-running Korean War, as Pyongyang deepens ties with Russia while asserting its status as an 'irreversible' nuclear state.
'Suffocating restrictions' shadow five years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan
Five years after seizing power, the Taliban government celebrates Afghanistan's security and "freedom," but faces mounting criticism over severe restrictions on women and girls, economic hardship, and international isolation.
Japan Defense Minister Visits War-Linked Yasukuni Shrine as PM Stays Away
Japan's defense minister paid his respects at Yasukuni Shrine, a war-linked site that has long dogged Tokyo's relations with its Asian neighbors. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stayed away.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude quake has struck off the coast of Indonesia, the US Geological Survey said. No immediate casualties or damage were reported.
Indonesia’s flagship free meals initiative leaves kitchen investors deep in debt
Indonesia's free meals program, a flagship initiative by President Prabowo Subianto, has plunged investors who built kitchens in remote areas into significant debt due to delayed or altered government reimbursement terms. Many, like Sigit Buludawa, borrowed heavily from u…
More than a million people were moved to safety across eastern China by Sunday evening as powerful Typhoon Dolphin made landfall amid fears torrential rain would cause flooding and landslides.
Nagasaki 81st atomic bomb anniversary unnerves proponents of pacifism
Japan marked the 81st anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bombing amid a growing debate over its long-held pacifist stance and non-nuclear principles, driven by regional military expansion and doubts about US security commitments.
Taiwan’s 2027 defense spending to rise 16%, official media reports
Taiwan's Cabinet plans to propose a 16% increase in defense spending for 2027, pushing the budget past 1 trillion new Taiwan dollars ($31 billion) for the first time, in response to escalating Chinese pressure.
Typhoon Dolphin set to hit China’s east coast, triggering flood warnings
Typhoon Dolphin is expected to make landfall on China's east coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds, prompting flood and landslide warnings. The storm previously swept through Okinawa Prefecture, causing injuries and power outages.
Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall in China after evacuations, flight cancellations
Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in eastern China, causing evacuations and flight cancellations. The storm triggered a top-level alert and suspended work and transport services in some areas.
Teachers, students killed in Thai school shooting near Bangkok
A student at a high school in Thailand's Nonthaburi province north of Bangkok killed six people, including three teachers and three students, in a school shooting on Friday. The gunman killed his grandparents before opening fire at the school.
North Korea marks Hiroshima atomic bombing anniversary with missile test
North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Thursday, coinciding with Japan's 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, following Pyongyang's warning of "additional military options" against Japan's defense buildup.
Filipino tennis player Alex Eala, 21, became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, defeating world No. 1 Jessica Pegula in Washington DC.
Asia’s energy-starved nations go dark as Hormuz tensions drag on
Cambodia's soaring fuel costs have led to a 40% increase in gasoline prices, affecting households and small businesses, and raising the risk of longer-term economic damage.
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official, government says
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday, marking a rare confirmed contact since her 2021 detention.
Turkey has been upgraded to Asean dialogue partner status, marking its bid to position itself as a middle power. The upgrade breaks a moratorium in place since the UK's admission in 2021.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture has killed 17 and injured at least 62. Rescue workers are racing against 35C heat and aftershocks to find survivors trapped in a damaged shopping mall.
New mystery Chinese submarine highlights efforts to build up force
A new type of Chinese submarine has been spotted in satellite images, highlighting Beijing's efforts to improve its naval capabilities. The submarine, which is approximately 120 meters long and 10 meters wide, features a dramatically smaller sail and larger dimensions tha…