Reuters Asia Top

(Reuters) -A United Nations mission arrived in Nagorno-Karabakh on Sunday, Azerbaijani media reported, as a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from the region began drawing to a close following a Azerbaijani military offensive last month. The mission, led by a senior U.N. aid official, is the global body’s first access to the region in about …

UN mission arrives in Nagorno-Karabakh as ethnic Armenian exodus nears end Read More »

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Sunday called for talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia to restore peace in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that the region was experiencing a humanitarian crisis. “I have been following the dramatic situation of the displaced people in Nagorno-Karabakh in recent days and I renew my call for dialogue between Azerbaijan and …

Pope says Nagorno-Karabakh experiencing a humanitarian crisis Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea accused the United States on Sunday of letting a “terrorist” act against Cuba take place on U.S. soil, saying a recent attack against the Cuban embassy in Washington was the result of “despicable anti-Cuban” U.S. intentions. The United States has neglected to ensure the safety of the Cuban mission and …

North Korea blames US for ‘grave terrorist’ act against Cuban embassy Read More »

By Mohamed Junayd MALE (Reuters) -Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives presidential election, beating incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff that could herald a pro-China shift for the Indian Ocean archipelago, from traditional partner India. With nearly all votes counted, the Elections Commission of the Maldives said on its website that …

Maldives opposition candidate Muizzu wins presidential vote Read More »

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -East Timor has not discussed military cooperation with China in its upgrade of diplomatic ties, President Jose Ramos-Horta said, adding Australia and Indonesia can “sleep at peace” because the island nation won’t be a security concern to its neighbours. China’s increasing assertiveness in efforts to form security ties with developing …

Timor president says China military cooperation ‘never discussed’ Read More »

GENEVA (Reuters) -Over 88,000 people have crossed into Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh and the total number of arrivals could rise to 120,000, said a U.N. refugee agency official on Friday, appealing for support as authorities struggle to cope with the influx. More than half the population of the breakaway statelet has fled since Azerbaijan launched an …

UN refugee agency readying for up to 120,000 refugees in Armenia Read More »

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Singapore’s population grew 5% in a year as foreign workers returned to the city-state following the pandemic, data released on Friday showed. There were 5.9 million people in Singapore as of June, up from 5.6 million in June last year. Of these, 61% were Singaporeans, 9% were permanent residents …

Singapore’s population grows 5% as foreign workers return post-pandemic Read More »

By Neil Jerome Morales and Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines will put up a strong defence of its territory and the rights of its fishers and is not looking for trouble, its president said on Friday, as a row simmers with China over access to a strategic South China Sea shoal. The Philippine …

Philippines defending territory, not seeking trouble in South China Sea – president Read More »

BERLIN (Reuters) – China’s ambassador to Germany called for Europe to be more open to Chinese investment, urging deeper cooperation in areas such as electric cars and 5G technology after a series of clashes. Berlin is in the process of reassessing its relationship with China, a country it dubs both a partner and a rival. …

Beijing wants more openness and less China bashing from Europe: envoy Read More »