The triumph of Chelsea Manalo, who has African-American heritage, was met with mixed reactions, highlighting the country’s deep-seated preferences for Western features and light skin, observers say.Sam Beltran

Pyongyang has sent more than 300 trash-filled balloons across the border since Saturday.Agence France-Presse

Harajuku, a neighbourhood in the Japanese capital Tokyo, has long been known as the birthplace of some incredibly colourful and unique fashion subcultures. The district had gone relatively quiet for years, but now one of its best-known styles called decora is staging a surprise comeback. In this episode of About Asia, we chart the rise, fall and re…

Pyongyang has sent more than 300 trash-filled balloons across the border since Saturday.Agence France-Presse

Clash over illegal ride-hailing services has sparked ‘undercover’ operations by some Hong Kong taxi drivers, but other cabbies see opportunities.Cannix Yau

The woman, who had recently graduated with a degree in literature, said she was sent to a ‘backward’ area of the Gobi and felt ‘trapped’.Vanessa Cai

Young people are driving the surge in new cases, say health officials, amid efforts to reduce stigma, improve outreach and testing options.Sam Beltran

Young people are driving the surge in new cases, say health officials, amid efforts to reduce stigma, improve outreach and testing options.Sam Beltran

Strategically located Cagayan province plays host to a growing American troop presence, living cheek-by-jowl with hundreds of Chinese traders.Jeoffrey Maitem

Strategically located Cagayan province plays host to a growing American troop presence, living cheek-by-jowl with hundreds of Chinese traders.Jeoffrey Maitem

The bet global punters made was that winning a third term in a landslide would catalyse Modi-the-reformer as never before. That’s now moot.William Pesek

The bet global punters made was that winning a third term in a landslide would catalyse Modi-the-reformer as never before. That’s now moot.William Pesek

Beijing’s reaction to the Gaza crisis and its focus on trade and investment are ‘ill-suited’ to a time of conflict, analysts say.Dewey Sim

Since its free trade agreement with the US, Mexico has seen more crime and obesity, but little economic growth. Now, it is seeing a surge in Chinese investment.Hugo Wong

Her mother, a Chinese immigrant with cancer, had pleaded in a poignant video for a chance to see her only daughter one last time.Associated Press

The leaders discussed steps to make the US and European economies more resilient against Chinese imports and deal with overcapacity concerns.Bloomberg

Authorities earlier warned of more trash-filled balloons from North Korea, a potential response to the propaganda balloons sent by activists in the South.Agence France-Presse

Authorities earlier warned of more trash-filled balloons from North Korea, a potential response to the propaganda balloons sent by activists in the South.Agence France-Presse

Newspaper that published the clips says they show Manila was lying about the incident last month in the Second Thomas Shoal.Kawala Xie

Gandhi has sought to change his reputation in recent years and Congress’ showing at the polls is ‘definitely a big victory’ for him, analysts say.Agence France-Presse

Gandhi has sought to change his reputation in recent years and Congress’ showing at the polls is ‘definitely a big victory’ for him, analysts say.Agence France-Presse

Key aspects include developing asymmetric warfare, and seeking military financing and force restructuring advice from the United States.Lawrence Chung

US has opened investigations into solar panel products from Southeast Asia to block a well-trodden tariff workaround used by Chinese manufacturers.Frank Chen,Hanyan Ke

US has opened investigations into solar panel products from Southeast Asia to block a well-trodden tariff workaround used by Chinese manufacturers.Frank Chen,Hanyan Ke

Congress has regained lost ground in northern states in this election, but there is still much work to do before it can return to power, analysts say.Biman Mukherji

Congress has regained lost ground in northern states in this election, but there is still much work to do before it can return to power, analysts say.Biman Mukherji

The refutation comes after South Korean fans take out ad in New York’s Times Square saying the animal has been mistreated in China.William Zheng

Experts say the ‘prospects of Russia achieving victory this year have greatly reduced as a result’ of the resumption of weapons supplies.Bloomberg

Forum told sexist AI results could stem from unbalanced data, characters’ gender in a digital file or be shaped by the AI developers.Phoebe Zhang

Clinics see rise in residents looking to address aerophobia that can range from uneasiness to panic attacks triggered by a thought of flying.CNA

Japan is belatedly taking measures to deal with its population crisis but are they a quick fix rather than a long-term solution?Julian Ryall

While Hong Kong and Singapore might be seen as rivals, Southeast Asia is a big, youthful market where Hong Kong start-ups can collaborate and thrive.Kelvin KF Leung

Transport Minister Anthony Loke says the government is keen on resurrecting the rail project but does not want to end up with ‘a huge financial obligation’.Amy Sood

The Philippines should diversify its economy and lessen trade reliance on China, analysts say.Jeoffrey Maitem

While the BJP’s underperformance shocked supporters and observers, Indian voters have restored hope in the country’s democratic process.C. Uday Bhaskar

Rights groups say a seasonal worker scheme aimed at easing South Korea’s acute labour shortage has turned into a new form of modern slavery.Reuters

The induction of Senate employees into the force spurs hope of advancing stalled defence bills to tackle ‘formidable’ maritime challenges.Raissa Robles

The embassy lashes out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for attempting to persuade the Global South to attend the summit.Jean Iau

New Delhi’s defence minister is ‘stargazed without a concrete plan in place’ in a bid to draw level with China, analysts say.Maria Siow

Kevin Rudd, Australian envoy to Washington, said whether Beijing acts will depend on its perception of the strength of US deterrence.Reuters

The Philippine coastguard said their Chinese counterparts ‘intentionally rammed’ a ship transporting the service member.Reuters

The first B1-B drill in 7 years comes amid heightened tensions after Pyongyang floated hundreds of huge waste-filled balloons south.Park Chan-kyong

A ruling by China’s top court supporting a victim’s right to self-defence is a good step forward, but more must be done to support students.Lijia Zhang

The prominence of global conflicts beyond the Indo-Pacific highlights how the US and China can no longer isolate different theatres of competition.Daniel Russel,Emma Chanlett-Avery

While Modi is set to continue boosting infrastructure spending and domestic manufacturing, he has to carry out labour and other reforms to achieve India’s economic goals, analysts say.Biman Mukherji

Muslim minority residents ‘pushed to the wall’ as security forces and the Arakan Army target villages with arson attacks and killings.Shaikh Azizur Rahman

Truong My Lan is accused of illegally transporting about US$4.5 billion across the border for 10 years beginning in 2012.Bloomberg

With policy continuity likely, strong fundamentals intact and pressure on the government to create jobs, investors’ optimism looks justified.Nicholas Spiro

A retired naval captain said Korean-made arms ‘aren’t the most advanced, but this is the stuff that Lockheed Martin and Boeing don’t do’.Bloomberg

Singapore repealed its anti-gay sex law in November 2022, but conservative values still run deep in the city state.Jean Iau