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
North Korea rejects 3 million Sinovac Covid-19 shots
North Korea has rejected roughly three million Covid-19 vaccine doses of China's Sinovac Biotech (SVA.O), saying they should be sent to severely affected countries, the UNICEF said on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan accepts 400 more refugees from Afghanistan: Russian state media
Uzbekistan has accepted about 400 more refugees from Afghanistan and put them up in temporary accommodation near the Afghan border, the Russian state news agency TASS reported on Saturday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter.
Turkey rescues 37 people from sunken migrant boat: ministry
Thirty-seven people have been rescued from a migrant boat with 45 people on board that sank south of Turkey, and Turkish naval ships and an aircraft are continuing search and rescue operations, the defence ministry said on Friday.
Russia says it successfully tested hypersonic missile praised by Putin
Russia said on Monday it had successfully tested a Tsirkon(Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile, a weapon President Vladimir Putin has touted as part of a new generation of missile systems without equal in the world.
Turkey criticizes European court’s ruling on headscarf ban
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman on Sunday condemned a European Union court decision to allow employers to ban staff wearing Muslim headscarves as appeasing Islamophobia.
NKorea dismisses US humanitarian aid as 'sinister scheme'
US humanitarian aid is a "sinister political scheme" to put pressure on other countries, a North Korean researcher said, after suggestions from US allies such as South Korea that coronavirus vaccines or other help could promote cooperation.
Leaders of North Korea, China vow greater cooperation in face of foreign hostility
The leaders of North Korea and China traded messages vowing to strengthen cooperation on the anniversary of their treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries, North Korea's KCNA news agency reported on Sunday.
Taiwan asks US not to cause 'misunderstanding' after flag tweet removed
Taiwan has asked its office in Washington to remind the United States not to cause "unnecessary speculation or misunderstanding" after the White House deleted a social media post on Covid-19 vaccine donations that included Taiwan's flag.
Tajikistan takes in over 1,000 Afghan refugees
Tajikistan has taken in more than 1,000 civilian refugees fleeing the violence in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province across the border, the government of Tajikistan's Gorno-Badakhshan province said on Wednesday.
Debris thought to be from missing Russian plane found
Debris believed to be from a missing An-26 plane has been found in Russia's far east, where it appears to have crashed into a rock, Interfax and TASS news agencies reported on Tuesday citing unnamed sources.