Asia | The Daily Star

Thailand approves transfer of 3 Iranians as Australian freed

Thai officials today said they approved the transfer back to Tehran of three Iranians who were involved in a botched 2012 bomb plot, as Iran released a 33-year-old Australian academic who was imprisoned for more than two years on spying charges.
Thai police revive royal defamation law ahead of protest

Thai authorities have escalated their legal battle against the students leading pro-democracy protests, charging 12 of them with violating a harsh law against defaming the monarchy.
Singapore deports Bangladeshis over anti-France posts

Singapore has deported 15 Bangladeshis over social media posts that incited violence or encouraged communal unrest in response to recent terror attacks in France, officials said today.
Bangladeshi construction worker arrested in Singapore for terrorism-related activities

A 26-year-old Bangladeshi man was picked up under the Internal Security Act earlier this month for his involvement in terrorism-related activities.
Philippines targets 60 million Filipinos for vaccination

Philippine officials say about 60 million Filipinos are being targeted for vaccination against the coronavirus next year at a cost of more than 73 billion pesos ($1.4 billion) to develop considerable immunity among a majority of Filipinos.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh should be merged: Maharashtra minister

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik has said that his party -- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) -- will welcome BJP's move “if it creates one country by merging India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” reports Indian news channel NDTV.
ASEAN the way to go: Experts urge Bangladesh to join free trade bloc

Experts, including economists and business leaders, have suggested that Bangladesh sign free trade agreements with ASEAN countries to boost exports to the bloc.
Dhaka invites Saudi Crown Prince Salman to join Mujib Year celebration

Dhaka has invited Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to attend the final celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in next March or join the celebration of Bangladesh’s 50 years of independence.
Rockets hit Afghan capital Kabul, at least eight killed

Several rockets have hit residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least eight civilians and wounding 31, police officials say.
Thai school students protest against government, demand reform

Thousands of people have joined a protest led by high school students in Bangkok to call for education reforms as well as the demands of a broader movement pushing to remove the government and curb the powers of the monarchy.
Trump, Xi to meet at virtual Apec forum as trade spat endures

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will attend a virtual summit of Asia Pacific leaders on Friday to discuss the coronavirus and global economic recovery, with lingering trade differences likely to cloud the meeting.
Asia-Pacific leaders push for freer trade after Trump

Asia-Pacific leaders have called for open and multilateral trade to support a global economy battered by the novel coronavirus, and some hoped for more engagement with the United States under a Joe Biden administration.
Thai PM threatens to use all laws against protesters

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has threatened to use all laws possible against protesters, as demonstrations escalate for his removal and for reforms to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Thai protesters mass again despite violence

Thousands of Thai protesters take to the streets of Bangkok despite the worst violence in months of demonstrations a day before, when police fired water cannon and tear gas and at least 55 people were hurt.
Iran says US move against it would face ‘crushing’ response

Any US attack on Iran would face a “crushing” response, an Iranian government spokesman has said, following reports US President Donald Trump asked for options for a strike on Iran’s main nuclear site but decided against doing so.
At least 41 hurt in Thailand’s most violent protests since movement began

At least 41 people were hurt during protests in Thailand’s capital Bangkok, including five with gunshot wounds, the city's Erawan Emergency Medical Centre has said.
Rohingya repatriation talks after full formation of Myanmar govt: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh will approach for resuming the Rohingya repatriation talks after the full formation of a new government in Myanmar, saying Bangladesh stands ready to send back Rohingyas.
Pakistan’s capital blocked off over anti-France protest

Pakistan authorities sealed off a major road into the capital Islamabad for a second day yesterday as a far-right religious party held fresh anti-France protests.
Will Covid-19 create a ‘lost generation’ in Asia?

Job offers have been rescinded, life plans are disrupted. The economic fallout from Covid-19 has raised the prospect of a lost generation in Asia. Will the young people of the region find new paths to achieve their dreams?
Fire in Hong Kong apartment building kills 7, injures 11

Authorities in Hong Kong said at least seven people were killed and 11 inured in a fire at an apartment building that may have started at a Hindu religious gathering.
Foreign minister hopeful of signing Teesta deal

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today expressed his optimism over signing of Teesta water sharing deal with India, saying it remains ready for signing since 2011.
Malaysian police bust drug syndicate, arrest 12 including 3 Bangladeshis

Police have busted a drug syndicate, which had been active in the northern part of Malaysia, with the arrest of its members with drugs worth about RM2.164 million.
Thousands of Thai protesters call for removal of prime minister

Thousands of people protested in Bangkok today in the latest in months of anti-government demonstrations that have also called for reforms to Thailand’s powerful monarchy.
Thousands flee as Typhoon Vamco nears Vietnam

Thousands of people fled their homes in Vietnam Saturday as Typhoon Vamco barrelled towards central regions already pummelled by weeks of successive storms.
Suu Kyi’s party wins absolute majority in Myanmar polls

Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling party secured an absolute majority in Myanmar’s election, official results showed yesterday, in a poll disputed by the military-aligned opposition and criticised by rights groups.
39 dead after typhoon leaves high water, mud in Philippines

Thick mud and debris coated many villages around the Philippine capital Friday after a typhoon caused extensive flooding that sent people fleeing to their roofs and killed at least 39 people.
Malaysia to begin implementing plans regarding undocumented migrants’ status from Nov 16

The Malaysian government will implement two plans involving undocumented migrants, including regulating their presence in the country by ensuring that they are legally employed, Malaysia’s Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has announced.
US embassy in Islamabad apologises for sharing 'unauthorised' tweet against PM Imran

The United States embassy in Islamabad has apologised for retweeting an "unauthorised" post about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan by PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal after it sparked outrage on social media.
China urges US to stop increasing ties with Taiwan

China has urged the United States to stop boosting ties with Taiwan, after Washington and Taipei announced they would hold economic talks that Taiwan’s government described as a “major milestone” in relations.
Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers to resign as Beijing moves to quash opposition

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition lawmakers have said they would resign in protest against the dismissal of four of their colleagues from the city assembly after Beijing gave local authorities new powers to further curb dissent.