asia-pacific2.025 min read
Marcos Signs Absolute Pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, Ending 16-Year Legal Saga
15 days ago•Source: The New York Times
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12.66 min•24 days ago
Fiji Declares National Emergency Amid HIV Surge Fueled by Injected Drug Use
Fiji, a Pacific island nation of under a million people, declared a national emergency as HIV infections surged, with more than 2,000 new cases in 2025—about 16 times the 2019 level—and roughly 1 in 60 adults living with HIV; officials say the spike is linked to increased injectable drug use, and UNAIDS called it one of the sharpest increases globally.
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Putin and Xi Unite in Central Asia to Counter Western Influence at SCO Summit
France 24•1 month ago
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Seoul seeks formal end to Korean War via talks with Pyongyang
France 24•1 month ago
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Papua Rebels Claim American Pilot Killed as Fireball Message to US and Indonesia
West Papua separatists (TPNPB) say they killed an American pilot and burned a civilian plane in Yahukimo as a “message” to the US and Indonesian governments; Indonesian authorities confirmed a plane with an American pilot and seven Papuan passengers was found burned but could not confirm an attack or the pilot’s death. Rebels warned of further attacks if civilian flights enter rebel-held zones. The incident occurs against a backdrop of long-running unrest in Papua and past kidnappings and clashes involving Papuan separatists.
Philippine president orders probe after Tacloban school shooting kills three
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into a Tacloban school shooting that killed three and left five injured, with police arresting a minor student and another suspect. The attack at San Jose National High School led to heightened security around schools, and the Education Department labeled it a high-alert incident as investigators probe the circumstances and possible motive behind the shooting.
Xi’s Pyongyang Visit Signals Tacit NK Nuclear Status Amid Cross-Strait Tensions
Xi Jinping’s June 8–9 trip to Pyongyang signals tacit Chinese acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear status and a push for closer PRC–NK coordination, a move that could embolden Kim Jong Un in seeking concessions from the US and South Korea while signaling a shift away from denuclearization rhetoric. Separately, Taiwan’s KMT leader Cheng Li-wun completed a U.S. visit (June 12) to advocate cross-strait engagement, underscoring Beijing’s layered diplomacy. In the maritime domain, China conducted a June 6–10 law-enforcement operation east of Taiwan to assert EEZ rights and practice A2AD-style control, coordinating with coast guard and civilian vessels around Pratas and Itu Aba and signaling potential moves toward a more permanent presence in the South China Sea (including a manned structure near Scarborough Shoal). Dutch frigate De Ruyter’s Taiwan Strait transit, tracked by China and reportedly jammed, highlighted ongoing freedom-of-navigation tensions. Within the CCP, Cai Qi was named head of the Central Party School, reflecting Xi’s confidence in trusted lieutenants amid internal purges. In Oceania, New Zealand sanctioned four MPs for visiting Taiwan, risking friction in Five Eyes ties. Taiwan’s drone program remains a fiscal battleground as the DPP pushes for five-year funding while opposition parties seek to fold it into the general budget, a dynamic that maps onto broader deterrence needs highlighted by Ukraine’s drone warfare lessons.
Jakarta students rally against Prabowo spending, warn of a bankrupt Indonesia
Hundreds of Indonesian students rallied in Jakarta to protest President Prabowo Subianto’s spending priorities and this week’s gasoline price rise, naming the protest “Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia.” They demanded five points: cancel Prabowo’s flagship free meals and village-cooperatives programs, lower fuel and staple-food prices, and end “wasteful” spending. The government defended subsidies and the free meals program as public-health measures and said the protests are democratic, while critics fear expanded military roles could threaten democracy; protesters cited concerns about governance and potential fiscal strain on subsidies amid higher oil prices.
Bear captured in Japan after days-long urban hunt
A wild black bear weighing about 100 kg was captured in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, after a dramatic multi-day urban search that led to the closure of 94 municipal schools and a call for residents to stay indoors; authorities feared a second bear roaming the city, and the captured bear was tranquilized, placed in a cage and transported away as officials decide its next steps.
Open Strait, Guarded Interests: China’s nuanced take on Hormuz
China wants the Strait of Hormuz to stay open for traffic and energy flows, but not at the cost of its energy security or allowing Iran to gain leverage. Beijing favors a regional mechanism that could charge a non-toll-like environmental fee, avoids a blockade, and opposes any Chapter VII move that could authorize force against Iran. GCC states such as the UAE and Bahrain oppose giving Iran more influence and would prefer the US to resume pressure or bombing Iran. Beijing is wary that upheaval in Iran could threaten its energy security, as seen in Venezuela-like scenarios, so China remains cautious about UN resolutions and broader enforcement measures in Hormuz.
Japan fires first overseas anti-ship missiles during Balikatan, sinks decommissioned Philippine vessel
During the Balikatan exercise off northwestern Luzon, Japan fired two Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles from Culili Point, sinking the decommissioned BRP Quezon (ex-USS Vigilance) about 50 miles offshore — the first time Tokyo has launched missiles outside its territory. The drill also involved Philippine frigates, a Canadian frigate, a U.S. P-8 Poseidon and an MQ-9 drone, signaling deeper regional security cooperation as tensions with China rise; Philippine President Marcos Jr. watched remotely alongside Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro. Officials say future Balikatan drills are likely to expand in size and scope to deter shared threats.
French teen in Singapore could face prison over straw-licking video
An 18-year-old French student in Singapore has been charged with mischief and public nuisance for posting a video of him licking a vending-machine straw and returning it. Mischief can carry up to two years in prison or a fine, while public nuisance carries up to three months or a fine. He has not entered a plea and is due back in court May 29 after being granted permission to travel to Manila for a school trip.
In-Flight Photos Tied to 2021 Korean Jet Collision, Audit Finds
A December 2021 midair collision between two South Korean Air Force F-15Ks was linked to pilots taking photos and filming during the mission; as they tried to regain separation, one aircraft pulled up and the lead plane was clipped, causing damage exceeding $600,000. The audit found the air force partly responsible for lax in-flight photography rules; the wingman was ordered to pay one-tenth of the bill and has since left the military, with no injuries reported.
Massive Sabah blaze devastates Kampung Bahagia, destroying thousands of homes
A massive overnight fire in Kampung Bahagia, Sabah (Borneo), destroyed more than 1,000 stilt homes and displaced about 9,000 residents over four hectares of densely packed housing; firefighting was hampered by low tide and water access. The cause is under investigation, though a gas stove incident is suspected. No deaths have been reported, with several injuries and authorities coordinating relocation and relief for the affected communities.