Asia

US and Vietnam ink historic partnership in Biden visit, with eyes on China

Upgrade allows U.S. to reach same tier as China, Russia U.S. sees Vietnam as crucial in its strategy to contain Beijing Partnership to boost cooperation on chips, rare earths Vietnam…

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UK PM Sunak raises concern over interference in UK democracy with China’s Li

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he had raised his concern over any Chinese interference in Britain's parliamentary democracy during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at a G20 summit in India, after the…

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UPDATED: G20 summit statement avoids condemning Russia for Ukraine war, calls for peace

G20 summit declaration avoids condemnation of Russia Documents calls for peace in Ukraine, and for all states to refrain from use of force for territory Document says Black Sea grain…

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Modi uses ‘Bharat’ for G20 nameplate, not India, amid name-change row

By Tanvi Mehta NEW DELHI, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's placard at the opening of the G20 summit on Saturday referred to India as "Bharat", raising speculation…

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G20 admits African Union as permanent member at New Delhi summit

By Shivangi Acharya and Sarita Chaganti Singh NEW DELHI, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The African Union was made a permanent member of the G20, comprising the world's richest and most…

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G20: Xi Jinping’s snub of summit the latest in escalation of ambition between two assertive powers

It might be tempting to connect Xi Jinping’s refusal to attend the G20 summit in India with continuing border tensions. These reached a peak recently when China released an “official…

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North Korea unveils first tactical, nuclear-armed submarine

By Josh Smith and Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL, Sept 8 (Reuters) - North Korea has launched its first operational "tactical nuclear attack submarine" and assigned it to the fleet that patrols…

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Hong Kong’s heaviest rain in at least 140 years floods city streets, metro

By Tyrone Siu and Farah Master HONG KONG, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Torrential rain deluged Hong Kong on Friday leading to widespread flooding across the densely packed city, submerging streets,…

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China says 90 countries have confirmed attendance for Belt and Road Initiative

BEIJING, Sept 7 (Reuters) - China said on Thursday that 90 countries have confirmed attendance for its Belt and Road Initiative conference being held in October, The third Belt and…

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China wants to ban clothes that ‘hurt nation’s feelings’

A draft law banning speech and dressing "detrimental to the spirit of Chinese people" has sparked debate in China. If the law comes into force, people found guilty could be…

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World leaders talk trade, security in ASEAN-led summit

By Stanley Widianto and Kate Lamb JAKARTA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - World leaders were on Thursday set for a series of meetings on security and trade against a backdrop of…

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Is India changing its name to Bharat? G20 invite controversy explained

By Krishn Kaushik NEW DELHI, (Reuters) - Invites sent by Indian President Droupadi Murmu calling herself "President of Bharat" for a dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit have…

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China bans govt officials from using iPhone for work -WSJ

Sept 6 (Reuters) - China has ordered officials at central government agencies not to use Apple's iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work or bring them into the office, the…

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China to launch new $40 billion state fund to boost chip industry, sources say

China is set to launch a new state-backed investment fund that aims to raise about $40 billion for its semiconductor sector, two people familiar with the matter said, as the…

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North Korean leader Kim to meet Putin in Russia this month – NYT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to travel to Russia this month to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the possibility of supplying weapons for the war in Ukraine,…

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Japan may seek to dissolve Moonies church in wake of Shinzo Abe killing

Japan’s government may ask courts to order the dissolution of the Unification church following the assassination in July last year of the former prime minister Shinzo Abe, according to multiple…

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Russia proposes joint navy exercise with N.Korea, China – Yonhap

SEOUL, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Russia's defence minister has proposed to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that their countries hold a naval exercise, along with China, South Korea's Yonhap…

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Photo Story: Janamashtami festival in Mumbai

Indian college girls with their faces painted in blue and red and dressed as the Hindu goddess Kali pose for photographs during the Janamashtami festival celebrations at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar…

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Xi to skip G20 summit in India, China to send Li instead

By Martin Quin Pollard and Liz Lee BEIJING, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Premier Li Qiang will lead China's delegation at a G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, China's foreign…

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Pope wraps up Mongolia trip, says Church not bent on conversion

By Philip Pullella ULAANBAATAR, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Monday wrapped up a historic trip to Mongolia whose main purpose was to visit the miniscule Catholic community but…

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India PM urges UN to rethink priorities for the 21st century

By Arpan Chaturvedi and Rupam Jain NEW DELHI, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the United Nations to reform in line with 21st century realities…

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In overture to China, Pope sends greetings to a ‘noble’ people

ULAANBAATAR, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday sent greetings to China, calling its citizens a "noble" people and asking Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good…

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North Korea stages ‘tactical nuclear attack’ drill

By Cynthia Kim SEOUL, Sept 3 (Reuters) - North Korea conducted a simulated "tactical nuclear attack" drill on Saturday that included two long-range cruise missiles, state media reported on Sunday,…

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Indonesia offers ‘golden visa’ to entice foreign investors

JAKARTA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Indonesia is introducing a golden visa scheme to attract foreign individual and corporate investors in an attempt to boost its national economy, a statement from…

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Pope, quoting Buddha, urges religious dialogue to fight fundamentalism

By Philip Pullella ULAANBAATAR, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Calling himself one of the "humble heirs" of ancient schools of wisdom and quoting the Buddha, Pope Francis on Sunday urged all…

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More LGBTQ rights could help Asia financial hubs draw global talent

By James Pomfret and Elaine Lies HONG KONG/TOKYO (Reuters) - In Hong Kong's highest court, five judges are deliberating whether to recognise same-sex marriages conducted overseas. Their decision, expected later…

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Rapidly aging South Korea prepares to open door for foreign maids

By Soo-hyang Choi SEOUL, (Reuters) - South Korea approved a Seoul city plan on Friday to let 100 foreign domestic workers into the country through a pilot programme aimed at…

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Whew! Japan had hottest summer on record

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Japan recorded its highest average temperature this summer in 125 years, the nation's weather agency said on Friday. Based on measurements at 15 locations around…

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Hundreds of flights cancelled in Hong Kong, China’s Guangdong as Typhoon Saola nears

HONG KONG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Hundreds of flights were cancelled in China's Guangdong province and Hong Kong as Super Typhoon Saola moved closer to the mainland on Friday, forcing…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis begins low-key visit to Catholics in Buddhist Mongolia

By Philip Pullella ULAANBAATAR, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is sometimes received as a superstar on trips abroad, arrived in Mongolia on Friday to the joy of its…

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Super typhoon heads towards Hong Kong, China issues highest warning

BEIJING/ HONG KONG Aug 31 (Reuters) - China issued its highest typhoon warning on Thursday as Super Typhoon Saola, packing winds of more than 200 kph (125 mph), headed towards…

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With China on his mind, Pope visits tiny Catholic flock in Mongolia

Predominantly Buddhist Mongolia has just 1,450 Catholics Francis' policy is to draw attention to people on periphery Vatican has had difficult relations with China Mongolia seen as possible intermediary with…

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North Korea stages nuclear strike drill to protest allied exercises

By Soo-hyang Choi and Josh Smith SEOUL, Aug 31 (Reuters) - North Korea conducted a simulated "scorched-earth" nuclear strike on targets across South Korea, state media reported on Thursday, in…

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China, Britain make tentative steps to repair ties

UK foreign secretary Cleverly visits Beijing First visit by senior UK minister in five years China's Wang says both should move forward with 'respect' Cleverly says important to maintain lines…

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US B-1B bomber deployed for joint military drills with South Korea

By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A U.S. B-1B bomber joined military drills by the United States and South Korea on Wednesday, the 10th such flight by an…

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China extends tax breaks for foreign workers until 2027

China will extend preferential tax policies for foreign nationals working in the country through to the end of 2027, the finance ministry said on Tuesday, in a boon to foreign firms struggling to…

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Taiwan warns of ‘sharp increase’ in tensions as Chinese planes cross median line

Taiwan's defence ministry warned on Tuesday of a possible "sharp increase" in military tensions after reporting renewed Chinese military activity including fighter jets crossing the sensitive median line of the…

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WATCH: Earthquake of magnitude 7.0 strikes Bali Sea, Indonesia

A strong earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck deep in the sea north of Bali and Lombok islands in Indonesia early on Tuesday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, sending residents running out…

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North Korea reopens borders to citizens living abroad

Aug 27 (Reuters) - North Korea has approved the return of its citizens who were abroad after years of strict border restrictions during the COVID pandemic, state media reported…

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Japan says seawater radioactivity below limits near Fukushima

TOKYO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Tests of seawater near Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant have not detected any radioactivity, the environment ministry said on Sunday, days after authorities began discharging…

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Saudi Arabia considers Chinese bid for nuclear plant -WSJ

Saudi Arabia is considering a Chinese bid to build it a nuclear power plant, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, a decision that could derail U.S. plans in the…

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Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity, planes in ‘response’ zone

Taiwan's defence ministry reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Friday, including 13 aircraft entering Taiwan's "response" zone and five ships carrying out combat readiness patrols. China, which…

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Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lands on the moon in ‘victory cry of a new India’

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee Mission comes less than week after Russia's Luna-25 mission failed Russia's Putin and NASA congratulate India India becomes fourth nation to successfully land spacecraft on the moon…

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North Korea says latest spy satellite launch failed, but will try again

North Korea's second attempt to place a spy satellite in orbit failed on Thursday after the rocket booster experienced a problem with its third stage, state media reported, as space authorities…

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China condemns release of Fukushima water into the Pacific Ocean

China again voiced strong opposition and condemned Japan's decision to start releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese foreign ministry said on…

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WATCH: Moon rover exits India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft to explore lunar surface

The moon rover of India's Chandrayaan-3 exited the spacecraft on Thursday morning to begin its exploration of the lunar surface, the country's space agency said on messaging platform X. The…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Gangneung, South Korea

An aerial view of red beach parasols as people enjoy at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Photo: EPA-EFE/YONHAP

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At least 17 dead after railway bridge collapses in India’s Mizoram

At least 17 workers died and several more are feared to be trapped after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed in India's northeastern state of Mizoram on Wednesday, officials said.The incident…

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Thailand’s jailed ex-PM Thaksin hospitalised after return from exile

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was moved to hospital overnight, officials said on Wednesday, over concern about his heart and high blood pressure on his first night in jail…

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South Korea to hold first nationwide defence drills in 6 years amid North threats

South Korea is set to hold its first nationwide air defence drills in six years on Wednesday amid North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, with pedestrians required to take…

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China urgently needs to address economic uncertainty – EU business group chief

The head of an influential European business lobby in China said Beijing needs to send a clear message on how it plans to revive its economy and provide clarity on a…

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German Foreign Minister says China a challenge to ‘how we live together’

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday China posed a challenge to the "fundamentals of how we live together in this world" and Germany would work with mid-sized nations…

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Japan to release Fukushima treated radioactive water into ocean

Japan said on Tuesday it will start releasing more than 1 million metric tonnes of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24, putting into motion a…

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Hong Kong freedoms continued to erode in 2022, despite promises, EU says

Hong Kong's democratic principles, freedoms and autonomy continued to erode in 2022, despite China's obligation to protect them, the European Commission said in an annual report. Hong Kong returned from British…

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Moon landing anticipation builds for India after Russia’s crash

India's space agency on Monday released images its spacecraft took of the far side of the moon as it headed for an attempted landing on the lunar south pole, just…

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North Korea’s Kim directs cruise missile test as S.Korea, US begin drills

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of strategic cruise missiles, state news agency KCNA said on Monday, as South Korea and the United States kicked off annual…

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U.S. taking hard look at North Korea-Russia missile cooperation-Sullivan

The Biden administration is concerned about potential cooperation between Russia and North Korea in developing new missile technology, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday. Russia and…

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