Asia | The Daily Star

US State Department approves $1.8 bln in potential arms sales to Taiwan: Pentagon

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of three weapons systems to Taiwan, including sensors, missiles and artillery that could have a total value of $1.8 billion, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.
Thailand lifts emergency measures aimed at stopping protests

Thailand’s government on Thursday ordered the removal of emergency measures imposed a week earlier to try to end months of protests against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the monarchy, a statement said.
Indo-Pacific Business Forum on October 28-29

The Indo-Pacific Business Forum will be held on October 28-29 featuring leaders who will determine the strategic direction of the Indo-Pacific through a robust agenda.
Thai PM says preparing to lift emergency amid protests

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday he was preparing to lift emergency measures imposed last week to stop protests in Bangkok and that disputes should be settled in parliament.
93 dead, 30 missing in Vietnam floods, landslides

Vietnamese soldiers with heavy machinery and rescue dogs continue search for bodies buried under a mudslide, after the deadly landslides and floods caused by unrelenting rains left at least 93 dead and 30 missing.
Thousands gather in Karachi, call for Imran Khan to quit

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters have rallied in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi as part of a campaign to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan, who they accuse of being installed by the military in a rigged election two years ago.
Kyrgyzstan acting president seeks constitution change to run for full term

Kyrgyzstan’s new acting president Sadyr Japarov, who came to power in a popular uprising, has said he plans to run for a full term if the country amends its constitution to allow it.
Israel sends treaty delegation to Bahrain with Trump aides

An Israeli delegation accompanied by the US treasury secretary has arrived in Bahrain to formalise nascent relations and broaden Gulf cooperation that Washington has promoted as an anti-Iran bulwark and potential economic bonanza.
Major parties in J&K unite

Kashmir’s main political parties announced a grand alliance on Thursday to seek a peaceful restoration of its autonomy after India’s release of the last major Kashmiri political leader from lengthy detention.
Pakistan opposition starts countrywide protests to oust government

Supporters of Pakistan opposition parties have converged on a stadium in the city of Gujwanwala to begin a countrywide protest campaign to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan, who they accuse of being installed by the military in a rigged 2018 election.
US moves on Tibet, Taiwan anger China

China yesterday accused the United States of seeking to destabilise Tibet, after the Trump administration appointed a senior human rights official as special coordinator for Tibetan issues.
Hyderabad flood toll hits 30

At least 30 people have been killed because of sudden torrential rains and flooding in southern India, officials said yesterday. In Hyderabad city, home to top IT companies, nine people were killed when a wall collapsed on them and 10 others died from electrocution and drowning, a local official told AFP.
China has no right to comment on India’s internal affairs: Indian external affairs ministry

New Delhi today said Beijing has no right to comment on India’s internal affairs, two days after China said that it did not recognise the Indian government-controlled territory of Ladakh and the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
By the pool or ferris wheel? Japanese theme park becomes new office for teleworkers

The coronavirus pandemic has turned one Japanese theme park into a new workplace for teleworkers, with a haunted house for the bargain.
Japan supercomputer shows humidity affects aerosol spread of coronavirus

A Japanese supercomputer has shown that humidity can have a large effect on the dispersion of virus particles, pointing to heightened coronavirus contagion risks in dry, indoor conditions during the winter months.
China defends Tibet labour programme, urges against overdoing religion

Top officials in Chinese-administered Tibet have defended a vocational training programme that some critics have called coercive, and urged Tibetans not to “overdo” religion, during a briefing with foreign journalists on a rare visit to the region.
Kyrgyzstan president resigns after unrest

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigns after days of unrest following a disputed election, saying he wanted to prevent clashes between security forces and protesters who have demanded his removal from office.
Kim Jong-un sheds tears as he delivers rare apology to North Korea over failings

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un became visibly emotional during a speech at a military parade over the weekend as he thanked troops for their sacrifices and apologised to citizens for failing to improve their lives.
Mumbai hit by massive power outage

A major grid failure caused a widespread power outage in India’s financial capital Mumbai and surrounding areas yesterday, the first such blackout in more than two years that stranded thousands of train passengers and delayed college exams.
20 killed on temple trip in Thailand as bus, train collide

A bus heading to a Buddhist temple collided with a train in central Thailand, killing at least 20 people dead and injuring 30, authorities have said.
North Korea unveils ‘monster’ new intercontinental ballistic missile at parade

North Korea has unveiled previously unseen intercontinental ballistic missiles at an unprecedented predawn military parade that showcased the country’s long-range weapons for the first time in two years.
Whose body?

A police sting that busted a prostitution ring and triggered a back-and-forth in the courts has revealed a conflict in Indian law over a woman’s right to sell sex and a state’s right to stop her.
Thailand targeting seven-day quarantine for tourists

Thailand is seeking ways to shorten the 14-day quarantine for foreign tourists to attract more arrivals as the country opens up.
Bollywood actress wins bail in ex-boyfriend suicide case

Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty won bail yesterday, nearly a month after being arrested for allegedly buying drugs for her ex-boyfriend actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whose suicide sparked a media storm in India.
Pompeo uses Tokyo visit to slam China, seek Asian allies’ support

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has visited Japan to rally support from Washington’s closest allies in Asia, calling for deeper collaboration with Japan, India and Australia as a bulwark against China’s growing regional influence.
South Korea seeks Bangladesh’s support for top post at WTO

South Korea has sought Bangladesh’s support to the Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee's bid for the top post of the World Trade Organization.
FIR against Nawaz, other leaders filed

A case was registered yesterday against Pakistan PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and other party leaders at the Shahdara Police Station in Lahore for ‘conspiring’ against the country and state institutions.
W Bengal BJP leader shot dead; party blames TMC

BJP leader Manish Shukla was shot dead on Sunday evening, about 20 km from north Kolkata, when he was speaking with some locals and party workers near a local police station.
Umrah pilgrims return to a Mecca stilled by Covid-19 slump

Mecca slowly stirred from a seven-month hibernation today as pilgrims trickled in after Saudi authorities partially lifted a coronavirus ban on performing umrah - a pilgrimage to Islam’s two holiest sites that is undertaken at any time of year.
Saudi Chamber of Commerce chief calls for a boycott of ‘everything Turkish’

Saudi Arabia’s Chamber of Commerce head Ajlan Al Ajlan has called for a boycott of “everything Turkish”, including imports, investment, and tourism, reports Gulf News.