Japan condemns visit by Vladimir Putin to disputed Kuril Islands
Japanese PM says islands seized by Soviets late in second world war are part of Japan under international law
· Gavin Blair
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+11:00Survivor urges Hong Kong to criminalise long-term child sexual abuse | South China Morning Post
Advocates call for a new offence covering persistent child sexual abuse, not currently included in Hong Kong’s proposed law reforms.
As floods devastate Mekong communities, economic strain, conflict compound crisis
Tens of thousands have been displaced in Laos and Myanmar, with rescue efforts hampered by threadbare resources
· Aidan Jones
As floods devastate Mekong communities, economic strain, conflict compound crisis
Tens of thousands have been displaced in Laos and Myanmar, with rescue efforts hampered by threadbare resources
· Aidan Jones
WATCH: China, Indonesia hold joint naval drills in waters east of Taiwan
Taiwan condemns China's plan to hold a navy drill with Indonesia off the democratic island's east coast, saying Beijing seeks to create the 'false impression' that it has jurisdiction over the area. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and insists it has authority over the waters surrounding the island, whic…
· The Manila Times
Futures Rise, Just Under Record High Ahead Of PPI Report
Futures are higher again, although trading in a narrow range for the past week just below all time highs, with Tech flat following disappointing earnings from CSCO. As of 8:00am ET, S&P 500 futures add 0.2% while Nasdaq futures are unchanged as Cisco shares dropped 6.4% in premarket trading after earnings failed to …
· Tyler Durden
Korea Investment Holdings named preferred bidder for KDB Life Insurance
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- Korea Investment Holdings Co., a financial holding company in South Korea, said Thursday it has been named the preferred bidder for KDB Life Insurance, an affiliate of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB).
· Deok-Hyun Kim
From EPL to Hong Kong: new Southern star on ‘surviving on other side of world’
Decision to quit England to move to Asia a ‘no-brainer’ for Balraj Landa, the 21-year-old aiming to make a name for himself in the east
· Paul McNamara
From English Premier League to Hong Kong: new Southern star’s ‘surviving on other side of world’
Decision to quit England to move to Asia a ‘no-brainer’ for Balraj Landa, the 21-year-old aiming to make a name for himself in the east
· Paul McNamara
‘Monstrous consequences’ if Japan sticks to Kuril Islands claim – Medvedev
The Kuril Islands will forever remain Russian land, with Japan looking for trouble by continuing to stick to its claim over the archipelago, former Russian President Dmitry Medvdev has said.
· RT
‘Monstrous consequences’ if Japan sticks to Kuril Islands claim – Medvedev
The Kuril Islands will forever remain Russian land, with Japan looking for trouble by continuing to stick to its claim over the archipelago, former Russian President Dmitry Medvdev has said.
· RT
Southwest monsoon still affecting Luzon, Western Visayas; LPA forms outside PAR
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Acor Arceo
Malaysia’s Anwar looks back on relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji
Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy
· Laura Zhou
Malaysia’s Anwar looks back on relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji
Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy
· Laura Zhou
Malaysia’s Anwar looks back on relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji
Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy
· Laura Zhou
Malaysia’s Anwar looks back on relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji
Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy
· Laura Zhou
Crown prince declines to discuss revised Imperial House Law
Crown Prince Akishino declined to discuss the revised Imperial House Law, enacted last month, at a news conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo on Thursday.
· No Author
JD.com’s second-quarter profit climbs 15% as food-delivery losses narrow
Net revenue dips, but still beats analysts’ estimate, as e-commerce giant contends with weak demand and fierce competition
· Ben Jiang
PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition
The move aims to signal to Malay voters that PAS is committed to Islamic values ahead of the next general election, analysts say
· Joseph Sipalan
PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition
The move aims to signal to Malay voters that PAS is committed to Islamic values ahead of the next general election, analysts say
· Joseph Sipalan
‘India’s biggest corporate decision’: Tata Group chair’s exit raises hard succession questions
N Chandrasekaran will step down in February and analysts say the group should prioritise a ‘swift and transparent’ succession process
· Biman Mukherji
‘India’s biggest corporate decision’: Tata Group chair’s exit raises hard succession questions
N Chandrasekaran will step down in February and analysts say the group should prioritise a ‘swift and transparent’ succession process
· Biman Mukherji
Putin watches Russian navy drills off Russia's Sakhalin Island
Footage released by Russian state television showed President Vladimir Putin aboard the missile cruiser Varyag, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, watching live‑fire naval exercises and an underwater explosion off Russia’s Far East. He later travelled to one of the archipelago's four main islands, marking the first …
· AfricaNews
Putin Visits Islands Seized from Japan in World War II, Angering Tokyo
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Thursday visited islands seized from Japan at the end of World War II for the first time, prompting an angry rebuke from Tokyo.
· Javier C Hernandez
"BlackDiamonds Are Forever": How To Profit From The China-Driven Germanium Squeeze
Piper Sandler initiated coverage of LightPath Technologies with an "Overweight" rating and a 12-month price target of $15, citing the defense supplier's proprietary BlackDiamond infrared glass, which completely "circumvents" the need for Germanium amid "significant cost increases and scarcity stemming from recent Ch…
· Tyler Durden
Taiwán ralentiza brevemente su internet móvil a solo texto como parte de maniobras de defensa
Varias personas se ponen a cubierto en una estación de MRT durante un ejercicio de Resistencia Urbana (defensa antiárea), dentro de las maniobras militares anuales Han Kuang en Taipéi, Taiwán, el 13 de agosto de 2026. (AP Foto/Chiang Ying-ying)
· Johnson Lai
U.S. flags S. Korea, Japan, EU, others over transshipment risks involving China-linked goods
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has listed South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the European Union among dozens of economies facing transshipment risks involving China-linked products, a White House report showed Thursday, as it seeks to tackle schemes to evade U.S. tariffs and…
· Song Sang-ho
Chipmaker CXMT becomes China's most valuable company as Tencent slips
Chinese memory chipmaker CXMT went public in July and immediately became the most valuable company listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. © Reuters
· WATARU SUZUKI
Tropical Storm Hernan forms in Pacific
This NOAA satellite image shows a tropical depression becoming Tropical Storm Hernan over the East Pacific, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (NOAA via AP)
DepEd asks for P976-billion budget for 2027
DEPED. The Department of Education headquarters in Pasig City.
· jmantaring0370
Comelec to hold 2028 COC filing in 3rd week of September 2027
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it will open the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2028 national and local elections in the third week of September next year, which is earlier than the previous schedules.
· Dianne Sampang
Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘falls short’ of a Nato-style defence alliance
Observers say diverging strategic interests and a weak mutual security capacity will be the main challenges facing the agreement
· Fan Chen
Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘falls short’ of a Nato-style defence alliance
Observers say diverging strategic interests and a weak mutual security capacity will be the main challenges facing the agreement
· Fan Chen
Businessman Jorge Araneta leads 2026 UP Alumni Association awardees
Images from UP Alumni Association; Rappler composite by Marian Hukom
· gdecastro0289
Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands
In feudal China’s strict marriage system, throwing an embroidered ball subverted rigid family control by leaving a woman’s choice to fate
· Fran Lu
Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands
In feudal China’s strict marriage system, throwing an embroidered ball subverted rigid family control by leaving a woman’s choice to fate
· Fran Lu
CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit
Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi
· Cheryl Arcibal
CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit
Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi
· Cheryl Arcibal
DPWH: Contractor to pay for fresh EDSA potholes
MANILA, Philippines — The contractor behind the recently rehabilitated southbound stretch of EDSA will have to fix its fresh potholes at its own expense, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday, warning that taxpayers will not pay twice for the same roadwork.
· William B. Depasupil
Comelec raises issues, concerns on amendments to party-list law
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday raised questions and cited possible challenges in its preparations for the 2028 national and local elections should the proposed measures of amending the Party-list System Act be enacted into law.
· Dianne Sampang
South Korean airport becomes busiest in world for global traffic amid Iran war
Incheon airport had 38.39m international passengers in first half of 2026, as traffic diverted from Middle East hubs
· Raphael Rashid
House prosecution defends private counsel’s social media post
MANILA, Philippines — Prosecutors from the House of Representatives on Thursday defended private counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan and insisted he did not violate the sub judice rule by posting an explanation of the prohibition on misleading questions.
· Kristina Maralit, Allen Limos
Japan protests as Russia’s Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has paid his first-ever visit to a Russian-administered island chain in the Pacific that is also claimed by Japan, drawing condemnation from Tokyo.
Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men
Christopher Saunders, 76, is one of the most senior Australian Catholics to be convicted in a global clergy abuse scandal
· Associated Press
Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men
Christopher Saunders, 76, is one of the most senior Australian Catholics to be convicted in a global clergy abuse scandal
· Associated Press
Putin Makes First Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands Amid Protests From Japan
President Vladimir Putin visited Russia's far-eastern Kuril Islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting protests by Japan, which also claims the territory.
· AFP
Yellow alert lifted in Metro Manila, nearby areas — Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines —The yellow rainfall warning has been lifted in Metro Manila and in other areas, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that light to moderate rains would prevail in the capital due to the southwest monsoon or "habagat."
· Red Mendoza
Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028
Indonesia hopes to have 13 million electric motorcycles and 2 million electric cars on its roads by 2030
· Reuters
Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028
Indonesia hopes to have 13 million electric motorcycles and 2 million electric cars on its roads by 2030
· Reuters
The 11 key achievements of China’s ‘iron premier’ Zhu Rongji – in his own words
As he laid the groundwork for China’s economic transformation, the tough reformer won a reputation for speaking bluntly
· William Zheng