World
Asia
Japan quake toll rises as many trapped under possibly thousands of homes
Authorities have confirmed 55 deaths, all in Ishikawa prefecture, making it Japan’s deadliest earthquake since 2016.
- by Kiyoshi Takenaka, Sakura Murakami and Kantaro Komiya
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Air accident
Five dead after coast guard plane collides with passenger jet at Tokyo airport
All 379 passengers and crew of a Japan Airlines plane miraculously escaped from a fire following the collision, but five of the six crew of the coast guard aircraft were killed.
Updated
Earthquakes
Thousands homeless, dozens dead following powerful earthquake in Japan
Aftershocks continue to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 quake slammed the area on Monday.
- by Satoshi Sugiyama
Updated
Earthquakes
‘I thought I was going to die’: Australians recount Japan quake escape
The 7.6-magnitude earthquake in western Japan has killed at least 30 people and reduced buildings to rubble.
- by Sarah McPhee and Jessica McSweeney
Updated
World politics
South Korea opposition leader stabbed in neck by man ‘wanting autograph’
Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 election, was attacked while surrounded by reporters and supporters. The assailant was arrested at the scene.
- by Hyonhee Shin
More Aussies in Bali than ever, and Indonesia wants to return the favour
Australians have returned to the island in droves, but the Albanese government is being urged to finally make travel to Australia easier for Indonesians.
- by Chris Barrett, Karuni Rompies and Amilia Rosa
Xi says China will ‘surely be reunified’ with self-ruled Taiwan in New Year’s address
China has described Taiwan’s January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace.
North Korea warns war inevitable, builds up spy satellites and nuclear arsenal
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has vowed North Korea will launch three new spy satellites, build military drones and boost its nuclear arsenal in 2024.
- by Cynthia Kim, Josh Smith and Jack Kim
How US fast food giants are supersizing investment in China
Bullishness for China as other industries try to de-risk and detangle from Beijing may be a profit-increasing strategy for the fast food industry.
- by Aamer Madhani, Paul Wiseman and Elaine Kurtenbach
Ghost ships at reawakened North Korea port put Ukraine in peril
An extra one million shells means about 2700 rounds more per day Russia could fire at Ukraine, which is already having trouble procuring artillery and may face more difficulty if aid from the US isn’t secured.
- by Jon Herskovitz
Japan wants a stronger military but where will it find the troops?
Already, on a newly commissioned navy frigate, the nurse doubles as dishwasher and cook.
- by Motoko Rich and Hikari Hida