Asia

Japan

Japan carries out first death row executions since 2019

Public support for capital punishment in Japan remains strong despite criticism from abroad, particularly from human rights organisations.

21/12/2021

Art

'I paint hope': Young Syrian painter dreams of a European escape

16-year-old Roaa Tanari has spent most of her life living among the ruins of Syria's war.

20/12/2021

Afghanistan

Afghans face hunger as country's economy in dire straits

The return of the Taliban to power has had disastrous consequences, with almost 98% of Afghans affected by the huge shortage of food plaguing the country.

20/12/2021

Tech News

Japanese billionaire returns to Earth after 12 days on space station

Maezawa, his assistant and a Russian cosmonaut spent 12 days on the orbiting laboratory where the Japanese tourists documented their daily life aboard the ISS for Maezawa's popular YouTube channel.

20/12/2021

Partner content

Uzbekistan set for second stage of reforms

Partner content presented by NAESMI

As Uzbekistan prepares for the next stage of its reform programme, its leadership is says it will carry out a major restructuring of government, with some functions devolved to local authorities and others dispensed with altogether.

20/12/2021

Partner content

Kazakhstan holds investment forum to win over multinationals

Partner content presented by Kazakh Invest

Senior government figures and major investors were among those who attended the fourth Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR), which this year celebrated the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence.

20/12/2021

Sport

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denies making sexual assault claim

The comments did not ease worries at the WTA, which said Monday that it still had "significant concerns about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion".

20/12/2021

World

Afghanistan's brutal year: the return of the Taliban

It was a year of turmoil for Afghanistan and its people. From the Western withdrawal and evacuation to the Taliban's seizure of power - a look back at the tumultuous events of 2021.

20/12/2021

China

Voter turnout plunges in Hong Kong under new election laws

Turnout was just over 30%. It was over 50% in 2012 and 2016.

20/12/2021

No Comment

Malaysian urban areas submerged under water after major flooding

Kuala Lumpur and Balakong residents try to save items from the muddied waters outside their property, homes and cars lie submerged under flood waters and workers clear out damaged goods from a building.

19/12/2021

No Comment

Karachi Christians hold pre-Christmas procession

Hundreds of members of Karachi's Christian community took part in a pre-Christmas peace procession on Saturday.

18/12/2021

No Comment

Sea of Japan coast receives heavy snow leading to disruption

Japanese weather officials are warning of possible traffic disruptions and power outages as heavy snow continues falling mainly along the Sea of Japan coast.

18/12/2021

Philippines

'Super typhoon' Rai claims at least 208 lives in Philippines

The disaster-prone country was struck by the strongest storm of the year on Friday night.

18/12/2021

Focus

Kazakhstan celebrates 30 years of independence

In partnership with Government of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is marking 30 years of independence. In celebration, politicians and international experts gathered in the capital Nursultan for the "Leadership. Stability. Progress" conference - which focused on the experience of state building in independent Kazakhstan.

17/12/2021

Partner content

Kazakhstan builds on recent success to attract further foreign investment

Partner content presented by Kazakh Invest

This year, Kazakhstan is marking the 30th anniversary of its independence. Since 1991, the country has risen from relative obscurity and placed itself firmly on the world stage, with a steady economy and – according to the IMF – GDP predicted to climb further over the next few years.

17/12/2021

No Comment

Dead, injured amid severe floods in northern Iraq

Dead, injured amid severe floods in northern Iraq

17/12/2021

Partner content

BEYOND TOKYO 2020: personal takeaways from covering the Games

Partner content presented by Tokyo Metropolitan Government

When the Tokyo 2020 Olympics began in July 2021, I was among a limited number of foreign journalists in Japan that covered the Games.

17/12/2021

Sport

Divine Grace: Rhythmic gymnastics gets more spectacular contests under new tournament format

In partnership with Divine Grace

A new tournament is underway in Moscow that it’s hoped will promote a more spectacular style of rhythmic gymnastics. The experimental rhythmic gymnastics international tournament has been entitled “Divine Grace” and is the brainchild of Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva.

17/12/2021

North Korea

North Korea calls for unity on anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

To mark the anniversary, citizens offered flowers and paid homage before giant bronze statues of Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung at Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill.

17/12/2021

Japan

At least 24 people dead after building fire in Osaka

Japanese police said they were investigating whether the blaze was caused by arson or an accident.

17/12/2021

Partner content

Alicia Keys says new album is a ‘homecoming’

Partner content presented by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Dubai

The 15 time Grammy award winning artist is launching her new album Keys at an immersive concert in Dubai

16/12/2021

No Comment

Afghan women call for rights and aid in Taliban-approved march

Afghan women call for rights and aid in Taliban-approved march

16/12/2021

Mobility

People with disabilities can drive this car using just their hands

Mazda is releasing a new driving system in one of their latest SUVs that will allow people with lower-body disabilities to drive solely with their hands.

16/12/2021

No Comment

Typhoon threatens Philippines, thousands evacuated

Typhoon threatens Philippines, thousands evacuated

16/12/2021

Japan

"Maybe other countries wouldn’t have done it, but Tokyo did it.”

In partnership with Tokyo Metropolitan Government

In My Tokyo we hear from a US-based photographer and a French radio reporter about their experiences and memories of covering the Summer Olympic Games and exploring the city itself.

15/12/2021

Qatar 365

Qatar Hosts Formula 1: Harnessing the Power of Cars

In partnership with Qatar Foundation

Qatar 365 gets fast and furious, exploring how the motor vehicle, supercars and motorsport have shaped the culture of Qatar.

15/12/2021