Asia
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UN urges Myanmar to allow life-saving aid after deadly Cyclone Mocha
The United Nations has urged Myanmar to allow life-saving aid to reach areas affected by the devastating Cyclone Mocha. UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the country’s military rulers to permit needs assessments and ensure access to essential aid and services. The cyclone brought torrential rain and 195km per hour winds to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh on May 14,…
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Heroic bridegroom halts wedding to save life of a man at another wedding reception
A bridegroom has been hailed a hero after he put his wedding on hold to save the life of a guest at another wedding reception. The Chinese groom, who works as a nurse, was just about to make a speech at his wedding when he heard a call if there was a doctor or nurse in the room. A man…
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Imran Khan faces anti-graft agency questioning over corruption charges
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan faced questioning by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on corruption charges yesterday, according to his lawyer Faisal Chaudhry. This comes less than a week after Khan refused a summons to appear and dismissed the allegations against him. The ex-cricket star, who has been in a confrontational relationship with the country’s powerful military, was arrested…
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Indonesia adopts cool roofs to combat heatwaves and reduce energy costs
A low-cost, sustainable solution to the increasing heatwaves in Southeast Asia is being implemented in Indonesia through the use of “cool” roofs. These roofs have a special coating applied to them that reflects sunlight and reduces the amount of heat absorbed by a building, resulting in lower indoor temperatures. In Indonesia, the Cool Roofs project, led by architecture lecturer Beta…
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Cathay Pacific fires staff amid discrimination row and foreigner worship claims
Cathay Pacific Airways today dismissed three flight attendants following allegations of discrimination against non-English speakers. The incident occurred on flight CX987 from Chengdu to Hong Kong and led to widespread concern, prompting the airline to issue a sincere apology. Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam announced the staff dismissals after an internal investigation and reiterated the company’s zero-tolerance approach to serious violations…
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Priceless piece of history: Last Emperor of China’s watch fetches record-breaking US$5.1 million at Hong Kong auction
A rare Patek Philippe watch once owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China‘s Qing Dynasty, has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for a record-breaking HK$40 million (US$5.1 million). An anonymous buyer purchased the timepiece, which had been gifted by Puyi to his Russian interpreter during his imprisonment by the Soviet Union. The sale price, which did…
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Singapore firms eye Central Asia’s growing consumer market for expansion
Central Asia, a region known for its landlocked countries, may not be the most obvious choice for Singaporean businesses looking to expand their horizons. However, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) believes that the area’s growing consumer market and young population can offer early-mover advantages for companies, particularly in sectors such as urban infrastructure, technology, and innovative consumer products. Despite Central Asia’s strategic…
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Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars
Chinese researchers have uncovered direct evidence of an ancient ocean on Mars’s northern plains, according to a team from the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. The discovery, recently published in the journal National Science Review, has the potential to further solidify our understanding of the Red Planet’s geological history. Led by Xiao Long, a professor at the China University of…
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Black panther killed in Malaysian road accident, sparks safety concerns
A black panther was fatally struck by a car in the Malaysian town of Simpang Pertang on a Saturday afternoon, shocking animal lovers worldwide. The incident took place in the western region of Negeri Sembilan. Jelebu District Police disclosed that a 38 year old man driving with his family was involved in the accident. He reported that the adult male…
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Robbers’ comedic blunder in Vietnam turns empty shop heist into a farce
In something that resembled a Laurel and Hardy slapstick sketch, two robbers in Vietnam made a pig’s ear of stealing from an empty shop when the owner returned to the store. One of the robbers fled the scene leaving his partner in crime waiting on the getaway motorcycle. The store owner then jumped on the getaway motorcycle with robber number…
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Indonesian shamans scam victims with ‘magic money’ schemes, face murder charges
Shamans posing as spiritual figures in Indonesia have swindled fearful citizens out of their life’s savings, leaving them destitute and shamed. Scammers promising to turn small investments into substantial riches have been widely circulated on social media sites like Facebook, reaching over 1.4 million viewers. This has led to a rise in fraudulent activities involving shamans which, in turn, has…
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Breastfeeding mother thwarts thief with swift scream, netizens applaud
A mother’s quick thinking caught the attention of netizens after a video clip of her noticing a thief entering her home while breastfeeding her baby went viral. The incident was initially reported by the Vietnamese website saostar.vn, but has since been shared widely on social media, with users praising the woman’s sharp instincts and presence of mind. The video shows…
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Japanese model’s revealing outfit on packed train raises public concern
Hou Queenie, a well-known Japanese language teacher and model in Taiwan, recently made headlines for her outfit choice while on a packed train in Japan. Known as the “sexiest teacher in Taiwan,” Queenie dressed in an oversized coat, which she left unbuttoned to reveal a skimpy crop top underneath. This drew attention not only on the train but also online,…
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Cyclone Mocha aftermath: Myanmar residents queue for aid as UN negotiates access
In the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, which swept through Myanmar and Bangladesh with winds of up to 195km per hour, residents of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, are facing severe shortages of rice and drinking water. The United Nations is currently in talks with the Myanmar junta to gain access to the affected areas. The cyclone has claimed at…
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Hiroshima VR tour immerses visitors in atomic bomb’s devastating impact
In Hiroshima, Japan, a virtual reality tour is providing an immersive experience of the city before, during, and after the devastating atomic bomb attack on August 6, 1945. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, the 44 year old founder of the company behind the tours, believes that this experience can help people better understand the impact of the nuclear attack and the city that…
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China to resume Australian timber imports, PM Albanese plans Beijing visit
China has announced plans to recommence imports of Australian timber, with discussions also taking place regarding a potential visit by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Beijing. The timber trade between the two countries, which was once worth US$407 million annually, has been largely halted since late 2020 due to China citing pest issues in shipments from various Australian ports.…
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Japan ramps up G7 security after PM attack and Abe assassination
Japan is ramping up security measures for the G7 summit in Hiroshima, deploying around 24,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of the event. The increased security comes in the wake of an attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month and the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. Patrolling police have been visible in the city’s…
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Thaksin hails MFP’s social media mastery, urges generals to retire
Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, praised the Move Forward Party (MFP) for their recent election victory, attributing their success to their mastery of social media and user-generated content (UGC). Thaksin, who remains an influential figure in Thai politics despite his self-imposed exile, highlighted the party’s ability to gain votes organically without resorting to big-spending campaigns or vote-buying. In a…
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Cyclone Mocha death toll rises to 81 in Myanmar, villagers await aid
Cyclone Mocha claimed at least 81 lives in Myanmar, with local leaders and state media warning that the death toll could rise further. The cyclone hit the country on Sunday, bringing winds of up to 195 kilometres per hour, destroying power pylons and fishing boats. At least 46 people died in the Rakhine state villages of Bu Ma and Khaung…
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Singapore, China reaffirm partnership, explore digitalisation and sustainability cooperation
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently met with China’s Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, further strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) noted that their partnership has been upgraded to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership.” The leaders discussed the growth of bilateral cooperation, including the three government-to-government projects in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing,…
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Huge brawl erupts at Thailand v Indonesia SEA Games football final (video)
The SouthEast Asia (SEA) Games football final between Indonesia and Thailand turned into a Muay Thai match yesterday when Thailand netted an equalising goal in injury time, sparking a dramatic brawl. But Indonesia ran out victors scoring three more goals in extra-time to win their first SEA Games men’s football medal in 32 years with a 5-2 victory. After a…
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Malaysia braced for heatwave until September, no emergency declared yet
Despite the sweltering weather in Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the government has no immediate plans to declare the heatwave an emergency. However, he added that the government is prepared to do so if necessary. This decision was made after a National Disaster Management Committee meeting, which Ahmad Zahid chaired. “For now, we don’t think there…
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Burmese people celebrate MFP General Election victory
In astonishing scenes, thousands of Burmese people gathered in Myanmar to celebrate the 2023 General Election victory of the Move Forward Party (MFP). Burmese netizens made known that the MFP triumph will have a positive effect on the rights and well-being of Burmese workers in Thailand. Local media agencies in Myanmar reported yesterday, May 15, that thousands of Burmese took…
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China prioritizes education, tech for skilled population and moderate fertility
China is emphasizing the importance of education, science, and technology in developing a skilled population, as the state-backed People’s Daily reported that the country aims for a “moderate fertility” level to support economic growth. The Chinese government has been concerned about the nation’s first population decline in six decades and its rapid ageing, prompting urgent measures to raise the birth…
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Cyclone Mocha death toll rises in Myanmar as storm spares Rohingya camps
Cyclone Mocha, which swept through the Bay of Bengal, has left 29 people dead as communication is slowly restored to western Myanmar. The cyclone, carrying winds of up to 195 kilometres per hour, is the largest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in over a decade. While the storm had mostly passed by late Sunday, sparing the refugee camps…
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China’s Afghan position paper reveals reluctance to invest in political solutions
China‘s recent release of an 11-point position paper on Afghanistan demonstrates its growing involvement in international diplomacy. The document, which follows a 12-point position paper on Ukraine, outlines China’s interests in the region with a focus on counterterrorism and combating the Uyghur separatist East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). However, the paper also highlights China’s reluctance to invest significant political capital…
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Cyclone Mocha wreaks havoc on Myanmar, disrupts Rakhine state communications
Severe disruption of communications has occurred in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, as Cyclone Mocha, one of the strongest storms to hit the region in recent years, made landfall between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Myanmar’s port city of Sittwe. The cyclone has affected the ability to assess the scale of its impact, with phone lines and internet connections down in the…
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Chinese envoy embarks on European tour to discuss Ukraine crisis settlement
Beijing’s top diplomat, Li Hui, is set to embark on a European tour, including Ukraine, Russia, Poland, France, and Germany, with the aim of discussing a political resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This visit has the potential to coincide with the start of Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive to regain territory occupied by Russia. Li Hui, China’s special representative for…
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South Korea to raise electricity and city gas prices amid high inflation and cost of living
South Korea announced today that it will increase electricity prices by 5.3% in an effort to partly account for rising generation costs. This decision, initially slated for implementation on April 1, was postponed by over a month due to concerns about the potential impact on already high inflation rates and the cost of living. This will be the second electricity…
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Thai opposition leader Pita Limjaroenrat set to play major role after voters reject army-backed rule
Thai opposition leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42 years old, seems poised to play a significant role in politics following voters rejecting nearly a decade of army-backed rule. With the majority of votes counted from Sunday’s poll, Pita’s radical Move Forward Party led the popular vote, ahead of the more established opposition Pheu Thai party. This is a remarkable achievement for a…
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