World
Asia
Fire leaves 46 dead, dozens injured in southern Taiwan
Dozens of people living in a 13-storey residential building in Taipei have died after an “extremely fierce” fire ripped through the floors, local authorities said.
- by Huizhong Wu
Latest
‘Swarming with deadly weapons’: Why this south-east Asian nation is backing Australia’s new defence pact
The Philippine Foreign Secretary has backed in Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines deal, and also called for it to become part of ASEAN.
- by Chris Barrett
Herd immunity: The battle against vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines
A mayor’s idea of raffling off cows as an incentive to be immunised has been well-received but supply disruptions and public doubts are stumbling blocks.
- by Chris Barrett
Trump stars at Madame Tussauds opening in Dubai
Donald Trump is back in the spotlight. Not the real Trump, who has kept a relatively low profile since losing re-election last year, but a wax version of the former president and his wife Melania.
WHO announces new expert group to investigate origins of COVID-19 and other outbreaks
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday named 26 scientists to a new advisory body devoted to understanding the origins of COVID-19.
- by Adam Taylor
Trapped in his bubble, Xi hasn’t left China since the beginning of the pandemic
President Xi Jinping is isolated from world leaders just as his country - still pursuing COVID-zero - is from the world.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
‘The worst is yet to come’: China Daily issues fresh threats of trade strikes
Chinese government-controlled media has threatened Australia with further trade strikes after former prime minister Tony Abbott accused Beijing of bullying Taiwan.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Kim Jong-un vows to build ‘invincible’ military while criticising US
The North Korean leader used a rare exhibition of weapons systems as a backdrop for his effort to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul.
- by Hyung-jin Kim
Cave diving for the origin of COVID-19, six hours west of Wuhan
A bat-filled cave complex close to wildlife farms is under scrutiny in China’s Hubei province.
- by Michael Standaert and Eva Dou
Opinion
China relations
How Australia has shaped up to Xi’s aggression
Beijing regarded Australia as something of a nuisance, but it is becoming a leader among nations coalescing against China’s threats.
- by Peter Hartcher
No ‘weak link’: Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam vows to maintain COVID zero
As rival city Singapore opens up for business and tourism, China has demanded that Hong Kong hold the line on COVID infections.
- by Iain Marlow and Haslinda Amin