Asia-Pacific

A man uses a magnifying glass to read a newspaper headline reporting on Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducting military exercises, at a stand in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that China should not hold hostage talks on important global matters such as the climate crisis, after Beijing cut off contacts with Washington in retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier this week. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

China keeps up pressure on Taiwan with 4th day of drills

The People's Liberation Army said the exercises focused on testing its long-range air and ground strikes. It did not say if it will continue the drills after Sunday.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during the ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the Aug. 6 atomic bombing in the city, at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Kyodo News via AP)

Kishida plans ‘large-scale’ reshuffle of Cabinet

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also president of the Liberal Democratic Party, has resolved to reshuffle his Cabinet and appoint new party executives this week, he said at a press conference in Hiroshima on Saturday. He is expected to make the new appointments on Wednesday.

Hiroshima vows nuke ban at 77th memorial amid Russia threat

Hiroshima on Saturday remembered the atomic bombing 77 years ago as officials, including the head of the United Nations, warned against nuclear weapons buildup and as fears grow of another such attack amid Russia's war on Ukraine.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at Malacanang Palace on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Manila, Philippines. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images/TNS)

Blinken vows to stand by Philippines amid China tensions

The Philippines has locked horns with China over the past few years over Beijing's increasing presence in the resource-rich South China Sea.

A TV screen shows a news program reporting about U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was visiting the Joint Security Area of the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea.

North Korea calls Pelosi ‘destroyer of international peace’

North Korea on Saturday called U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “the worst destroyer of international peace and stability,” accusing her of inciting anti-North Korea sentiment and enraging China during her Asian tour earlier this week.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, attends the 12th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Blinken: China military drills are 'significant escalation'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that China's military exercises aimed at Taiwan, including missiles fired into Japan's exclusive economic zone, represent a "significant escalation" and that he has urged Beijing to back down.

Soldiers lower the Taiwanese flag during a ceremony at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. on Aug. 4, 2022.

Ships delay sailing to key Taiwan port to avoid China drill zone

Ship owners are worried about the possibility of missiles hitting their vessels, choosing to idle vessels and burn extra fuel until the drills pass.

People gather near a giant green pipe that leads to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

Only in Japan: Super Nintendo World offers a one-of-a-kind experience, until 2023

A unique, magical world based on the classic Super Mario World game franchise awaits at Universal Studios Japan.

Visitors to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum learn how ramen came to be. As various cuisines entered Japan after the country’s ports opened in 1859, ramen was created from Chinese noodles and Japanese ingredients.

Immerse yourself in ramen at a Japanese museum of the noodle

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is more than just a museum. It is a food-themed, three-floor indoor experience where guests can shop for vintage treats or make their own noodles.

Taiwan Air Force Mirage fighter jets taxi on a runway at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. China says it summoned European diplomats in the country to protest statements issued by the Group of Seven nations and the European Union criticizing threatening Chinese military exercises surrounding Taiwan. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)

China cuts off vital US contacts over Pelosi Taiwan visit

China says it is cutting off dialogue with the U.S. on a range of vital issues from climate change to military relations and anti-narcotics efforts in retaliation for a visit this week to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, center left, are seated close together during an east Asia summit foreign ministers meeting at Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Blinken is on a ten day trip to Cambodia, Philippians, South Africa, Congo, and Rwanda. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

China military drills are ‘significant escalation,’ Blinken says

China launched the drills following a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan that infuriated Beijing, which claims the self-governed island as its own territory.

Nobuo Harada, 85, stands in his Kawaguchiko Zero Fighter Museum near Mount Fuji, Japan, Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Craftsmen are restoring a rare ‘Myrt’ Japanese warplane, one of only two known to exist

A military aircraft buff is leading the restoration of a rare example of the last Japanese warplane downed during World War II.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, are seated close together during an east Asia summit foreign ministers meeting at Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

US, Russia, China take part in talks with SE Asian nations

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined the foreign ministers of Russia and China at a meeting Friday with top diplomats from Southeast Asia that comes at a time of increased tensions between Washington, Moscow and Beijing.

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