Asia

Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib back in court for more graft charges

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AFP) Malaysia’s jailed former prime minister Najib Razak returned to court Thursday to face more charges linked to a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal at state fund 1MDB, two days after he began serving a 12-year prison term. Najib, 69, was sent to prison Tuesday after the Federal Court, Malaysia’s highest tribunal, upheld his sentence in the initial batch of charges linked to the scandal that brought down his government in 2018. Najib was […]

Taiwan announces plans for record defence budget after China drills

Taipei, Taiwan (AFP) Taiwan announced plans for a record increase to its defence budget on Thursday after huge military drills by China earlier this month sent tensions between the two to their highest in decades. Taipei has proposed a defence budget of Tw$415.1 billion ($13.7 billion) for next year, up 13 percent year-on-year, pending parliamentary approval. An additional special budget will also be created specifically to acquire new fighter jets and other projects to boost […]

Former Pakistan PM Khan granted bail by anti-terror court

Islamabad, Pakistan (AFP) by Zain Zaman JANJUA Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan accused the government Thursday of trying to score a “technical knockout” against him, after being granted bail on charges brought under the country’s anti-terrorism act. Khan’s court appearance is the latest twist in months of political wrangling that began when he was ousted by a vote of no confidence in the national assembly in April. The former cricket star retains widespread support, […]

North Korea reports four new ‘fever’ cases

Seoul, South Korea (AFP) North Korea’s state media reported four new fever cases Thursday, saying they were suspected of being infected with the “malignant epidemic” — just two weeks after the country declared victory over Covid-19. The isolated nation, which has maintained a rigid blockade since the start of the pandemic, confirmed an Omicron outbreak in the capital Pyongyang in May. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — who also fell ill during the outbreak […]

Former British ambassador to Myanmar detained in Yangon

A statement on the arrest of Vicky Bowman, Director of the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business: https://t.co/XibRhhSIXM pic.twitter.com/xdIQk1yhoO — Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) (@ihrb) August 25, 2022 Yangon, Myanmar (AFP) Myanmar authorities have arrested Britain’s former ambassador to the country and her husband, a prominent artist and one-time political prisoner, for allegedly violating immigration laws, the junta said on Thursday. Vicky Bowman, who served as envoy from 2002 to 2006, was detained for […]

Japan national police chief resigns over Abe assassination

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The head of Japan’s National Police Agency announced his resignation on Thursday after an investigation into security for former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated last month. “We have decided to shake up our personnel and start afresh with our security duties, and that’s why I tendered my resignation to the National Public Safety Commission today,” Itaru Nakamura told reporters. He made the announcement at a press conference detailing the […]

Storm leaves 3 dead in PHL; NDRRMC says nearly 12,000 families in 5 regions affected by “Florita”

Storm, with int’l name Ma-on, makes landfall in Guangdong, China after hitting Hong Kong   (Eagle News) – Storm “Florita” (international name Ma-on) left at least three people dead and four more injured, the country’s disaster agency said. The storm, which left the Philippines on Wednesday, August 24, has already made landfall in southern China’s Guangdong province. Storm Ma-on has a wind speed of 100 kilometers per hour. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction […]

Pakistan opposition warns Khan arrest would be ‘red line’

by Sajjad TARAKZAI Agence France-Presse ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan opposition leaders warned Monday that authorities would cross a “red line” if they arrested former prime minister Imran Khan after he was reported under the anti-terrorism act for comments he made about the judiciary. Since being ousted by a vote of no confidence in April, Khan has held mass rallies across the country, warning state institutions including the military not to back the coalition government […]

Japan eyes nuclear power push to combat energy crunch

Tokyo, Japan (AFP) by Etienne BALMER / Tomohiro OSAKI Japan’s prime minister on Wednesday called for a push to revive the country’s nuclear power industry in a bid to tackle soaring imported energy costs linked to the war in Ukraine. Such a move could prove controversial, after the 2011 Fukushima disaster led to the suspension of many nuclear reactors over safety fears. Like many countries, Japan — which is aiming to become carbon neutral by […]

Sri Lanka widens import ban as economic crisis persists

  Colombo, Sri Lanka (AFP) Sri Lanka tightened import restrictions Wednesday with a ban on more than 300 additional items, as an economic crisis that has created months of shortages and toppled a president refuses to abate. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa after his ouster in July, slapped a ban on goods including home appliances, tools and sports gear. The South Asian island nation of 22 million people has been suffering dire shortages […]

Typhoon approaches Hong Kong, Macau and southern China

Hong Kong, China (AFP) A powerful typhoon was approaching southern China on Wednesday evening, prompting Hong Kong to issue its third highest storm warning as neighbouring Macau and other nearby coastal cities prepared for the prospect of a direct hit. Typhoon Ma-on — which shares a name with a mountain in Hong Kong and translates as “saddle” — was packing wind speeds of up to 110 kilometres (62 miles) per hour on Wednesday evening and […]

Thailand approves first instant noodle price rise in 14 years

Bangkok, Thailand (AFP) Thailand will raise the price of Thai instant noodles, the trade department said Wednesday, marking the first price increase on the must-have daily staple in 14 years. The kingdom’s economy has not bounced back after fully re-opening to tourists earlier this year, and has been battered by 14-year-high inflation and the economic knock-on effects of the Russian-Ukraine war. Prices of instant noodles are capped by Bangkok at six baht ($0.16) per packet […]