Will Jackson

An explosion at a food market visited just days earlier by the Chinese president has resulted in an unknown number of casualties.

The China Geological Survey says new discoveries mean the country's share of the world's known lithium reserves have increased from 6 per cent to 16.5 per cent. 

North Korea is set to open a long-awaited beachfront "tourist city" later this year as the "first big step" to developing the country's tourism industry.

Mohammed Sorosh, who is being sought by the Taliban for helping an Australian NGO rescue scores of vulnerable people from Afghanistan, faces a years-long wait before his application for a humanitarian visa will be processed. 

Troops from China and India have been involved in a tense stand-off for years high in the Himalayas, but a new deal raises the prospect of a peaceful future.

The United States announces sanctions on one of Cambodia's wealthiest and most powerful tycoons over alleged human rights abuses related to the treatment of trafficking victims forced to work in online scam centres.

Two women are in the running to lead Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and thus be virtually guaranteed to become the country's first female prime minister. 

China plans to build the world's first-ever nuclear power station using molten salt as the fuel carrier and coolant, and thorium as a fuel source — revealed in a since-deleted report posted on the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics website.

Former minister of public security To Lam has rapidly ascended to power in Vietnam, taking on two of the four roles considered the "pillars" of the country's political system. Some are already comparing him to Xi Jinping. 

Thailand's stunning beaches, delicious food and unique cultural heritage are already big drawcards for tourists. Soon the country could add roulette, blackjack and pokies to its list of attractions.