Region

Ramos-Horta: ‘I never asked Kissinger to apologize’ for Indonesian invasion

Timorese President says he does not resent U.S. for supporting Jakarta’s 1975 takeover of former Portuguese colony.

Bangladesh transport workers feel the heat from political opposition’s strikes, blockades
Bangladesh

Bangladesh transport workers feel the heat from political opposition’s strikes, blockades

More than 200 buses and other vehicles have been torched in arson attacks coinciding with hartals launched by the BNP.

Philippines plans summit to seek solutions to ease prison overcrowding
Philippines

Philippines plans summit to seek solutions to ease prison overcrowding

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is also expected to pardon 1,000 inmates on Christmas.

Indonesia to ramp up military spending amid regional security challenges
South China Sea

Indonesia to ramp up military spending amid regional security challenges

Southeast Asia’s largest country will boost its defense budget by 20%.

17 Thai hostages freed by Hamas return home to families’ joyous tears
Thailand

17 Thai hostages freed by Hamas return home to families’ joyous tears

Six more freed Thais are still in an Israeli hospital for check-ups, while nine are still in captivity.

Bangladesh transport workers feel the heat from political opposition’s strikes, blockades
Bangladesh

Bangladesh transport workers feel the heat from political opposition’s strikes, blockades

More than 200 buses and other vehicles have been torched in arson attacks coinciding with hartals launched by the BNP.

Josateki Korovulavula holds a mobile phone showing a picture of his Kadavu Island cannabis crop, in Suva, Fiji, Oct. 31, 2023.
Pacific

Pacific islanders seek big profits from budding medical cannabis trade

2023-12-01

Small island nations in the region are hoping to tap into a multibillion-dollar global market.

A man sells food to bus passengers waiting to leave Samoa’s capital Apia, Nov. 2, 2023. Colorful public buses are one of the charms of visiting Samoa and are recommended by tourism officials as a good way for visitors to experience the country.
Pacific

Samoa wanted Chinese tourists – it got a dreamer and grifters instead

2023-11-29

Finance minister who took part in unauthorized launch of cryptocurrency exchange was replaced in September.

Commentary

Pneumonia, bird flu, other outbreaks prompt concerns of new contagion in Asia

Pneumonia, bird flu, other outbreaks prompt concerns of new contagion in Asia

Cartoons

Land reclamation sweepstakes

Land reclamation sweepstakes

Commentary

Bangladesh is poised for an election to seal autocratic rule

Bangladesh is poised for an election to seal autocratic rule
Philippines readies delegation to Iran for talks on sailors kidnapped by Houthis
Philippines

Philippines readies delegation to Iran for talks on sailors kidnapped by Houthis

Seventeen Filipino seafarers were on board an Israeli-linked cargo ship that was hijacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Gibran Rakabuming Raka (right), the eldest son of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the running mate for Defense Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, watches as Prabowo speaks to reporters after the two registered in Jakarta for the February 2024 general election, Oct. 25, 2023.
Indonesia

Indonesian court rejects challenge to decision clearing president’s son as VP candidate

The Constitutional Court ruled 8-0 against a petition seeking to overturn its much-criticized October ruling.

Students shout slogans, hold signs and pride flags as they take part in an LGBT+ Pride vigil organized after India’s top court declined to legalize same-sex marriage, in New Delhi, Oct. 18, 2023.
Malaysia

Malaysian state to open Islamic ‘rehab center’ for same-sex convicts

Activists march in Quezon City, Metro Manila, to honor Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison, who died three days earlier at age 83, Dec. 19, 2022.
Philippines

Military chief: Philippines won’t halt operations against communist guerrillas

Indonesian presidential candidates and their vice presidential nominees Prabowo Subianto (left) with his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka (second from left), Ganjar Pranowo (third from left) with his running mate Mahfud MD (third from right), and Anies Baswedan (second from right) with running mate Muhaimin Iskandar, hold their ballot numbers for next year’s elections, as they pose for a group photo at the election commission headquarters in Jakarta, Nov. 14, 2023.
Indonesia

Indonesian presidential hopefuls begin poll campaign with events from east to west

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Video

What a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in the South China Sea is like

Gallery

Third-generation daredevil seeks to rejuvenate ‘Wall of Death’ show

Third-generation daredevil seeks to rejuvenate ‘Wall of Death’ show

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