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the Asian angle

Tokyo. The UN Human Rights Council report has been met with outrage in Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘Not your business’: Japanese reject UN calls to scrap death penalty

A United Nations panel called Japan’s method of execution ‘cruel’, among other criticisms of its use of capital punishment.

1 hour agovideocam

India to boost defence ties with Russia amid efforts to diversify arms imports

9 Dec 2024 - 9:12PMvideocam

Did South Korea’s Yoon plot to provoke Pyongyang for martial law?

9 Dec 2024 - 5:55PMvideocam

People

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia’s Najib accuses US of sabotaging his 1MDB defence

In a bombshell courtroom revelation, the ex-PM claims US collusion with Malaysia’s political opposition to undermine his defence.

9 Dec 2024 - 6:42PMvideocam

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak is escorted by police officers at Kuala Lumpur High Court in April. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Fall of Syria’s Assad catches Middle East powers and the West off guard

Several foreign governments have put out cautious feelers to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after it toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

9 Dec 2024 - 9:08PMvideocam

Politics

South Korea’s president banned from travelling abroad amid martial law probe

Yoon Suk-yeol survived an impeachment attempt over the weekend, but calls for him to go are growing.

9 Dec 2024 - 5:05PMvideocam

Politics

‘Worrying’: India-Bangladesh ties tested by mounting communal violence

Amid unrest surrounding the arrest of a Hindu priest, analysts fear violence and growing religious divides are ‘taking the region backwards’.

8 Dec 2024 - 5:00PM

Indian Hindus take part in a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai on Monday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Nepal’s ‘barbaric’ animal sacrifice ritual persists despite outcry

Activists estimate as many as 500,000 animals will be sacrificed at Nepal’s Gadhimai Temple this week to honour the Hindu goddess of power.

8 Dec 2024 - 3:00PM

A Hindu devotee prepares to slaughter buffalos as a offering during the 2019 Gadhimai Festival in Bariyarpur, Nepal. Photo: AFP

Politics

Will Myanmar’s junta chief face justice for crimes against Rohingya?

The International Criminal Court’s actions could serve to isolate Min Aung Hlaing, but analysts question whether he will be arrested.

7 Dec 2024 - 3:45PM

Politics

‘No more chaos’: South Korea ruling party says Yoon ‘effectively suspended’

Earlier, while thousands rallied, hoping the president would be impeached, a boycott by some of his PPP party meant an impeachment motion failed.

7 Dec 2024 - 11:47PMvideocam

Politics

The Philippines

Will Philippines’ new navy chief adopt ‘grey zone’ tactics against China?

Manila’s Navy chief suggested adopting “grey zone” tactics – coercive actions below armed conflict – which analysts say will differ from Beijing’s.

6 Dec 2024 - 5:28PMvideocam

A Chinese coastguard vessel (left) fires a water cannon at a Philippine fishing vessel near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on December 4. Photo: National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea/AP

Politics

Russian diplomats dodge Tokyo parking fines, citing foreign-policy loophole

The unresolved fees ignited online outrage, leading to calls for stricter measures against the Russian embassy.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:00PM

Vehicles at a car park in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Minister slams Meta for ‘no remorse’ as Malaysians lose US$100 million to scams

Communications chief Fahmi Fadzil calls Meta’s licensing concerns ‘facetious’, says regulation is needed to stamp out scams.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:22PMvideocam

Politics

South Korea’s Yoon seen to be unwavering as impeachment, calls for exit loom

Political figures who have met him three days after a short-lived martial law decree say the embattled leader still believes he has done nothing wrong.

6 Dec 2024 - 6:44PMvideocam

Politics

Walls close in on South Korea’s Yoon with police probe, US warning

The police are investigating Yoon Suk-yeol for ‘insurrection’ while Washington is concerned about his ‘illegitimate’ martial law decree.

5 Dec 2024 - 9:03PMvideocam

Posters with images of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at a rally calling for his ouster in Seoul on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Nepal’s PM Oli strengthens ties with China, bypassing India

While Oli secured a framework agreement and cash help, his coalition government grapples with debt fears and balancing ties with both China and India.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:18PMvideocam

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli (left), shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 3. Photo: Xinhua/AP

Politics

Will Malaysia’s Mahathir face criminal probe over island lost to Singapore?

A commission claims Mahathir misled the government about a disputed island awarded to Singapore, risking up to seven years in prison if convicted.

5 Dec 2024 - 6:20PM

Politics

The Philippines

China’s ‘aggressive actions’, territorial claims raise tensions with Philippines

Experts warn of heightened tensions as Manila resists Beijing’s unilateral actions in disputed waters to its enforce territorial claims.

5 Dec 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

Politics

The Philippines

Duterte’s supporters mocked for copying Philippines’ 1986 ‘people power’ protest

The rally in support of the Duterte family at the EDSA Shrine, the symbolic site of the 1986 uprising, has fizzled out within a week.

5 Dec 2024 - 3:48PMvideocam

A helicopter releases confetti over the People Power monument during the 21st anniversary celebration of the 1986 People Power Revolution in Manila in 2007. Photo: Reuters

Politics

US sharply criticises South Korea’s Yoon over ‘illegitimate’ martial law bid

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell’s remarks also cast doubt on Yoon’s claims of threats from North Korea and anti-state forces.

5 Dec 2024 - 12:43PMvideocam

A South Korean marine veteran gets his head shaved during a Seoul rally demanding President Yoon Suk-yeol’s removal from power. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Indonesia’s battle with bootleg liquor reveals hidden health crisis

The country’s limited access to legal alcohol drives many, especially young people, to seek cheap, illicit alternatives, often laced with toxic methanol.

5 Dec 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Politics

The Philippines

Impeaching Philippine VP Sara Duterte is ‘now or never’, analysts say

Delaying impeachment proceedings, which can be highly politicised, is likely to bolster Duterte-Carpio’s 2028 presidential run, observers note.

5 Dec 2024 - 8:01AM

Politics

Yoon’s martial law bid seen as ‘political suicide’ as impeachment looms

As South Korea’s political crisis deepens, the world will closely monitor the outcome of the impeachment motion filed against Yoon Suk-yeol.

5 Dec 2024 - 5:23AMvideocam

A woman holds a sign that reads “Yoon Suk Yeol should step down” during a vigil against South Korea President Yoon in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

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