Reuters Asia Top

By Jason Lange and David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – – A majority of Americans believe that China uses TikTok to shape U.S. public opinion, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted as Washington moves closer to potentially banning the Chinese-owned short-video app. Some 58% of respondents to the two-day poll, which closed on Tuesday, agreed with …

Most Americans see TikTok as a Chinese influence tool, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Read More »

By Kirsty Needham (Reuters) – Solomon Islands lawmakers will select a new prime minister in a secret ballot on Thursday, choosing between foreign minister Jeremiah Manele and opposition leader Matthew Wale, after a national election failed to deliver a majority to any political party. The election is being closely watched by China, the U.S. and …

Solomon Islands lawmakers to vote Thursday for new PM as China deals eyed Read More »

By Gloria Dickie and Ruma Paul (Reuters) -Hena Khan, a grade nine student in Dhaka, has struggled to focus on her studies this week as temperatures surpassed 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Bangladesh capital. “There is no real education in schools in this punishing heat,” she said. “Teachers can’t teach, students can’t …

Extreme heat shuts schools for millions, widening learning gaps worldwide Read More »

MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines on Wednesday accused China’s coast guard of elevating tensions in the South China Sea after two vessels suffered damage from water cannon use by Beijing, an official said. Philippine officials have said a coast guard ship and a fisheries vessel were damaged when Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannons at …

Philippines says Chinese coast guard elevating tensions in South China Sea Read More »

By Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan is on alert for China to carry out military exercises after the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te this month, the island’s top security official said on Wednesday, adding China has already begun using unusual new tactics. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has a strong …

Taiwan on alert for post-inauguration Chinese drills Read More »

By Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) – South Korea has held talks about joining part of the AUKUS defence deal between the U.S., Britain and Australia, Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said on Wednesday, only weeks after the pact said it would consider including Japan. Formed in 2021, AUKUS is a two-stage security pact to counteract China’s …

South Korea discusses joining part of AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia Read More »

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia will boost salaries for civil servants by more than 13% from December, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday, amid rising prices, a weak ringgit currency, and plans to reform subsidies. Anwar had earlier vowed subsidy cuts and higher taxes this year, while re-directing financial aid to the needy. Analysts …

Malaysia plans 13% salary hike for civil servants from Dec amid rising prices Read More »

HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam’s parliament is set to meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss personnel issues, the office of the country’s lawmaking body said on Wednesday, five days after its chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue, quit due to personal reasons. The National Assembly last month convened a special meeting to accept the sudden resignation of then …

Vietnam lawmakers to hold extraordinary meeting on personnel issues Read More »