Asia

Ceasefire Without Closure: How Iran, Israel and the US Have Emerged from 12 Days of Conflict

Undoubtedly, the biggest achievement for the Israeli government was persuading Washington to carry out direct strikes on Iran.

'For some, Modi is first': Mallikarjun Kharge takes dig at Shashi Tharoor

Brazilian tourist’s dream trek ends in tragedy on Indonesian volcano

Inside the Global Deal-Making Behind Trump’s Mass Deportations

The administration is pushing nations around the world, including ones at war, to take people expelled by the U.S. government who are not citizens of those countries.

China’s premier vows to ‘open its doors wider’ to trade and tech industry

‘Globalisation will not be reversed,’ Li Qiang tells annual World Economic Forum event

Australian journalist wins unfair dismissal case over Gaza post

The judge found the ABC did not give Antoinette Lattouf a chance to defend herself before she was fired

India forcibly sterilised 8m men: One village remembers, 50 years later

The imposition of a state of national emergency on June 25, 1975, was India’s closest brush with dictatorship.

In China, the Labubu craze has electrified the toy industry

Created by a Beijing-based company, manufactured in China and sold via vending machines, these collectible figurines delight Gen Z and are flying off the shelves abroad.

Brazilian hiker found dead after falling off Indonesia volcano trail

HMS Prince of Wales leads strike group into East Asia uncertainty

The British aircraft carrier leads a fleet of boats from allied navies as the spectre of conflict between China and Taiwan looms

'Friendly plane wave': Israel defies Trump's ceasefire plan; launches missiles at Iran

Taiwan has upped the ante in the cold war over chips

Taipei blacklisting of leading Chinese tech groups including Huawei and SMIC comes as US weighs additional restrictions

UK aircraft carrier in Pacific on rare deployment

The BBC speaks to Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the UK carrier strike group, on deployment in Indo-Pacific.

Wednesday Briefing: New Details About U.S. Strikes on Iran

Plus, Australia’s “Flying Padres”

Why is China so concerned about Israel-Iran tensions?

June 24, 2025 • China is closely watching whether Israel and Iran can broker a ceasefire. Beijing gets much of its crude oil imports from Iran through a "dark fleet" of vessels to evade American sanctions.

Maharashtra: Govt Bans Meat Sale For 10 Days in Solapur for Pandharpur Wari Yatra

A complete ban on liquor sales has also been announced in the district during this period.

Israel-Iran live: Trump orders Israel ‘do not drop those bombs’

Body found in hunt for tourist on active Indonesian volcano

Brazilian national Juliana Marins, 26, slipped nearly 500 metres down Mount Rinjani while walking with a guided group

How much have US wars in the Middle East and Afghanistan cost?

More than 20 years of US wars have directly killed an estimated 940,000 people and cost the US $5.8 trillion.

Thailand’s army closes Cambodia border crossings as territorial tensions escalate

Middle East crisis: Trump says Israel, Iran agree to 'complete and total ceasefire'

Tuesday Briefing: Iran Struck a U.S. Base in Qatar

Plus, the 100 best movies of the 21st century.

US-Iran latest: Trump calls response ‘weak’ after attack on US base

Iran Launches Missiles on US Military Base in Qatar; Indian Embassy Issues Caution

Airspace closures rippled across the Gulf, from Iraq and the UAE to Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting Indian airlines to announce delays, cancellations and flight diversions.

Ukraine and UK to jointly produce long-range drones, Zelenskyy says

In South Korea, fans celebrate end of military service for K-pop's BTS

The mandatory military service of the members of the world's most famous K-pop group sparked intense debate in South Korea, even leading to the adoption of a law allowing stars to postpone enlistment until age 30 to protect their careers.

Indians should be ashamed to speak English, says Modi’s minister

Amit Shah claims language is legacy of colonial rule and should be stamped out, but critics accuse him of wanting to disenfranchise the poor

Global protests over US strikes on Iran

Video shows protests across the world in response to US air strikes on Iran.

US asks China to stop Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Press TV had earlier reported that parliament had approved a plan to close the Strait.

Japan’s ruling party suffers record low result in Tokyo poll

PM Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP defeated ahead of upper house vote next month

‘Many countries are ready': After US strike, Russia hints at nuclear warhead support to Iran

How China made electric vehicles mainstream

The world's second largest economy is both the biggest producer and buyer of EVs.

Key players tangle at UNSC at ‘perilous turn’ of US-Israel-Iran conflict

Tensions soar at UN as Iran, allies condemn US military action, while US, Israel reject censure.

Monday Briefing: The U.S. Struck Iran

Plus, a farmer’s fire brigade in Canada.

Israel-Iran live: Trump claims ‘we took the bomb out of Iran’s hands’

Alarm in Middle East over US strikes on Iran amid fears of widening conflict

Taiwan launches unity drive as China threat looms

President Lai Ching-te makes push as his party campaigns to reclaim control of parliament

US-Israeli War on Iran: Tactical Success May Not Add Up to Strategic Victory

In choosing bombs over diplomacy, Donald Trump has handed Israel a short-term win while setting fire to decades of global nuclear restraint — a reckless act of war that may haunt the Middle East and the world for years.

‘We had seconds to decide if India’s missile was nuclear’

A former Pakistani foreign minister whose mother was assassinated says that despite the truce, these neighbours are closer to war than ever

'Giving them two weeks': Donald Trump’s timeless countdown returns; this time with Iran

‘We had seconds to decide if India’s missile was nuclear’

A former Pakistani foreign minister whose father was assassinated says that despite the truce, these neighbours are closer to war than ever

For 50 years, Sydney Opera House has had one man on speed dial

Terry Harper has been tuning pianos in the iconic venue since he was a teen - a family legacy started by his dad.

Air India C.E.O.’s Comments on Crash Draw Backlash Online

A video statement by Campbell Wilson, Air India’s chief executive, after the June 12 plane crash was nearly identical to one given five months earlier by the head of American Airlines, after a crash in Washington, D.C.

Amit Shah’s Attack on English Betrays India’s Pluralist Foundations

Amit Shah's assertion disregards the historical reality that several foreign languages, including English, have helped transmit the treasures of Indian culture to the wider world.

In India, thousands stretch to celebrate International Yoga Day

Thousands of people gathered in public spaces on Saturday to practice asanas and breathing exercises across the country.

Japan cancels US talks after ‘being ordered to spend more on defence’

Pakistan to nominate ‘genuine peacemaker’ Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Trump has repeatedly said he averted a nuclear war, saved millions of lives – and grumbled that he got no credit for it.

Labubu: the tiny elf doll driving China’s most valuable toy company

Pop Mart’s $40bn market capitalisation has surpassed that of Hasbro and Mattel combined on back of hot-selling collectibles

'Disturbing': Putin on World War III risk; flags concern over Israel-Iran conflict

BTS is back - but the K-pop superstars are returning to a changed industry

While the Korean superstars served in the military, their industry has seen stalled album sales and scandals.

Trump-Munir Lunch: Why the US Still Courts Pakistan’s Generals, Even as They March with China

Field Marshal Asim Munir’s lunch at the White House may have irked India, but it reaffirmed a long-standing pattern: the US military’s deep-rooted, transactional ties with Pakistan’s army endure, despite geopolitical shifts, public estrangement and Islamabad’s growing proximity to Beijing.

Outrage in China after Royal Navy ship sails through Taiwan Strait

Beijing accuses Britain of ‘causing trouble’ and ‘undermining peace’

Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more defence spending

Allies’ top defence and foreign policy officials were due to hold talks on July 1

His Prison Term Halved, Former Malaysia Leader Wins Another Reprieve

Money-laundering charges against Najib Razak were dropped because of prosecutorial delays, intensifying criticism that he was being treated leniently.

Thai PM apologises for leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen

Chinese cities are facing the financial abyss of their subway systems

After high-speed rail, subway lines are now dragging the cities they serve into huge levels of debt. This is due to colossal construction and operating costs, minimal revenues and a toxic relationship with real estate developers.

Amid US-Pakistan thaw, two key challenges: Iran and China

Pakistani army chief Munir’s US trip suggests warming ties after past diplomatic friction. But challenges remain.

Cash-at-home case: Probe panel junks theories offered by Varma in his defence- Here's what report said

Adorable or just weird? How Labubu dolls conquered the world

The dolls have almost tripled their maker's profits - and, according to some, energised Chinese soft power.

Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thai Leader Who Set Off Bloody Protests, Dies at 91

A top general, he was appointed prime minister in 1992, a short-lived tenure that immediately incited the Black May uprising — and a violent backlash by his military.

Rochdale grooming gang leaders may finally be deported to Pakistan

The country has refused to accept Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan after they renounced their citizenship, but the decision could soon be reversed

Canada Spy Agency Flags Khalistani Extremism and Indian Foreign Interference in Public Report

The scope of this report is larger than last year's, which made no mention of Khalistani extremism and limited mention of India.

Why Vietnam should revamp its economic model

Donald Trump’s trade shock is a wake-up call for faster reform

Air India crash latest: Black box to be sent to US after heavy damage

Putin to visit China for regional summit and WWII commemorations

The Russian president will travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, hold talks with Xi Jinping and join September 3 ceremonies marking Japan's WWII surrender.

Trump’s Pakistan embrace: ‘Tactical romance’ or a new ‘inner circle’?

Trump hosts Pakistan army chief Asim Munir for an unprecedented White House lunch, as the US and Pakistan reset ties.

Israel-Iran conflict: This number could define outcome - The missile math explained

US warns Britain over Chinese wind farm security risks

Mingyang’s plan to build Scottish turbine factory has raised fears about surveillance

Thursday Briefing: Trump’s Indecision on Iran

Plus, Studio Ghibliesque video games.

Lone survivor of Air India crash mourns brother

Viswashkumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of last week’s Air India disaster, wept as his brother’s body arrived.

After Modi’s Call, Trump Still Insists He Helped Stop India-Pakistan Hostilities

“I stopped the war between Pakistan and India,” Trump said even as Modi rejected the president's version of events over a phone call.

Korean pop star’s cap inflames historic resentment of Japan

Jungkook, a member of the boy band BTS, has issued an apology after wearing a cap with the words ‘Make Tokyo Great Again’

India and Canada restore ambassadors as Modi and Carney meet at G7

Lone Air India survivor carries coffin of brother killed in crash

A visibly upset Ramesh was overcome with grief carrying his brother's coffin to the crematorium.

China, Iran's main economic backer, remains a bystander to the Middle East conflict

As Chinese diplomacy becomes increasingly active in the Middle East, Beijing, which buys 90% of Iran's exported oil, has continued to leave the role of regional policing to the US.

30,000-pound 'bunker-buster': How US bomb works; why it’s key to Israel's strike on Iran

Trump plans to delay TikTok ban for a third time

US president will sign an executive order this week extending deal deadline by 90 days

Wednesday Briefing: Trump Calls for Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’

Plus, Octopuses’ marvelous arms.

China, Iran's main economic backer, remains a bystander to the Middle East conflict

As Chinese diplomacy becomes increasingly active in the Middle East, Beijing – which buys 90% of Iran's exported oil – has continued to leave the role of regional policing to the US.

No Major Safety Concerns in Air India’s Boeing 787 Fleet Says DGCA

The DGCA said that of the 16 Air India flights that were cancelled on Tuesday,13 were from the Boeing 787 fleet – the same type of aircraft that had crashed carrying 242 passengers on board last week.

Bomb survivors criticise ‘creepy’ ceremony for emperor in Hiroshima

Opponents say the mobilisation of schoolchildren to cheer the visit is a throwback to the days of Japan’s pre-war militarism

Air India plane crash latest: Evidence reveals possible cause of crash

The teen who filmed the Air India crash video the world saw

Aryan Asari just wanted to film planes flying in the sky - but he ended up capturing one of the country's biggest air crashes.

What N Korea warship failure teaches us about Kim's regime

The intrigue has less to do with the failure itself and more with how Kim Jong Un reacted.

4 mid-air scares; 3 U-turns, one emergency landing: Flyers on the edge in last 36 hrs

With Iran-Israel Conflict In Fourth Day, Many Indians in Tehran Bussed Out, Some Remain Stranded

Internet issues meant some were unable to receive information on time. Meanwhile, others still headed to Iran's borders on their own.

Age of AI ‘raises risk of nuclear war by accident’

China’s expanding nuclear arsenal and the rise of artificial intelligence in military strategy risk fuelling a new kind of war, experts warn

Tuesday Briefing: Israel Attacked Iranian State TV

Plus, China’s soft-power toy.

China’s Xi Jinping meets Central Asian leaders: Why their summit matters

China is the region’s top trading partner, but Russia and the US both have a presence, too.

Air India plane crash latest: Evidence reveals possible cause of crash

Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc makes $19bn bid to take over Australia’s Santos

Consortium’s offer for natural gas developer comes as energy markets are on edge over Israel-Iran conflict

Pune bridge tragedy: Rust, overcrowding or neglect - What caused the collapse?

New clues point to engine failure for cause of Air India plane crash

Videos and witness reports suggest that the Boeing 787 could have experienced power loss from both engines

Monday Briefing: Israel and Iran Traded Missile Strikes

Plus, the Dalai Lama’s succession.

Embassy In Tehran Aiding Relocation of Indian Students Within Iran Amid Conflict With Israel

Earlier, officials said evacuations were dangerous with ‘bombs and missiles going off’ even as some Indians were keen to be relocated.

US sends a shot across the bows of its allies over submarine deal

Critics say review of the Aukus pact aims to force Australia to spend more on its own defence

Air India plane crash death toll rises to 270

Dr Dhaval Gameti said 270 bodies have been recovered from the site of Thursday's plane crash in Ahmedabad.

He flew home to bury his father. The Air India crash took his life

Seven killed in helicopter crash in India’s Uttarakhand state

Incident comes days after an Air India plane crashed in the western Ahmedabad city, killing all but one of 242 on board.

Kazakhstan families search for clues about the 270,000 'missing soldiers' of the World War II Soviet Army

Nearly a quarter of the one million Kazakhs conscripted into the Red Army during the 'Great Patriotic War,' the Russian term for World War II, went missing. Eighty years later, their descendants are getting organized to trace their whereabouts.

Explainer: How Iran's nuclear progress triggered Israeli strike - and why it matters

‘Thrust not achieved. Falling’: 30 seconds and Flight 171 was lost

Questions are mounting for both Boeing and the airline’s owner Tata Group about how a plane carrying 242 people can drop out of the sky

Wait for bodies deepens pain of families after Air India crash

Officials said on Saturday that 11 victims had been identified so far based on their DNA samples.

British Gujaratis Gather to Mourn Those Who Died in Air India Crash

The disaster in the Indian state of Gujarat affected thousands in Britain’s Gujarati diaspora. Some of them came together on Saturday to remember the victims.

As SCO Condemns Israel for Attack on Iran, India Dissociates Itself from Statement

The SCO statement did not indicate that any member had dissociated from it. However, India issued a separate statement almost concurrently, clarifying that it was not part of the SCO’s decision-making on this matter.

Surge in bond yields adds to pressure on BoJ

Policymakers to decide on how to proceed with tapering of massive bond-buying programme

Grief engulfs neighbourhood where Air India crash killed dozens

At least 270 bodies recovered from Air India crash site in Ahmedabad

Most bodies are charred or mutilated, and the local authorities are working to identify them by matching DNA samples.

On China, Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis

The new pontiff has implemented an agreement signed in 2018 between the Holy See and Beijing, though some Catholic factions have criticized it.

Iran launches new wave of missile attacks on Israel, says state TV

Facing China, Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis by appointing a bishop in Fuzhou

The new pontiff has implemented an agreement signed in 2018 between the Holy See and Beijing, though some Catholic factions have criticized it.

Air India plane crash: Second black box recovered from wreckage

Aukus: Could Trump sink Australia's submarine plans?

The White House has put the landmark agreement between the US, UK and Australia under review.

Sole Survivor of India Plane Crash Recounts How He Survived

Viswash Kumar Ramesh was one of 242 people on the 787-8 Dreamliner that went down shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, and the only known survivor.

As Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates, Modi Speaks of Need for 'Early Restoration of Peace'

Late on Friday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel, many of which were seen flying over the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

From dancing robots to DeepSeek, the university helping China to win tech race

Hangzhou has produced some of the world’s most impressive entrepreneurs, securing a top slot in the global technological revolution

Air India ‘black box’ retrieved as crash investigation starts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits site of country’s worst civil aviation disaster in almost three decades

Boeing CEO cancels airshow visit as investigation starts on India crash

This was to be Boeing CEO Ortberg’s first airshow since he was appointed to lead the company out of multiple crises.

UK financial regulators should copy Singapore model, say peers

British watchdogs are too slow and risk-averse, Lords committee states

Air India crash refuels Boeing and airline’s problems

Fatal crash raises new concerns for both firms as they try to revamp after years of problems that marred reputations.

‘I Don’t Know How I Am Alive,’ Air India Crash Survivor Tells Family

Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 38, who sustained multiple injuries, a doctor said, was the only passenger out of 242 people on board the plane to walk away.

Air India says 241 on board plane killed in crash with one British survivor

The plane carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals and 53 Britons, hit a residential area, with some on the ground also feared dead.

British man is sole survivor as 241 passengers confirmed dead

A total of 242 people, including 53 Britons, were aboard the Boeing 787-8, bound for Gatwick, which crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad

At least 265 dead in India plane crash, one passenger survives

One passenger survived as Air India's flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, officials said.

Air India plane crash: ‘Many killed’ in London-bound flight crash

New China Trade ‘Deal’ Takes U.S. Back to Where It Started

If a handshake agreement holds, it would merely undo some of the damage from the trade war that President Trump started.

Trump says US-China deal ‘done’ as two sides restore trade war truce

US president reveals agreement struck with Beijing covers rare earths

Fashion brands accused of shortcuts on climate pledges overlooking workers

A new report accuses fashion giants of not considering the welfare of workers affected by climate change.

Mongolian PM ‘ousted by Putin ally in smear campaign’

Government sources claim that Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene is the victim of an effective coup by the country’s president

Gangster tells BBC why India's biggest hip-hop star was murdered

Three years after Moose Wala's murder, the BBC investigates how he found himself an enemy of a feared gang.

Trump touts 'done' deal with Beijing on rare earths, Chinese students

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US and China had agreed on a deal to preserve a trade war truce, with Beijing to supply rare earth minerals, and the US to allow Chinese students to attend its colleges.

India ramps up deportation of alleged migrants to Bangladesh

US-China trade talks in London poised to enter third day

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent leaves negotiations to return to Washington

Treasury chief returns to US as China trade talks ongoing

The negotiations, taking place in London, follow talks in Geneva last month, which saw a temporary agreement to lower tariffs. US President Donald Trump told reporters Monday: 'We are doing well with China. China's not easy.'

Wednesday Briefing: Why U.S. Troops Are in Los Angeles

Plus, the travel writer’s dilemma.

Pakistan ramps up defence spending by 20 percent after India conflict

Defence spending surges in Islamabad’s new budget, even as overall expenditures shrink.

Two BTS stars finish military service as fans await comeback

RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and all seven BTS members would have finished the requirement by the end of June.

‘Not justice’: Father laments as court acquits men accused of killing sons during Delhi riots

Curry crisis as cost of Japan’s comfort dish surges

Rising rice prices threaten curry rice restaurants as the government considers imports to curb inflation

Curfew and internet shutdown in India's violence-hit Manipur state

Violence erupted in parts of the state after the arrest of leaders from the Arambai Tenggol rebel group.

US, China trade talks to stretch into second day

The discussions come just a few days after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first publicly announced telephone talks since the Republican returned to the White House.

Tuesday Briefing: California’s Lawsuit Against Trump

Plus, a triumph at the Tonys for a musical set in South Korea.

Trump eyes easing US chip export restrictions to secure Chinese rare earths

Top White House official says a deal could be struck as part of trade talks between the two countries

‘Not justice’: Father laments as court acquits men accused of killing sons during Delhi riots

India-Pakistan conflict claims an unlikely victim: Himalayan pink salt

The recent trade ban comes on the heels of an armed attack in Kashmir in which gunmen killed 26 people.

The forgotten story of India's brush with presidential rule

Indira Gandhi's aides pushed for a presidential system - centralising power and sidelining courts and parliament.

Monday Briefing: Tensions Flare in Los Angeles

Plus, the French Open’s stunning finals.

India’s coal champion reopens dozens of mines

State-owned Coal India chair says company is also preparing greenfield projects as renewables struggle to meet energy demand

‘Open prison’: The forced labour driving India’s $5 trillion economy dream

India has more than 300 million unorganised sector workers. Many suffer from withheld wages, endless toil and coercion.

Why India’s census will ask about caste for first time since the Raj

Officials who have to cross rivers in rafts, dodge wild animals and scale mountains to visit every household will ask a question not posed in decades

Everything we know about world’s highest railway arch bridge

Everything we know about world’s highest railway arch bridge

White House warns UK not to allow Chinese embassy near City

Senior US officials are ‘deeply concerned’ about espionage risk to sensitive financial data

Body of Thai hostage recovered from Gaza, Israel says

Nattapong Pinta was captured alive and was likely killed during the first months of captivity, the Israeli military says.

Chinese Students Reconsider the U.S. as Republicans Threaten Their Visas

Critics say proposals to restrict or even ban Chinese student visas take a “sledgehammer to a problem that needs highly targeted tools.”

China fast tracks rare earth export licences for European companies

Beijing has attempted to improve relations with Brussels since Donald Trump returned to the White House

Indian Premier League cricket championship sparks deadly stampede

At least 11 people died in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in Bengaluru

Rare earths: China's magnet war threatens global industry

Rare earth magnets, which are essential to car manufacturing as well as the defense and home appliance sectors, have started to run short in factories worldwide following China's export restrictions. The country holds a monopoly over their production.

On board the driverless lorries hoping to transform China's transport industry

Driverless lorries are now operating across China - but public concern about these vehicles remains.

Buyer With Ties to Chinese Communist Party Got V.I.P. Treatment at Trump Crypto Dinner

The warm welcome for a technology executive whose purchases of the president’s digital coin won him a White House tour illustrates inconsistencies in the administration’s views toward visitors from China.

Trump says US-China trade talks to be held in London on June 9

Announcement follows phone call between American president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping

Kashmir in the crossfire

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder takes us through the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.

China surpasses German engineering with world’s tallest wind turbine

Announcement of a 340m turbine, taller than the Eiffel Tower, follows huge economic investment by President Xi’s government in green technologies

Frequent TikTok users in Taiwan more likely to agree with pro-China narratives, study finds

Survey shows correlation between use of Chinese-owned platform and approval of unification with China

Everything we know about world’s highest railway arch bridge

Millions of Afghans living in Iran are threatened with expulsion

The four million Afghans living – undocumented or not – in the territory of the Islamic Republic are at risk of being sent back to their country. Previously tolerated, they are now also facing a violent anti-migrant campaign from Iranians.

‘Total discrimination’: Chinese students facing US visa ban say their lives are in limbo

Across the US, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students are now uncertain about their academic future and some are considering moving a

Any respite for Japan’s bonds is likely to be short-term

Foreigners have recently been the only major buyers of the country’s longer-term government debt

In Iran, millions of Afghans are facing the threat of expulsion

The four million Afghans living – undocumented or not – in the territory of the Islamic Republic are at risk of being sent back to their country. Once tolerated, these exiles are now also facing a violent anti-migrant campaign from Iranians.

Deadly mushroom cook weighed fatal dose on kitchen scales, says prosecutor

Erin Patterson told the court she didn't believe the mushrooms in photos recovered from her phone were toxic.

Friday Briefing: Trump and Musk Trade Insults

Plus, tips for healthy aging.

Who was Sana Yousaf, Pakistani TikTok star shot dead by a gunman?

The 17-year-old TikToker was killed in her home in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, on Monday.

How some of the world’s rarest trees found refuge in Chinese temples

Religious devotion has resulted in several threatened species finding sanctuary within temple grounds, a study has found

Women working for UN in Kabul face stalking and death threats

In Thailand, where mysticism thrives, AI fortune telling finds fertile ground

South Korea’s new president: We will co-operate with Kim Jong-un

Lee Jae-myung tells nation he will seek to ‘win without fighting’ North Korea — but raises fears of a domestic purge after predecessor’s ‘insurrection’

FirstFT: Apple and Alibaba’s AI rollout in China hit by delay

Also in today’s newsletter, South Korea’s new president warns of ‘tangled web’ of crises, and why Toyota Industries shareholders are outraged

Teen TikTok star shot dead after man broke into her home, police say

The 17-year-old's murder has sparked a debate about women on social media in Pakistan.

Thursday Briefing: Trump’s Call With Putin

Plus, threatened, ancient trees thrive in Chinese temples.

Over 200 inmates escape Pakistani prison after earthquake

Over 200 inmates escaped from a prison in Karachi, Pakistan, after being removed from their cells during earthquake.

The rise of China's vertical factory farms housing thousands of pigs

To prevent another outbreak of swine fever, China has transformed its traditional pig farms into giant factory farms. In Hongqiao, Hubei province, two buildings now house hundreds of thousands of pigs.

Lee Jae Myung vows ‘lasting peace’ with North Korea in first speech

Democrat Lee Jae-myung wins a sweeping victory in South Korea's presidential election

Democratic opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung has won South Korea's presidential election, which was held following former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his declaration of martial law. Lee now faces the challenge of pulling the country out of the turmoil triggered by the political crisis and by serious economic difficulties.

‘They are in shock’: Indian students fear Trump has ended their American dream

Wednesday Briefing: Staggering Casualties in Ukraine

Plus, it’s Pride Month.

South Korean opposition wins presidency after months of political chaos

Lee Jae-myung was voted in exactly six months after his predecessor made a failed martial law bid.

Divisive ‘scrappy fighter’ wins big in South Korea election

Lee Jae-myung, a left-winger, said that ‘power should not to be used for the president’s personal interests’ as his opponent concedes

Kohli wins first IPL title as RCB beat Punjab Kings in final

Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru win first Indian Premier League title, beating Punjab Kings by six runs.

Exit polls in South Korea election show huge victory for Lee Jae Myung

South Korean leftwinger Lee Jae-myung wins presidential election

Democratic party candidate pledges to protect democracy after securing clear victory over conservative rival

Mongolia PM resigns after losing confidence vote that followed weeks of protests

South Korea votes for new president after failed martial law bid

Millions vote for a new president, after six months of turmoil sparked by a failed martial law attempt and the impeachment of former leader Yoon Suk Yeol.

Liverpool university’s China JV has links to sanctioned entities, report says

Think-tank highlights how Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has come under scrutiny by the US and EU

Mongolia's prime minister resigns after losing a vote of confidence in parliament following protests

Early on June 3, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsra resigned, having received only 44 votes − well short of the 64 needed. Oyun-Erdene had previously warned that the vote could lead to instability and shake Mongolia’s fledgling democracy.

Tuesday Briefing: South Korea Votes

Plus, box office success for “Lilo & Stitch.”

‘To understand the horrors of Hiroshima, you had to live through it’

A handful of Japanese ‘memory keepers’ are determined to teach new generation the lessons of 1945 nuclear blast

China threatens action after accusing US of violating tariffs truce

Inside Singapore: From British colony to global finance nerve centre

Protected by British gunboats and Gurkhas, Singapore plays an outsized role in the world’s banking and oil system.

‘Everyone feels unsafe’: Border panic as Indian forces kill Myanmar rebels

An unstated border understanding between India and Myanmar’s government-in-exile has broken down, replaced by fear.

China warns Britain over Royal Navy aircraft carrier in east Asia

More than 3,000 personnel are involved in the eight-month deployment of HMS Prince of Wales

Monday Briefing: Ukraine bombarded Russian air bases

Plus, the tech bros of “Mountainhead.”

Pakistan sweep series against Bangladesh as Haris hits 107 in third T20I

Opener scores 107 off 46 as Pakistan chase 197 with seven wickets in hand and 16 balls to spare for 3-0 series win.

Scientists accuse New Zealand and Ireland of trying to cover up livestock emissions

‘Accounting trick’ to support methane-emitting sectors undermines fight against climate change, say researchers

Myanmar junta extends ceasefire again after quake

The junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

China hits back at Trump official Pete Hegseth for ‘sabre-rattling and fear-mongering’

These women helped bring down a president - now they say they feel invisible

A snap presidential election has exposed South Korea's stark gender divide.

China accuses Pete Hegseth of sowing division in Asia in speech ‘filled with provocations’

How Beijing pursues its ethnic enemies to the ends of the earth

A million Uighurs and other Muslims are packed into re-education camps but the few who leave China are persecuted, threatened and even forced to spy

They helped oust a president - now South Korean women say they are invisible again

A snap presidential election has exposed South Korea's stark gender divide.

Valerie Mahaffey, Actress Who Played Quirky Villains, Dies at 71

She had memorable roles on TV shows like “Desperate Housewives” and “Northern Exposure,” and in the dark comedy film “French Exit.”

Hegseth warns Chinese military action against Taiwan ‘could be imminent’

Beijing says US defence secretary is trying to instigate confrontation and stir up the region

India top general admits aerial ‘losses’ in recent conflict with Pakistan

General Anil Chauhan appears to confirm India lost at least one jet during conflict with Pakistan earlier this month.

Empire’s echo: Why Britain cannot ignore Kashmir

As the former imperial power, Britain should not escape its historic responsibility for tensions between India and Pakistan.

Macron says West is losing credibility with Gaza ‘double standards’

Doubts raised over Chinese paraglider’s claim of accidental 8,000-metre flight

Hegseth reassures US support for Indo-Pacific allies against 'imminent' threat of China

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global security conference hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan, it's 'actively training for it, every day.'

How Bondi mass killer slipped through the cracks in Australia

An inquest is examining whether there were "missed opportunities" to stop Joel Cauchi's stabbing rampage.

Football boot makers jump out of kangaroo leather

Japanese sportswear groups Asics and Mizuno to use alternative materials following decades of activist pressure

Denying Visas to Chinese Students Could Backfire on America

Protecting the borders from espionage is essential. It’s something else to deny students because they are Chinese and hope to pursue a STEM degree in the United States.

Pakistan seal T20 series against Bangladesh with 57-run win

Three wickets Abrar by followed fifties by Sahibzada and Nawaz as the hosts took a 2-0 series lead against Bangladesh.

Can presidential frontrunner Lee Jae Myung bring stability to Korea?

Macron calls on Europe and Asia to ‘unite against bullies’

The French president has argued that countries should not have to choose between China and the US — and should build ‘a new coalition of independence’

Europe and Asia should form ‘positive new alliance’, says Macron in Singapore

Macron calls on Asian and European countries to form 'a positive new alliance'

While speaking at a defense and security summit in Singapore, President Emmanuel Macron also said Western countries must not 'abandon Gaza,' and urged Asian leaders not to see the war in Ukraine as a distant problem.

Chinese students find themselves caught in the US-China crossfire - again

The souring relationship between the nations has already caused issues for students at home and in the US.

Trump orders US chip software suppliers to stop selling to China

Move by Washington is latest effort to stymie geopolitical rival’s technological advance

Chinese Paraglider Reaches Near-Record Heights, Over 28,000 Feet, by Accident

After video of the incident went viral, showing a face and body covered in ice, the local sporting authority said it had banned the paraglider from the sport for six months.

China hails Chagos Islands deal as ‘massive achievement’

The approval of Beijing’s ambassador to Mauritius contradicts Sir Keir Starmer’s claim that China has opposed the deal

Why is Donald Trump cracking down on international students?

US administration said it will revoke the visas of Chinese students.

Can presidential frontrunner Lee Jae Myung bring stability to Korea?

Macron decorates Indonesian leader with France's highest honor

French President Emmanuel Macron also announced a new cultural partnership with Indonesia.

Chinese paraglider survives accidental 8,000-metre-high flight above the clouds

How political chaos helped forge South Korea's presidential frontrunner

A political implosion turned controversial politician Lee Jae-myung into a presidential favourite.

Nvidia quarterly revenue surges nearly 70% despite China curbs

US chipmaker’s share price rises even as it takes $4.5bn charge linked to restrictions on sales

Has India really overtaken Japan as world’s 4th largest economy?

Thursday Briefing: Aid Chaos Grows in Gaza

Plus, the Met’s new wondrous space.

Pakistan’s Hasan Ali claims five wickets as Bangladesh beaten by 37 runs

Pakistan win the opening match of the three-game T20 series against Bangladesh by 37 runs in Lahore.

Indian paintings reveal what bewitched British colonialists

Exhibition unveils artistic fusion of exotic flora and fauna with western tastes

How social media lies fuelled a rush to war between India and Pakistan

In Indonesia, Macron pushes for 'political solution' to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Ahead of the international summit on the two-state solution in New York at the end of June, Paris is seeking a joint declaration with the world's most populous Muslim country.

Peak speed: Sherpas say their traditions are at risk after record Everest ascents

How political chaos helped forge South Korea's presidential frontrunner

A political implosion turned controversial politician Lee Jae-myung into a presidential favourite.

Wednesday Briefing: Chaos at a Gaza Aid Site

Plus, climbing Mount Everest with a performance enhancer.

Prince Harry flies from LA to Shanghai to promote greener travel

Duke of Sussex made surprise visit to China to urge travel industry to meet global climate goals

Japanese bonds rally on hopes of less supply

Finance ministry survey appears designed to confirm that demand for super long-dated JGBs is low

China could seize Taiwan’s outlying islands, US report warns

‘Everest Man’ breaks own record for climbing world’s highest mountain

Kami Rita, a 55-year-old Sherpa known as “Everest Man”, first climbed the world’s highest mountain in 1994.

In Japan, the spirit of mingei is still alive

Their strength lies in patience and the ancestral skills they bring to the workbench every day, working in the spirit of mingei – a folk art movement launched in 1925, of which they are the heirs. A century later, these lacquerers, potters, weavers and dyers who celebrate the simple beauty of everyday objects stand as resisters.

The ‘quiet’ crisis brewing between the US and South Korea

Trade tensions are building, the military alliance is under pressure and Korean domestic politics is fraught. Can Seoul negotiate a way out?

Japan flight made emergency landing after man tried opening door

Police said the man was "having a medical crisis" and was restrained by fellow passengers and crew.

Tuesday Briefing: U.S. and E.U. Talk Trade

Plus, defining Sweden’s culture.

Afghan villagers struggle years after US dropped ‘mother of all bombs’

Villagers in a remote corner of Afghanistan are still struggling with the aftermath of the “mother of all bombs.”

Emmanuel Macron says video of wife pushing him shows them ‘joking around’

After Pikachu and Pudding, Japan bans ‘flashy’ children’s names

Parents will have to opt for something more traditional after a clampdown on unusual pronunciations

In Vietnam, Macron aims to seize on ongoing reforms to boost French investments

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Vietnam on Sunday, the first leg of a Southeast Asian diplomatic tour.

Oil spill feared after cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast

Shein assembles a lineup of former politicians to defend its interests

In France, former interior minister Christophe Castaner and lawyer and former secretary of state Nicole Guedj are among the figures recruited to lobby for the Chinese behemoth, alongside Günther Oettinger, former European commissioner.

Monday Briefing: Russia Bombards Ukraine

Plus, Mexico City’s artistic eras.

Raza the hero as Lahore beat Quetta for third Pakistan Super League trophy

Qalandars chase a record target of 202 against the Gladiators as Raza returns from Test duty to hit the winning runs.

Cambodian politicians ‘profit from online scammers’

The country generates up to $19bn a year from scams, about 60 per cent of its GDP and a new report claims the state protects the criminals involved

Indian MP slammed for saying widows of Kashmir attack lacked ‘heroism’

School bus attack caught in tensions between Pakistan and India

Claims of sponsored militant attacks are intensifying, even as a fragile ceasefire holds.

Don’t underestimate the Chinese consumer

Reforms, urbanisation and demographic shifts could all sustainably boost domestic spending

Delegation of Labour MPs arrives in Taiwan in first visit since UK election

North Korea detains three over warship launch accident, state media reports

Why fierce rivals India, Pakistan and China are racing to woo Taliban

Why the future of Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus administration is uncertain

Political discord over when to hold elections and growing tensions with the armed forces have left government hamstrung.

Her daughter was taken and sent abroad - 44 years later, they found each other

Hundreds made damning allegations of fraud, kidnapping and trafficking about an overseas adoption programme.

Hong Kong’s Famous Bamboo Scaffolding Hangs On (for Now)

Metal has begun to replace this distinctive latticework, which is seen on towers across the city. Daisy Pak, a rare female bamboo master, takes pride in the ancient craft.

Love letters to pasta

An ardent enquiry into the world’s most obsessed-over carb

Tokyo lowers water bills during summer to encourage residents to use air conditioning during heat waves

The Japanese capital has announced that this summer it will cover the fixed portion of residents' water bills to help them cope with increasingly intense summer heat, a consequence of climate change.

As Trump focuses on his trade war, Brazil and China forge closer ties

She found her daughter after 44 years. Now she's suing Korea's government

Hundreds made damning allegations of fraud, kidnapping and trafficking about an overseas adoption programme.

The twins separated by China’s child snatchers — and how they were reunited

Corrupt officials stole children and sold them through orphanages to unsuspecting westerners. In Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, Barbara Demick tells the story of two sisters

Trump backs Nippon Steel partnership with US Steel

Apparent U-turn from president revives Japanese company’s deal after it was blocked by Joe Biden

Lahore Qalanders defeat Islamabad United by 95 runs to reach PSL final

Lahore Qalanders beat Islamabad United by 95 runs to reach Sunday’s Pakistan Super League final.

India kills leader of Maoist insurgency in major crackdown on rebels

Bangladesh’s Leader Threatens to Resign Over Election Pressure

Muhammad Yunus has struggled to navigate between the army, career politicians and the protest movement that overthrew the country’s authoritarian leader last year.

India-Pakistan: Nuclear threat looms over conflict between the two countries

The use of nuclear weapons, possessed by both enemy states, casts a shadow over the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. While India's 'no first use' nuclear doctrine is well known, Pakistan's position remains much more ambiguous.

Friday Briefing: Two Israeli Embassy Staff Killed

Plus, books to look forward to.

A coffee by any other name: Starbucks avoids brewing controversy in South Korea

All six presidential candidates' names are banned in Starbucks stores to "maintain neutrality".

World’s seven wealthiest countries agree to counter China’s trade practices

Is United States debt becoming unsustainable?

Moody’s ratings agency has stripped the US of its last perfect credit rating.

Macron tells Xi their nations' companies 'must enjoy fair competition'

President Xi urged China and France to 'strengthen solidarity and cooperation' and told his French counterpart that he was ready to work 'hand in hand with Europe.'

UK crime agency freezes London properties linked to former Bangladesh regime

Move follows the ousting of former leader Sheikh Hasina amid allegations of embezzlement

Watch: US embassy likens China to antisocial neighbour living in flats

Video posted by diplomats in Singapore compares China’s activities in the South China Sea to someone cluttering corridors

Passengers scream as flight hits severe turbulence during Delhi storm

British soldiers make Everest history using new method

The former special forces troops used xenon gas to acclimatise to climbing at high altitudes more quickly.

Thursday Briefing: Trump Lectures South Africa’s Leader

Plus, everyone is moving to Chengdu.

Feel it’s all pointless? You’re not alone

China’s workplace terms offer a glimpse into its corporate culture and society, and the ideas are going global

Russia blames Ukraine war, Europe for delaying arms supply to ally Armenia

Armenia has long relied on Russian weapons in its bitter dispute with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

Former prisoners and hostages urge Starmer to secure release of Jimmy Lai

British soldiers conquer Everest using groundbreaking method

Treatment with xenon gas helped them acclimatise in record time and reach the summit less than a week after landing in Kathmandu

International Booker Prize 2025 winner announced

‘Without time, there is no flavour’: a South Korean grand master on the art of the perfect soy sauce

An island called Hope is standing up to Beijing in the South China Sea

Pagasa is barely big enough for a plane to land, but it stands tall against an armada of Chinese ships.

Chinese direct investment in Europe rises for first time in 7 years

Report shows pivot to greenfield projects, but €10bn FDI in 2024 still far below 2016 peak

Wednesday Briefing: Israel’s Allies Tell It to Stop

Plus, the International Booker Prize.

Brazil’s first lady ‘upset Xi’s wife’ by chiding TikTok in China

Rosangela da Silva, known as Janja, is believed to have caused a diplomatic spat by bringing up the evils of social media during a state banquet

What is JN.1 Covid variant driving fresh rise in infections in Asia?

How conflict with India helped boost the Pakistan military’s domestic image

Pakistan’s military enjoying renewed popularity after Indian clash, but analysts warn the surge may be temporary.

Chinese defence minister set to skip defence forum in Singapore

Admiral Dong Jun’s absence from Shangri-La Dialogue would come as President Xi Jinping purges high-level officers

Is China the winner in the India-Pakistan conflict?

Pakistan's Chinese-made fighter jets were battle tested for the first time during hostilities with India.

Tuesday Briefing: A Trump-Putin Phone Call

Plus, the return of a spy’s archives.

Young British woman held on drug charges in Sri Lanka could be linked to Culley case

India’s richest family under fire over sprawling wildlife park

Allegations have been made about the origins of animals at the Vantara centre, opened by Modi, which it says are there for medical treatment only

Car bomb in Pakistan’s restive southwest kills four people

The attack is just the latest in Balochistan, which is plagued by insurgency.

Taiwan show imagining Chinese invasion warns island needs to prepare

Shein, China's fast fashion behemoth, hampered by tariffs

The online retail giant, operating in 150 countries, hoped for a significant debut on the London Stock Exchange this year. However, new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and resistance in Europe against ultra-fast fashion, are threatening its global expansion.

Apple boosts India's factory hopes - but a US-China deal could derail plans

The US-China trade "reset" could stall the manufacturing investment coming into India, say experts.

Indian children taught how to coexist with tigers as numbers grow

Coexistence with the big cat was lesson their parents and grandparents did not need, but a resurgence in numbers has made contact more common

FirstFT: Hong Kong stocks outpace mainland China by widest margin in decades

Also in today’s newsletter, Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer, and pro-EU centrist wins Romanian presidency

Monday Briefing: Trump and Putin Are Set to Talk

Plus, a Japanese author breaks barriers.

Indian professor arrested over post on military operation in Pakistan

India’s space agency suffers setback as it fails to launch satellite

Attempt to place satellite into orbit fails after launch vehicle encountered a technical issue, ISRO chief says.

Foreign office supporting British woman after reports of drug-smuggling arrest in Sri Lanka

The 'Berlin Wall of Asia' between India and Pakistan is a strange site of theater and tears

The only land crossing point between the two countries has been closed since May 1, following an attack in Kashmir that led to the most severe military confrontation between New Delhi and Islamabad in decades.

'You start to go crazy': The Australian who survived five years in a Chinese prison

Matthew Radalj tells the BBC of his time in a Beijing prison, revealing what goes on behind bars.

Nvidia plans Shanghai research centre in new commitment to China

US chipmaker considers expanding its presence in the country even as sales are hit by Washington’s export controls

India to send MPs abroad to push zero tolerance on terrorism

India Is Accused of Inhumanely Deporting Rohingya Refugees

The allegations, which include being pushed into the sea off Myanmar with only life jackets, have prompted a call from the United Nations for an investigation.

The poison paradox: How Australia's deadliest animals save lives

The public antivenom programme saving lives in a place where, the joke goes, everything wants to kill you.

Overlooked No More, Walasse Ting, Who Bridged Cultures With Paint and Prose

His style as a poet and artist was informed by his upbringing in Shanghai and his years in Paris. He then joined the Pop-fueled studios of New York.

Italian cheese masters teach remote yak herders in the Himalayas

Over ten days in a Himalayan community, the dairy experts shared ­techniques for cheese production, pasture management and animal ­welfare

India-Pakistan: 'The Kashmir crisis embodies the incomplete nature of the partition between the two nations'

In an interview with Le Monde, Jean-Luc Racine, an expert on India, analyzes the historical roots of the conflict between the two regional powers, reignited on April 22 by the Pahalgam attack.

Flatter or confront? How world leaders are dealing with Trump

Four months after Donald Trump returned to the White House, governments are still agonising over how to approach an erratic, unpredictable American president

Pakistan PM offers peace talks with India as ceasefire extended

Has India offered Trump zero tariffs? What we know and why it matters

President Trump said India has made an offer to drop tariffs on US goods as part of ongoing trade negotiations.

US administration split on when to add Chinese chipmakers to export blacklist

Some US officials fear the move could jeopardise trade talks with Beijing

Japan seeks to catch up in the startup race

Long hindered by its culture of caution and a lack of political will, Japan is multiplying initiatives to develop startups.

Thursday Briefing: Troubled Ukraine Peace Talks

Plus, peace and love at the Eurovision.

India disputes Trump claim it is ready to charge US 'no tariffs'

India's foreign minister countered Trump saying "nothing is decided till everything is".

Video of baby elephant’s lorry death sparks outrage in Malaysia

WWF demands traffic calming and wildlife bridges to avoid further deaths of elephants, tigers and tapirs in southeast Asia

Chopra: Nadeem javelin friendship ‘not the same’ after India-Pakistan clash

The recent military escalations have damaged a once exemplary athlete bond between India’s Chopra and Pakistan’s Nadeem.

British teenager held in prison in Georgia on drug charges – video

Kashmiris ‘feel unheard’ again as Trump wades in to India-Pakistan row

Bayesian Superyacht Sank After ‘Extreme’ Wind Gust, Report Says

An official report into last year’s yacht tragedy, which killed seven, found that the boat could easily capsize in high winds. Its towering mast made it more vulnerable.

FirstFT: Wall Street’s dramatic rebound catches big investors off-guard

Also in today’s newsletter, western carmakers risk wipeout in China, and Qatar orders up to 210 Boeing jets

Maldives parliament removes two Supreme Court judges

MPs loyal to President Mohamed Muizzu impeach judges in a case a UN expert says undermines judicial independence.

Video of baby elephant’s lorry death sparks outrage in Malaysia

WWF demands traffic calming and wildlife bridges to avoid further deaths of elephants, tigers and tapirs in southeast Asia

Relief on China's factory floors as US tariffs put on hold

A surprise deal in the trade war gives businesses breathing room - but many now want to find new markets.

Imran Khan’s sons call on Trump to intervene and secure his release

Azerbaijan imprisons its last independent journalists

Two journalists were arrested in early May and suffered abuse from the police. The annihilation of free media continues amid warming relations between the European Union and this gas-rich country.

After chaos of the Yoon era, South Korea prepares to pick a new president

How real is the risk of nuclear war between India and Pakistan?

Recent hostilities were a reminder of how easily a crisis could escalate into catastrophe.

How China’s Comac could reshape aviation

Even if it doesn’t challenge Airbus or Boeing on the global stage, strong domestic growth will boost the aircraft maker

US debt: The rest of the world's bargaining tool against Donald Trump

One-third of the US debt is held outside of the United States. This is significant enough that the Japanese finance minister has mentioned using this as leverage in trade negotiations.

Wednesday Briefing: Israeli Officers Warn of Famine

Plus, a Hollywood takeover at Cannes.

Britain’s bonfire of the atrocities

How India and Pakistan walked back from brink of all-out war

India’s ‘new normal’ of perpetual war will damage its democracy

The BJP whipped up war fervour in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Now it cannot ‘disappoint’ with peace.

China woos Latin America days after trade deal with US

‘Trade wars and tariffs benefit no one,’ said President Xi as he offered Latin America a $9 billion investment boost

FirstFT: US stocks soar after Washington and Beijing agree tariff truce

Also in today’s newsletter, Modi claims Indian military ‘superiority’ over Pakistan, and China’s CATL to raise at least $4bn

‘We’re Starting to Move Everything’: Trump’s China Deal Frees Up Shipping

The temporary lowering of tariffs may compel some U.S. businesses to order goods that they had held off buying after President Trump raised them to 145 percent.

Duterte elected mayor of home city from Hague prison

The former president's win was expected, but other races in the midterms proved less predictable.

Narendra Modi says India has only ‘suspended’ military action against Pakistan – video

Duterte set to win mayoral election from jail

Despite being detained in the Hague on charges of crimes against humanity, former president of the Philippines is in line for victory in his home town

Trump administration revokes temporary protections for Afghans, citing an improved security situation

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that the temporary protected status (TPS) designation for Afghanistan would expire on May 20, in a move that critics have said 'is not rooted in reality [but] in politics.' Some 11,000 Afghans are currently covered by TPS in the United States.

India-Pakistan ceasefire brings hope and uncertainty

A ceasefire between India and Pakistan is currently holding, bringing relief to civilians who fled after recent attacks.

India denies targeting Pakistan’s alleged nuclear sites

Power, survival and revenge: What's at stake in the Philippines election?

The midterms will impact the future of President Marcos and his rival and VP, Sara Duterte.

Ex-Marine climbs Everest to complete ‘world’s longest triathlon’

Mitchell Hutchcraft swam the Channel, cycled across Europe and Asia and trekked into the Himalayas to finish on top of the world’s highest peak

FirstFT: US says ‘substantial progress’ after trade talks with China

Also in today’s newsletter, India-Pakistan ceasefire holds, and Zelenskyy says he is ready to meet Putin

Monday Briefing: U.S.-China Talks

Plus, crypto bro fight club.

Fragile truce holds between India, Pakistan after days of fierce exchanges

Ceasefire halts conflict that was spiralling towards a full-scale war.

Inside Shein's sweatshops in Guangzhou: 'It's an extreme capitalist race'

Le Monde visited several workshops producing millions of garments for the Chinese fast fashion giant. Employees and managers spoke about the harsh reality of an ultra-competitive system.

India and Pakistan both claim victory after ceasefire declared

Trump vows to resolve Kashmir dispute after ceasefire holds overnight

Reluctant at First, Trump Officials Intervened in South Asia as Nuclear Fears Grew

After Vice President JD Vance suggested that the conflict between India and Pakistan was not America’s problem, the Trump administration grew concerned that it could spiral out of control.

How Apple helped China become America’s biggest tech rival

Apple relied on cheap Chinese labour as it become the world’s most valuable company. But there was an unforeseen consequence: the millions of workers it trained would go on to transform the Middle Kingdom into tech superpower

In Davao, Rodrigo Duterte is represented by a cardboard cutout, but he is still the top pick for mayor

China and US kick off high-stakes trade talks in Geneva

Meeting between He Lifeng and Scott Bessent comes a day after Donald Trump said he was open to cutting tariffs

Will the truce between India and Pakistan resolve differences over Kashmir?

A ceasefire is agreed after four days of their most fierce military conflict in this century.

India claims Pakistan violated ceasefire, says it has retaliated

The two neighbors had earlier on Saturday agreed to a ceasefire after days of deadly cross-border attacks.

Trump says India and Pakistan have agreed to ‘full ceasefire’: Live

The US and China are finally talking. Why now?

Economic pressures are forcing Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to seek an off-ramp in the trade war.

Pakistan threatens to retaliate after accusing India of missile attacks – live updates

The US and China are finally talking. Why now?

Economic pressures are forcing Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to seek an off-ramp in the trade war.

Pakistan Says India Fired on Its Air Bases as Conflict Sharply Escalates

The reported attacks came as drone warfare was expanding the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

India, Pakistan exchange claims over drone strikes

India and Pakistan have been trading drone and artillery strikes in some of the most intense fighting in nearly 30 years

Yamaha looks for sax appeal among China’s ageing population

Instrument maker hopes growing retiree interest in saxophones and guitars will offset decline in piano sales

Putin and Xi aim to ensure their interests continue to converge

The Chinese president is in Moscow to attend the May 9 military parade alongside his Russian counterpart. While Moscow engages in discussions with the Trump administration, Beijing focuses on strengthening its alliance with Russia.

England offer to host IPL matches after season is suspended

Indian Premier League is halted due to India-Pakistan tensions but could resume in the UK in September after ECB gives its ‘full support’

India says it ‘repulsed’ Pakistan’s drone attacks near border – Live

Behind the smiles: Three things to watch as Xi meets Putin

The BBC’s Laura Bicker explains what to look out for during the Chinese leader's state visit to Russia.

Taiwan faces similar threat to Europe in 1930s, president says

Friday Briefing: The First American Pope

Plus, Tate Modern turns 25.

India-Pakistan drone war heats up

Pakistan’s military says it brought down 25 Indian drones over cities including Karachi and Lahore.

Military operation in Pakistan reveals weaknesses of India's air force

New Delhi has begun to acknowledge the loss of several fighter jets during 'Operation Sindoor.' Military experts suggest that at least one Rafale may be among the destroyed aircraft. This would mark the first loss in combat for the French aircraft.

Pakistan launches attack on Jammu in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Night skies over Jammu’s airport were lit up with orange projectiles and flares amid the deafening sound of air-raid sirens

India and Pakistan accuse each other of drone attacks

Pakistan vows retaliation after India launches air strikes

Pakistan’s military says at least 31 civilians killed and 46 others wounded in India’s attacks.

Pope Francis backed him when he took on a president. Now he's voting in the conclave

"Not even in my wildest imagination did I think this would happen," Cardinal David tells the BBC.

Thursday Briefing: What’s Next for India and Pakistan?

Plus, the power of siblings.

Pakistan’s PM says India will pay for ‘cowardly’ attack

Kashmir death toll continues to rise after overnight strikes which India claims targeted ‘terrorist infrastructure’

Kashmir crisis live: India must ‘suffer the consequences’ for ‘cowardly’ attack, says Pakistan PM

India-Pakistan latest: Pakistan vows military response to ‘act of war’

India bombs Pakistan, which denounces 'an act of war'

The Indian army said it attacked 'terrorist infrastructure' after an April 22 terrorist attack in India's Kashmir region. Pakistan's army claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft in retaliation, including three Rafales.

Indian military strikes Pakistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir

Video captured the moment of an Indian military strike in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

Kashmir crisis: Pakistan official says two Indian jets shot down after India missile attack – live

Wednesday Briefing: The Conclave Begins

Plus, the world’s must-see gardens.

India launches air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir

A spokesperson for Pakistan's military says several locations have been hit by missiles.

Pakistan accuses India of ‘act of war’ after strikes

Loud explosions were heard in Bahawalpur and Muzaffarabad amid mounting tensions and after a deadly attack in the Indian-administered part of the region

Modi vows to halt water flow to Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that India will stop water flowing across its borders, heightening tensions as Pakistan warns any disruption to its rivers would be seen as an act of war.

Tuesday Briefing: Israel’s Plan for Gaza

Plus, a politically charged Met Gala.

Trump has 'no idea' who Australian election loser Peter Dutton is

The US president also described election winner Anthony Albanese as "a friend of mine".

India tries to halt auction of Piprahwa gems found with Buddha’s remains

Kapow! China turns its back on Marvel movies

Thunderbolts* underperforms as local audiences favour home-grown fare

Pakistan conducts second missile test since renewed India tensions over Kashmir

The Pakistan military said on Monday it had conducted a missile test with a range of 120 kilometers, two days after it tested a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometers. It did not say where either of the tests took place.

Photos: The last nomads of Nepal

The Raute face sharp population decline as they balance tradition and modern pressures.

Singapore’s voters hand increased mandate to ruling party

Victory for People’s Action Party continues trend for incumbents to outperform their rivals in the wake of President Trump’s trade war

Monday Briefing: Inside Australia’s Election

Plus, analyzing a scene in “Sinners.”

Thousands detained, homes blown up: Kashmiris tell of crackdown ‘living hell’

Erik Prince's art of the pitch

The founder of the infamous private security firm Blackwater is hoping to convince President Donald Trump to let his mercenaries subdue Yemen and transfer the most dangerous American detainees to El Salvador, writes historian Jean-Pierre Filiu in his column.

The woman braving tigers, crocodiles and pirates in Bangladesh’s mangroves

In the forest where she lives, Mahfuza spends her days navigating rivers where danger lurks.

Australia's opposition left reeling after crushing election defeat

Peter Dutton has been ousted from parliament after Anthony Albanese's landslide win.

If schools taught the dangers of methanol, my best friend might be alive

Simone White was fatally poisoned by a drink in Laos. Now her backpacking companion wants the risks to be written into a five-minute lesson

Australia PM Albanese makes stunning comeback with landslide win

Donald Trump loomed large over the election, with comparisons drawn between the US president and defeated opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Singapore ruling party wins election by a landslide

The People's Action Party majority has become a norm in Singapore's political landscape. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had urged voters to offer him a strong show of support amid the global economic uncertainties brought on by US President Donald Trump's tough tariffs policy.

These Contentious Issues Could Determine Who Becomes the Next Pope

As cardinals gather to elect Pope Francis’ successor, they are facing debates over whether the church most needs change or constancy.

Singapore ruling party wins election in landslide

The sound and fury of Indian media post-Kashmir

An attack in Kashmir challenges Modi’s ‘normalcy’ narrative.

Australia is headed to the polls - here's what you need to know

The BBC’s Katy Watson explains the key players, top issues and the role of the democracy sausage.

The boy can play: cricket star, 14, bowls over India

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has bowled over India with his play for the Rajasthan Royals

Voting in a Fraught World, Australians Focus on Cost-of-Living Concerns

Voters will decide who can turn Australia around from the throes of inflation and a housing crisis, and navigate relations with a volatile Washington.

‘Everyone lives in fear’: Voices of Kashmir after deadly Pahalgam attack

As tensions soar between India and Pakistan, Kashmiris are caught between fear and uncertainty.

Vietnam is haunted by 'dead souls' left over from war

Fifty years after the war, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese soldiers' bodies remain unburied. While a Hanoi institute uses mediums to find Northern 'martyrs,' the communist regime has not seen identifying Southern fighters as a priority, as it still considers them enemies.

Auction of ancient Indian gems ‘imbued with presence of Buddha’ condemned

'We don't care': A defiant China looks beyond Trump's America

Chinese exporters tell the BBC if the US doesn't want their goods, "other countries have money" to buy them.

Friday Briefing: A White House Shake-Up

Plus, the actors up for a Tony Award.

Pakistan airspace ban could cost Air India $591m over 12 months

The airline has asked the Indian government for financial relief equivalent to its estimated losses.

Election in doubt as court rules against presidential favourite

The Supreme Court overturns an earlier dismissal of charges against Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition and frontrunner for the presidency

Japanese police arrest man after alleged car attack on schoolchildren, say reports

Rare earths: China's fearsome weapon in the trade war with Donald Trump

The Chinese government has implemented export controls on seven strategic rare earth metals, over which China holds a near-monopoly and thus controls the supply chain.

Agent Orange’s forgotten child victims suffer from USAid cut

Funding has stalled for children born decades after Vietnam War with disabilities caused by toxins sprayed by American air force

'We don't care': A defiant China looks beyond Trump's America

Chinese exporters tell the BBC if the US doesn't want their goods, "other countries have money" to buy them.

Rubio urges de-escalation in India, Pakistan calls amid soaring tensions

Islamabad asks the US to help ease tensions with New Delhi after receiving ‘credible intelligence’ of imminent strike.

Trump says US kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30,' but insists China will suffer more in a trade war

The president's remarks followed a defensive morning after the Commerce Department reported that the US economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.3% during the first quarter. Behind the decline was a surge in imports as companies tried to front-run the sweeping tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum in almost every country

The Vietnam war is over: Saigon gives in with a sigh of relief – archive, 1975

Life inside Iraq's 'Forbidden Zone' controlled by Turkey

Turkey has been building military bases on Iraqi territory, the BBC finds, raising fears of an occupation.

Pakistan minister warns of possible Indian military strike in 24-36 hours

Islamabad says will ‘decisively respond’ to any military action as tensions with New Delhi soar after Kashmir attack. 

Interpol: A tool in China's arsenal of transnational repression

Le Monde, together with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, has investigated China's repression of the regime's opponents overseas. This second chapter shows how Interpol's lack of transparency allows China to use 'red notices' to repatriate its targets.

‘Bombs and bullets were like rain’: 50 years on from the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam war

Social media fans flames of unrest over Kashmir crisis

Delhi blocks Pakistani accounts after senior politicians in Islamabad claim a terror attack in the disputed region was an Indian false flag operation

Pakistan is preparing for ‘imminent’ Indian attack

The Pakistani defence minister claimed India’s rhetoric had been escalating in the days since a terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir

India hunts suspects days after deadly Kashmir attack

Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir demolish houses of alleged militants after last week's attack.

‘Pakistan is the root of the problem’: Kashmir attack stokes anger in India

'Ne Zha 2' captures spectacular transformations of a young demon in search of identity

Yu Yang's big-budget feature, which was a phenomenal success in China, impresses with its energetic direction and inventive, meticulous décors.

Kashmir attack: Why Pakistan’s threat to suspend Simla Agreement matters

Analysts believe a Pakistani pullout from the Simla Agreement could dismantle key diplomatic safeguards with India.

Children ordered to leave mothers behind in India as border closes

Tensions are high on a border point between the two nuclear powers after a terrorist attack that the Delhi government blames on Pakistan

Beijing seizes tiny sandbank in South China Sea

The Philippines, which disputes China's claim to the sandbank, responds by releasing a photo of its own forces on another.

With Starlink, Musk extends his grip on the world – and space

Bolstered by its technological superiority, the billionaire's company has become indispensable, particularly for Ukraine. Donald Trump's close associate now holds unprecedented levers of influence, raising questions of a conflict of interest as China seeks to catch up.

Muhammad Yunus: Real reform or just a new ruling class in Bangladesh?

Chief adviser of interim government discusses whether it represents true change or replaces one elite with another.

Chongqing, the world’s largest city – in pictures

Pakistan calls for ‘neutral’ investigation into Kashmir attack

Indian and Pakistani troops have exchanged fire across their de facto border for a second straight day.

Are India and Pakistan on the cusp of war over water?

Last week’s attack on tourists in contested Kashmir has pushed relations between the nuclear-armed rivals into a new, unpredictable phase

Fifty years since the sky fell: how the Vietnam war changed Australia

Tesla struggles in China as market share collapses

By focusing on design and performance, the American manufacturer was a pioneer in getting Chinese motorists to adopt electric cars. Although 40% of its sales are now in China, Tesla has become a minor player, constantly forced to adapt.

China has halted rare earth exports, can Australia step up?

Australia has proposed to create a strategic reserve of critical minerals.

How dangerous is the latest India-Pakistan dispute?

Killing of tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir sparks new crisis.

India to deny Pakistan ‘even a drop’ of water after Kashmir massacre

Delhi has threatened ‘unimaginable’ retribution for the attack that killed 26. Islamabad described cutting off water as an act of war

India and Pakistan on the brink of a new military confrontation

Following the attack on tourists in Kashmir, the two neighbors are accusing each other and threatening retaliation. They have suspended two major bilateral treaties.

Xi announces plan for Chinese economy to counter impact of US trade war

China has halted rare earth exports, can Australia step up?

Australia has proposed to create a strategic reserve of critical minerals.

Pakistan announces retaliatory measures against India after Kashmir attack

The tit-for-tat measures come after gunmen killed at least 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday.

Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists

It comes after Delhi's retaliatory measures following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.

India tells Pakistanis to leave after Kashmir terrorist attack

Relations have deteriorated sharply after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Kashmir and Delhi’s suspension of the Indus water treaty

Tensions escalate between India and Pakistan after Kashmir attack – video

India closes main border crossing with Pakistan after Kashmir attack

Visas held by some Pakistanis are also cancelled after gunmen killed tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.