World
Asia
Strongest typhoon this year closes in on north Philippines
The most powerful typhoon of the season is closing in on the northern Philippines, where officials ordered precautionary evacuations and closures of schools.
Latest
Food safety
Rat in broth wipes a fortune off Chinese restaurant chain’s value
For one Chinese restaurant chain, an item found by a customer at one of its outlets has proved to be particularly costly: a rat.
- by Tiffany May
Road safety
Car ploughs into crowd in China killing several people
Police have arrested the suspected driver of a red SUV after it plowed into a large group of people at a town square, killing several and injuring more than 40.
Exclusive
China
Mysterious 'disappearance' of actress throws Swisse vitamins into disarray
Fan Bingbing was the biggest selling point for Swisse in the massive Chinese market. Now it appears she may have been taken into custody.
- by Kirsty Needham
Soft commodities
Indo-Australian free trade deal to help struggling beef farmers
The effects of the suspension of the live cattle trade seven years ago are still being felt, but Australian-Indonesian beef trade is set to grow under the new free trade deal.
- by James Massola
Thailand
The giant war monument no one is responsible for
Bangkok's Victory Monument is hard to miss, but the government doesn't know who is looking after it.
- by Michael Ruffles
Indonesia
Leaders vow to fight illegal fishing together, boost trade
After sinking a number of illegal fishing boats in its territorial waters, Indonesia's President says he and Vietnam have agreed to cooperate.
Japan
'Healthy enough': Japan wants an end to commercial whaling ban
The country has proposed an end to the decades-old ban, arguing there is no longer a scientific reason for what was supposed to be a temporary measure.
North Korea
Kim Jong-un asks Trump for another meeting in new letter
US President Donald Trump received a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about scheduling a second meeting between the two leaders.
China
Jack Ma created digital shopping in China, and now he is stepping back
'Teacher' Ma showed China how to shop without cash, or leaving the home. The iconic Alibaba chief is quitting while he is way, way ahead.
- by Kirsty Needham
Cambodia
Former Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha freed from jail
The former opposition leader has been freed after more than a year in jail, but critics of Hun Sen's regime are cynical about the timing.
- by James Massola