Rest of Asia
IMF says it reaches a staff level agreement with Pakistan to disburse $1.1b
Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday reached a staff level agreement which, if approved by its board, will disburse $1.1 billion for the debt-ridden South Asian economy, the global lender said..The funds are the final tranche of a $3 billion last-gasp rescue package Pa
South Koreans to wake up a year younger tomorrow
South Koreans will become at least a year younger from Wednesday as the nation adopts a new law to join the international standard of age counting
Cambodia election / Opposition party loses bid to overturn ban
Cambodia’s main opposition party yesterday lost a bid to overturn its ban from the upcoming elections, paving the way for long-serving leader Hun Sen to run a one-horse race. Last week, the National Election Committee (NEC) refused to register the
Asia water, energy supplies at risk
Climate-related disruptions to the crucial Hindu Kush-Himalayan water system are posing risks to economic development and energy security in 16 Asian countries, and concerted action is needed to protect regional water flows, researchers said yesterday.
South China sea / Philippines rebukes Beijing for ‘dangerous manoeuvres
The Philippines yesterday accused China’s coast guard of “dangerous manoeuvres” and “aggressive tactics” in the South China Sea, in another maritime confrontation between the two countries at a time of simmering geopolitical tension.
China flies drone around Taiwan
A Chinese uncrewed combat aircraft has flown around Taiwan, the island’s defence ministry said, showcasing Beijing’s ability to attack its fall-back east coast
China warns Taiwan leader over US visit
External pressure will not stop Taiwan engaging with the world, President Tsai Ing-wen said yesterday as she left for the United States, hitting a defiant note after China threatened retaliation if she met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
N Korea tests new nuke-capable drone
North Korea yesterday claimed it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone able to unleash a “radioactive tsunami”, as it blamed recent US-South Korea
Police Raid on pro-democracy media outlet in Hong Kong: Stand News shuts down
Hong Kong pro-democracy media outlet Stand News shut down yesterday after police raided its office, froze its assets and arrested senior staff on suspected “seditious publication” offences in the latest crackdown on the city’s media.
Erasing history!
Two Hong Kong universities yesterday removed sculptures marking Beijing’s 1989 crackdown on Tiananmen Square democracy protesters, as authorities steadily erase all remaining traces of the deadly event from the southern Chinese territory.
For the sake of ‘national unity’
South Korea’s ex-president Park Geun-hye received a pardon yesterday, cutting short a jail term of more than 20 years for corruption with her successor saying he granted it in the interest of national unity.
Malaysia floods toll hits 27
The death toll from Malaysia’s worst floods in years rose to 27 yesterday, as a clean-up operation gathered pace and residents assessed the
Survivors plead for food, water
Philippine officials and residents of areas that bore the brunt of Typhoon Rai pleaded for food, water, and shelter yesterday as damaged roads, flooding, and severed power and communication lines hampered relief efforts.
North Korea starvation risk looms, UN expert calls for ease of sanctions
North Korea's most vulnerable risk starvation after it slipped deeper into isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic and UN sanctions imposed for its nuclear and missile programmes should be eased, a UN rights investigator said in report seen by Reuters.
Tensions flare as Chinese flights near Taiwan intensify
With record numbers of military flights near Taiwan over the last week, China has been showing a new intensity and military sophistication as it steps up its harassment of the island it claims as its own and asserts its territorial ambitions in the region.
Hotlines reopened as North Korea urges South to mend ties
The two Koreas on Monday restored their hotlines that the North severed months ago, with Pyongyang urging Seoul to step up efforts to improve relations after criticising what it called double standards over weapons development.
Bali to reopen to visitors from some countries from Oct 14
Indonesia will reopen its tourist island Bali for some international travellers, including those from China, New Zealand, and Japan, among others, from October 14, senior cabinet minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Monday.
Philippine President Duterte announces retirement from politics
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him, despite her filing for re-election as mayor.