Samsung Electronics poised for $72bn shareholder return program
Samsung Electronics is expected to hold a board meeting on Aug. 21 to approve a $72 billion shareholder return program. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Follow the story
Asia Pacific
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia Pacific, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00North Korea fires about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward sea, South Korea says
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Associated Press
Seoul, Beijing agree to ‘close communication’ on Peninsula affairs: Cheong Wa Dae
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
Facial recognition technology coming into wider use in Japan
Latest news on Japan: business, politics, commentary, sports, culture, life and more
· The Japan Times
Haeco, China Aircraft Leasing Group sign MOU to build maintenance hub in Hong Kong
Two firms will set up aircraft engine maintenance centre, with initial focus on quick-turn services, hospital repair and engine asset management
· Connor Mycroft
Haeco, China Aircraft Leasing Group sign MOU to build maintenance hub in Hong Kong
Two firms will set up aircraft engine maintenance centre, with initial focus on quick-turn services, hospital repair and engine asset management
· Connor Mycroft
(3rd LD) N. Korea fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles despite Trump overture
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details throughout, byline) By Kim Seung-yeon
· Kim Seung-yeon
North Korea fires 10 missiles day after Trump curtails South Korea joint drills
Launches, detected by South Korea and Japan, came after US scaled back exercises with South Korea in apparent overture to Kim Jong-un
· By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press
'Neneng' weakens into LPA, now out of PH
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression "Neneng" has weakened into a tropical low pressure area (LPA) and has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), although cloudy skies will remain due to the southwest monsoon.
· Red Mendoza
Ex-homem mais rico da China é condenado à prisão perpétua
A Justiça da China condenou o fundador da gigante imobiliária Evergrande à prisão perpétua e multou o grupo em mais de 2 bilhões de dólares (R$ 10,3 bilhões) nesta quinta-feira (20/08) por crimes que incluem fraude, cinco anos após o colapso da empresa ter abalado a economia e os mercados financeiros do país.
· Redação DW
Why Taiwan and the South China Sea matter
Soldiers participate in the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Yilan, northeastern Taiwan, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, Pool)
· E Eduardo Castillo
USS Nimitz soldiers on but ‘glory days are over’: CCTV report
The extended service of the world’s longest-serving carrier points to flaws in the US shipbuilding industry, observers say
· Alcott Wei
USS Nimitz soldiers on but ‘glory days are over’: CCTV report
The extended service of the world’s longest-serving carrier points to flaws in the US shipbuilding industry, observers say
· Alcott Wei
Chinese ‘hardship camps’ see children chop wood, feed pigs to learn family appreciation
Camp organisers assert that their primary aim is to instil an appreciation for the challenges associated with labour and earning money
· Fran Lu
Chinese ‘hardship camps’ see children chop wood, feed pigs to learn family appreciation
Camp organisers assert that their primary aim is to instil an appreciation for the challenges associated with labour and earning money
· Fran Lu
Romero retires from AFP Reserve Force amid awards controversy
MANILA, Philippines — Military reservist and former 1-PACMAN party-list representative Michael Romero on Thursday relinquished his duties commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve Northern Luzon and retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force.
· Kristina Maralit
Chinese team aims to put ‘smart’ diabetes probiotic on US shelves within 2 years | South China Morning Post
The lab-engineered probiotic, named Gift, can sense high blood sugar and automatically release the glucose-lowering hormone GLP-1.
Shein pushes back Hong Kong debut to September amid delayed investor orders: sources
The fast-fashion firm originally aimed to wrap up its IPO in August, but a delay in investor orders has forced a change of plan, sources say
· Zoe SL Chan
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: S. Korean military
(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 5-6)
· Kang Yoon-seung
North Korea answers US olive branch with missile launch
South Korea detected 10 ballistic missiles hours after Pyongyang dismissed Washington’s decision to scale back joint exercises with Seoul
· Associated Press
North Korea answers US olive branch with missile launch
South Korea detected 10 ballistic missiles hours after Pyongyang dismissed Washington’s decision to scale back joint exercises with Seoul
· Associated Press
Sirens, shelters and scaled-back war games: South Korea rehearses for crisis
Residents across Seoul took part in civil defence drills as sirens sounded and police cleared roads for emergency vehicles. People were directed to metro stations and underground shelters, while evacuees at Seoul City Hall were shown how to give first aid and perform CPR. The exercise was part of Ulchi Freedom Shiel…
· AfricaNews
Mikee Romero retires from AFP Reserve Force amid medals controversy
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Mia Gonzalez
Japanese FM visits Saudi Arabia and Oman with maritime security in focus | The National
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi arrived in the Gulf this week for talks with Saudi Arabia and Oman, as disruption around two of the region's crucial shipping routes place maritime security and the resilience of energy flows high on the agenda.
· The National
(URGENT) N. Korea's missiles flew about 300 kilometers: S. Korean military
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Kim Seung-yeon
In Seoul meeting with Wang Yi, South Korean president voices hope for closer China ties
Wang calls for accelerated second phase of negotiations in the China-South Korea two-way free trade agreement
· Alyssa Chen
In Seoul meeting with Wang Yi, South Korean president voices hope for closer China ties
Wang calls for accelerated second phase of negotiations in the China-South Korea two-way free trade agreement
· Alyssa Chen
Thailand’s rising body count reveals a nation unable to curb gun crime | South China Morning Post
Is Thailand’s crackdown on guns working?
Lapid brings relief to 6,000 flood-affected families in Pampanga
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Lito Lapid on Thursday led the distribution of assistance to some 6,000 families affected by flooding in his home province, Pampanga.
· Catherine S. Valente
A photo op or nuclear talks? What Trump wants from a meeting with North Korea’s dictator
Beijing: Not for the first time in his second term, Donald Trump has dangled the prospect of a revived face-to-face meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
· Lisa Visentin
Shanghai lowers second-home down payments. Will it boost the property market?
The megacity joins Beijing in further easing financial barriers for homebuyers, as authorities push to spark a durable recovery
· Emma Ma
Shanghai lowers second-home down payments. Will it boost the property market?
The megacity joins Beijing in further easing financial barriers for homebuyers, as authorities push to spark a durable recovery
· Emma Ma
S. Korea says China's stance on Korean Peninsula unchanged despite no reference to denuclearization
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- China continues to maintain its longstanding position on ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, though Beijing has stopped short of explicitly expressing its support for the denuclearization of North Korea, officials in Seoul said Thursday.
· Oh Seok-min
WATCH: Honduras places 80% of country on El Niño drought alert
The Honduran government has placed 80 percent of the country, including the capital, on drought alert as El Niño scorches harvests and causes livestock to die of thirst. The El Niño weather pattern warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, triggering worldwide changes in winds, …
· The Manila Times
China condemns 'discriminatory' US tariffs on drone components after Trump turns to local sourcing
China urged the US to immediately withdraw Section 232 tariffs it imposed on imports of drones and related components, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thursday during a press conference.
· REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
'We will tear you to pieces': Indian general warns Erdogan about pact with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
Retired Indian Maj.-Gen. Gagan Deep Bakshi warned that the growing alignment among Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan could pose a strategic threat to India, while stressing that New Delhi would not sacrifice its ties with Iran to accommodate Israel’s security concerns.
· MAARIV
(LEAD) N. Korea fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: S. Korean military
(ATTN: UPDATES with details throughout)
· Kim Seung-yeon
Lee meets China’s top diplomat amid Trump overtures to NK
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
China accuses EU of overreach regarding JD.com deal probe
The Chinese government is raising the stakes in a dispute over JD.com's takeover bid for Germany's Ceconomy. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
· Staff Writer
4 workers die after being hit by train north of Tokyo
Four of the seven workers engaged in weeding work died, while the other three were uninjured
· Kyodo
4 workers die after being hit by train north of Tokyo
Four of the seven workers engaged in weeding work died, while the other three were uninjured
· Kyodo
Asian businesses boost Central, Eastern European industrial rentals
Yanfeng's facility in Namestovo, Slovakia. (CTP Group)
· Staff Writer
(URGENT) N. Korea fires around dozen short-range ballistic missiles from Pyongyang: S. Korean military
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Kim Seung-yeon
Media watchdog sends letter to U.S. lawmakers over Network Act pushback
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's media watchdog said Thursday it sent a reply letter to Republican lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives explaining that the revision to the Network Act does not disproportionately target American companies.
· Kang Jae-eun
Centenarians in Korea near triples in 10-year period
The number of South Koreans aged 100 or older nearly tripled over the past decade, with the increase particularly sharp among men, government data showed Thursday.
· Yoon Min-sik
Fernandez wins silver in Abu Dhabi chess tournament
National Master Dandel Fernandez of the Philippines placed runner-up in the 32nd Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival Seniors Chess Tournament held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Aug. 18, 2026.
· Frederick Nasiad
Google's China shift and the battle over AI models
Hi everyone! This is Lauly, your #techAsia host this week, sending warm greetings from humid and rainy Taipei.
· Staff Writer
North Korea fires an unidentified projectile off its east coast
U.S. Army soldiers try to dismantle a floating bridge during a training exercise on a river in Yeoncheon, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Japan faces a tough inflation-growth trade-off – and it’s not alone
Bond markets are nervous about central banks’ ability to contain inflation as South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines face similar pressures
· Nicholas Spiro