Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet in Pyongyang on June 19. (Pool via Reuters)
The Nikkei View

International community must prepare for threat of Russia-North Korea 'alliance'

New autocratic partnership part of strategy to overturn global order

26 June 2024
India's cow vigilantes set up roadblocks to catch Muslims and others transporting cattle. Cows are sacred in Hinduism and beef is banned or restricted in many states. 
Society

Hindu mob lynchings stoke fear and anger among India's Muslims

Brutal killings come days after Modi's nationalist BJP clinches third term

26 June 2024
North Korea appears to have launched a ballistic missile toward the sea to the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
North Korea tensions

North Korea missile launch appears to have failed, Seoul says

Japan says missile flew to an altitude of about 100 kms and range of more than 200 kms.

26 June 2024
The 200 new senators will replace lawmakers who were appointed by the military government after Thailand's 2014 coup. (Photo by Kosuke Inoue)
Turbulent Thailand

Thailand Senate election puts military's clout to test

Upcoming vote a key milestone for return to civilian rule

26 June 2024
Stream article image
The Big Story

China's undersea cable drive defies U.S. sanctions

'Diplomatic race' with Washington as Beijing pursues self-sufficient global network

26 June 2024
North Korean firing drills held in March. Pyongyang and Moscow have forged a strategic partnership providing for mutual military support in the event of an attack. (KCNA via Reuters)
International relations

As North Korea and Russia cozy up, Tokyo and Seoul clamp down

Finance ministers agree to tighten enforcement of U.N. sanctions amid evasion

26 June 2024
A family exits after clearing customs processing at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C.
U.S. elections 2024

Biden-Trump debate: Where they stand on immigration

U.S. border and visa policies central to one of America's most controversial issues

25 June 2024
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, poses with his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in June 2022, in the southern city of Davao.
Politics

Duterte eyes Senate in Philippine midterms, threatening Marcos

Latest political twist follows Vice President Sara Duterte's quitting cabinet

25 June 2024
Kenyan fishers in the Indian Ocean: The Indian Ocean Rim Association's Fisheries Support Unit needs more help to promote sustainable conservation.
Opinion

'Minilaterals' have much work to do in the Indian Ocean region

Quad programs in Southeast Asia and the Pacific show value of approach

25 June 2024
The return capsule landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua via Kyodo)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

China's moon capsule returns with first samples from far side

Mission promises scientific insights and a boost for Beijing's bigger ambitions

25 June 2024
Julian Assange is on his way to the South Pacific island of Saipan, where he will seal his plea deal with the U.S. before heading home to Australia.
Crime

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange to be freed after U.S. plea bargain

Deal ends imprisonment in Britain and allows him to return home to Australia

25 June 2024
Rahul Gandhi, left, and the Indian National Congress party are taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling alliance in parliament. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, AP and Suzu Takahashi)
Asia Insight

India's Congress party vows to fight 'fascist rule' of Modi's BJP

Stronger opposition creates 'ideal situation for democracy' in India, observers say

25 June 2024
A man rides a motorbike in an alley at Ma Lang slum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Society

U.S. upgrades Vietnam in human-trafficking report despite concerns

State Department cites failure to investigate complicit government officials

25 June 2024
Taiwan's former President Tsai Ing-wen, left, and new President Lai Ching-te wave to people during the inauguration ceremony outside the presidential office building in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 20. 
U.S. elections 2024

Biden-Trump debate: Where they stand on China and Taiwan

Candidates clash on how much clarity there should be on defending the island

25 June 2024
Six candidates are vying for Iran's presidency in the June 28 election.
Politics

Iran presidential candidates stress China, Russia ties ahead of vote

With sluggish economy, expected weak turnout seen as boon for conservatives

25 June 2024
Air China is increasing flights between Beijing and Sapporo as the weak yen makes Japan an attractive destination. (Air China)
Transportation

China-North America flights just 20% of pre-pandemic level

Geopolitical tensions slow recovery as travel demand to other regions soars

25 June 2024
Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati says President-elect Prabowo Subianto's free school lunch program will not affect the country's budgetary deficit target next year.
Economy

Indonesia looks to curb cost concerns over Prabowo's free meal program

Finance minister says budgetary deficit will stay under 3% of GDP in 2025

24 June 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, speaks with Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her ceremonial reception at the Forecourt of India's Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace in New Delhi on June 22.
International relations

Bangladesh PM Hasina visits India twice ahead of China trip

Delhi talks yield no progress on river deal that Beijing also wants a part of

24 June 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, speaks to Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations in Kuala Lumpur on June 19. (Department of Information Malaysia handout via Reuters)
International relations

China presses Global South leaders to support Taiwan 'reunification'

'One China' recognition no longer sufficient when meeting Beijing's top leaders

24 June 2024
The June 17 faceoff between the China Coast Guard and Philippine Navy forces on a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. (Handout via AFP)
Opinion

China's spilling of Filipino blood shows more U.S. support needed

Mutual defense treaty could be applied to 'gray zone' tactics in South China Sea

24 June 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, welcomes Chinese Premier Li Qiang for a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 19. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
International relations

Malaysia and Thailand keen to join BRICS: 5 things to know

Middle power nations hedge to mitigate effects of major power rivalry, analysts say

24 June 2024
The Philippines considers online casinos operating in the country for Chinese gamblers as "not yet a national security threat ... but a national security concern," according to National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters)
International relations

Philippines warns online casinos could be China-linked 'Trojan horses'

Concerns mount as authorities continue investigations and raids

24 June 2024
A person holds an image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters in New Delhi on June 4, the day the results of the general elections were announced. 
Comment

Modi 3.0: Might a 'leapfrogging' strategy lead India astray again?

Policies focused on top tiers have long plagued nation's manufacturing and job market

24 June 2024
Foreign investors are overwhelmingly predicting a softer yuan by the year-end, as expectations for a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut scale back.
Market Spotlight

Weakening yuan could be what China needs, but not what it wants

China's yuan hits 7-month low in 'complex environment'

24 June 2024
The Dalai Lama, the traditional spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, arrives at his hotel in New York on June 23.
International relations

Dalai Lama arrives in New York on trip for medical treatment

Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism has faced health problems for years

24 June 2024