Xi Jinping begins his most important year at his weakest point

When Xi Jinping ascended the stage in the Great Hall of the People in March, officially the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, the country's future seemed his to shape.

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Massive tuna nets $3.1 million at Japan auction

Self-proclaimed Japanese "Tuna King" and sushi restaurant owner Kiyoshi Kimura paid a record $3.1 million (333.6 million yen) for a giant blue fin tuna at Tokyo's first new year's auction on Saturday.

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Ex-North Korean diplomat writes open letter to 'missing' envoy to Italy

A former North Korean diplomat who defected in 2016 published an open letter Saturday to Pyongyang's "missing" chargé d'affaires to Italy, Jo Song Gil, suggesting he move to Seoul.

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Tropical Depression Pabuk leaves Thailand, moves into Andaman Sea

Tropical Storm Pabuk has been downgraded to a depression and has left Thailand, the Thai Meteorological Department announced in a news conference Saturday.

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China's far side of the moon mission is just the start of its space ambitions

As you read this, a spindly-looking silver robot with a satellite dish for a head is exploring places never seen up close before by humans.

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Is the Kerala temple battle about gender, law or religion? Unfortunately, all three

To call it big would be an understatement. On Tuesday, a human chain stretching for more than 600 kilometers (372 miles) was formed by millions of women in the southern Indian state of Kerala to demand entry to a major Hindu temple that traditionally barred women of child-bearing age.

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Thousands stranded on Thai islands as Tropical Storm Pabuk nears

Thousands of people have been left stranded on Thailand's southern gulf coast as authorities moved to suspend all flights and ferry services ahead of what could be the worst storm to hit the country in decades.

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China closer to equipping warships with railguns, state media reports

China is getting closer to equipping its warships with electromagnetic railguns, state media reports -- which, if true, means its fleet could soon boast some of the most advanced weapons technology on the planet.

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China's censors face a major test in 2019

The internet blackout began with no warning.

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More than 460 people die during 'seven dangerous days' on Thailand's roads

Driving in Thailand can be a hair-raising experience at the best of times, but during the country's so-called "seven dangerous days" over the New Year holiday motorists take their lives in their hands.

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A British military base on South China Sea is not far-fetched

When the British defense minister revealed this week that new military bases were being considered in Asia, critics questioned whether London has the money -- or strategic vision -- to carry out such a plan.

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North Korean envoy to Italy 'missing'

North Korea's top diplomat in Italy has been missing for weeks, a South Korean lawmaker said, raising suspicions that he may have defected.

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First women to enter India temple in centuries now in hiding as protests rage

The two women who broke with centuries of conservative taboo Wednesday to enter a temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala are now in hiding, as violent protests left at least one person dead.

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Satellite images show extent of Indonesian volcano's collapse

New satellite images show the extent of the changes caused by the collapse of the Indonesian volcano which caused a tsunami in late December last year.

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Ancient tsunami almost wiped out civilization in southern China, study finds

A tsunami which struck southern China around a thousand years ago nearly wiped out civilization in what is now one of the most densely populated regions of the planet, according to a new study by Chinese scientists.

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Xi Jinping Fast Facts

Read CNN's Fast Facts about Xi Jinping and learn more about the president of the People's Republic of China.

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'Stalinist' Vietnamese cybersecurity law takes effect, worrying rights groups

Vietnam has enacted a catch-all cybersecurity law which, free speech advocates and rights groups say, could easily be used to ensnare citizen journalists and bloggers.

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Japan's Emperor Akihito draws record numbers for farewell New Year's speech

Japan's emperor drew record numbers of well-wishers to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for his annual New Years' speech -- his last before he abdicates in April.

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Xi warns Taiwan independence is 'a dead end'

Xi Jinping called on Taiwan to reject independence and embrace "peaceful reunification" with China, in a conciliatory speech that nevertheless took a hard line on the self-governing island's political sovereignty and freedoms.

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September 2017 nuclear test triggers 2019 earthquake in North Korea

North Korea's sixth nuclear test was so powerful that it's still triggering earthquakes more than a year later.

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Indian women form 620 km human chain in support of temple equality

Tens of thousands of women in the Indian state of Kerala have formed a series of human chains extending an estimated 620 kilometers (385 miles) as a show of solidarity in protest at a refusal to admit women to the Sabarimala Temple, one of Hinduism's holiest sites.

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As Hong Kong tightens screws on rebellion, democracy moves further out of reach

"If this is the cup I must take, I will drink with no regret."

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Atal Bihari Vajpayee Fast Facts

Read CNN's Fast Facts about Atal Bihari Vajpayee and learn more about the former Prime Minister of India.

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Kader Khan: Veteran Bollywood actor dies at 81

Bollywood star Kader Khan has died in hospital in Canada at the age of 81 following a prolonged illness.

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Car plows into New Year's revelers in Tokyo

At least nine people were injured, one seriously, when a car plowed into crowds celebrating New Year's Eve in a central part of Tokyo, according to police.

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Kim Jong Un says North Korea isn't making nukes, warns US on sanctions

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un affirmed his apparent commitment to denuclearization during an annual New Year's address Tuesday, but warned that he may need to pursue "a new way" if the United States continues to make "one-sided demands" of Pyongyang.

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Kim Jong Un Fast Facts

Read CNN's Kim Jong Un Fast Facts and learn more about the leader of North Korea.

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At least 60 dead after storm Usman hits Philippines

Scores of people have been killed after a powerful storm swept through the Philippines over the weekend.

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Junichiro Koizumi Fast Facts

Read CNN's Fast Facts about the life of Junichiro Koizumi, former Japanese prime minister and president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

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2 dead, 23 wounded in blast outside Philippines shopping mall

At least two people were killed and dozens wounded in an explosion outside a shopping mall in the southern Philippines Monday.

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Are the wheels coming off China's megaproject?

Kenya is the latest country where China is frantically defusing a public relations storm over President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road megaproject.

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South Korea bans plastic bags at supermarkets

South Korea is joining a growing list of countries attempting to halt the use of disposable plastic shopping bags.

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Philippines' Duterte claims he abused maid as teenager

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has claimed he molested a maid while in high school -- comments his spokesman later said were "made up."

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Kim Jong Un's 2019 game plan for North Korea awaits

Kim Jong Un shocked the world in 2018 by transforming his image from nuclear-armed tyrant to global statesman.

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Kim Jong Un sends rare letter to South Korean leader after extraordinary year

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a personal letter to his South Korean counterpart President Moon Jae-in, expressing a willingness to meet and discuss denuclearization in 2019.

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At least 15 killed as Bangladesh election turns violent

At least 15 people were killed in election-related clashes in Bangladesh on Sunday, local police officials told CNN.

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