Asia | The Daily Star

  • Virus casts shadow over China's biggest festival

    Health authorities are concerned that a virus originating in central China could spread when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel during next week's lunar new year festival, but residents said there were was little anxiety in the city at the epicentre.

  • China, Myanmar ‘stand together’ despite Rohingya backlash

    China and Myanmar ink dozens of mammoth infrastructure and trade deals after a meeting between President Xi Jinping and fallen rights icon Aung San Suu Kyi, as Beijing doubles down on its support for a government under fire for its treatment of Rohingya Muslims.

  • Experts warn over scale of China virus

    The true scale of the outbreak of a mysterious SARS-like virus in China is likely far bigger than officially reported, scientists have warned, as countries ramp up measures to prevent the disease from spreading.

  • Japan confirms first case of coronavirus infection

    A case of the mystery respiratory infection related to the potentially deadly SARS virus, which first emerged in China, has been confirmed in Japan, authorities said yesterday.

  • ‘One country, two systems’ can continue beyond 2047: HK leader

    The principle that ensures Hong Kong enjoys freedoms unavailable in mainland China can continue beyond its 2047 expiry date as long as the city’s youngsters do not destroy it with “temporary misunderstandings,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said yesterday.

  • Risking lives to rescue horses in Philippine

    The horses were still caked in grey ash as they stepped off the boat, lucky beneficiaries of a risky rescue mission to ground zero of the Philippines' Taal volcano eruption.

  • Five killed as Sudan crushes revolt

    Five people, including two soldiers, were killed as Sudanese troops crushed a rebellion launched by agents of the country’s long-feared security agency against a restructuring plan, officials and medics said yesterday.

  • Japan envoy denounced for comments on Rohingya

    Tokyo-based human rights activists yesterday decried recent remarks by Japan’s ambassador to Yangon, who told local media he did not think the Myanmar military committed genocide on the Rohingya Muslim minority in the country.

  • Broadband, 2G internet partially restored in J&K

    The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday evening allowed mobile Internet in parts of Jammu region and broadband in establishments providing essential services, days after the Supreme Court ordered a review of the curbs imposed in the Union Territory.

  • PORTS, TRAINS, TRADE

    A high-speed rail line to the east, a deep-sea port to the west, and a makeover for commercial heart Yangon -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives in Myanmar on Friday laden with investment pledges worth billions which could reshape the country. Here are five of the main projects -- and some of the issues plaguing them:

  • No case against Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia

    Malaysia’s solicitor general yesterday ruled out new charges against prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim over allegations that he sexually assaulted a former male aide, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed.

  • BSF troops open fire at ‘drone-like objects’

    Some “drone-like objects” were seen along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab’s Ferozepur, prompting BSF personnel to open fire at them, officials said here yesterday.

  • ‘Need to be frank’

    Malaysia is concerned about India’s new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against “wrong things” even if it costs his country financially.

  • Pakistan court annuls Musharaff's death sentence

    A Pakistan court annuls the death sentence handed to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, ruling a special court which found him guilty of treason last year was unconstitutional.

  • Rivals rally on final day before votes

    Taiwan’s presidential rivals held massive rallies last night in a final push to convince voters on the eve of a closely watched election that looks set to infuriate China and send ripples far beyond its borders.

  • Grass growing around Mt Everest

    Grasses and shrubs have been found growing in increased numbers around Mount Everest and across the Himalayas as ice in the area continues to melt.

  • 1 Indian woman reports a rape every 15 minutes

    One woman reported a rape every 15 minutes on average in India in 2018, according to government data released on Thursday, underlining its dismal reputation as one of the worst places in the world to be female.

  • ‘Very happy news for us, a huge relief’

    The Supreme Court’s observation that access to internet is a fundamental right has come as happy news for people in the Kashmir Valley yesterday with many expressing the hope that services will be resumed soon.

  • Protest-hit HK sees surge in depression, PTSD: study

    Nearly one in three adults in Hong Kong reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder during months of often violent social unrest in the city, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal yesterday.

  • Help find Rohingyas

    Thailand has asked Malaysia to help find a group of Rohingya Muslim trafficking victims who absconded from a detention centre in the south of the country, Thai police said yesterday.

  • Convict files curative plea in India’s top court

    One of the convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case, Vinay Kumar Sharma, filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court yesterday, days after a Delhi court fixed the date for hanging the four convicts.

  • Don’t read too much into polls results: Taiwan tells China

    Beijing should not see Taiwan’s elections as representing a win or loss for China, Taiwan’s foreign minister said yesterday, days ahead of a vote overshadowed by Chinese efforts to get the island to accept its rule.

  • Top court refuses urgent hearing

    Chief Justice of India S A Bobde yesterday observed that the country is going through difficult times and there is so much violence going on as the Supreme Court refused urgent hearing on a plea seeking to declare the Citizenship Amendment Act as constitutional.

  • ‘I will fight alone’

    “If needed, I will fight alone,” a livid Mamata Banerjee declared yesterday in the West Bengal assembly where she said she will boycott a meeting called by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on January 13 over campus violence and the CAA, exposing the opposition faultlines on the issues.

  • ‘Millions’ strike in protest at Indian govt policies

    Millions went on strike throughout India yesterday, unions said, as workers angry at the government’s labour policies brought travel chaos across the country.

  • Furore after top Bollywood star attends student demo

    One of Bollywood’s top stars sparked a social media storm yesterday, attracting admiration and vitriol after showing solidarity with students who were attacked at a Indian university this week.

  • Malaysia mulls 'zero-cost recruitment' deal with Bangladesh

    Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran today indicated that Malaysia is aiming to reach a "zero-cost recruitment" agreement for migrant workers from Bangladesh as part of efforts to avoid risking US trade sanctions.

  • India suffers hottest decade on record

    The last decade was India’s hottest on record with the national weather office calling the impact of global warming “unmistakable” and extreme weather killing more than 1,500 people last year.

  • We are in ‘desperate need’ for ways to improve ties

    There is a “desperate need” for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea, the South’s President Moon Jae-in said yesterday, adding that he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary.

  • Hard-fought Delhi polls set for Feb 8

    New Delhi will hold elections next month, officials said yesterday, in a key popularity test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party as it reels from nationwide protests over a new citizenship law.

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