North Korean soldiers rebuild a guard post on the North side of the Demilitarized zone dividing the two Koreas in this undated handout photo released Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 27, 2023
North Korea vows more satellites and beefs up military on border
The warning came as the North's troops were reported to be restoring some demolished guard posts on the border with South Korea.
An advertisement for Lai Ching-te, whose presidential campaign was the target of an audio deepfake, in Taipei on Nov. 14. Ahead of a presidential election in January, Taiwanese fact checkers and watchdogs say they are ready for Beijing. But they are still worried.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 27, 2023
Can Taiwan continue to fight off Chinese disinformation?
Ahead of a presidential election in January, Taiwanese fact checkers and watchdogs say they are ready for Beijing. But they are still worried.
Ko Wen-je (right) and his running mate, Cynthia Wu, on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 27, 2023
Taiwan’s latest poll shows outsider leading presidential race
Ko Wen-je, the Taiwan People’s Party’s nominee, had an approval rating of 31.9% versus 29.2% for Democratic Progressive Party’s Lai Ching-te.
New Zealand's new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon takes an oath during the swearing-in of the new government in Wellington on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 27, 2023
New Zealand's new leader doesn't drink and loves country music
At 53, Christopher Luxon has completed a rapid political ascent four years after leaving one of the country's top executive roles.
A supporter of the Kuomintang, Taiwan's main opposition party, waves the island's flag outside the Central Election Commission office in Taipei on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 26, 2023
Taiwan draws clear U.S.-versus-China battle lines in key election
The collapse of the opposition alliance makes Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stated goal of voluntary unification with Taiwan more remote.
Police officers block Wulumuqi Street in Shanghai on Nov. 27, 2022, amid protests over China's 'zero-COVID' policy.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 26, 2023
'Still suffocated': Mourning China's 'zero-COVID' protests a year on
Vigils for victims of a fire quickly morphed into calls to end zero-COVID measures — and in some cases, to topple Xi Jinping.
The Royal Australian Navy vessel the Toowoomba is docked at Changi Naval Base  during IMDEX Asia 2023, a maritime defense exhibition in Singapore, in May.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Nov 25, 2023
Philippines, Australia start sea and air patrols in South China Sea
The move comes after Manila took similar steps with the U.S. as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China.

Longform

Yoshiko Koide sits in a classroom at Nagoya College where she teaches a Japanese-language observation seminar.
How a dictionary came to spark outrage among the web’s otaku