Asia Today

Today's news: North Korea's economy is experiencing record growth thanks to Russian military contracts. The United States revokes visas for Mahmoud Abbas and 80 Palestinian officials to prevent them from attending the UN General Assembly. China released a list of "authorised sources" for news on digital platforms. In Japan, a government-sponsored video simulation shows the effects of a possible volcanic eruption of Mount Fuji.

Today's news: Kim Keon Hee, wife of former South Korean President Yoon, has been charged with several offences, including corruption. Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi is reportedly killed in Israeli raids in Yemen. The Afghan Taliban accuse Islamabad of a drone attack that reportedly killed three children in the provinces of Nangarhar and Khost. Chinese blogger Zhang Zhan, who reported on COVID-19, remains in prison without trial a year after her second arrest.

Today's news: Kim and Putin will join Xi Jinping at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan. After 156 hearings, the trial of Jimmy Lai has ended, with the verdict to be delivered “in good time” according to the judges. Saudi Arabia and China strengthen trade and investment co-operation. Pakistan accuses India of weaponising water. South Korea bans mobile phones in schools. The Turkey is building bunkers in the country's 81 provinces.

Today's news: An investigation into abuse at a wildlife park linked to the Ambani family has been opened. Tear gas and water cannons were used in Jakarta against protesters demanding cuts to lawmakers’ high salaries and benefits. Despite his recent election defeat, support for Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba is rising. Interim Syrian President al-Sharaa is set to address the UN General Assembly.

Today's news: Six are dead and 86 wounded in Israeli attacks in Sana'a. Despite a majority in favour of reopening Taiwan’s last nuclear power plant, referendum fails because the turnout fell short of the legal threshold. Vietnam plans to evacuate over half a million people ahead of Typhoon Kajiki. Jailed former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe is in stable conditions after he was hospitalised in intensive care.

Today's news: UN agency officially declares famine in Gaza City; dozens of Palestinians are killed in Israeli raids. India's Supreme Court rules that stray dogs must be released after vaccination and sterilisation. Protests take place in Indonesia over Prabowo's cuts to regional funding. Warning shots are fired at the inter-Korean border.

Today's news: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kabul calls for Taliban cooperation against “Uyghur militants”. Saudi Arabia carries out the death sentence against a Shia “terrorist" arrested when he was 15. India bans all forms of online gambling. South Korea cracks down on real estate purchases by foreign individuals and companies in Seoul. The Catholic community in Nizhny Novgorod gets its Church back.

Today's news: Palestinians flee the outskirts of Gaza City, as the Israeli army begins operations, but ceasefire negotiations continue; meanwhile, Israel inks final approval for the E-1 settlement, which would make a Palestinian state impossible. India has tested a ballistic missile with a 5,000-km range. Deer reach record numbers in Nara Park in the city of Nara, but accidents are also on the rise. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan spoke to his people defending the peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Today's news: Thailand opens its doors to 10,000 Sri Lankan workers to replace Cambodians after border war. Japan wants to launch a new area of economic cooperation with Africa. In the United Arab Emirates, an archaeological dig unearths a 1,400-year-old cross. Turkey repatriated two human rights activists to Turkmenistan.

Today's news: The Washington summit with Trump and European leaders leads to openings for a meeting between Putin and Zelensky to end the war in Ukraine. Hamas is willing to accept a ceasefire proposal, while Israel is moving forward with its offensive in Gaza City. Philippine Senate starts investigation into corruption in flood control procurement. Singapore and Thailand reach agreement on carbon credits.

Today's news: Zelensky meets with Trump and European leaders. North Korea is set to send more troops to Russia. The search continues for hundreds of people missing following floods in Pakistan, with victims also reported in Indian Kashmir. Coca-Cola faces a storm in Cambodia after a local celebrity endorser was fired for supporting the war with Thailand. A Nagasaki hospital has digitised the medical records of 50,000 hibakusha.

Today's headlines: Israel wants to transfer Gazans to South Sudan, Hamas “softens” demands; Diplomatic success for Moscow, but no agreement on Ukraine after Putin meets Trump in Alaska; Seoul baulks at Japanese ministers visit to the war shrine; Hundreds poisoned in Indonesian President Prabowo's free meal programme; The UN says there were “war crimes” in last March's sectarian violence against Alawites.