Satellite imagery captured before and after North Korea conducted what it called a “very important” test at its missile launch site suggested it had tested a rocket engine, experts said on Monday. It was the latest of a series of weapons tests and statements from Pyongyang, as its end of the year deadline for Washington […]
As the clock ticks towards December 15, when additional tariffs from both the United States and China would be applied to each other’s exports, Beijing has said it hopes that a trade war deal will be reached “as soon as possible”. Ren Hongbin, assistant minister of commerce, said at a press conference in Beijing on […]
Hong Kong’s new police commissioner told top Beijing officials on Saturday that his force would handle the ongoing anti-government protests with both “hard and soft” tactics being tough on violence but flexible on minor offences. Chris Tang Ping-keung made the remarks after he and his deputy met Zhang Xiaoming, the director of the Hong Kong […]
Vast crowds of black-clad demonstrators thronged Hong Kong on Sunday in the largest anti-government protests since local elections last month that boosted the pro-democracy movement seeking to curb controls by China. It was the first time since August that the Civil Human Rights Frontorganiser of million-strong marches earlier in the year that paralysed the Asian […]
Democracy protesters took part in the largest mass rally through Hong Kong’s streets in months on Sunday in a forceful display of support for the movement, with a leading activist warning the city’s pro-Beijing leaders they had a “last chance” to end the political crisis. Organisers estimated some 800,000 people snaked for hours through the […]
North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Saturday that denuclearisation is off the negotiating table with the United States and lengthy talks with Washington are not needed. Ambassador Kim Song’s comment appeared to go further than North Korea’s earlier warning that discussions related to its nuclear weapons programme, the central focus of US […]
President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that North Korea’s Kim Jong-un had “everything” to lose through hostility towards the United States, after Pyongyang said it had carried out a major new weapons test. “Kim Jong Un is too smart and has far too much to lose, everything actually, if he acts in a hostile way,” […]
North Korea said Sunday it had carried out a “very important test” at its space launch centre, as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks. The announcement of Saturday’s test at the Sohae satellite launch site came just hours after US President Donald Trump said he would be “surprised” by any hostile […]
Chinese state media has sought to justify the country’s crackdown in Xinjiang with the release of two new documentaries on terrorism in the far western region. The English-language programmes were produced by CGTN television, the international arm of state broadcaster CCTV, and follow last week’s US House of Representatives vote to pass a bill calling […]
The risk of an “accidental conflict” between the US and China has risen as a result of the heightened tensions between the two sides, a number of current and former officials have warned. While they said it was difficult to imagine a full-scale conflict breaking out, they warned that the current strategic, technological and ideological […]
A momentous legal confrontation will take place at the UN’s highest court this week when the Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi appears in person to defend Myanmar against accusations of genocide. Once internationally feted as a human rights champion, Myanmar’s state counsellor is scheduled to lead a delegation to the international court […]
Hackers have broken into a government system used by most of Hong Kong’s schools, raising fears for the personal data of pupils, parents and staff. Eight schools operating a web-based administrative network that stores highly sensitive information were breached, with three of them reporting data leaks, the Education Bureau said on Friday night. Police are […]
Treating younger people with high cholesterol levels may help reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke in later life, a major study showed Wednesday. Described as the “most comprehensive” review of its kind covering almost 400,000 patients over more than 40 years, the study in The Lancet said its findings on the link between […]
White Americans who are at risk of HIV are seven times more likely than blacks to receive a daily oral pill shown to be extremely effective at preventing infection, according to official statistics published Tuesday. The figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscore that racial disparities remain a core challenge […]
The World Health Organization warned of a “slide back” in global efforts to eliminate measles Tuesday, as the death toll from an outbreak that has killed dozens of children in Samoa continued to climb. A total of 55 people have died since the epidemic began in mid-October, 50 of them children aged four or under, […]
White Americans who are at risk of HIV are seven times more likely than blacks to receive a daily oral pill shown to be extremely effective at preventing infection, according to official statistics published Tuesday. The figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscore that racial disparities remain a core challenge […]
Treating younger people with high cholesterol levels may help reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke in later life, a major study showed Wednesday. Described as the “most comprehensive” review of its kind covering almost 400,000 patients over more than 40 years, the study in The Lancet said its findings on the link between […]
The World Health Organization warned of a “slide back” in global efforts to eliminate measles Tuesday, as the death toll from an outbreak that has killed dozens of children in Samoa continued to climb. A total of 55 people have died since the epidemic began in mid-October, 50 of them children aged four or under, […]
Asian markets were mixed Monday as investors struggled to track a rally on Wall Street that was fuelled by a forecast-busting US jobs report, while there was little inspiration from tepid Chinese trade data. While observers widely expect Beijing and Washington to hammer out a partial tariffs agreement, trading floors remain nervous places with less […]
Asian markets mostly rose Monday as investors tracked a rally on Wall Street that was fuelled by a forecast-busting US jobs report, while there was little inspiration from tepid Chinese trade data. While observers widely expect Beijing and Washington to hammer out a partial tariffs agreement, trading floors remain nervous places with less than a […]
Shares fell in Europe early Monday after a day of gains in Asia. Investors were encouraged by a wave of buying late last week on Wall Street that was spurred by strong US jobs numbers and optimism over China-US trade. France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2 percent in early trading to 5,860.03, while Germany’s DAX declined […]
Thirty-thousand monks assembled in the early morning chill in Myanmar on Sunday for a spectacular alms-giving event, partly organised by a controversial mega-temple under scrutiny across the border in Thailand. With many barefoot, Buddhist monks from Myanmar and Thailand and senior religious officials from a dozen countries collected alms next to an airport in the […]
A momentous legal confrontation will take place at the UN’s highest court this week when the Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi appears in person to defend Myanmar against accusations of genocide. Once internationally feted as a human rights champion, Myanmar’s state counsellor is scheduled to lead a delegation to the international court […]
Thousands rallied in support of Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar Saturday, on the eve of her departure for the UN’s top court to defend Myanmar against charges of genocide against Rohingya Muslims. The raucous rally in the capital Naypyidaw came as China’s foreign minister arrived for a visit at Suu Kyi’s invitation. Analysts say […]
Hong Kong and China stocks swung between gains and losses before ending little changed on Monday, as traders remained cautious amid uncertainties surrounding an initial trade deal between the United States and China. The Hang Seng Index shed 0.01 per cent, or 3.64 points, to 26,494.73. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.1 per cent, or […]
China launched seven civilian satellites on Saturday using mobile launch vehicles normally used to fire military rockets, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The first launch in the morning sent one remote sensing satellite into orbit, while six satellites to be used for purposes such as communications and navigation were sent into orbit in the evening. The […]
BEIJING (AP) China’s trade with the United States sank again in November as negotiators worked on the first stage of a possible deal to end a tariff war. Exports to the United States fell 23 percent from a year earlier to $35.6 billion, customs data showed Sunday. Imports of American goods were off 2.8 percent […]
The health ministry has mobilised available measures to contain the possible re-emergence of the polio virus that was eradicated in Malaysia almost three decades ago. After confirming the infection of a three-month-old boy in Tuaran, Sabah, the ministry tested 661 people in the surrounding areas up to December 7. Health minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad […]
Pakatan Harapan chair Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the ruling coalition could withstand the internal conflict breaking out in its largest component, PKR. He said during an event in Langkawi, Kedah today that some disagreement was to be expected in any party and stressed that he did not wish to be drawn into the matter. […]
Election Commission (EC) chair Datuk Azhar Azisan Harun has shot down Attorney general (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’s claim that they discussed the acquittal of PKR leader Mohd Rafizi Ramli. Azhar issued a statement today denying quotes attributed to Thomas in which the AG said he consulted the EC chief when deciding not to appeal […]
The skin of a critically endangered Sumatran tiger and four foetuses have been confiscated after the arrest of several suspected poachers, Indonesian police said. The suspects may have been planning to sell the skin to a foreign collector, while its bones were earlier sold, possibly for use in medicinal products popular in some parts of […]
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Doha set up the “Indonesia Corner” at one of the malls in Doha as a platform to promote Indonesia’s trade, tourism, and investment potentials in Qatar. The Indonesian promotion booth, called “Indonesia Corner,” is located in Landmark Mall, one of the big malls in Doha, Qatar, according […]
Heavy rains in Greater Bandung since Friday afternoon have caused the Cisangkuy River, part of West Java’s longest river, the Citarum, to overflow, inundating with floodwater 11 of the 13 community units (RWs) in Kamasan village in Banjaran district, Bandung regency, at night. Bandung Search and Rescue Agency head Deden Ridwansyah said the agency deployed […]
Singapore has a property glut that could take years to clear, threatening to kill a nascent price recovery amid an already uncertain economic outlook. The city-state had an overhang of 31,948 units as of September 30, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Sales have averaged about 2,500 homes per quarter this year, and at that […]
Singapore has a property glut that could take years to clear, threatening to kill a nascent price recovery amid an already uncertain economic outlook. The city-state had an overhang of 31,948 units as of September 30, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Sales have averaged about 2,500 homes per quarter this year, and at that […]
Singapore has retained its top position in the world in food security for a second consecutive year, according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The global survey of food systems shows Singapore scores well in the three core pillars of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2019: affordability, accessibility and quality. But […]
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga resigned from the Democrat Party on Mondaya decision that also terminated his status as a party-list MP. He submitted a letter, dated December 9, to the Election Commission’s political party registrar, formally informing the poll organising agency of his resignation from the party, effective immediately. Pirapan said in the letter that he had […]
The Thai Soil Partnership (TSP) has vowed to pursue a ban on herbicides to improve soil health and agricultural practices. The announcement by the TSP, representing a network of government, private, academic, religious, civil society and public sector groups against farm chemical use, was made to mark World Soil Day 2019 which fell last Thursday […]
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has scored poorly in an opinion poll by the National Institute for Development Administration, or NIDA, after his first six months in office. The poll ran from November 29-December 3 and included 1,278 adults from across Thailand with varying occupations and education levels. The purpose of the survey was to gauge […]
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Sangguniang Barangays in the country to establish a social assistance programme for workers and officials this holiday season. Under Executive Order 99 signed by Duterte on December 6, the programme aims to provide economic empowerment to officials and functionaries, and other personnel appointed, designated or engaged by the barangay. […]
Within days of the International Criminal Court prosecutor saying it has no jurisdiction over the allegations against Chinese President Xi Jinping for “crimes against humanity” in the West Philippine Sea, Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. tweeted that the Philippines often stood up to China. “[W]e stand up to China in the things that matter […]
Pump price cut will take effect Tuesday (December 10) as announced by several oil firms. At 6:00 AM tomorrow, Shell will slash its fuel prices by P0.40 per litre of gasoline and kerosene. The price of diesel will remain, according to Shell. Petron, meanwhile, will cut P0.30 per litre of gasoline and kerosene and P0.10 […]
The body of Tetsu Nakamura, a beloved Japanese doctor who was shot to death in Afghanistan after decades of his earnest support for the country, was brought back to Japan on Sunday. A plane carrying his body landed at Narita airport near Tokyo with his wife and eldest daughter, who visited Kabul after Wednesday’s murder. […]
With speeches and salutes, veterans and officials on Saturday commemorated the 78th anniversary of the 1941 sneak attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor, which brought a previously reluctant United States into World War II. A ceremony in Hawaii honoring survivors was attended by US Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Washington’s ambassador to South Korea Harry […]
It might be the most Japanese of political scandals: a furore over prime minister Shinzo Abe’s guest list at a party to mark the annual cherry blossom season. As scandals go, it has plenty of juicy elementsalleged mafia guests, disappearing evidence, even gaffes by Abe, who appeared to lay blame for shredded documents on a […]
President Donald Trump warned Sunday that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un had “everything” to lose through hostility towards the United States, after Pyongyang said it had carried out a major new weapons test. “Kim Jong Un is too smart and has far too much to lose, everything actually, if he acts in a hostile way,” […]
Frustrated by what it sees as a lack of flexibility by the United States, North Korea has set a end of the year deadline for Washington to change its policies or leader Kim Jong Un may embark on a “new path”. Talks over the future of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile arsenals are […]
Satellite imagery captured before and after North Korea conducted what it called a “very important” test at its missile launch site suggested it had tested a rocket engine, experts said on Monday. It was the latest of a series of weapons tests and statements from Pyongyang, as its end of the year deadline for Washington […]
Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong is once again courted controversy, this time for urging Japanese tourists to give Hong Kong a miss. Speaking to the media in Tokyo as part of his tour to promote the movie Still Human, the 59-year-old advised Japanese travellers to avoid visiting the island state as Hong Kong policemen have […]
The city’s leaders believe a revamped education system will make its people more loyal to China and less likely to protest. After months of protests, an embarrassing rebuke at the ballot box, a pair of new laws in the United States targeting Hong Kong, and a worsening economic outlook, the territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, promised […]
Among the sea of faces on Hong Kong’s streets on Sunday were more than one hundred people wearing quirky over-sized animal masksa band of activists bringing popular protest internet memes to life. Hong Kong’s democracy movement is largely leaderless and organised online. LIHKG, a local Reddit-like web forum that serves as a virtual command centre […]
Temperatures in flat areas forecast to reach 10 degrees early Monday morning, climb from Monday around noon Temperatures in northern Taiwan dropped to 8.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday (December 8) under the influence of a continental cold air mass, setting a new record low for flat areas this winter. The Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said […]
Politicians say they were offered hundreds of thousands of dollars for their support before country switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing Solomon Islands politicians allege both China and Taiwan offered bribes of hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain their support during a diplomatic row that rocked the country earlier this year. In September the prime […]
As a continental cold air mass continues to blast into Taiwan, Hsinchu County saw the mercury dip down to 7.9 degrees Celsius Monday morning (December 9) and the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) has issued a cold surge advisory for 13 counties and cities in the country. Early this morning the effects of a continental cold […]
Vietnam’s fisheries exports are unlikely to meet the $10 billion target set by the government for this year because of the multiple challenges like the US-China trade war, lack of demand and increasing competition. In the first 10 months of the year, exports were worth only $7.09 billion, down 2 per cent from the same […]
Vietnam’s benchmark VN Index rose 0.29 points or 0.03 percent to 963.56 points Friday, a session with exceptionally low liquidity. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, on which the VN Index is based, 156 stocks gained and 154 lost. Liquidity of order-matched transactions plunged to VND2.78 trillion ($120.13 million), making Friday the quietest trading […]
Son Doong was found in 1991 and became internationally known as the biggest cave in the world in 2009. This is the first time a tour operator received approval by Quang Binh provincial authorities to exclusively provide tours to Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave, in ten years. Travel company Oxalis Adventure will be the […]
