Asia Pacific
North Korea says hit by worst drought in 100 years
North Korea has been hit by what it describes as its worst drought in a century, which could worsen chronic food shortages ...Hong Kong braced for vote on its future
Hong Kong lawmakers began a debate on Wednesday on a Beijing-backed electoral reform proposal that will define the city\'s democratic future and ...Filipino Muslim rebels hand over assault weapons as gesture to reinforce peace deal
The largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines handed over dozens of assault weapons Tuesday in a symbolic gesture to reinforce a ...China says South China Sea island building to finish soon
China will soon complete some of its land reclamation on the Spratly islands in the disputed South China Sea, the Foreign Ministry ...Volcano erupts in Japan
A light scattering of ash pointed to an eruption of the most active volcano on Japan\'s main island of Honshu, weather authorities ...World leaders accused of shameful failure over refugee crisis
Rights group Amnesty International on Monday slammed world leaders for "condemning millions of refugees to an unbearable existence" and demanded they work ...Thousands rally as Hong Kong braces for democracy showdown
Hong Kong is gearing up for a vote this week on a contentious electoral reform package backed by Beijing, with a weekend ...China to remove visa requirements for Taiwanese
China will lift a visa requirement for Taiwanese travelling to the mainland, state media reported Sunday, part of a wider plan to ...Malaysia Airlines jet makes emergency landing in Australia
A Malaysia Airlines flight returned safely to Melbourne airport on Friday, having turned back within minutes of take-off after an engine fire ...Pregnant woman among new MERS cases in South Korea
A deadly outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) forced South Korea\'s central bank to cut interest rates on Thursday as authorities ...