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 fires multiple missiles
North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles yesterday, Seoul’s military said, the latest launch which comes as South Korea and the United States stage major joint military drills. “The South Korean military has detected multiple cruise missiles launched into
South Korea hits record-low weddings: data
The number of South Koreans who tied the knot last year hit a record low, figures showed yesterday, compounding looming demographic woes in a country with the world’s lowest birth rate.
Xi Jinping handed historic 3rd term as China's president
Xi Jinping was handed a third term as Chinese president, capping a rise that has seen him become the country's most powerful leader in generations
Ex-Malaysia PM Najib acquitted in second 1MDB-linked trial
Najib, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for his graft conviction in 2022, was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on charges of abusing his power by tampering with an audit on the scandal-ridden sovereign wealth fund in 2016.
Scores evacuated as fire erupts in Hong Kong skyscraper
250 firefighters and rescue workers battled the blaze for the entire night before it was extinguished around 8:00am local time
Thai election to be held in May: PM
Thailand will hold a general election in May, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said yesterday, with unofficial campaigning already under way.
Death toll in Pakistan mosque blast rises to 47
Police officers were among at least 47 killed and 150 wounded in a blast at a mosque inside a highly sensitive Pakistan police headquarters on Monday, prompting the government to put the country on high alert.
South Korea fire spurs evacuation of 500 from shanty town
About 500 people were evacuated on Friday after fire broke out in a shanty town in the South Korean capital, Seoul, burning down some 60 houses, fire authorities said..The fire erupted at 6:27am (0927 GMT) in Guryong Village in southern Seoul, which is home to more than 660 households, and
‘Seoul must respond to N Korea’s provocations’
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol yesterday said that any provocation by North Korea must be met with retaliation without hesitation despite its nuclear weapons, his office said, after an intrusion by North Korean drones.
Indonesia set to criminalise sex outside marriage
Indonesia's parliament is expected to pass a new criminal code this month that will penalise sex outside marriage with a punishment of up to one year in jail, officials have confirmed.