Asia

South Korea to lend 500,000 rounds of artillery shells to US

S. Korean newspaper cites government sources on agreement Seoul and Washington have yet to comment on the deal South Korea says it cannot provide lethal weapons to Ukraine Seoul concerned…

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UPDATED: Taiwan says China planning to close airspace for only a brief period

By Yimou Lee and Liz Lee TAIPEI/BEIJING, April 12 (Reuters) - China plans to close airspace north of Taiwan for about half an hour next week, down from an originally…

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China records world’s first human death from H3N8 bird flu -WHO

BEIJING, April 12 (Reuters) - A Chinese woman has become the first person to die from a type of bird flu that is rare in humans, the World Health Organisation…

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Taiwan determined to safeguard freedom, democracy, President Tsai says

By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, April 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday that her recent overseas trip, which included the United States, showed the world Taiwan's determination…

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Dalai Lama apologises after video asking boy to ‘suck my tongue’

NEW DELHI, April 10 (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama, the Tibetans' 87-year-old spiritual leader, apologised on Monday after footage showed him asking a young boy to "suck my tongue" at…

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Japan, China hold maritime talks as Beijing simulates attack on Taiwan

TOKYO, April 10 (Reuters) - Senior Japanese and Chinese officials met on Monday to discuss maritime concerns in disputed waters in the East China Sea as Beijing conducted wargames around…

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UPDATED: China military completes various tasks around Taiwan – China military spokesperson

Chinese jets, warships practice blockading Taiwan China holding last of three scheduled days of drills Chinese aircraft carrier also involved in drills Taiwan reports multiple Chinese aircraft nearby BEIJING, April…

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Photo story: Another whale found beached in Bali

People gather around the carcass of a sperm whale at Yeh Leh beach in Jembrana, Bali, Indonesia. The 17-meter-long whale is the third one to be found beached in Bali…

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US Navy says destroyer conducts navigational rights mission in S. China Sea

Repeats to more subscribers, no change in text BEIJING, April 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy said its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a navigational rights and freedoms mission in…

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U.S. stresses need for ‘Cold War’-era crisis mechanisms with China

By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Efforts to build a floor under U.S.-China relations have yet to be successful and coming months will determine if it is…

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India asks states to ramp up testing as COVID-19 cases climb

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's federal government asked states to identify emergency hotspots and ramp up-testing for COVID-19, after the country recorded its highest daily case count since September, a Reuters…

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Taiwan says 71 Chinese planes crossed Taiwan Strait median line as Chinese warship starts live-fire drills near Taiwan

TAIPEI, April 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said that 71 Chinese planes and nine ships crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line as of 4pm (0800 GMT) on Saturday, as…

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With lavish treatment of Macron, China’s Xi woos France to “counter” U.S.

By Michel Rose and James Pomfret GUANGZHOU/HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's Xi Jinping has given French President Emmanuel Macron an unusually lavish welcome on a state visit, which some analysts…

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North Korea says it carried out underwater strategic weapon system test

By Heekyong Yang and Ju-min Park SEOUL, April 8 (Reuters) - North Korea has conducted another test of a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone, its state media reported on Saturday, the…

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Chinese warship starts live-fire drills near Taiwan as Chinese warplanes cross Taiwan Strait median line

TAIPEI, April 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said that 42 Chinese planes and eight ships crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line on Saturday morning. Also, a Chinese warship in…

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Taiwan faces choice of ‘peace and war’, ex-president says after China trip

TAOYUAN, Taiwan, April 7 (Reuters) - Tension with China has escalated under Taiwan's government and the island will in future have to choose between "peace and war", former Taiwan President…

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US, South Korea, Japan express concern over N.Korea’s ‘malicious’ cyber activities – joint statement

By Soo-hyang Choi and Ju-min Park SEOUL, April 7 (Reuters) - The United States, South Korea and Japan expressed deep concern over North Korea's "malicious" cyber activities to support its…

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China sends warships, aircraft near Taiwan for second day

China sent warships and aircraft near Taiwan for a second day on Friday, Taipei said, after President Tsai Ing-wen angered Beijing by meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Three…

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Macron and Von der Leyen’s last day in China, Xi, Macron to hold informal talks in Guangzhou

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Guangzhou in southern China today to meet students on Friday, taking with him a broad delegation of top politicians, business leaders and even…

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Photo Story: Penitents nailed to wooden crosses on Good Friday in the Philippines

Filipino penitent Roberto Quiroz being nailed to a cross is reflected on a man's sunglasses on Good Friday in Santo Tomas, Pampanga, Philippines, 07 April 2023. Religious activities resumed following…

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Chinese scientists publish long-awaited data on Covid origins

A research team in China has published analysis of samples taken more than three years ago from the market linked to the outbreak of Covid-19. The Huanan seafood and wildlife…

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Photo Story: April’s full pink moon over Chennai

The Full Pink Moon rises behind a cross on the dome of the Annai Velankanni Shrine in Chennai, India, on Thursday evening. The first Full Moon of spring, which rises…

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Thailand’s promised cannabis bonanza disappoints as politicians trade blame

By Devjyot Ghoshal and Napat Wesshasartar BANGKOK, April 6 (Reuters) - Thailand's decriminalisation of cannabis has delighted its fans, alarmed some health experts and has increasingly disappointed farmers who have…

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Taiwan watching Chinese movements but does not see escalation

Wary after Beijing denounces meeting with US Speaker Taiwan keeping close tabs on Chinese aircraft carrier Taiwan minister: U.S. carrier 400 miles from Taiwan coast China threatens to board ships…

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UPDATED: EU’s von der Leyen: EU-China trade relationship increasingly imbalanced

French President visits China with EU chief von der Leyen Both due to meet China's Xi Jinping later EU-China relations have soured in recent years Trade and Ukraine high on…

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UPDATED: Tehran, Riyadh top envoys meet in Beijing, discuss diplomatic ties

BEIJING/DUBAI, April 6 (Reuters) - The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing for the first formal meeting of their most senior diplomats in more than seven…

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North Korea says U.S.-South Korea drills push tension to ‘brink of nuclear war’

SEOUL, April 6 (Reuters) - North Korea on Thursday accused the U.S. and South Korea of escalating tensions to the brink of nuclear war through their joint military drills, vowing…

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China sends carrier group off Taiwan coast

TAIPEI, April 6 (Reuters) - Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Thursday that China's aircraft carrier is currently 200 nautical miles off Taiwan's east cost, after Taiwan President Tsai…

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Photo Story: Dead whale washes ashore in Bali

People gather around the carcass of sperm whale at a beach in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, 05 April 2023. The carcass measures 18 meters long. Via EPA-EFE/MADE NAGI

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Photo Story: Major fire consumed clothing market in Dhaka

Smoke rises as shop owners and other people look at the burned shops site a day after a fire broke out at the cloth market of Bangabazar Shopping Complex, in…

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Top Saudi, Iranian diplomats to meet in China

RIYADH, April 5 (Reuters) - The top envoys for Saudi Arabia and Iran will meet in Beijing on Thursday, an Iranian official and a Saudi-owned newspaper said, as the two…

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Foxconn founder Gou says he will seek Taiwan presidency

TAOYUAN, Taiwan, April 5 (Reuters) - Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of major Apple Inc supplier Foxconn, said on Wednesday he would seek the presidential nomination for Taiwan's main opposition…

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Eye In The Sky: Changsha, Hunan province, China

An areal view of the Mao Zedong statue on the Orange Isle in Changsha, Hunan province, China. The monument stands 32 meters tall, is made of 800 tons of granite…

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Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer of ‘The Last Emperor’ film score, dies aged 71

TOKYO, (Reuters) - Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Oscar-winning Japanese composer famed for his scores for "The Last Emperor", "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and other epic films, has died aged 71. Sakamoto…

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Malaysia scraps mandatory death penalty, natural-life prison terms

KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Reuters) - Malaysia's parliament on Monday passed sweeping legal reforms to remove the mandatory death penalty, trim the number of offences punishable by death, and abolish…

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South Korea, US, Japan hold anti-submarine drills to counter North Korea threats

SEOUL, April 3 (Reuters) - The navies of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will hold two days of anti-submarine exercises starting Monday to better counter North Korea's evolving nuclear…

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North Korea accuses Ukraine of having nuclear ambitions

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, accused Ukraine of calling for nuclear weapons, state media KCNA reported, basing her assertion…

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Indian capital boosts COVID-19 testing amid jump in daily cases

New Delhi will ramp up testing for COVID-19 and encourage the increased use of masks, a local minister said, after India recorded its highest daily case count in nearly six…

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High activity spotted at North Korea nuclear complex after Kim’s bomb-fuel order

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Satellite images show a high level of activity at North Korea's main nuclear site, a U.S. think tank reported on Saturday after the North Korean leader ordered…

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Philippine leader cheers European Commission’s move as job losses for 50,000 seafarers averted

MANILA, April 2 (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Sunday welcomed the European Commission's (EC) decision to continue recognising certificates issued by his country for Filipino seafarers, saying…

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UPDATED: Taiwan says nine Chinese planes crossed Taiwan Strait median line

TAIPEI, March 31 (Reuters) - Nine Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line on Friday carrying out combat readiness patrols, Taiwan's defence ministry said, days after Beijing threatened retaliation…

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Thirty-five dead, 16 hurt in after roof of stepwell collapses in India

By Saurabh Sharma LUCKNOW, India, March 31 (Reuters) - At least 35 people were killed and 16 were injured after the roof of a stepwell in a temple complex collapsed…

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China seeks to woo foreign firms as tensions with West swirl

Premier Li says China open for business Li says economic recovery from pandemic taking hold Summit speech latest charm offensive on business But trade friction, geopolitics cloud outlook By Joe…

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China willing to work with Russian military on several fronts – Chinese defence ministry

BEIJING, March 30 (Reuters) - China said its military was willing to work together with the Russian military to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, the Chinese defence ministry said on…

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Photo story: At least 30 passengers dead after fire on ferry in Basilan

A handout photo made available by the Hadji Muhtamad Municipality (HMM) Public Information Office shows the MV Lady Mary Joy passenger vessel sitting on the shore of Basilan island, southern…

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Taiwan president defiant after China threatens retaliation for US trip

External pressure will not stop Taiwan engaging with the world, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday as she left for the United States, hitting a defiant note after China threatened…

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Zelenskiy invites Xi to visit Ukraine – AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday. "We are ready to see him here," Zelenskiy told the news agency in an interview. Xi has…

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EU and China to discuss competition policy and enforcement as relations hit low

Officials and experts from the EU and China will meet from 28 to 31 March 2023 to discuss their cooperation on competition law and enforcement in the EU and China.…

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Thai election to be a close race between parties, surveys show

BANGKOK, March 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's May election is expected to be a tight race, as the main opposition party dominates latest opinion polls but lags the ruling coalition parties'…

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Former Taiwan president heads to China pledging peace

TAOYUAN, Taiwan, March 27 (Reuters) - Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou left for China on Monday on a landmark trip, saying he hoped to bring about peace and improve relations…

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North Korea fires ballistic missile off its east coast

SEOUL, March 27 (Reuters) - North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday morning, South Korea's military said, the latest in a…

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Hong Kong government announces measures to lure wealthy family offices

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's government announced a series of measures to attract wealthy family offices to set up in the financial hub as authorities try to restore business…

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Rahul Gandhi, the ‘prince’ of Indian politics who lost his parliament seat

By YP Rajesh and Krishn Kaushik NEW DELHI, 4 (Reuters) - Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has never been a minister in a federal or state government, has not led…

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Pakistani professionals struggle with higher costs as economy teeters

By Ariba Shahid KARACHI, (Reuters) - Naureen Ahsan earns more than twice the average wage in Pakistan, but the school administrator says she has no choice but to homeschool her…

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North Korea’s use of missile silo could mean less warning of launches -analysts

By Hyonhee Shin and Minwoo Park (Reuters) - North Korea's presumed use of a silo in its missile test a week ago was aimed at boosting the speed and reliability…

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Thai PM Prayuth to run for re-election in May

BANGKOK, March 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was officially nominated for re-election on Saturday as his party's first candidate for the country's next leader in polls set…

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Japan’s consumer inflation off 41-year high but cost pressure persists

Feb core CPI up 3.1% yr/yr, matches forecast Index excluding fresh food, fuel costs rises 3.5% in Feb Data shows cost-push pressure from raw materials easing By Takahiko Wada and…

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