Malaysia pledges to invest in Indonesia’s new capital
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday his country would invest in the development of Indonesia’s new capital on Borneo island, which both nations share.
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World Bank flags debt spike even in mid-income countries like PHL
EFFORTS to reduce debts should be implemented even among middle-income countries like the Philippines as external debt levels have significantly risen during and after the pandemic, according to the World Bank.
From prisoner to PM, Malaysia’s Anwar had long ride to top
Becoming prime minister caps Anwar’s roller-coaster political journey, from a former deputy prime minister whose sacking and imprisonment in the 1990s led to massive street protests and a reform movement that rose into a major political force. It is a second victory for his reformist bloc, which won 2018 polls but lost power after 22 months due to a power struggle that has led to continuous political turmoil.
Symbol of reunion with China, panda Tuan Tuan dies in Taipei
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Tuan Tuan, one of two giant pandas gifted to Taiwan from China, died Saturday after a brief illness, the Taipei Zoo said.
162 dead as Indonesia quake topples homes, buildings, roads
Rescuers on Tuesday struggled to find more bodies from the rubble of homes and buildings toppled by an earthquake that killed at least 162 people and injured hundreds on Indonesia’s main island of Java.
Marcos shuns external interference in sea dispute
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said countries beyond Asia must not interfere in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea (SCS).
Amid tensions with China, Taiwan shows off military drones
Taiwan displayed its self-developed drone technology Tuesday, amid rising concerns over China's threats to use force to assert its claim to the self-governing island republic.
DTI: Upgraded Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area to benefit MSMEs
According to the AANZFTA web site, the 12 parties to the said free-trade area include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
‘Countries beyond Asia have stake in keeping South China Sea peace’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said countries even beyond Asia have the “moral and legal” obligation to help prevent the eruption of conflict in the South China Sea since it could plunge the world in an economic crisis.
Japan steps up push to get public buy-in to digital IDs
The Japanese government is asking people to apply for plastic My Number cards equipped with microchips and photos, to be linked to drivers licenses and the public health insurance plans. Health insurance cards now in use, which lack photos, will be discontinued in late 2024. People will be required to use My Number cards instead.
Indonesia launches its first home-grown COVID-19 vaccines
Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority greenlighted emergency use authorization of IndoVac in September, with an efficacy above 80% after two shots. The vaccine passed an audit by the country’s highest Islamic body that the shot is fit for consumption by Muslims — a particularly important factor in the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Indian workers rescued from job scams in Southeast Asia
A UN envoy has said the scam networks, which often have links to transnational organized crime, are set up in countries with weak law enforcement, attracting educated young workers with promises of high earnings. The workers are then subject to isolation and the threat of violence unless they succeed in cheating victims reached by phone into transferring payments into overseas bank accounts.
Rohingya seek reparations from Facebook for role in massacre
Despite years of warnings, Amnesty found, the company not only failed to remove violent hate speech and disinformation against the Rohingya, it actively spread and amplified it until it culminated in the 2017 massacre. The timing coincided with the rising popularity of Facebook in Myanmar, where for many people it served as their only connection to the online world. That effectively made Facebook the internet for a vast number of Myanmar's population.
Malaysian dad pleads help for online scam victims after son died
Following a tip-off by another Malaysian victim who had returned to the country, Goi said he believed Zhen Feng was taken to KK Garden in Myanmar's Myawaddy township near the Thai border to work for companies engaged in online scams. Malaysian officials said KK Garden is a casino and entertainment complex in the Myawaddy village of Shwe Kokko that involves Chinese investment and is suspected of being a hub for organized crimes.
Japan, US, Philippines to step up maritime security ties
US Deputy Chief of Mission Raymond Greene criticized China's “increasingly hostile maritime actions” as a threat to the safety of waterways in the resource-rich Indo-Pacific, as the US seeks to strengthen security cooperation with allies Japan and the Philippines.
Living amid flood in Indonesia, unable to leave
On the northern coast of Central Java, Indonesia, villages are hit hard as sea levels rise, one of many effects of climate change. Many homes have been “raised” with cement or dirt several times over in an effort by occupants to keep dry. Others can only be accessed when the tide is low, trapping people inside for hours at a time.
East Timor hopes to join ASEAN when Indonesia chairs in 2023
East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta in a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart on Tuesday said he hoped Asia’s youngest country could join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year. Ramos-Horta, former independence fighter and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was sworn in as president of East Timor on May 20 as the country marked its 20th anniversary of independence from Indonesia, which invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975.
Taking selfies, Sri Lankans converge on presidential palace
Hundreds of Sri Lankans jostled Monday to use the vast array of exercise machines in the private gym of the presidential palace, lifting weights and running on treadmills inside a facility that was, until now, the exclusive domain of the country's beleaguered president.
Monsoon rains kill 147 in less than a month in Pakistan
Experts say climate change is the cause for the heavier than average downpour in Pakistan.
Hong Kong in limbo 25 years after British handover to China
When the British handed its colony Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997, it was promised 50 years of self-government and freedoms of assembly, speech and press that are not allowed Chinese on the Communist-ruled mainland.
As the city of 7.4 million people marks 25 years under Beijing's rule on Friday, those promises are wearing thin. Hong Kong's honeymoon period, when it carried on much as it always had, has passed, and its future remains uncertain, determined by forces beyond its control.
Hong Kong bars some journalists from handover anniversary
Hong Kong authorities, citing “security reasons,” have barred more than 10 journalists from covering events and ceremonies this week marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, according to the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
South Koreans vote for president in tight, bitter election
Critics say neither candidate has presented a clear strategy on how they would ease the threat from North Korea and its nuclear weapons. They also say voters are skeptical about how both would handle international relations amid the US-China rivalry and how they would address widening economic inequality and runaway housing prices.
Thailand adopts guidelines for declaring COVID-19 endemic
Thai health authorities approved new guidelines outlining the parameters for declaring the coronavirus pandemic an endemic disease, treating Covid-19 as an illness that is here to stay, like the flu or measles.
Indonesia’s capital is sinking, polluted and now moving
Indonesian parliament last week passed the state capital bill into law, giving green light to President Joko Widodo to start a $34-billion construction project this year to move the country's capital from the traffic-clogged, polluted and rapidly sinking Jakarta on the main island of Java to jungle-clad Borneo island amid public skepticism.
Despite defense buildup, Japan’s arms industry struggles
Uncompetitive, with high prices, aging technology and scant government support, arms makers in Japan increasingly are just withdrawing from the business.
S. Korea marks deadliest day of pandemic as hospitals buckle
Experts say South Korea’s devastating surge underscores the risk of putting economic concerns before public health when the highly contagious delta variant has reduced the effectiveness of vaccines and most people are still waiting for their booster shots.
S. Korea confirms cases of new virus variant
South Korea on Wednesday confirmed its first five cases of the new omicron coronavirus variant in people linked to arrivals from Nigeria, prompting the government to tighten the country’s borders.
Despite variants, Singapore’s Covid-19 strategy on track
If there was a mistake made, it was to start allowing home-based isolation at the end of August for mild or asymptomatic patients, instead of in hospitals or dedicated facilities, just as cases were starting to rapidly climb. The intention was to alleviate pressure on the health care system, but it instead led to the rapid spread of the virus in communities.
Thousands of foreigners leave Indonesia amid Covid-19 crisis
Indonesia now has the most confirmed daily cases in Asia, as infections and deaths have surged over the past month and India’s massive outbreak has waned. Infections peaked in mid-July, with the highest daily average reported at more than 50,000 new cases each day. Until mid-June, daily cases had been running at about 8,000.
Indonesia caught between surge and slow vaccine rollout
After a slow vaccination rollout, Indonesia is now racing to inoculate as many people as possible as it battles an explosion of COVID-19 cases that have strained its health care. But inadequate global supply, the complicated geography of the world's largest archipelago nation, and hesitancy among some Indonesians stand as major roadblocks.
Vietnam to test all 9M residents in largest city
Vietnam plans to test all 9 million people in its largest city for the coronavirus and imposed more restrictions Monday to deal with a growing COVID-19 outbreak.
Hundreds of bodies found buried along Indian riverbanks
Police are reaching out to villagers in northern India to investigate the recovery of bodies buried in shallow sand graves or washing up on the Ganges River banks, prompting speculation on social media that they were the remains of COVID-19 victims.
Fiji Sequesters Hospital Staff After COVID Death
Health authorities say they’re quarantining 400 patients, doctors, nurses and staff within the compound until they can determine who had contact with a coronavirus patient who died.
Indonesia resumes use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine
Indonesia on Friday cleared the AstraZeneca vaccine for use again after the European Union’s drug regulator said the vaccine didn’t increase the overall incidence of blood clots.
Bangladesh at 50: A nation created in violence and still bearing scars of a troubled birth
In the 50 years since its independence, Bangladesh has made some significant strides. It has aggressively tackled infant mortality, gender inequity and economic development. Today, with a booming economy, it is on track to graduate from the United Nation’s least developed country category.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh still faces enormous challenges. Violence against women and girls, corruption and lack of press freedoms remain serious concerns.
Virus resurges as India slowly vaccinates more
India has registered its worst single-day increase in coronavirus cases since late December as the western state of Maharashtra battles a resurgence.
India expands its vaccination drive
The shots will be given for free at government hospitals and will also be sold at over 10,000 private hospitals at a fixed price of 250 rupees, or $3.40, per shot.
Asia Today: India starts shipping COVID-19 vaccine to cities
Beginning Saturday, India will start the massive undertaking of inoculating an estimated 30 million doctors, nurses and other front-line workers. The effort will then turn to inoculating around 270 million people who are either older than 50 or have secondary health conditions that raise their risks of dying from COVID-19.
Asia Today: South Korean minister warns of virus ‘war zone’
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s health minister said Monday that the Seoul metropolitan area is now a “COVID-19 war zone,” as the country reported another 615 new infections and the virus appeared to be spreading faster.
Asia Today: India virus surge continues in New Delhi
India's Health Ministry reported 44,684 new positive cases in the past 24 hours and 520 deaths. Of those, 7,802 new cases were reported in New Delhi, with 91 deaths.
Asia Today: Australia’s Victoria has no cases for 8th day
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to announce another relaxation of rules on Sunday, including the removal of Melbourne’s so-called “ring of steel.” No longer confined within a 25-kilometer (15-mile) radius, the city’s residents will be allowed to travel throughout the state.
Asia Today: South Korea OKs single test for COVID-19 and flu
Health officials in South Korea have approved a new test that’s designed to detect both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza from the same samples, which would help prevent disruption at hospitals as the pandemic stretches into the flu season.
Asia Today: Sri Lanka closes harbors after 609 test positive
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Authorities in Sri Lanka on Saturday closed at least two fishery harbors and many stalls after a surge of 609 cases linked to the country’s main fish market.
Asia Today: Sri Lanka closes fish market, expands curfew
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s main fish market was closed Thursday and a curfew widened as a COVID-19 outbreak grows.
Asia Today: Philippines allows foreign travel to resume
MANILA — The Philippines on Wednesday lifted a ban on non-essential foreign trips by Filipinos, but the immigration bureau said the move did not immediately spark large numbers of departures for tourism and leisure.
Asia Today: South Korea testing at hospitals, nursing homes
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Monday began testing tens of thousands of employees of hospitals and nursing homes to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks at live-in facilities.
Asia Today: Sydney lifts quarantine for N. Zealand travelers
Australia’s largest city Sydney lifted quarantine restrictions on travelers from New Zealand on Friday while the second largest city, Melbourne, marked the 100th day of one of the world’s longest pandemic lockdowns.
Asia Today: SKorea reports 110 cases, half in Busan hospital
South Korea has reported 110 new cases of the coronavirus, half of them linked to a hospital in Busan.
Asia Today: India reports 63,000 new cases, China tests 4.2M
NEW DELHI — India has confirmed more than 63,000 new cases of the coronavirus, an increase of over 8,000 from the previous day but still far fewer than it was reporting a month ago, when the virus was at its peak in the country.
Asia Today: China to test 9 million after new outbreak
The announcement broke a two-month streak with no virus transmissions reported within China, though China has a practice of not reporting asymptomatic cases. The ruling Communist Party has lifted most curbs on travel and business but still monitors travelers and visitors to public buildings for signs of infection.
Asia Today: Sri Lanka orders closures to contain virus
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan health authorities worked Friday to contain a growing cluster of new coronavirus infections, ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, casinos, nightclubs and spas.
Asia Today: India has another 75,800 cases, recovery high
India has registered 75,829 confirmed coronaviruses cases in the past 24 hours, a day after crossing 100,000 fatalities.
Asia Today: Victoria premier concerned over mall outbreak
The Covid-19 figures in Australia’s Victoria state continued to show improvement on Saturday but officials are concerned about an outbreak at the country’s largest shopping center.
Asia Today: Australia, New Zealand to partially open borders, PHL tourist spots partially reopen
Australia and New Zealand on Friday announced a partial opening of their borders to travel between the neighboring countries.
Asia Today: September was India’s worst month of pandemic
India is expected to become the pandemic’s worst-hit country within weeks, surpassing the United States, where more than 7.2 million people have been infected.
Asia Today: South Korea has virus jump before holiday period
South Korea has reported 113 new cases of COVID-19, its first daily increase over 100 in five days, as the country entered a holiday break that officials fear would possibly worsen transmissions.
Asia Today: Philippines placing southern city in lockdown
Authorities are concerned by a COVID-19 outbreak aboard a cargo ship off the Australian northwest coast. Eight more members of the Filipino crew tested positive, bringing the number of infections to 17 out of a crew of 21.
Asia Today: South Korea’s daily virus cases at another low
South Korea’s daily coronavirus increase was the lowest in about 50 days Tuesday as new infections trend lower.
Asia Today: Australian hot spot, South Korea hit new lows
Australia’s coronavirus hot spot, Victoria state, on Monday recorded its lowest number of new infections in more than three months as the nation’s second-largest city, Melbourne, further eased its lockdown restrictions.
Asia Today: Melbourne eases lockdown, schools, work resume
Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, has further eased lockdown restrictions imposed after a surge in coronavirus cases, allowing most children to return to school from next month and sending more than 125,000 people back to work.
Asia Today: India’s daily new virus cases on declining trend
India reported another 86,052 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, a declining trend with recoveries exceeding new cases this week.
Asia Today: China to let in more foreigners as virus recedes
Beginning Monday, foreign nationals holding valid Chinese visas and residence permits for work, personal matters and family reunions will be permitted to enter China without needing to apply for new visas, according to the regulation.
Asia Today: India sees 83,000 new cases, but numbers falling
The country has now confirmed more than 5.6 million cases. The health ministry also reported 1,085 new fatalities, raising the death toll to 90,020
Asia Today: Duterte extends virus calamity status by a year
President Rodrigo Duterte says he has extended a state of calamity in the entire Philippines by a year to allow the government to draw emergency funds faster to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and harness the police and military to maintain law and order.
Asia Today: India adds 87K cases, New Zealand easing rules
India recorded nearly 87,000 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as it edged closer to the United States in having the most reported cases in the world.
Asia Today: New Zealand to begin lifting virus restrictions
All remaining virus restrictions will be lifted across much of New Zealand from late Monday with the exception of the largest city, Auckland, which will continue to have some restrictions for at least another 16 days.
Asia Today: Fewer cases in Melbourne, new surge in India
Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, has moved close to easing severe lockdown restrictions after recording only 14 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday.
Asia Today: Vietnam to resume international flights
Vietnam will resume international commercial flights to several Asian destinations starting Friday, after a monthslong shutdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
Asia Today: Beijing receiving 1st intl flights since March
Beijing’s main international airport on Thursday began receiving international flights again from a limited number of countries considered at low risk of coronavirus infection.
Next wave of wars will be over water
WATER may determine the future of Asia. It may even turn crimson red, if the 700 million people in one of the world’s largest group of islands floating on a body of water continue to go thirsty.