Asia Pacific

EXPLAINER

Why is work-related migration to rich countries falling?

Migration tide turns as rich countries see a slowdown and shifting flows of inbound people.

Indonesia floods death toll rises to 442 as people hunt for food and water

At least two areas of the worst-affected Sumatra island still unreachable, as authorities struggle to deliver aid.

Death toll in Hong Kong apartment complex fire hits 146

More than 100 people remain unaccounted for after seven high-rise buildings caught fire and burned for two days.

A man reacts in deep distress, with fire and smoke engulfing a tall tower behind him.

Wong, 71, displays visible distress after revealing that his wife remains trapped in Wang Fuk Court during a devastating fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong. The catastrophic blaze has killed at least 146 people, with dozens still unaccounted for, after flames engulfed the residential towers that housed 4,600 residents [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

A displaced Palestinian woman warms herself beside a fire amid the ruins of destroyed buildings in the Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip

A displaced Palestinian woman warms herself beside a fire amid the ruins of destroyed buildings in the Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip. Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 70,100 Palestinians and wounded 170,965 since October 2023. [Eyad Baba/AFP]

An aerial view shows houses partially submerged in floodwaters after heavy rainfall in Kaduwela on the outskirts of Colombo

Houses partially submerged in floodwaters after heavy rainfall in Kaduwela on the outskirts of Colombo. Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on November 29 and appealed for international assistance, as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 193, with another 228 reported missing. [AFP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (3rd L) and his daughter Ju Ae (2nd L) watching a demonstration flight commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army Air Force at Kalma Airfield in Wonsan, Gangwon Province.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae observe a demonstration flight at Kalma Airfield in Wonsan, Gangwon province, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Korean People's Army Air Force. [KCNA via AFP]

Sweden's Sandra Attermo (L) fights against Kenya's Consolata Musangi during their Women Super Bantamweight boxing title bout at the Edge Convention Centre, in Nairobi

Sweden's Sandra Attermo, left, exchanges blows with Kenya's Consolata Musanga during their Women's Super Bantamweight boxing title clash at the Edge Convention Center in Nairobi. [Simon Maina/AFP]

Filipino members of the clergy shout and raise placards during an anti-corruption protest over widespread corruption allegations linked to government infrastructure projects

Filipino clergy members shout slogans and hold up placards during an anticorruption demonstration on Bonifacio Day in Manila, the Philippines. The protest was prompted by widespread allegations of corruption in government infrastructure projects. [Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

A local resident inspects a damaged car in front of a damaged residential building following an air attack in Kyiv

A resident examines a damaged car in front of a residential building struck during an air attack on Kyiv. According to Kyiv authorities, a Russian drone assault hit the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of November 29, 2025, killing one person and injuring seven. [Genya Savilov/AFP]

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, walks with Ortodox Jews at a demonstration during a nationwide strike, called by the USB union, in solidarity with Gaza and against the government and its plan to increase military spending, in Rome, Italy

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, walks alongside Orthodox Jews during a demonstration in Rome, Italy. The protest took place during a nationwide strike organized by the USB union in solidarity with Gaza and in opposition to the government's planned increase in military spending. A placard in the image reads 'Judaism rejects Zionism'. [Remo Casilli/Reuters]

Residents clear deep mud from the entrance of an inundated home.

Residents remove thick mud from the entrance of a flooded home after flash floods struck Meureudu in Indonesia's Pidie Jaya district of Aceh province. Devastating floods across Southeast Asia have killed more than 300 people in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, according to authorities. [Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP]

A Sudanese refugee woman from Darfur rides a donkey carrying harvested crops amid ongoing conflict in Sudan

A Sudanese refugee woman from Darfur rides a donkey laden with harvested crops outside the Iridimi refugee camp northwest of Iriba, in Wadi Fira province, eastern Chad, as conflict continues to rage in Sudan. [Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters]