Southeast Asia

Pak govt hints at shutting down internet

Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday hinted at the possible suspension of the internet service in case of security issues in any area on the election day today while Amnesty International called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process.
7 February 2024, 18:00 PM

How do polls in Pakistan work?

Here are some facts about how the electoral system works in Pakistan:
7 February 2024, 18:00 PM

King of comebacks Sharif looks set to be PM again

Three-time Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has never managed to see out a full term, heads into today’s election on the brink of his biggest comeback to date.
7 February 2024, 18:00 PM

Despite crises, polls dominated by personalities

Pakistan goes to the polls tomorrow with the jailing of popular former prime minister Imran Khan, the winner of the last national election, dominating headlines despite an economic crisis and other woes threatening the nuclear-armed country.
6 February 2024, 18:00 PM

Thai govt to ban recreational cannabis use

The Thai government will urgently move a bill to ban the recreational use of cannabis, the health minister said on Tuesday, after the kingdom decriminalised the drug in 2022
6 February 2024, 06:52 AM

PTI navigates blackouts to keep campaign alive

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s party has redefined election campaigning in Pakistan with its social media rallies and use of AI technology in a bid to sidestep a nationwide crackdown that has followed it online.
4 February 2024, 18:00 PM

Junta chief under pressure three years after coup

In mid-January, at a small gathering in a cantonment town in Myanmar, hard line pro-military monk Pauk Kotaw suggested that the country’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing step down and his deputy take over. The crowd cheered in agreement, according to videos of the event posted on social media.
31 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Pakistan election won’t end strife

Pakistan’s preeminent rights activist describes the upcoming election as a messy melodrama staged by an emboldened military, unlikely to bring down the curtain on a cast of crises plaguing the country.
30 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Pakistan, Iran to expand security cooperation

Pakistan and Iran yesterday said that they respected each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolved to expand security cooperation, stepping up efforts to mend ties after tit-for-tat missile strikes this month at what they said were militant targets.
29 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Myanmar armed group claims control of port town

Fighters from a Myanmar ethnic minority armed group have seized control of a port town after more than two months of intense clashes with junta troops, they said.
25 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Pakistan has ‘evidence’ to link Indian agents

Pakistan said yesterday it had “credible evidence” linking Indian agents to the killings of two Pakistani citizens on Pakistani soil.
25 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Pakistan to deploy army for security

Pakistan will deploy the army to ensure peace at its general election next month, the prime minister’s office said, amid concerns that recent attacks by Islamist militants could threaten the holding of the February 8 polls.
24 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Myanmar junta arrests six high-ranking military officers

Six high-ranking Myanmar junta officers who handed over a strategic town to ethnic minority fighters and surrendered with hundreds of troops have been taken into custody, a military spokesman and others told AFP yesterday.
23 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Pakistani father kills son over political party flag

A father killed his son after the pair disagreed about which political party flag to display in the lead-up to Pakistan’s general election, police said.
23 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Chinese research ship to make resupply call

The Maldives has granted permission for a controversial Chinese vessel to make a resupply call but it will not undertake any “research”, the Indian Ocean archipelago nation’s foreign ministry said yesterday.
23 January 2024, 18:00 PM

Abandoned Singapore mall becomes unlikely art haven

In Singapore, where graffiti is banned, young creatives have taken over an abandoned mall, spray painting colourful murals and holding art workshops to bring the space back to life
23 January 2024, 06:24 AM

Three Pakistan univs shut over security threats

Three universities affiliated with Pakistan’s military were shut over security threats in the capital Islamabad yesterday, police said.
22 January 2024, 18:00 PM

18 killed in Thai fireworks factory explosion: rescue worker

At least 18 people have died after an explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand on Wednesday, a rescue worker said
17 January 2024, 10:51 AM

Malaysia to review migrant labour deals with 15 nations including Bangladesh

Malaysia will review bilateral agreements with 15 nations from which it sources labourers in a bid to address exploitative practices and manpower imbalances that have left thousands of migrant workers stranded without jobs, officials said
17 January 2024, 05:55 AM

Ex-Pak PM Imran sees ‘nexus’ between Nawaz, two umpires

Former Pakistan prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan on Monday alleged that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was “playing with the support” of “two umpires” and one of them had recently given a “no-ball” in his favour.
16 January 2024, 18:00 PM