East Asia

From VOA Mandarin: Trump 2.0 and the future of the CHIPS Act

From VOA Mandarin: In China, record-high number of applicants for the civil service exam

Altercation highlights chronic tension between Thailand, Myanmar over fishing rights

Four Thai crew members are still detained in Myanmar

China’s defense minister reappears, as military purge marches on 

Some analysts say Beijing’s military purge is likely to continue in 2025 as an anti-corruption campaign has become a regular way to manage the sector 

TikTok asks federal appeals court to bar enforcement of potential ban until Supreme Court review 

The legal filing was made after a panel of three judges on the same court sided with the government last week and ruled that the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company

Tonga PM abruptly resigns following rift with king 

Sovaleni has butted heads with Tonga's influential King Tupou VI, fueling speculation of a deepening rift between the royals and his government

Sent back to Cambodia from Thailand, six government critics face charges, trial  

Authorities deported Pen Chan Sangkream, Hong An, Mean Chanthon, Yin Chanthou, Soeung Khunthea and Vorn Chanratchana last month   

Taiwan says China has sent naval ships into nearby waters ahead of anticipated drills 

Taiwan's defense ministry said it detected Chinese naval and coast guard ships entering the Taiwan Strait and the western Pacific and that China had restricted airspace along its southeast coast through Wednesday 

South Korea’s leadership unclear as Yoon struggles to retain power

Fishing boat capsizes after colliding with barge in South Korea, killing 7

Dozens of emergency workers, along with 15 coast guard vessels and six helicopters, were mobilized to search for the missing passenger

Australian synagogue fire declared terrorism

The declaration gave investigators more resources, information and legal powers to pursue the three suspects, police said

Australia outlines changes to anti-slavery law

Review found that legislation had 'not yet caused meaningful change' for victims and made various recommendations to strengthen the law