Japan expects Bangladesh’s first metro rail line to be operational this year

Japan expects Bangladesh’s first metro rail line in Dhaka to be operational this year despite the coronavirus pandemic that had slowed down all economic activities.
7 January 2021, 13:56 PM

Bangladeshi migrant worker sues Singapore employer for virus 'imprisonment'

A Bangladeshi migrant worker is suing his ex-employer and dormitory operator in Singapore, accusing them of "false imprisonment" after he was locked in his room during a coronavirus outbreak.
6 January 2021, 12:45 PM

Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested

Hong Kong police arrested about 50 pro-democracy figures Wednesday for allegedly violating the new national security law by participating in an unofficial primary election last year held to increase their chances of controlling the legislature, according to political parties and local media.
6 January 2021, 03:14 AM

India’s Reliance Industries and chairman fined over share trades

India’s markets watchdog fined Reliance Industries 250 million rupees ($3.42 million) and its chairman Mukesh Ambani 150 million rupees for what it said were fraudulent trades while selling a stake in a subsidiary in 2007.
1 January 2021, 20:00 PM

In New Year's speech, Taiwan president again reaches out to China

Taiwan is ready to have “meaningful” talks with China as equals as long as they are willing to put aside confrontation, President Tsai Ing-wen said today, offering another olive branch to Beijing in her New Year’s speech.
1 January 2021, 08:28 AM

After a harrowing 2020, Asia tiptoes into the New Year

As Asia says goodbye to 2020 - a tumultuous year that saw the planet roiled by a deadly pandemic - celebrations will be smaller, shorter and more muted amid fears of coronavirus flare-ups.
31 December 2020, 15:09 PM

China sentences HK activists to up to three years in jail for border crossing

A Chinese court sentenced 10 Hong Kong activists to between seven months and three years in jail today for illegally crossing the border, in a case that has drawn international attention and concern over the defendants’ treatment.
30 December 2020, 05:30 AM

Indian farmers agree to meet government over contentious farm laws

Leaders of Indian farmers’ unions have agreed to meet ministers, possibly paving the way for a seventh round of talks with the government which has so far failed to mollify growers who say three new agricultural laws threaten their livelihoods.
26 December 2020, 16:16 PM

Malaysia to launch multi-lingual app for workers to expose errant employers

The Malaysian Human Resource Ministry will introduce a new application that will enable a two-way communication between the government and local and foreign workers, Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan has said.
26 December 2020, 16:16 PM

India detains 75 in Kashmir after local election

India’s government detained at least 75 Kashmiri political leaders and activists to forestall political unrest after an alliance of Kashmir’s regional political parties won a local election, leaders and a police official have said.
26 December 2020, 13:09 PM

Japan ex-PM Abe apologises, corrects parliament statements on funding scandal

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today corrected statements he had made in parliament, apologising for what he said were mistakes regarding a political funding scandal that has also cast a pall over the current premier.
25 December 2020, 07:06 AM

China launches antitrust probe into tech giant Alibaba

China has launched an antitrust investigation into Alibaba Group and will summon the tech giant’s Ant Group affiliate to meet in coming days, regulators said on Thursday, in the latest blow for Jack Ma’s e-commerce and fintech empire.
24 December 2020, 06:22 AM

Turkey wants to sell weapons to Bangladesh

More interested in trade and investment, says Momen
23 December 2020, 14:52 PM

India likely to approve AstraZeneca vaccine by next week: sources

India is likely to approve Oxford/AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use by next week after its local manufacturer submitted additional data sought by authorities, two sources with knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.
22 December 2020, 18:28 PM

HSBC, Standard Chartered in hot water for lending to company with links to Myanmar military

Two major UK banks face pressure for lending millions of dollars to a technology company that is partly owned and used by the Myanmar military accused of genocide against the Rohingyas.
21 December 2020, 13:49 PM

Indian farmers vow to carry on protests despite cold, deaths

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers, protesting over agricultural laws that they say threaten their livelihoods, have vowed to carry on their around-the-clock sit-ins despite cold weather that has already led to some deaths among them.
21 December 2020, 12:41 PM

Biman plans to resume flights to Kathmandu from Feb 1

Biman plans to resume regular flight operation on Dhaka-Kathmandu route from February after a 10-months recess.
21 December 2020, 11:59 AM

Covid-19: Couple holds 10,000 people drive-thru wedding in Malaysia

Some 10,000 people attended a wedding reception in the Malaysian administrative capital of Putrajaya on Sunday without stepping out of their vehicles, to comply with Covid-19 health protocols.
21 December 2020, 09:59 AM

Covid-19 pandemic: socio-economic fallout poses great risk to migrants in Asia-Pacific

The Covid-19 pandemic and its socio-economic fallout poses great risk to migrants in the Asia-Pacific, a new United Nations report reveals on the International Migrants’ Day being observed today.
18 December 2020, 15:57 PM

Pakistan toughens rape law after outcry over attacks

Pakistan has introduced a rape law that will create special courts to try cases within four months, after protests over the gang rape of a woman whose car ran out of fuel.
16 December 2020, 19:15 PM