Taiwan
Japan’s new ‘Iron Lady’ Sanae Takaichi – a win for Taiwan, a slap in the face for China
Galling to China, Takaichi is said to be a regular visitor to Yasukuni Shrine, which, given its enshrinement of Japan’s war dead, including a number of convicted war criminals, is seen as a political slap in the face by Beijing.
Taiwan’s ruling DPP rocked by Chinese espionage within its own ranks
Wu Shang-yu, formerly attached to Taiwanese President William Lai’s office, was sentenced to four years.
Paraguay presses for Taiwan’s UN membership
Paraguay’s President, Santiago Peña, has urged the UN General Assembly to admit Taiwan as a full member, calling its exclusion a "long-standing injustice that undermines the credibility of the multilateral system."
Super typhoon Ragasa wreaks havoc across Asia
At least 14 have died in Taiwan after a barrier lake, swollen by heavy rains, burst its banks. The flood released more than 60mn tonnes of water into Guangfu township, destroying a bridge, submerging homes, and leaving 124 people missing.
Outcry in the Philippines over flood-control corruption as Super Typhoon Ragasa sweeps through
The series of protests showed one of the largest alliances against graft in recent times. From bishops and senators to farmers, urban poor residents and hobby cyclists, participants expressed impatience with scandals draining public resources.
Argentina’s meltdown, Asia’s dilemma
Argentina has been here before - the country having endured multiple financial meltdowns over the last half-century - each one leaving scars on its once vibrant society and economy.
Philippines evacuates thousands ahead of approaching super typhoon
The Philippine weather service has issued alerts about life-threatening storm surges, with waves potentially exceeding three metres.
COMMENT: The duplicity of Taiwan’s nationality regulations
As Taiwan stands, its nationality law reflects a divisive contradiction and one wrapped in the stigma of discrimination.
Taiwan central bank maintains rates as growth momentum strengthens
Officials at the Central Bank of the Republic of China cited robust economic performance and subdued price pressures as reasons to hold steady.
COMMENT: Why Beijing will never take Taiwan
Xi Jinping needs to think again before he sends so many young Chinese men and women to their deaths on Taiwan, for if the PLA does one day dare to land, they will be buried here.
Taiwan releases updated civil defence guide focusing on wartime scenarios
Taiwan releases updated civil defence guide focusing on wartime scenarios, including protection tips and warnings about false surrender messages during potential conflicts.
Extreme poverty falling steadily – OWID
To track progress towards ending extreme poverty, the United Nations relies on World Bank estimates of the number of people living below a poverty threshold called the “International Poverty Line” (IPL), Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
Asia’s gas utilities are politically shielded but economically exposed
Many of the region’s gas distributors enjoy the safety net of being government-related entities and are ‘protected’ to a large extent. Their credit profiles are, in reality, extensions of sovereign ratings rather than stand-alone assessments.
China accused of escalating Taiwan tensions with oil drilling in disputed waters
By placing energy platforms in contested waters, China is signalling both defiance of international rulings and a willingness to tighten the squeeze on Taiwan.
US to draw back from Asia in new defence policy concept
The United States is scaling back its strategic focus on Asia, marking a potential end to over a decade of military and political efforts to counterbalance China’s rise in the region, Politico reports.
US and Taiwan quietly hold defence talks in Alaska as Trump balances China ties
Taipei has recently announced a record defence budget, proposing a 23% rise that would lift military spending to more than 3.3% of GDP next year.
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Taiwan’s deadly mix of drivers and pedestrians
Taiwan’s road deaths are higher than the number of those lost in the 9-11 attacks each year – or around the same number as are killed on the island in drowning incidents, fires, and workplace accidents, combined, and then multiplied by six.
How soft power is becoming Taiwan’s sharpest weapon
Taiwan’s humanitarian instinct was most visible during the COVID pandemic when over 54mn masks were shipped to more than 80 countries worldwide, but at the 2025, and 78th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Taiwan was largely excluded.
US EPA’s controversial Climate Crisis report is full of lies and mistakes
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a controversial report in July claiming the effects of the Climate Crisis were overblown. A fact check by Carbon Brief found it is full of lies and errors.
Mapping global drought risk - Statista
By 2050, more than 1.6bn people, including almost 20% of the African population, will be exposed to severe and extreme droughts, if a pessimistic scenario plays out, according to a report by INFORM Climate Change.