K-pop diplomacy goes full throttle as South Korea hosts APEC summit
Pacific Asia • Oct 31, 2025, 3:18 PM
1 min de lecture
Recently back from military service, BTS's leader RM made history by becoming the first K-pop idol to give a keynote address at an APEC CEO summit in South Korea, calling on global leaders to support culture and embrace diversity. Coming four years after the band were invited to speak at the UN General Assembly, it was the latest display of Seoul's soft-power diplomacy, capitalising on K-pop's phenomenal global success.
Today
China sees rising popularity of drone displays
Pacific Asia • 2:42 PM
1 min
In China, large-scale drone shows are breaking records, with performances using over 15,000 drones to create spectacular images in the sky. While audiences are amazed by the precision and visual effects, technological glitches occasionally cause drones t
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Second deadly earthquake in months strikes Afghanistan
Pacific Asia • 2:26 PM
1 min
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Kholm, Afghanistan, causing damage and casualties, including the partial destruction of the historic Blue Mosque. Rescue efforts are underway, but poor infrastructure and reduced foreign aid pose significant challen
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A powerful earthquake kills at least 20 people in northern Afghanistan
Pacific Asia • 9:57 AM
1 min
A powerful, 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook northern Afghanistan before dawn Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 300 others, a health official said. FRANCE 24's Shahzaib Wahlah has more from the region.
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Rare espionage joke from China's Xi makes headlines in South Korea
Pacific Asia • 5:33 AM
1 min
China's leader Xi Jinping made headlines in South Korea over the weekend as he joked that a pair of smartphones he gifted to the country's president could be used for espionage. Experts said the unusually lighthearted exchange likely indicated closeness
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At least 20 killed as magnitude-6.3 earthquake strikes northern Afghanistan
Pacific Asia • 1:42 AM
1 min
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan overnight Sunday into Monday, killing more than 20 people and injuring more than 500, provincial officials said. The quake, at a depth of 28km (17 miles) near Mazar-i-Sharif, hit just two months afte
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