39 h. ago China suffered $35B losses in natural disasters that killed 763 in 2025

China suffered $35B losses in natural disasters that killed 763 in 2025  Anadolu Ajansı

Events

42 h. ago China's natural disasters led to $35 billion in losses in 2025

China's natural disasters led to $35 billion in losses in 2025  Reuters

Economics

69 h. ago Japan, Philippines tighten ties with new defence pact amid China tensions

Japan and the Philippines signed a defence pact on Thursday that would allow the tax-free provision of ammunition, fuel, food and other necessities when their forces stage joint training to boost deterrence against China’s growing aggression in the region and to bolster their preparation for natural disasters. Japan has faced increasing political, trade and security tensions with Beijing, which was angered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remark that potential mainland Chinese action against...

Events

8 d. ago El Nino could cost Hong Kong US$300 billion and shorten life expectancy: study

Extreme weather brought about by the El Nino phenomenon could cost Hong Kong as much as US$300 billion over the 21st century, according to a joint study by local and Singapore universities. The study also painted a bleak picture for public health, finding that Hongkongers born during the two strong El Nino events in 1982-83 and 1997-98 could have their life expectancy reduced by five to seven months. Led by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University in collaboration with City University...

Economics

1 week ago China Coast Guard Presence Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands Reaches Record High in 2025

China Coast Guard Presence Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands Reaches Record High in 2025  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Politics

1 week ago UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (UNESCO Beijing) Newsletter, 2025 Q4

UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (UNESCO Beijing) Newsletter, 2025 Q4  UNESCO

Politics

2 w. ago China's Labubu, KPop Demon Hunters top Asia's consumer trends in 2025

China's Labubu, KPop Demon Hunters top Asia's consumer trends in 2025  Nikkei Asia

Politics

2 w. ago How AI helped Asia’s real estate sector pass the tariff stress test

When US President Donald Trump stood outside the White House on April 2 and unveiled his punitive “Liberation Day” tariffs on most US trading partners, Asia was singled out for particularly harsh punishment. With the region accounting for seven of the 10 economies with the largest trade surpluses with the US, Asia was bound to be hit hard. However, as 2025 draws to a close, Asia’s economies have shown remarkable resilience. While several factors are at play, the most important one is the boom in...

Politics

2 w. ago China Unites with South Korea and Japan in a Relentless Assault of Punishing Winter Storms: December 2025 Sees Explosive Travel Chaos Across Asia!

China Unites with South Korea and Japan in a Relentless Assault of Punishing Winter Storms: December 2025 Sees Explosive Travel Chaos Across Asia!  Travel And Tour World

Events

2 w. ago Philippines in 2025: a year of crisis, from corruption scandal to South China Sea tensions

As the Philippines wraps up a tumultuous year punctuated by colourful barbs thrown across warring political houses, an ongoing corruption scandal surrounding flood control projects threatens to derail President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration. Externally, Manila has been embroiled all year in a long-standing territorial row with Beijing in the South China Sea that shows no signs of waning, while also gearing up for the hot seat as next year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian...

Events

2 w. ago Thailand’s 2025 of turmoil: border war, scam crackdowns and PM musical chairs

It was a year defined by war with Cambodia, but also the unravelling of cyber scams around Thailand’s borders, the rise and demise of political dynasties and another period of musical chairs in the prime minister’s office. There was also national mourning with the death of Queen Mother Sirikit, a towering figure over recent Thai history, and the omnipresence of Lalisa Manobal – or Lisa of South Korean girl group Blackpink – who rapped, acted, gyrated and produced content that seized the...

Events

3 w. ago China launches satellite to aid in early extreme weather detection

China launches satellite to aid in early extreme weather detection  China Daily - Global Edition

Politics

3 w. ago Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania

Singapore saw plenty of drama unfold this year, from pickleball courts to the Supreme Court. The city state was gripped by election fever in May, when the People’s Action Party maintained its dominance at the polls. On the trade front, Washington’s imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Singapore elicited a strong reaction from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The jury is still out on whether US President Donald Trump would introduce levies on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which could deliver...

Events

3 w. ago Thailand election 2025: Anutin named PM candidate in February poll amid Cambodia conflict

Thailand’s caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul was picked by his party on Wednesday to stand as its candidate for prime minister in a general election in early February, as he bids to benefit from a wave of nationalism arising from an ongoing border conflict with Cambodia. Less than 100 days after he was elected premier, Anutin dissolved parliament earlier this month when his minority government faced the threat of a no-confidence vote. Speaking to party members and supporters on Wednesday,...

Politics

3 w. ago Thailand election 2025: caretaker PM Anutin officially joins ‘consequential’ February poll

Thailand’s caretaker leader Anutin Charnvirakul was picked by his party on Wednesday to stand as its candidate for prime minister in a general election in early February, as he bids to benefit from a wave of nationalism arising from an ongoing border conflict with Cambodia. Less than 100 days after he was elected premier, Anutin dissolved parliament earlier this month when his minority government faced the threat of a no-confidence vote. Speaking to party members and supporters on Wednesday,...

Politics

3 w. ago Asia’s 2025 in extreme weather and natural disasters, from deadly earthquakes to typhoons

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest stories about extreme weather and natural disasters in Asia. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘It’s like apocalypse’: Myanmar, Thailand quake death toll tops 1,600 The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Myanmar and Thailand exceeded 1,600 on March 29, 2025, as rescuers in worst-affected Mandalay clawed chunks of debris with their bare hands to free the city’s trapped victims while ruptured...

Events

4 w. ago 10 times Asia overtourism and ‘limits’ to hospitality became a problem in 2025

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest stories about overtourism in Asia. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Bali fumes at frugal tourists who spend time but less money Locals in the Indonesian holiday hotspot of Bali have urged authorities to filter out cost-conscious travellers who spend more time but less money on the island, in a shift towards quality tourism. 2. ‘Can’t allow this to continue’: Japan’s tax-free tourist shopping under fire A group of...

Politics

4 w. ago Energy Asia 2025 offers clear road map for sustainable global net

The need for a flexible mindset, long-term investment and cooperation between Asian nations as the world embraces more sustainable ways to produce, distribute and consume energy were the key action points from top-level discussions involving policymakers and industry leaders. The three-day Energy Asia 2025 forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted by the Malaysian energy company, Petronas, examined how Asia can meet its soaring energy needs while advancing its climate goals, a difficult balance...

Politics