2 h. ago Does Philippines have ‘credible’ undersea might against China?

The Philippines remains dangerously under-equipped to counter China’s growing undersea operations in the South China Sea, analysts warn, as joint anti-submarine drills with Japan spotlight the urgent need for Manila to strengthen its underwater warfare capabilities. The two-day exercises, which began on Saturday, were the first large-scale joint exercises since Japan’s Diet ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with the Philippines earlier this month, following Manila’s approval last...

Politics

4 h. ago Japan’s host clubs face reform as new law targeting predatory practices bites

In Japan’s shadowy nightlife districts, affection can come at a steep price. For thousands of women, a night of flirtation with a well-dressed host has turned into financial ruin and, in some cases, coerced sex work. Now, the Japanese government is stepping in with a revised law aimed at ending the industry’s most predatory tactics. The revision to the Entertainment Business Law, which comes into effect on June 28, applies to both host and hostess clubs. However, it appears to target host clubs...

Society

4 h. ago What is the US’ island chain strategy and what does it mean for China?

China’s navy is pushing past the strategic island chains that for decades have marked defensive boundaries for the United States and its allies in the Western Pacific. The deployment of two Chinese aircraft carrier groups in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean since late May has underscored a critical advance in Beijing’s ambitions to become a blue-water navy by 2035. The Liaoning and Shandong have been on a routine training exercise to test their “far-sea defences and joint operational...

Politics

5 h. ago US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Leaves South China Sea, Heads West Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Leaves South China Sea, Heads West Amid Rising Middle East Tensions  kurdistan24.net

Events

6 h. ago US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions

US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions  Reuters

Events

6 h. ago 80% of 25 eyeshadows found to contain heavy metals: Hong Kong consumer watchdog

More than 80 per cent of 25 cream and liquid eyeshadows tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have been found to contain heavy metals that may cause skin allergy, with lead being detected in all products, but at levels that do not pose safety concerns. Nine of the 25 single-colour models in stick, cream and liquid form did not list an expiry date or period after opening, according to the Consumer Council. Ten products only listed ingredients in Japanese or provided no such label. “The industry...

Politics

6 h. ago US Aircraft Carrier Heads West From S.China Sea Amid Middle East Tensions

US Aircraft Carrier Heads West From S.China Sea Amid Middle East Tensions  U.S. News & World Report

Events

8 h. ago PLA patrols in the South China Sea as Philippines, Japan hold joint drills

The Chinese military carried out patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, as the Philippines and Japan held a joint drill in the disputed waters. China’s People’s Liberation Army joint sea and air patrols were conducted by the Southern Theatre Command, its spokesman Senior Colonel Tian Junli said in a statement on Sunday. The PLA patrols were a response to the Philippines-Japan joint maritime drills – their second since August – which Tian called a threat to regional peace. “The Philippines...

Politics

11 h. ago Going down: the acclaimed Japanese airport that’s sinking into the sea

Japan’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) has won international awards for its architectural design, efficiency and staff, and was recognised last year as the best airport in the world for baggage delivery after not mislaying a single item of luggage for a decade. Despite all the plaudits, KIX has a major drawback: it is sinking. Built on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, KIX was one of the largest construction and engineering projects ever undertaken in Japan. Made up of two islands, one...

Politics

26 h. ago China's Military Conducts Patrols in South China Sea, Warns Philippines

China's Military Conducts Patrols in South China Sea, Warns Philippines  U.S. News & World Report

Events

31 h. ago How the next Philippine president could reshape its South China Sea policy

With Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr about halfway through his six-year term, questions are growing over whether his successor will uphold his firmer stance on the South China Sea or, as one senior official has warned, retreat to the symbolic “jet ski” posturing and softer policies seen under his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. Last month’s midterm elections delivered a split Senate, with Marcos-aligned candidates winning five of the 12 contested seats and Duterte allies clinching the...

Politics

56 h. ago 9 East Asian destinations you can fly directly to from Manchester Airport

9 East Asian destinations you can fly directly to from Manchester Airport  The Bolton News

Transport

2 d. ago Air India crash witnesses recount horrific scenes of corpses and dead dogs

It was just another long and languorous summer afternoon for Chirag Patel at his mobile phone retail shop near Ahmedabad’s airport on the outskirts of the western city when he was greeted by a shocking sight in the sky – a massive Air India plane was plunging towards a building. “We are used to seeing planes taking off or landing at the airport, but I was horrified to see one heading right at us. The plane’s tail struck a building that houses a student hostel and got stuck. The front portion...

Events

2 d. ago How China is driving a surge in shipping along Arctic sea routes

Chinese companies are showing growing interest in shipping goods to the West via the Northern Sea Route – an icy Arctic passage that opens up each summer – according to Rosatom, the Russian company that operates infrastructure along the route. The firm anticipates a significant uptick in voyages by Chinese companies along the NSR during the coming summer-autumn shipping season, and is adding more nuclear-powered icebreakers to its fleet to handle the growing traffic flow. Cargo traffic on the...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘Any time, any place’: Philippine army to be deployed to South China Sea islands

A senior Philippine military official has revealed a soon-to-be-deployed strategy that would involve an army contingent to support law enforcement units on occupied islands in the South China Sea. Observers said the strategy would align with Manila’s policy shift from an internal to external defence posture aimed at protecting the country’s territorial waters. One expert, however, warned that it could lead to more aggressive moves by the Chinese navy and coastguard if Beijing were to view...

Politics

3 d. ago Japan monk adopts ‘noisy’ abandoned dog, later saved by canine from fierce bear

A Japanese Buddhist monk who adopted an abandoned dog was saved by the canine during a fierce bear attack. Tougen Yoshihara, the abbot of Youkoku Temple, a historic temple in Niigata in central Japan, was taking his one-year-old Beagle, Chico, for a walk in the woods near the temple on May 29 when an unexpected encounter occurred. Suddenly, a 1.6-metre-tall bear appeared before them, leaving Yoshihara in shock, as he had never before faced such a beast. In a panic, he stumbled and fell while...

Politics

3 d. ago Taking lessons from Ukraine, Taiwan eyes sea drones to counter China

Taking lessons from Ukraine, Taiwan eyes sea drones to counter China  Reuters

Events

3 d. ago Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet manoeuvres

Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made “abnormal approaches” to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo’s defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached...

Events

4 d. ago ‘Overflowing with faeces, urine’: 150 dead cats found in Japanese woman’s home

A volunteer at an animal welfare group in Japan has been arrested after about 150 dead cats were discovered at her home in Kumamoto city. Police and animal rescue volunteers found the bodies, some in an advanced stage of decomposition, on Tuesday after they entered the woman’s home to investigate a pet owner’s complaint to the animal welfare group on May 27. The complainant said she had handed over four of her late mother’s pet cats to the suspect, who had promised her regular updates and...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong flights to 2 Japanese cities cut over sluggish tourism and quake fears

Hong Kong Airlines is set to cancel flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto in Japan in July and August, citing sluggish demand for tourism in the country, while flight schedules between the city and Nagoya will also be adjusted. The carrier announced the flight adjustments on Thursday amid growing concerns about a long-feared megaquake predicted to hit Japan. The airline said affected passengers could rebook for other destinations, including other cities in Japan and mainland China, as well as...

Politics