All Asia Pacific
- Popularity carries a sting for China's exiled 'Rebel Pepper' cartoonist
Satirist Wang Liming had close to a million social-media followers in China until he drew President Xi Jinping as a steamed bun. Now he's under threat at home and exiled in Japan.
- Hong Kong paper loses four top voices: A pro-China 'putsch'?
Critics say that cutting four prominent columnists at the South China Morning Post has diminished Hong Kong's status as a champion of press freedom.
- Deceived and ransomed: Rohingya refugees huddle in Indonesia
'I didn’t know it was going to be like this,' says Mohammad Idiris, a Rohingya Muslim speaking from a refugee camp in Aceh. 'If I had known, I would have stayed in Myanmar.'
- Can women end Korean War? After DMZ crossing, Gloria Steinem says 'Yes'
Ms. Steinem was one of 30 women activists, including Nobel laureates Mairead Maguire and Leymah Gbowee, who crossed the demilitarized zone between the North and South on Sunday. Protesters say their campaign was naive.
- Peace activists and Gloria Steinem ready to cross Korea DMZ
Marchers from Pyongyang to Seoul include two Nobel laureates and are facing criticism after Ms. Steinem said it was 'bananas' to criticize North Korea over human rights. The march is due to start Sunday.
- Malaysia to launch migrant sea search and rescue
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis are believed to be trapped on boats at with little food or water.
- In Japan, anger at Shinzo Abe's heavy hand on press turns mainstream
The prime minister is accused of blocking free expression and emboldening the ultra right. Meanwhile, the number of international scholars protesting Abe's views of World War II has jumped from 187 to 450.
- Isolated and nuclear-armed, dictator Kim Jong-un keeps world on edge
A peace march across the DMZ dividing South and North Korea is due to start Sunday. But a planned visit by the UN's chief has been canceled, highlighting the regime's isolation.
- North Korea reverses field on Ban Ki-moon visit, according to UN chief
The current United Nations Secretary-General is a native of South Korea and served as foreign minister from 2004-06.
- What is Gloria Steinem doing in North Korea?
Thirty women, including American political activist Gloria Steinem and two Nobel laureates, are scheduled to cross the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea this Sunday as a symbolic step towards ending tensions between the two nations.
- China to invest billions in Brazil's economy, Chinese premier says
Today Chinese Premier Li Keqiang makes his first official trip to Latin America, stopping in Brazil to present an economic plan that includes investing billions of dollars in the Brazilian railway system.
- The ExplainerWhy Southeast Asia faces a migration crisis this summer
Thousands of Rohingya Muslims are fleeing by sea from Myanmar, abetted by human smugglers whose crews later abandon ships mid-crossing. The surge in sea crossings has led to finger pointing among neighboring countries.
- Myanmar says Rohingya migrant crisis not its fault
Boats filled with more than 2,000 desperate refugees have arrived in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia in recent weeks.
- China chides US over South China Sea prior to Kerry visit
China has rattled the region with its assertive claims in the South China Sea, where islands and reefs are contested by China and five other Asian governments.
- Indonesia's president pledges reforms in restless Papua. What next?
The sparsely populated island of Papua has long remained Indonesia's poorest, most repressed region. But President Joko Widodo appears determined to usher in a new era of change.
- China charges prominent human rights lawyer as Xi tightens screw
Pu Zhiqiang, who was arrested last year, faces charges of inciting hatred and provoking trouble that carry a lengthy prison sentence. He's among nearly 2,000 political activists detained since President Xi took power in 2012.
- For Asia's giants, trade trumps border dispute as leaders meet in China
Putting geopolitics mostly aside, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to focus on improving economic relations.
- Malaysia turns away 800 migrants in two boats while Thailand tracks third
Despite appeals by the United Nations and aid groups, no government in the region – Thai, Indonesian or Malaysian – appears willing to take the refugees.
- Investigation to begin after 72 killed in Philippine factory fire
Among the questions being raised is if the factory followed fire and building safety standards.
- Dozens feared dead after Philippines slipper factory fire
Local officials said the fire apparently was ignited by sparks from welding works at the factory's main entrance door, triggering an explosion of the chemicals used to make the slippers.