Engage but don’t recognise Myanmar’s ruling junta, Suu Kyi’s UN envoy tells Asean

Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s envoy to the United Nations, has said leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should resist recognising the military junta when they convene for an emergency meeting next week. While Asean has yet to publicise details of a planned leaders’ summit to discuss the worsening situation following the coup in...

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Lawyers for Hong Kong couple convicted of murdering 5-year-old daughter concede little can be said in mitigation

Lawyers defending a Hong Kong couple found guilty of murdering their five-year-old daughter have conceded that her case was a very serious instance of child abuse and little could be said in mitigation of the killing.But they also argued the abuse was “not the worst of its kind” given that it had happened in the course of disciplining the children,...

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China warns of military action against Taiwan to block relations with US on eve of American visit

Beijing warned on Tuesday it was determined to stop Taiwan getting close to Washington with the use of military action, ahead of a visit by a former US politician and officials to the island at US President Joe Biden’s request.Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the recent deployment of the largest fleet...

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Hong Kong protests: barista guilty of rioting, arson gets 4½ years’ jail for role in fire outside police station

A 27-year-old barista has been jailed for 4½ years for taking part in a riot and burning miscellaneous items outside a Hong Kong police station during 2019’s anti-government protests.Siu Lok-ting was sentenced at the District Court on Wednesday for her participation in the demonstration on the night of September 22, 2019, when more than 100 protesters...

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New Zealand to halt livestock exports by sea due to animal welfare concerns in potential blow to China, Australia

New Zealand said on Wednesday it will stop the export of livestock by sea following a transition period of up to two years, citing animal welfare concerns for a decision that will affect major trading partners including Australia and China.The ban was welcomed by animal welfare groups, but the peak farming industry body said it was caught by surprise...

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China roasts Oscars over Hong Kong documentary, Nomadland director’s ‘loyalty’

The Oscars are the glitziest night of the year in Hollywood and millions across the globe tune in, but they threaten to be a dud in China after the nomination of a Hong Kong protest documentary.Beijing-born filmmaker Chloe Zhao, who is touted to win big for her acclaimed American road movie Nomadland, has also faced criticism back home after some questioned...

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Coronavirus: South Korea warns of possible fourth wave; Australia seeks vaccine reassurance from EU

South Korea on Wednesday recorded 731 new coronavirus cases, the most since January 7, prompting authorities to warn of a possible fourth wave.New cases have centred on the greater Seoul area and have spread to over a dozen cities and provinces despite rigid social distancing rules. According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency...

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Iran vows to enrich uranium to highest level ever after Natanz nuclear facility attack

Iran vowed to ramp up its uranium enrichment to close to weapons grade in retaliation for an attack on one of its leading atomic facilities, sending a jolt through big power talks on containing the Islamic Republic’s nuclear work due to resume later this week.Tehran said it would for the first time begin producing highly enriched uranium – purified...

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‘Chinese, Germans, Russians’ vie to rebuild Beirut port destroyed by 2020 monster blast

Eight months after a massive blast ripped through Beirut port and nearby districts of the Lebanese capital, a host of foreign companies with different national interests are competing to rebuild it.“Everyone has their eyes on the port: the Russians, the Chinese, the Turks, the French and now the Germans,” interim port director Bassem al-Kaissi said.“But...

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Hong Kong coronavirus: flight ban could send pay skyward for locally hired foreign domestic workers, agency bosses say

Salaries for locally hired foreign domestic helpers could be pushed up as much as 30 per cent amid keen demand if a new flight ban mechanism aimed at keeping an emerging coronavirus variant out of Hong Kong makes it harder for workers to reach the city, employment agency bosses have warned.The new regulations came into effect on Wednesday, two days...

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