Southeast Asia

Myanmar army battles anti-coup rebels in northwest town

Myanmar's army battled local militia fighters in the northwestern town of Mindat on Saturday, residents said, to try to quell a rebellion that has sprung up to oppose the junta which seized power in the Southeast Asian country in February.
Magnitude 6.6 quake strikes off coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra

An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck off the northwest coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) has said.
Magnitude 5.8 quake hits Philippine capital, no damage expected

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 struck south of the Philippine capital early on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
11 killed as bomb blows up a bus in Afghanistan

A bomb has blown up a bus in Afghanistan killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens, officials said on Monday, the latest in a series of deadly blasts that has come as foreign forces withdraw.
Hong Kong legislature to discuss new immigration Bill amid 'exit ban' fears

Hong Kong's legislature is set to discuss a controversial immigration Bill, which lawyers, diplomats and right groups fear will give authorities unlimited powers to prevent residents and others from entering or leaving the Chinese-ruled city.
Indonesian submarine tragedy: Foreign Minister expresses sympathy to mourning families

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed his deep condolence over the loss of lives at the tragic disappearance of an Indonesian submarine.
Rescuers find debris believed to be from inside of missing Indonesian submarine

Search and rescue efforts for a missing Indonesian submarine with 53 crew members on board have found debris believed to be from inside the submarine, armed forces commander marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told a media briefing today.
Hopes fade for Indonesia submarine crew as oxygen dwindles

Hopes of rescuing dozens aboard a missing Indonesian submarine faded on Saturday (April 24) as its oxygen reserves were believed to have run out, with the US, Australia and Singapore joining the hunt in waters off Bali.
Special Myanmar summit ‘Asean’s last chance to prove it can end crisis in own neighbourhood’

The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK has called on Asean leaders to unite to push the Myanmar junta to end horrific abuses against ordinary people and ensure it does not recognise the military as the country’s legitimate rulers.
Indonesian military says submarine missing with 53 on board

Indonesia’s military says a navy submarine is missing near the resort island of Bali with 53 people on board.
ASEAN calls summit on Myanmar crisis as EU imposes sanctions

Southeast Asian countries will discuss the crisis in Myanmar at a summit in Jakarta on Saturday, the ASEAN bloc's secretariat said on Tuesday, after the European Union imposed its toughest sanctions yet on the junta that seized power there on Feb. 1.
Indonesia's Java hit by magnitude 5.9 quake, reports of one killed, damage

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake off Indonesia’s Java island on Saturday killed one person and damaged buildings in several cities, media reports said.
Six lawmakers among 1,800 people from Myanmar sheltering in India

At least six lawmakers from Myanmar are sheltering in India after fleeing their country amid fears they could be detained by the military junta that seized power in a coup, an advisor to the body representing the ousted government said.
Armed clashes break out in Myanmar between troops, anti-junta protesters

At least 11 demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces in a town in northwest Myanmar after truckloads of troops arrived to quell a protest against the ruling military junta.
Myanmar security forces kill 15 protesters

Troops in Myanmar opened fire on pro-democracy protesters, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens, the latest victims of a campaign to crush opposition to the ruling military junta, activists and media said.
Taiwan minister accepts responsibility for train crash as questions mount

Taiwan’s transport minister said on Sunday he would not shirk his responsibility for a deadly train crash even as his resignation offer was rejected amid growing questions over safety lapses that could have contributed to the disaster.
Taiwan train crash kills 36 in deadliest rail tragedy in decades

At least 36 people were killed and 72 injured when a Taiwan train derailed in a tunnel on Friday after apparently hitting a truck in the island’s worst rail disaster in at least four decades.
Myanmar protesters defy crackdown as UN envoy warns of 'imminent bloodbath'

Myanmar activists held protests across the country overnight two months after the military seized power, as a United Nations special envoy warned that “a bloodbath is imminent” because of the intensified crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations.
Myanmar junta deepens violence with new air attacks in east

The military launched more airstrikes in eastern Myanmar after earlier attacks forced thousands of ethnic Karen to flee into Thailand and further escalating violence two months after the junta seized power.
Myanmar protesters hold vigils as US orders non-essential staff to leave

Myanmar activists held candle-lit vigils overnight after scores of deaths in recent days from a military crackdown on anti-coup protesters and clashes in ethnic border areas, as the United States ordered non-essential embassy staff to leave.
Malaysia permits import of US plastic waste shipment after it passes new UN treaty test

Malaysia has allowed entry of a container of plastic waste shipped from the United States, reversing previous opposition after finding it held only clean, recyclable material, and did not violate a new United Nations treaty banning trade in contaminated plastics.
China approves sweeping electoral shake-up for Hong Kong, demands loyalty

China approved a sweeping overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system, drastically curbing democratic representation in the city as authorities seek to ensure “patriots” rule the global financial hub.
Myanmar death toll tops 500 as protesters defy junta’s forces

Myanmar’s security forces have killed more than 500 civilians in nearly two months of efforts to stop protests against a February 1 coup, an advocacy group said, as thousands of people took to the streets again despite the growing toll.
China warns companies against politicising actions regarding Xinjiang

Chinese officials today said Sweden’s H&M and other foreign companies should not make rash moves or step into politics after the companies raised concerns about forced labour in Xinjiang, sparking furious online backlash and boycotts.
India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi

India will always stand by the progress and development of Bangladesh as a faithful friend, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban this evening.
More than 60 protesters killed in Myanmar on 'day of shame for armed forces'

Myanmar's security forces shot and killed at least 64 people - including a young boy - on Saturday, news reports and witnesses said, even as the ruling junta's leader said the military would protect the people and strive for democracy.
Myanmar’s junta says will strive for democracy after warning anti-coup protesters

The leader of Myanmar’s ruling junta Min Aung Hlaing said that the military will protect the people and strive for democracy, as protesters called for a huge show of defiance against the February 1 coup despite warnings they risked being shot.
Myanmar sees more protests as World Bank warns of economic slump

Myanmar anti-coup protesters staged more rallies after the military reportedly shot dead nine people a day earlier and as the World Bank warned the country’s economy could slump 10% this year due to the turmoil.
More than 300 people killed since Myanmar’s coup

Myanmar’s security forces have killed more than 300 people in attempts to crush opposition to a February 1 coup, with nearly 90% of victims shot dead and a quarter of them shot in the head, according to data from an advocacy group and local media.
Bangladesh, India to sign several bilateral agreements during Modi’s visit

Bangladesh and India will sign several bilateral agreements covering trade, disaster management, and oceanography and come out with “new announcements” in trade, power, railway, health, and education, culture, and border development during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka on March 26-27.