Asia | The Daily Star

Australia says journalist arrested in China after months-long detention

The family of an Australian journalist arrested in China has pleaded with authorities to grant the former high-profile state TV news anchor access to her two school-age children.
Biden foresees ‘extreme competition’ with China, not ‘conflict’

US President Joe Biden anticipates the US rivalry with China will take the form of “extreme competition” rather than conflict between the two world powers.
After a decade of change in Myanmar, fear of the past drives anti-coup protests

As communications blackout following the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, all recalled the darkest days of a succession of military juntas that ruled Myanmar during half a century of ruinous isolation - driving many people to mass protests in fear that such times could return.
Malaysia moves foreign workers to hotels to curb Covid-19 spread

A national initiative has taken off in Malaysia to place foreign workers at hotels temporarily to address the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country caused by poor living conditions.
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes southern Philippines

A strong earthquake with 6.3 magnitude struck the southern province of Davao del Sur in the Philippines on Sunday, with damage and aftershocks expected, the country’s seismology agency said.
Turkey Uighurs fear sellout to China in exchange for vaccine

Abdullah Metseydi, a Uighur in Turkey, was readying for bed last month when he heard commotion, then pounding on the door. “Police! Open the door!”
Myanmar police file charges against Aung San Suu Kyi after coup

Myanmar police have filed charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi for illegally importing communications equipment and she will be detained until Feb. 15 for investigations, according to a police document.
South Korea urges US flexibility on sanctions to restart North Korea talks

The United States should flexibly enforce sanctions aimed at curbing Pyongyang’s nuclear programmes to revive denuclearisation talks, South Korea’s point man on North Korea said today.
Myanmar Aerobics Instructor Dances Through Military Coup

Pumping her arms to an electronic ditty, aerobics instructor Khing Hnin Wai appeared oblivious as a convoy of armoured vehicles drove by -- accidentally capturing Myanmar's military coup-in-progress in a surreal video that has now gone viral.
Myanmar group says 70 hospitals, medical departments stop work to protest coup

Staff at 70 hospitals and medical departments in 30 towns across Myanmar have stopped work to protest against the military seizing power in the country, a statement from the Myanmar Civil Disobedience Movement posted on Facebook said on Wednesday.