asia - Voice of America (VOA News)

This picture shows the control tower and the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft which crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, some 288 kilometers southwest of Seoul on Jan. 2, 2025.

January 02, 2025

South Korea police search Jeju Air, airport operator over fatal plane crash

Investigators planned to seize documents and materials related to the operation and maintenance of the aircraft as well as the operation of airport facilities

TOPSHOT - Police officers stand guard outside of impeached South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol's residence (back) in Seoul on Jan. 2, 2025.

January 02, 2025

South Korea's impeached president resists arrest over martial law bid

The embattled leader issued the bungled declaration on Dec. 3 that led to his impeachment and has left him facing arrest, imprisonment or, at worst, the death penalty.

FILE - A census counter places a sticker at the entrance of a house after collecting information there, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Oct. 1, 2024. The country is holding a national census to compile voter lists for a general election to be held in 2025.

January 01, 2025

China-backed election raises fears of 'negative peace' in Myanmar

As Myanmar’s junta pushes ahead with a vote in 2025, critics warn Beijing’s support may legitimize what they call a sham election

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te waves with the Taiwanese flag during a flag-raising ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 1, 2025.

January 01, 2025

Taiwan's president says Beijing remains the obstacle for resuming cross-strait exchanges

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said China has been blocking civil society exchanges but reiterated Taipei’s willingness to resume relevant efforts

FILE - A bus moves past a bridge with the backdrop of the financial district of Pudong in Shanghai, China, Sept. 27, 2024

December 31, 2024

VOA Mandarin: China 2025: Seven major developments to watch

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year message on Dec. 31, 2024 in Beijing to ring in 2025. (Ju Peng/Xinhua via AP)

December 31, 2024

VOA Mandarin: Experts react to Xi Jinping's New Year’s speech

Investigators from South Korea and the U.S. inspect the scene where a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport, in Muan, South Korea, Dec. 31, 2024.

December 31, 2024

US, Boeing investigators examine site of deadly South Korean plane crash

All but two of the 181 people aboard the Boeing 737-800 operated by South Korean budget airline Jeju Air died in Sunday's crash in the country’s south

FILE - A tourist visits Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 23, 2022.

December 31, 2024

Thailand's economy, tourism remain focus for 2025 under younger Shinawatra

Experts believe past political figures will influence the country's national and foreign policies

The 9 PM fireworks explode during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 31, 2024. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi/via Reuters)

December 31, 2024

World welcomes 2025 with light shows, embraces and ice plunges

Countries in South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.