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Asia
Analysis
World politics
Sex drops and whiskey packets: The bizarre market built around a barbed wire fence
An international border separates the vendors from customers, while behind it people live in the middle of a river, knowing their houses will soon be washed away.
- by Zach Hope
Latest
Putin declares it’s an unshakeable friendship. But his spies say China is ‘the enemy’
A secretive intelligence unit in Russia’s domestic security agency has warned that China poses a serious threat to security as it tries to recruit Russian spies and get its hands on sensitive military technology.
- by Jacob Judah, Paul Sonne and Anton Troianovski
North Korea raises capsized warship damaged in botched launch
It wasn’t immediately clear what condition the ship is in from lying in the water for several days after the launch failure, which Kim Jong-un labelled “a criminal act”.
- by Kim Tong-hyung
Analysis
World elections
He’s survived slums, sweatshops and a stabbing. Now this leader has to survive Donald Trump
When the US president launched his global trade war in April, South Korea was hamstrung, frozen by political turmoil. And a key industry was in the firing line.
- by Lisa Visentin
At least 11 people killed in IPL stampede outside cricket stadium
The crush happened as tens of thousands of cricket fans gathered outside a stadium in Bengaluru to celebrate the winners of the Indian Premier League.
- by Aijaz Rahi
World in pictures this week, June 5, 2025
The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by The Age picture editors.
Family of accused Bali cocaine runner break down in private meeting at police HQ
The mother and sister of Lamar Ahchee, who was arrested for allegedly accepting a delivery of 1.7 kilograms of cocaine hidden within chocolates, maintain his innocence.
- by Amilia Rosa and Patrick Begley
Putin gave him ice-cream. Xi says they’re best friends. But this bromance has limits
The leaders of Russia and China have cultivated an image of affection that has alarmed Donald Trump, but not all is as it seems, analysts say.
- by Lisa Visentin
How Elon Musk’s Starlink enables a multibillion-dollar online scam industry
Looking across the Moei River from Thailand, you can see them on the distant Myanmar rooftops – dozens of white rectangles, arranged in clusters. They’re a warning sign for what could be lurking underneath.
- by Zach Hope and Kate Geraghty
‘We’ll determine our defence policy’: PM pushes back on Hegseth pressure over China
Comments from the defence secretary have also drawn a furious response from Beijing, which says the US risks turning the Asia-Pacific region into a “powder keg”.
- by Lisa Visentin
Exclusive
China relations
‘Peace through strength’: Marles backs Hegseth after ‘stark’ China warning
Australia’s defence minister has endorsed a blistering address by his US counterpart warning Beijing that America is ready to “fight and win decisively” if it seeks military conflict over Taiwan.
- by Lisa Visentin
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/world/asia