Asia

Thailand to ban recreational cannabis use by year-end, health minister says

Draft heads to cabinet for approval next month, minister says Misuse of cannabis seen having negative impact on children Industry is projected to be worth $1.2 bln by next year…

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European countries eye reopening embassies in North Korea after pandemic closures

By Josh Smith and Alexander Ratz SEOUL/BERLIN Feb 28 (Reuters) - A German delegation visited the North Korean capital of Pyongyang for the first time since its embassy was shuttered…

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China urges largest nuclear states to negotiate a ‘no-first-use’ treaty

BEIJING, Feb 28 (Reuters) - States with the largest nuclear arsenals should negotiate a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other or make a political statement in this…

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North Korea has sent 6,700 containers of munitions to Russia, South Korea says

North Korea has shipped about 6,700 containers carrying millions of munitions to Russia since July to support its war against Ukraine, in a sign of ongoing arms transfers, South Korean…

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China’s “dragon” baby boom may boost population in 2024- report

HONG KONG, (Reuters) - More babies are being born in hospitals across China in the Year of the Dragon, financial news outlet Yicai reported, an increase which could soften the…

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China sees Europe as increasingly ‘rational’ about its development, says foreign minister

BEIJING, Feb 22 (Reuters) - China said it sees Europe as increasingly viewing the country with a "rational perception," and that Europe should "not be afraid of it," Chinese Foreign…

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Thai PM plans visa-free travel, concerts to boost tourism

BANGKOK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday his government plans to roll out more measures to boost tourism, including incentives to lure global artists…

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Hong Kong scientists seek good fortune for endangered horseshoe crabs

By Joyce Zhou HONG KONG, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Hong Kong conservationists on Wednesday began underwater tracking of endangered horseshoe crabs, which date back to before the dinosaurs, in a…

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Police fire tear gas at Indian farmers marching on capital

By Sunil Kataria SHAMBHU, India, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Indian police fired tear gas on Wednesday to scatter protesting farmers as they resumed a march to the capital, equipped with…

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Pakistan’s majority parties struggle to form coalition government

By Asif Shahzad and Ariba Shahid ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Pakistan's two major parties are set to meet on Monday to try and bridge differences over forming a minority…

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China to send coast guard ships as tensions rise over Taiwanese islands

BEIJING, Feb 18 (Reuters) - China's coast guard said on Sunday it will strengthen its law enforcement activities and carry out regular patrols around a small group of Taiwanese-controlled islands…

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Thai tycoon Thaksin tastes freedom in homeland, 15 years after fleeing

Thaksin makes low-key exit from detention Opponents outraged over perceived VIP treatment Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party now in power Thai PM - release in accordance with law Tycoon's next moves…

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Thailand plans to waive visas for more countries

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday the government plans to offer visa-free travel to citizens of several more countries. Thailand has recently waived…

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Indonesia president congratulates poll winner Prabowo, markets cheer

By Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman JAKARTA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said on Thursday he had congratulated Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto after unofficial counts showed the…

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Pakistan parties wrangle over premiership, vote rigging allegations rejected

Pakistan's two largest political parties were still wrangling over who will be prime minister after an inconclusive election last week forced them to join forces and try to form a…

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Political leaders wrangle over premiership after inconclusive Pakistan vote

By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan's two largest political parties are wrangling over who will take the prime minister's job after inconclusive elections last week forced them…

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US, UK and EU urge probe into Pakistan election, express concerns

EU notes 'lack of level playing field' US says there were 'undue restrictions' UK expresses concern about 'fairness' of election By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The United States, Britain…

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Taiwan reports Chinese balloons at start of New Year holiday

TAIPEI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Saturday it had detected eight Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait in the previous 24 hours, two of which flew…

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Canadian man opens Thai Airways plane door before takeoff in Thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A Canadian tourist opened the door of a Thai Airways flight that was preparing to take off from Chiang Mai airport bound for the capital…

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Earthquake of magnitude 5.6 strikes Mindanao, Philippines – GFZ

MANILA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines, on Saturday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. The quake was 10 km (6 miles) deep,…

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Imran Khan’s supporters lead in Pakistan polls

Independents backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan won the most seats in Pakistan's election on Friday after results from over half the constituencies were announced, leaving political parties…

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China opens Antarctic station south of Australia, New Zealand

BEIJING, Feb 7 (Reuters) - China on Wednesday inaugurated its Ross Sea scientific research station, the official Xinhua news agency reported, starting operations in an outpost in a part of…

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From jail, Pakistan’s Imran Khan asks supporters to wait by poll stations after vote

By Charlotte Greenfield and Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Jailed former Pakistani premier Imran Khan urged his supporters on Wednesday to wait outside polling booths after casting their…

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North Korea defectors cite dwindling food rations, market reliance -study

The majority of North Koreans who resettled in South Korea over the last decade said they never received government rations in the isolated state and had to rely on an…

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South Korea, Saudi Arabia sign agreement on defence cooperation

SEOUL, Feb 5 (Reuters) - South Korea and Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding to expand defence cooperation, Seoul's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said, as Seoul…

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Philippines ready to use ‘forces’ to quell any secession attempt- official

MANILA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The Philippine government is ready to use "authority and forces" against attempts to divide the nation, a security official said Sunday, after former President Rodrigo…

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Japan Inc opens door to more women directors, but managers remain rare

By Anton Bridge TOKYO, (Reuters) - Mitsuko Tottori's appointment as Japan Airlines' 9201.Tnext president makes her something of a rarity in Japan - a female head of a well known…

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UPDATED: Korea fires multiple cruise missiles

SEOUL, Feb 2 (Reuters) - North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles off its west coast on Friday, South Korea's military said, markingthe fourth time in just over a week that…

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Taiwan president tells Pope Francis she supports his AI concerns

TAIPEI, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis offering support for his concerns over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and pledging deeper cooperation…

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China reports death of woman from combined H3N2, H10N5 bird flu

By Mei Mei Chu BEIJING, Jan 31 (Reuters) - China on Wednesday reported the death of a woman due to an infection of combined H3N2 and H10N5 strains of bird…

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Pakistan court jails ex-PM Imran Khan for 10 years days ahead of polls

A Pakistan court sentenced Imran Khan to 10 years' jail on Tuesday for leaking state secrets, his party said, the harshest sentence against the former prime minister and cricketer in…

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North Korea tests submarine-launched cruise missiles, KCNA says

SEOUL, Jan 29 (Reuters) - North Korea tested its new submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) on Sunday, firing an upgraded missile for the second time in a week and accelerating its…

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Taiwan says 11 Chinese military planes crossed strait’s median line

TAIPEI, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Saturday it had detected 11 Chinese military planes crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line in the past 24 hours. The…

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North Korea signals confrontation, no signs of war preparation

By Josh Smith North Korea is stepping up confrontation with the United States and its allies, but officials in Washington and Seoul say they have spotted no signs Pyongyang intends…

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Taiwan begins extended one-year conscription in response to China threat

By Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang TAICHUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - The first batch of new recruits began serving their one-year compulsory military service in Taiwan on Thursday after the conscription…

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Chinese military continues to train, prepare for war -defence ministry spokesperson

BEIJING, Jan 25 (Reuters) - China's military is continuing to train and prepare for war, and will continue to organise relevant military operations on a regular basis, a defence ministry…

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Japan says SLIM spacecraft’s ‘pinpoint’ moon landing is success

By Kantaro Komiya TOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Japan achieved an unprecedented "pinpoint" moon landing within 100 metres (328 feet) of target, the space agency said on Thursday, after its…

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EU draws up economic security plans, with mind on China

The European Commission will set out plans on Wednesday to bolster the European Union's economic security through closer scrutiny of foreign investment and tighter controls on exports and outflows of…

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China undergoes rare scrutiny of rights record at UN meeting

China underwent scrutiny of its human rights record at a key U.N. meeting on Tuesday, with Western countries calling for more protections for Xinjiang Uyghurs and greater freedom in Hong…

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Earthquake strikes China-Kyrgzstan border

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border region on Tuesday with reports of several injuries and collapsed houses, Chinese state media reported. The epicentre of the quake struck at…

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Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 rocks southern Xinjiang, China – GFZ

Jan 22 (Reuters) - A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck southern Xinjiang, China on Monday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ)said. The quake was at a depth of 10 km…

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UPDATED: Russia says four survive charter jet crash in Afghanistan, condition of two others unclear

KABUL/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's aviation watchdog said on Sunday four people survived the crash of a charter plane bound for Moscow in northern Afghanistan, citing the Russian embassy there, and…

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Putin willing to visit Pyongyang soon, North Korea says

By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to visit Pyongyang soon when he met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui…

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North Korea says tests underwater nuclear drone, criticises US-led joint drills

By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL, Jan 19 (Reuters) - North Korea has conducted a test of its underwater nuclear weapons system in a protest against this week's joint military drills by…

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Taiwan reports first major Chinese military activity after election

By Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 18 Chinese air force planes operating around Taiwan and carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships…

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Pakistan carries out ‘series of military strikes’ in Iran

By Asif Shahzad and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan conducted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, targeting separatist militants, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, two days after…

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China’s population drops for 2nd year, raises long-term growth concerns

China's population drops 0.15% y/y in 2023 Birth rate at new low, death rate at highest since 1974 Total new births drop 5.7% to 9.02 mln Total deaths rise 6.6%…

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Pakistan says Iran violated airspace, killing two children

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam KARACHI/DUBAI, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan said neighbouring Iran has violated its airspace resulting in the death of two children, hours after Iranian state media said…

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North Korean hackers, criminals share money laundering networks in Southeast Asia – UN

By Tom Wilson LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - North Korean hackers are sharing money-laundering and underground banking networks with fraudsters and drug traffickers in Southeast Asia, according to a United…

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Zika cases surge by almost 300pc in Thailand

Zika has surged to levels not seen since before the pandemic in Thailand, with more than 750 people infected and at least 13 babies born with birth defects in 2023. …

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Japan’s ANA returned Boeing 737 flight due to cockpit window crack

TOKYO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Japan's All Nippon Airways on Saturday returned a domestic flight to its departure airport after a crack was found on the cockpit window of the…

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UPDATED: Taiwan ruling party’s Lai wins presidential election

By Yimou Lee and James Pomfret TAIPEI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling party, won an election on Saturday that China had framed as…

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North Korea halts radio broadcasts, curbs exchanges with South -Yonhap

By Cynthia Kim SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - North Korea stopped operating a radio station used to send coded messages to its agents in South Korea, the Yonhap news agency…

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China’s military ready to ‘smash’ any ‘Taiwan independence’ plot

BEIJING, Jan 12 (Reuters) - China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains on high alert at all times and will take all needed steps to "smash" any "Taiwan independence" separatist plot,…

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Taiwan parties to make final push for support in critical election

By Zahra Matarani and Joseph Campbell TAIPEI/TAINAN, Taiwan, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan's three main political parties will hold mass rallies on Friday evening in a final push for support…

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North Korea poised to admit first known tourists since 2020

By Josh Smith SEOUL, Jan 12 (Reuters) - A group from Russia is poised to be the first known tourists allowed into North Korea since anti-pandemic border lockdowns began in…

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Taiwan says it spotted more Chinese balloons over strait, a day ahead of vote

TAIPEI, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Friday it detected five Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait over the past 24 hours, one of which crossed…

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