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BEIJING (Reuters) – China hopes the United States will “do more things” conducive to Sino-U.S. dialogue, the foreign ministry said on Monday, days after Washington angered Beijing with accusations of information manipulation. Communication between officials of both sides has increased in recent months, bringing some improvement in ties strained for years over issues such as …

China hopes US will ‘do more things’ conducive to dialogue Read More »

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s environment ministry on Monday denied accusations that forest fires in Sumatra and its portion of Borneo island, which have blanketed some of its cities with thick haze, have also affected air quality in neighbouring Malaysia. Malaysia on Friday warned residents of high pollution levels in most areas on the west coast …

Indonesia denies smog from forest fires drifted to Malaysia Read More »

By Francis Tang and Satoshi Sugiyama TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s top talent agency Johnny & Associates said on Monday it would split into two entities – one devoted to compensating victims of sexual abuse by its late founder, adding that 325 people so far have sought damages. The agency will also be changing its name, …

Japan’s top talent agency to dissolve after sex abuse scandal; over 300 seek damages Read More »

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan prosecutors said on Monday they are investigating accusations that people tried to interfere in the island’s submarine program and that details about it were leaked, in what would be a serious breach of security. Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine on Thursday, a major step in a project aimed at …

Taiwan investigating accusation submarine program details leaked Read More »

MANILA (Reuters) – President Ferdinand Marcos has suffered a “significant” drop in his approval rating as soaring consumer prices in the Philippines undermines his support, a polling organisation said on Monday. The Pulse Asia Survey, conducted from Sept. 10 to 14, found 65% of 1,200 respondents approved of the president’s performance, down 15 points from …

Philippines’ Marcos suffers ‘significant’ drop in approval rating Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese military released an animated short film on National Day showing pieces of a scroll painting torn in two more than 300 years ago being reunited, in a show of the mainland’s determination to bring self-ruled Taiwan into the fold. The pieces of the “The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains”, one …

Two elves and a scroll: China military releases animation on Taiwan ‘reunification’ Read More »

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said on Monday he would boycott official celebrations for the island’s national day this year after accusing the government of turning it into an overt attempt at pushing independence ahead of an election. Taiwan’s identity, including how it relates to China, which claims the island as its …

In election year, Taiwan’s national day becomes polarising celebration Read More »

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia’s cabinet may undergo a reshuffle, state news agency Bernama reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The cabinet reshuffle “will be soon”, Bernama reported Zahid as saying on Sunday. He said one of the reasons for the cabinet reshuffle was to fill the domestic trade and cost of living …

Malaysia cabinet reshuffle a possibility – deputy PM Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – China will back firms in the smart vehicle supply chain to form groups dedicated to spreading innovation, state media said on Monday, as it races to hammer out standards for assisted and autonomous driving functions by 2025. The world’s largest auto market, which set the target for such standards in July, has …

China moves to strengthen innovation in smart driving Read More »