Montasser Sabal greets supporters during his 2010 campaign for mayor in Talitay town in Maguindanao province, southern Philippines.

Philippine Police Kill Ex-Mayor on Duterte’s Narco-Politician List

National chief says Montasser Sabal was fatally shot after allegedly grabbing escort officer’s gun.

Philippine Military: 12-Year-Old among 3 Killed in Clash with Suspected Communist Rebels

Philippine Military: 12-Year-Old among 3 Killed in Clash with Suspected Communist Rebels

A rights group leader claims the victims were farmers heading to town to purchase rice.

China Won’t Finance Bangladesh Rail Line after Dhaka Cuts Project Costs

China Won’t Finance Bangladesh Rail Line after Dhaka Cuts Project Costs

Sheikh Hasina’s government trims $471M from Akhaura-Sylhet track project that was to be built by Chinese state-owned company.

Philippine President’s Daughter: Will Help with ICC Probe, if Govt Allows

Philippine President’s Daughter: Will Help with ICC Probe, if Govt Allows

Sara Duterte is the mayor of Davao City, where her father previously held the same post.

Rights Groups Seek Probe into Death of Indonesian Official Opposed to Mine

Rights Groups Seek Probe into Death of Indonesian Official Opposed to Mine

Helmud Hontong, 58, was deputy regent of the Sangihe Islands in North Sulawesi.

Rights Group: UNHCR ‘Improperly’ Shared Rohingya Refugee Data with Bangladesh

Rights Group: UNHCR ‘Improperly’ Shared Rohingya Refugee Data with Bangladesh

Dhaka divulged that data to Myanmar, Human Rights Watch said, as U.N. refugee agency denied the allegations.

ICC Top Prosecutor Pushes Full Probe into Philippine Drug-War Killings

ICC Top Prosecutor Pushes Full Probe into Philippine Drug-War Killings

Fatou Bensouda seeks investigation into thousands of deaths tied to President Duterte’s campaign.

Indonesia to Use Soldiers to Ramp up Vaccinations amid Huge COVID-19 Surge

Indonesia to Use Soldiers to Ramp up Vaccinations amid Huge COVID-19 Surge

Daily infections up to average of nearly 7,900 a day in past week, from 3,500 daily in mid-May.

Philippines Again Postpones Decision on Ending Military Pact with US

Philippines Again Postpones Decision on Ending Military Pact with US

Deferral comes amid rising Manila-Beijing tensions over Chinese ships in Philippine waters in South China Sea.

US Calls China’s Conduct in South China Sea ‘Unlawful’

US Calls China’s Conduct in South China Sea ‘Unlawful’

Beijing pledges to protect ‘core interests’ in the resource-rich sea, as two powers address annual ASEAN security meeting.

Malaysia’s King, Rulers: Reconvene Parliament Soon, End Emergency in August

Malaysia’s King, Rulers: Reconvene Parliament Soon, End Emergency in August

It is vital that lawmakers discuss recovery plan, monarch says after meeting with other royals.

AstraZeneca: Vaccine Deliveries to Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines on Schedule

AstraZeneca: Vaccine Deliveries to Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines on Schedule

Company officials did not respond to Taiwan president’s concerns over delivery delays from Siam Bioscience.

Green Groups: Environmental Impact Falsified at Chinese-Funded Power Plant Approved by Dhaka

Green Groups: Environmental Impact Falsified at Chinese-Funded Power Plant Approved by Dhaka

Coal-fired electricity project in Chittagong will be big polluter, say three groups in Bangladesh.

Philippine President won't Cooperate with ICC Probe into Drug War

Philippine President won't Cooperate with ICC Probe into Drug War

Spokesman Harry Roque said the investigation was “political” because foes of Rodrigo Duterte had filed the allegations.

Malaysian Court Rejects ex-PM Najib’s Request to Stay Bankruptcy Order

Malaysian Court Rejects ex-PM Najib’s Request to Stay Bankruptcy Order

Another court to hear his plea Wednesday against ruling ordering him to pay U.S. $413 million in taxes.

Philippines: Human Rights Groups Condemn Public Shaming of Accused Lesbians

Philippines: Human Rights Groups Condemn Public Shaming of Accused Lesbians

Residents in southern Maguindanao province witnessed six women and girls have their heads shaved.

Vaccine in Short Supply in SEAsia, Bangladesh

Vaccine in Short Supply in SEAsia, Bangladesh

Nations vulnerable to new waves and variants as COVID-19 vaccination campaigns lag.

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Crisis? What Crisis?

Crisis? What Crisis?

Chicken or Cow: Incentives abound for Vaccinations in SE Asia

Thailand: Missing the Target

Thailand: Missing the Target

Vaccine in Short Supply in SEAsia, Bangladesh

BenarNews Nations Lag Far Behind in Vaccine Drives

Troubled Waters:
The South China Sea

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