Japan’s government is vowing not to give in to terrorism after Islamic State militants released a videotaped threat to kill two Japanese citizens held hostage. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports.

Japanhostages

Progress on a 12-nation trade agreement has been hindered because Japan and the United States have not been able to reach agreement in two critical market sectors.  VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports a Trans-Pacific Partnership breakthrough is expected at any time.

Bad publicity about martial law, backpacker killings and police shakedowns of foreigners have harmed Thailand's reputation as a tourist magnet in past months. As VOA Correspondent Steve Herman in Bangkok reports, the tourism industry for 2015 is trying to attract more upscale visitors, as well as package tourists from China who are spending more per day than other nationalities.

Tourism

Malaysia’s government says it will release on Sunday its interim investigation report about the disappearance one year ago of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Details from VOA Correspondent Steve Herman.

MH370anniv

The U.S. defense secretary delivered a blunt rebuke to China for being “out of step” with international norms amid its unprecedented pace of reclamation efforts in the disputed South China Sea, saying “it is unclear how much farther China will go.” VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. 

Carter

One month prior to elections in Myanmar the human rights group Amnesty International is accusing the government of returning to its old ways of repression. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports. 

Burmaelexrepression

A new study is warning that the world’s fisheries and ocean ecosystems are threatened even more than previously thought by rising carbon dioxide levels, and the global marine food chain could collapse.  VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports.

Oceans

Announcement as broadcast on Myawaddy TV that Myanmar's Nov. 8 election will proceed on scheduled date. 

Representatives of civil society groups are expressing frustration with what they say is their lack of engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.  VOA Correspondent Steve Herman has more from Kuala Lumpur, site of the 27th ASEAN summit. 

aseancivic

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has called on his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to unite in “moderation over extremism” to combat jihadists. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Moderation

Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday signed a declaration establishing a formal economic, political, security and socio-cultural community. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Japan's government is indicating it is preparing for all contingencies that would result from North Korea conducting a third nuclear test.  VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from Tokyo.

Japan-DPRK

North Korea's latest nuclear test appears to have thawed, at least temporarily, the chilly relationship between South Korea and Japan. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman has details from Tokyo.

Japan-ROK

VOA News reports by our correspondent from Asia.

VOA-Asia

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