World
Asia
Cyber what? Japan cyber security minister admits he doesn't get it
Yoshitaka Sakurada, 68, who also serves as minister for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, faced a parliamentary committee Thursday on the country's new cyber security law.
- by Simon Denyer
Latest
Good Weekend
China’s artificial moons – and other audacious projects
The next big thing? A plan to launch reflective material into space to illuminate cities at night. But not everyone is on board.
- by Greg Callaghan
Good Weekend
How a chain store captures the essence of a country's everyday life
Concerned about the cling wrap touching the banana bread? Japan's Tokyu Hands has the answer to this and many other daily dilemmas.
- by Amelia Lester
Prabowo Subianto
Presidential candidate says Indonesia should respect Australian sovereignty on embassy move
Prabowo Subianto took a sharply different line to Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
- by James Massola & Karuni Rompies
Singapore
Singapore finance minister seen in line to be country's next prime minister
Heng's appointment as the first assistant secretary general of the People's Action Party follows months of behind-the-scenes moves to select a new leader,
- by Fathin Ungku
Terrorism
Karachi police kill attackers at Chinese consulate
Two police officers were killed in a shootout after gunmen stormed the consulate.
Tragedy
Cut off from the world, an Indian island remains a mystery
For thousands of years, the people of North Sentinel Island have kept away from the rest of the world.
Cyber Conflict
US asks allies to avoid Huawei's equipment: WSJ
The US is trying to persuade wireless and internet providers in allied countries to avoid telecommunications equipment from China's Huawei Technologies.
Tragedy
Indian island police struggle to get body of US missionary adventurer
Indian authorities are struggling to figure out how to recover the body of missionary killed after wading ashore on an island cut off from the modern world.
Influence campaigns
Spectre of meddling by Beijing looms over Taiwan’s elections
As Taiwan prepares to hold local elections, concerns are growing that Beijing's long effort to sway the island's politics has been armed with a new weapon.
- by Chris Horton
Human rights
Lese-majeste is dead. Long live lese-majeste
Thailand’s notorious royal defamation law has not been used in a year, but the chances of it being abolished are as remote as ever.
- by Michael Ruffles