The strongman president of the Maldives on Monday conceded defeat in elections, easing fears of a fresh political crisis in the archipelago at the centre of a battle for influence between India and China. “The Maldivian people have decided what they want. I have accepted the results from yesterday,” Abdulla …
INDIA’s Supreme Court in a landmark decision on Thursday ruled that gay sex was no longer considered an offence, a historic moment for the LGBTQ in the socially conservative nation. The ruling overturns a 2013 judgment upholding a colonial-era Section 377 of the law, under which gay sex was deemed …
Japan spot power prices rise to highest level since 2013 China’s Hunan province suffering ‘very severe’ power situationA deadly heat wave across Asia is stretching electricity grids from southern China up to Tokyo and Seoul, sending prices to multiyear highs and sparking warnings of more power stress to come. Japan …
The marriage of a Malaysian man with a 11-year-old Thai girl has sparked outrage in the Muslim majority country with one activist Sunday labelling the groom a “child predator”. Malaysian Muslims below the age of 16 are allowed to marry if they obtain the permission of a religious court. But the country’s …
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Law enforcement and regulatory forces in Asia say they are gearing up to fight illegal gambling operators who have ramped up activities in the region ahead of the World Cup, making use of savvy technology and cryptocurrencies to evade prosecution. People walk past a Hong Kong …
President Ashraf Ghani tells security forces to cease operations against the armed group until June 20. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani announced on Thursday a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban until June 20, though it was not immediately clear if the armed group had agreed. In a televised address, Ghani said fighting …
Singapore has reportedly been chosen to host the much-anticipated meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un in the coming weeks. The US president, who had previously said the city-state was under consideration, ruled out a summit in the Korea Peninsula’s Demilitarised Zone on Wednesday, saying he would announce the date and location …
India called off its campaign after a day, but Malaysia is pressing on IF THE bill that the lower house of Malaysia’s parliament passed on April 2nd becomes law, those who publish or spread “any news, information, data and reports which is, or are, wholly or partly false” are liable …
MEDICAL TOURISM, where patients travel overseas for operations, has been growing rapidly in Asia. So much so that a handful of Asian countries are competing to tap into the market. Tourists are willing to travel to another city, region or state to receive healthcare due to various reasons, the most …
MANY Asian countries are collectively initiating a clean-up effort to reduce unnecessary waste by banning or regulating the use of plastic bags. The next time you’re heading to Taiwan, remember to think twice about using plastic, especially single-use plastic products such as straws and utensils. The island is set to …
North Korea’s once popular karaoke bars are reportedly being closed down as business struggles with a drop in foreign visitors. Concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour have also impacted the bars, once known as a reliable moneyspinner to counter the financial pressure of international sanctions on the regime, reported Radio …
The Indonesian city of Depok has announced it will set up a “taskforce” to curb the activities of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, raising fears of a fresh crackdown on sexual minorities in the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Muhammad Idris, deputy mayor of Depok, a satellite city …
