A high-speed rail line to the east, a deep-sea port to the west, and a makeover for commercial heart Yangon -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives in Myanmar on Friday laden with investment pledges worth billions which could reshape the country. Here are five of the main projects -- and some of the issues plaguing them:

Malaysia’s solicitor general yesterday ruled out new charges against prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim over allegations that he sexually assaulted a former male aide, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed.

Some “drone-like objects” were seen along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab’s Ferozepur, prompting BSF personnel to open fire at them, officials said here yesterday.

Malaysia is concerned about India’s new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against “wrong things” even if it costs his country financially.

A Pakistan court annuls the death sentence handed to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, ruling a special court which found him guilty of treason last year was unconstitutional.

Taiwan’s presidential rivals held massive rallies last night in a final push to convince voters on the eve of a closely watched election that looks set to infuriate China and send ripples far beyond its borders.

Grasses and shrubs have been found growing in increased numbers around Mount Everest and across the Himalayas as ice in the area continues to melt.

One woman reported a rape every 15 minutes on average in India in 2018, according to government data released on Thursday, underlining its dismal reputation as one of the worst places in the world to be female.

The Supreme Court’s observation that access to internet is a fundamental right has come as happy news for people in the Kashmir Valley yesterday with many expressing the hope that services will be resumed soon.

Nearly one in three adults in Hong Kong reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder during months of often violent social unrest in the city, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal yesterday.

Chief Justice of India S A Bobde yesterday observed that the country is going through difficult times and there is so much violence going on as the Supreme Court refused urgent hearing on a plea seeking to declare the Citizenship Amendment Act as constitutional.

“If needed, I will fight alone,” a livid Mamata Banerjee declared yesterday in the West Bengal assembly where she said she will boycott a meeting called by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on January 13 over campus violence and the CAA, exposing the opposition faultlines on the issues.

Thailand has asked Malaysia to help find a group of Rohingya Muslim trafficking victims who absconded from a detention centre in the south of the country, Thai police said yesterday.

One of the convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case, Vinay Kumar Sharma, filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court yesterday, days after a Delhi court fixed the date for hanging the four convicts.

Beijing should not see Taiwan’s elections as representing a win or loss for China, Taiwan’s foreign minister said yesterday, days ahead of a vote overshadowed by Chinese efforts to get the island to accept its rule.

Millions went on strike throughout India yesterday, unions said, as workers angry at the government’s labour policies brought travel chaos across the country.

One of Bollywood’s top stars sparked a social media storm yesterday, attracting admiration and vitriol after showing solidarity with students who were attacked at a Indian university this week.

Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran today indicated that Malaysia is aiming to reach a "zero-cost recruitment" agreement for migrant workers from Bangladesh as part of efforts to avoid risking US trade sanctions.

The last decade was India’s hottest on record with the national weather office calling the impact of global warming “unmistakable” and extreme weather killing more than 1,500 people last year.

There is a “desperate need” for practical ways to improve ties with North Korea, the South’s President Moon Jae-in said yesterday, adding that he was ready to meet with the reclusive leader in Pyongyang repeatedly if necessary.