President Trump called for scaling back US-South Korean drills, describing North Korea as unthreatening, but the exercises proceeded. South Korea hopes Trump's personal ties with Kim Jong-un could restart negotiations. T…
#Asia-Pacific
This week in Asia-Pacific · updated Tue Oct 06 2026
Asia-Pacific nations are strengthening climate and health resilience through multiple policy initiatives. The World Health Organization is integrating public health considerations into regional climate negotiations ahead of COP31, while a newly established disability-led climate network is ensuring marginalized communities shape adaptation strategies. Infrastructure concerns are mounting as engineers warn that Pacific island building codes fail to address current climate threats, compounded by elevated construction costs. Meanwhile, the region is advancing energy security discussions through an upcoming Hong Kong gas industry summit, and supporting local economic sectors including kava production, positioning the Asia-Pacific for coordinated development across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
AI-written weekly briefing drawn from this topic's recent stories.
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Analysts reassess North Korea's military threat amid US-South Korea exercises
Indonesia quake displaces nearly 13,000 as rescue operations persist
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia last week killed dozens and injured hundreds, damaging over 900 buildings. Nearly 13,000 people have been displaced, many still in tents. Rescue efforts continue and hospitals are …
Trump's last-minute drill reduction order fails to halt US-South Korea exercises
US President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea just before they were due to start, citing respect for North Korea's leader. However, the drills went ahead as planned on Monday.…
Drug tests clear all Malaysia Airlines pilots; airline moves to cabin crew screening
After a Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested in Jakarta on drug trafficking charges, the airline conducted mandatory drug tests on all its pilots. All results came back negative, and the carrier will now screen its cabin…
Australia's Test team faces calls for renewal after humiliating loss to Bangladesh
Australia suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin, a result described by local media as a disaster and the team's most embarrassing loss. The defeat has intensified pressure on ageing players, with opener J…
Four-vehicle crash on Hong Kong highway leaves five with minor injuries
A taxi and three private cars collided on the Kowloon-bound Tsing Kwai Highway near Lai King MTR station on Monday morning, injuring five people. All five, four men and one woman, were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital…
Manila's defence self-reliance push draws on Indian model, but analysts urge phased cooperation
The Philippines is looking to India as a template for defence self-reliance after acquiring BrahMos missiles, with its ambassador citing the weapons as credible deterrence in the South China Sea. However, analysts cautio…
Quake survivors in Flores face aid delays as displacement tops 12,800
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores island on Saturday has killed 53 people and injured over 100, with no reports of missing persons. By Monday, the number of displaced residents had risen to 12,800, many of wh…
Hawaii spared direct hit but battered by Hurricane Lala's fury
Hurricane Lala passed just south of Hawaii, avoiding a direct landfall but still causing severe conditions. Torrential rain and hurricane-force winds have led to flooding, mudslides, and power outages. Authorities urge r…
Bangladesh stun Australia with historic Test triumph on home soil
Bangladesh recorded their first-ever Test cricket victory in Australia, controlling the match from start to finish. The decisive margin of the win is set to reverberate across the international cricketing community.
Hong Kong's rent surge revives buy-or-rent dilemma
Hong Kong's residential rents have risen 5.2% since the start of 2026, with the Centa-City Rental Index reaching 136.34 in July. Homebuyers are caught between rising rents and potential interest rate increases. A residen…
Aid reaches displaced survivors after Flores earthquake kills dozens
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Indonesia's Flores island has killed at least 48 people and injured many more, damaging hundreds of homes and buildings. Around 5,000 residents have fled to temporary shelters, with some are…
Netball Star's Hong Kong Journey: From Short Stay to Lifelong Commitment
Zanne-Marie Pienaar, a South African netball player, moved to Hong Kong in 2022 expecting to stay only a year. Instead, she found a new life and became a key player for the Hong Kong women's team. Her team recently defea…
Report Calls on Australia to Become Indo-Pacific Cable Hub
A new report urges Australia to position itself as an "Indo-Pacific preferred cable hub" to counter threats to submarine cables. These cables are vulnerable in contested waters, but could become a strategic advantage. Re…
Autumn Travel Edition Offers Armchair Escapes
The PostMag autumn travel edition focuses on getaways despite seasonal storms and typhoons. It suggests looking farther afield for holiday inspiration, even from an armchair. The edition covers travel ideas for the seaso…
Hong Kong Pokemon card shops push for gameplay over collecting
Hong Kong has seen a surge in demand for Pokemon trading cards, driven by nostalgia among older millennials. Store owners now aim to encourage more people to play the game, not just collect cards. The trend reflects a sh…
Kowloon City football club targets Kai Tak stadium to expand fan base
Kowloon City football club is considering a move to the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground to attract a new audience and build its brand. The 5,000-capacity venue has had no tenant since opening in March last year, despite inte…
Seoul calls for peace talks to close Korean War chapter
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed dialogue with North Korea to formally conclude the Korean War, which remains technically unresolved after over seven decades without a peace treaty. The offer, made on Sa…
Emulating Riley Green's Dapper Cowboy Look at the ACM Awards
Country singer Riley Green wore an off-white shirt with a khaki waistcoat and trousers, paired with an orange tie and brown shoes, at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The article provides style tips to achieve his ta…
Hong Kong Heatwave Breaks as Amber Rainstorm Alert Issued
After nine consecutive days of temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius, Hong Kong saw a sharp drop to between 23 and 29 degrees on Friday morning. The Observatory issued an amber rainstorm warning, the lowest tier, as cool…
Omega introduces four new colourful Constellation models for round-the-clock elegance
Omega's Constellation collection has long been a versatile choice for both work and evening wear. Four new models add vibrant colour options, making them suitable as 24-hour companions. Each iteration offers a distinct t…
Cantopop Star Alex To Celebrates Four Decades of Musical Innovation and Resilience
Alex To, a pioneering Cantopop artist, recently marked his 40th anniversary with sold-out concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum. He emerged in the 1980s with a Michael Jackson-inspired style, introducing R&B and Western fun…
Panel examines postcolonial legacies across Southeast Asia
Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal moderates a discussion with academics and leaders from four Southeast Asian countries. The panel explores the enduring impacts of colonialism in the region. They analyze contemporary politica…
Afghanistan's healthcare collapse drives severe malnutrition crisis among children
A sharp decline in healthcare funding has forced the closure of numerous clinics across Afghanistan, leaving 3.7 million children suffering from acute malnutrition. According to Save the Children, one in ten Afghan child…
Hong Kong in line to host elite darts tournament featuring world's top players
The Professional Darts Corporation is considering Hong Kong's Kai Tak Arena for a masters event in August 2027. The tournament would pit eight of the world's top ten players against eight from Asia. Promoters are keen af…
Putin makes inaugural trip to disputed Kuril Islands, drawing Japanese protest
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kuril Islands for the first time on August 13, 2026. Japan, which claims the islands as its Northern Territories, lodged a strong protest. The Kremlin released footage of Puti…
Working mothers in Malaysia push back against criticism over emergency leave usage
A radio caller's complaint that colleagues with children take too much emergency leave sparked a debate in Malaysia about workplace fairness and work-life balance. Employed mothers have defended the leave policy, arguing…
Review of The Bear's Final Season Highlights Culinary Accuracy and a Persistent Flaw
The fifth and final season of Hulu's series The Bear was released on June 25, and the article discusses its food-related portrayals without major spoilers. The show's devoted fans binge-watched all eight episodes quickly…
Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh disbarred after false evidence conviction
Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh was struck off the rolls by a three-judge panel on Thursday, following his conviction for giving false evidence under oath. Singh, a non-practising lawyer and Member of Parliament for Al…
Traditional provision shops in Singapore's public housing estates face mounting financial pressure
Ramasamy Vellasamy has run Samy Provision Shop in a northern Singapore housing block since 1986, but the business is barely breaking even. He and other provision shop owners in HDB heartlands struggle to adapt to changin…
Generative AI poses risk to one in four workers in Southeast Asia, ILO report finds
A July report by the International Labour Organization warns that nearly one in four workers in Southeast Asia face disruption from generative AI, with clerical, administrative and professional positions most at risk. Ma…
Rybakina Stages Comeback to Beat Osaka, Sets Up Semifinal Clash with Gauff
Elena Rybakina rallied from a set down to defeat Naomi Osaka at the Canadian Open. The Kazakhstani player will now face Coco Gauff in the semifinals. The match was a thrilling contest between two top players.
Indonesian Ferry Blaze: Over 100 Saved in Rescue Operation
A fire broke out on a ferry in Indonesia, prompting a rescue operation that saved more than 100 passengers. The incident occurred on August 12, 2026. No casualties have been reported yet.
Hong Kong Government Demands Repairs for Malfunctioning Elevators at Queen Mary Hospital
Authorities have instructed a contractor to repair defective lifts in a new wing of Queen Mary Hospital after repeated glitches postponed the full opening of clinical services. An engineer noted it was unusual for 24 of …
Hong Kong urged to capture growth from deepening ASEAN ties
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee discussed the city's first five-year plan with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn on August 7. While trade ties between Hong Kong and ASEAN are expected to continue growing, the ce…
Hong Kong Artisan Shares Favorite Local Eateries for Casual Dining
Wayne Lau, founder of Leather Healer, discusses his preference for simple, whole foods and spontaneous dining over fine dining. He enjoys down-to-earth local dishes like beef brisket and cart noodles, often eating alone …
Malaysian Lawmaker Departs Ruling Party, Citing Hostile Political Climate
Wong Chen, a three-term Malaysian MP, resigned from parliament and left Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's People's Justice Party (PKR) on Monday, citing toxic politics. He has since joined the newly rebranded Bersama party,…
Foxconn posts 35% profit surge driven by artificial intelligence boom
Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, reported a 35% increase in profit, attributing the growth to strong demand for artificial intelligence. The company forecasts continued robust performance in 2026 …
Snooker Legend Jimmy White Granted Hong Kong Residency Under Talent Program
English snooker player Jimmy White, nicknamed 'The Whirlwind', has obtained Hong Kong residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. He plans to open a snooker academy in the city to develop local talent, follow…
Australia and Bangladesh Set for Rare Winter Test Series in Darwin and Mackay
Australia will host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series starting Thursday in Darwin, marking the first winter Tests on home soil in 22 years. The matches will be played at Marrara Oval and the Great Barrier Reef Arena…
Singapore's Joseph Schooling Stuns Michael Phelps for Historic Olympic Gold
In 2016, Singapore celebrated its first Olympic gold medal when swimmer Joseph Schooling defeated his childhood idol Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly. Schooling set an Olympic record, denying Phelps a fourth con…
Singapore court sentences physician and companion to one year for Ecstasy use
A 36-year-old doctor, Rayson Lee Rui Sheng, and his 29-year-old friend Tan Li Ming were each sentenced to one year in jail for consuming MDMA during a villa party on Sentosa Island. They claimed their drinks were spiked,…
Chef Vicky Lau Relaunches Tate Dining Room in Sheung Wan with a Ritualistic Approach
Chef-proprietor Vicky Lau has moved her Tate Dining Room to a new location in Sheung Wan, marking its third major incarnation. The restaurant now features a brass ring on the door that requires guests to press and wait, …
Hong Kong Swelters Under 35°C Heat; Workers Call for Localized Warning System
Hong Kong experienced extreme heat on August 12, 2026, with temperatures exceeding 35°C in northern areas like Yuen Long. Labour groups urged the government to create a district-level heat index to better protect outdoor…
Singapore Man, 66, Sheds 10kg Through Determined Lifestyle Change
Attan bin Talib, a 66-year-old Singaporean refinery technician, lost 10 kilograms over ten months after health warnings prompted him to change his habits. He had struggled with breathlessness while climbing ladders at wo…
Families grieve three Nepali climbers killed in Pakistan avalanche
Relatives gathered to mourn the deaths of three Nepali mountaineers—Kili Pemba Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Nima Sherpa—who died in an avalanche in Pakistan. The tragedy highlights the dangers faced by high-altitude climber…
Brothers Nick and Henry Burch draw on family legacy to launch Jakarta doughnut brand Butter Baby
Nick and Henry Burch, sons of fashion designer Tory Burch, have co-founded Butter Baby, a doughnut and dessert brand based in Jakarta. The brand's quirky origin story playfully references ancient Sumerian texts about the…
Joko Widodo's youngest son challenges Megawati's daughter for a key Indonesian parliamentary seat
Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, plans to run for a parliamentary seat in Central Java V in the 2029 election. The constituency has been held since 2009 by Puan Maharani, dau…
Pyongyang Launches Another Ballistic Missile Ahead of US-South Korea Drills
North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, marking its second such test in under a week. The launch comes as Seoul and Washington prepare for annual joint military exercises scheduled to begin next week. Analyst…
North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of joint US-South Korea drills
North Korea launched a ballistic missile, its second test in under a week. The launch comes as South Korea and the United States prepare for their annual joint military exercises. The move escalates tensions on the Korea…
Female DJs Rise in Pakistan's Growing Electronic Music Scene
In conservative Pakistan, a vibrant DJ culture is emerging in cities like Karachi and Lahore, with women increasingly taking center stage. These female artists are breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated industry, t…
Actress Ha Young retracts denial, apologizes for great-grandfather's colonial-era collaboration
South Korean actress Ha Young apologized after confirming that her great-grandfather served as a councillor for a pro-Japanese group during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Her agency stated that records verified the histo…
Thailand struggles to stem surge in gun violence as shootings mount
Thailand faces a growing crisis of gun violence, with a recent school shooting in Nonthaburi followed by a former MP fatally shooting a local official over a money dispute. The incidents highlight the country's persisten…
Wildfires force school closures across Indonesia as authorities scramble
Indonesian authorities are urgently working to contain wildfires that have caused dozens of schools to close due to hazardous air quality. Cloud-seeding aircraft have been deployed to induce rain and help control the bla…
Australian PM Stands Firm After Crude Melon Joke About Japanese Leader Sparks Outcry
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to apologize for a crude joke about a gift from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, made during a podcast interview. The comment follows a previous apology for rema…
Anwar Accuses Malaysian Opposition of Staging Walkout Over Pilgrimage Fund Inquiry
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized opposition lawmakers for walking out of a parliamentary session discussing a royal inquiry into the Tabung Haji savings fund. The walkout occurred less than two weeks aft…
Player Association Blames Expanded Calendar for Surge in Arm Injuries
The Professional Tennis Players Association reported a more than 100% increase in arm injuries, linking it to the sport's lengthy season and expanded events. Recent withdrawals from the Canadian Open highlight the proble…
Singapore eatery faces backlash for serving illegally foraged beach seafood
Havelock Palace, a Chinese restaurant in Singapore, has apologized after a video showed individuals collecting large quantities of marine life from Changi Beach and bringing them to the restaurant to be cooked. The incid…
Taliban strengthens global diplomatic and economic links five years after seizing power, yet formal recognition remains blocked over human rights issues
Five years after taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have expanded diplomatic and economic relations with various countries. However, the regime remains largely isolated because most nations refuse to formally rec…
Seoul moves to outlaw AI-generated fake porn after court frees distributor
South Korean lawmakers are drafting legislation to close a loophole that allowed the distribution of AI-generated pornography featuring fictional characters. The push follows a court in Goyang acquitting a man who shared…