Kim Jong Un takes ride in luxury Russian limo given to him by Putin | Politics News

Kim Jong Un takes ride in luxury Russian limo given to him by Putin | Politics News

State media says car ride is ‘clear proof’ of the close and deepening relationship between the two countries. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took his first ride in the luxury car that was given to him as a gift by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang and Moscow have forged…

For many Chinese, there are ‘more important things’ than Taiwan unification | Conflict News

For many Chinese, there are ‘more important things’ than Taiwan unification | Conflict News

“It is difficult to imagine that this used to be a warzone,” 23-year-old *Shao Hongtian told Al Jazeera as he wandered along a beach near the city of Xiamen on China’s southeast coast. Halting by the water’s edge where gentle waves lapped against the sand, Shao gestured beyond the shallows…

South Korea to China: Why is East Asia producing so few babies? | Demographics News

South Korea to China: Why is East Asia producing so few babies? | Demographics News

South Korea’s low birthrate has been declared a national emergency despite its government’s efforts to incentivise people into parenthood by paying 2 million won ($1,510) on the birth of each child as well as providing a host of other benefits to parents. The country is one of several in East…

Japan’s bid to cancel residency of foreigners who dodge taxes stirs unease | Migration News

Japan’s bid to cancel residency of foreigners who dodge taxes stirs unease | Migration News

Tokyo, Japan – For foreigners in Japan, permanent residency has long been a much sought-after assurance of security in a country that has historically shunned mass immigration. But proposals by Tokyo to cancel the permanent residence status for those who fail to pay their taxes and social insurance contributions are…

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’ | LGBTQ News

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’ | LGBTQ News

Japan is only G7 nation that excludes same-sex unions with conservative government criticised as stonewalling diversity. A high court in Japan has ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is “unconstitutional” as pressure mounts for such unions to be legalised. On Thursday, the Sapporo High Court said not allowing…

Thailand, Laos try to ‘make junta presentable’ amid ASEAN Myanmar inertia | ASEAN News

Thailand, Laos try to ‘make junta presentable’ amid ASEAN Myanmar inertia | ASEAN News

Chiang Mai, Thailand – Thailand’s controversial humanitarian initiative with crisis-torn Myanmar is facing growing criticism even after its fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) appeared to collectively endorse the scheme. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat wrapped up recently in Luang Prabang, the old capital of landlocked Laos,…

UN seeking more than $850m for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh | Rohingya News

UN seeking more than $850m for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh | Rohingya News

Bangladesh hosts more than a million Rohingya people, many of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar. The United Nations is calling for more donations for Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh. In its annual response plan to the crisis, the UN appealed for $852.4m to provide food…

World watches as China sets out priorities for 2024 | Business and Economy

World watches as China sets out priorities for 2024 | Business and Economy

National People’s Congress discusses future of nation amid increasingly turbulent geopolitics. China’s plans for the coming year have been set out at its National People’s Congress. The country is aiming for the same modest economic growth as it did last year, but its economy is facing several challenges, and geopolitical…