Skyscrapers rise along the skyline of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Photo: dpa

‘Sickening’ says Amnesty as Vietnam executes man despite diplomatic pleas for mercy

In 2005 Le Van Manh was charged with the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl, but the International Commission of Jurists said police obtained a confession through torture that was relied upon to convict him.

2 hours ago

Thailand’s opposition Move Forward Party names new leader

Chaithawat Tulathon, a former political magazine editor, will head the progressive party after Pita Limjaroenrat stepped down earlier this month.

Chaithawat Tulathon, a former political magazine editor, will head the progressive party after Pita Limjaroenrat stepped down earlier this month.

23 Sep 2023 - 5:00PM

Malaysian PM says China gave reassurance after new sea map sparked anger

Anwar Ibrahim said Chinese Premier Li Qiang promised him that Beijing would avoid actions that risked escalation in the disputed waterway.

Anwar Ibrahim said Chinese Premier Li Qiang promised him that Beijing would avoid actions that risked escalation in the disputed waterway.

23 Sep 2023 - 4:30PM

‘Feed humans first’: could international biofuels alliance lead to more hunger?

‘Political leadership must think of feeding humans first, automobiles can wait … alliance would be nothing short of a historical blunder’.

‘Political leadership must think of feeding humans first, automobiles can wait … alliance would be nothing short of a historical blunder’.

6 hours ago

Filipinos lose hope as China-funded bridge threatens ‘priceless’ reef

A proposed US$400 million China-funded bridge could wipe out the rich marine ecosystem of Paradise Reef, one of the few healthy reef areas in the Philippines’ Davao Gulf.

A proposed US$400 million China-funded bridge could wipe out the rich marine ecosystem of Paradise Reef, one of the few healthy reef areas in the Philippines’ Davao Gulf.

6 hours ago

MORE STORIES

An autopsy report listed the cause of Liu Youcai’s death as suffocation and second-degree burns from inhaling smoke. Photo: Facebook/cheehongfuneralms

Malaysian fried chicken cook dies after fainting and falling into hot oil wok

Liu Youcai was cooking a chicken chop at his stall when he suddenly collapsed and plunged face-first into his wok.

23 Sep 2023 - 12:53PM

Indonesia’s emissions surge as Asia seeks more energy-intensive data centres

Pollution woes are hampering Indonesia’s economic ambitions as more Asian technology firms seek vast new spaces for energy-intensive data centres.

Pollution woes are hampering Indonesia’s economic ambitions as more Asian technology firms seek vast new spaces for energy-intensive data centres.

23 Sep 2023 - 11:30AM

Singapore jails man who blackmailed Grindr dates with sex videos, bit policeman

While being arrested last year, he bit a police officer on his leg and drew blood, saying the officer deserved to be bitten.

While being arrested last year, he bit a police officer on his leg and drew blood, saying the officer deserved to be bitten.

22 Sep 2023 - 9:01PM

Malaysia’s Johor sultan lends support for an economic zone with Singapore

The plan, currently under negotiation by the two national governments, could also see Johor sell solar energy to Singapore.

The plan, currently under negotiation by the two national governments, could also see Johor sell solar energy to Singapore.

22 Sep 2023 - 8:02PM

Manila-Beijing communications should be ‘unaffected by irritants’: Chinese envoy

In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr agreed to find a ‘good way’ to resolve the issue.

In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr agreed to find a ‘good way’ to resolve the issue.

22 Sep 2023 - 7:15PM

Singapore’s US$100,000 car permit cost shatters middle-class ownership dreams

The price of a permit to own a car in Singapore – a certificate of entitlement (COE) – ranges from US$77,000 to US$102,000 and excludes the cost of a car.

The price of a permit to own a car in Singapore – a certificate of entitlement (COE) – ranges from US$77,000 to US$102,000 and excludes the cost of a car.

22 Sep 2023 - 6:46PM

‘Horror story’: Manila airport worker swallows US$300 in bills at security scanner

CCTV footage showed a Philippine officer stuffing some cash into her mouth, reportedly taken from a visitor’s hand-carried bag at the security scanner.

CCTV footage showed a Philippine officer stuffing some cash into her mouth, reportedly taken from a visitor’s hand-carried bag at the security scanner.

22 Sep 2023 - 5:30PM

Millions affected by dense smog in Manila as schools, workplaces close

Mayors from 16 cities and one town in metropolitan Manila sent millions of students home due to the smog, some government offices suspended work.

Mayors from 16 cities and one town in metropolitan Manila sent millions of students home due to the smog, some government offices suspended work.

22 Sep 2023 - 5:12PM

Chinese tourists shun Thailand as film stokes kidnapping fears on social media

Chinese tourists are worried about travelling to Thailand following the success of a film about kidnap victims who run scams in Southeast Asia.

Chinese tourists are worried about travelling to Thailand following the success of a film about kidnap victims who run scams in Southeast Asia.

22 Sep 2023 - 5:48PM

Singapore Airlines to refund couple over ‘snorting, drooling’ dog incident

Singapore Airlines will refund a New Zealand couple who had sat next to a “snorting, drooling” dog during their flight.

Singapore Airlines will refund a New Zealand couple who had sat next to a “snorting, drooling” dog during their flight.

22 Sep 2023 - 1:10PM

‘Outrageous’: Indonesians say plan to tax high-emissions vehicles hurts the poor

Efforts by Jakarta, the world’s most polluted city, to address the issue reveal the divide between the reality of low-income drivers and the need for cleaner air.

Efforts by Jakarta, the world’s most polluted city, to address the issue reveal the divide between the reality of low-income drivers and the need for cleaner air.

22 Sep 2023 - 12:07PM

Indonesia deports 153 Chinese nationals who made US$1.3 million from love scams

The suspects included five women accused of seducing the victims before asking them to engage in sexual acts during calls, which were recorded.

The suspects included five women accused of seducing the victims before asking them to engage in sexual acts during calls, which were recorded.

22 Sep 2023 - 7:00AM

Let China pandas live in ‘natural habitat’, Thai critics urge as PM mulls loan

PM Srettha Thavisin wants to loan a giant panda from Beijing, but opponents say it won’t be happy in the tropical climate. Instead, Thailand should “take better care of our elephants”.

PM Srettha Thavisin wants to loan a giant panda from Beijing, but opponents say it won’t be happy in the tropical climate. Instead, Thailand should “take better care of our elephants”.

22 Sep 2023 - 9:08AM

Thailand aims to ‘rectify’ cannabis policy within 6 months for medical use only

PM Srettha Thavisin says his government aims to “rectify” its cannabis policy within six months to ensure its medical use only.

PM Srettha Thavisin says his government aims to “rectify” its cannabis policy within six months to ensure its medical use only.

21 Sep 2023 - 4:02PM

‘Most popular’ Thaksin could play advisory role after jail release, says Thai PM

Thailand PM Srettha Thavisin says Thaksin Shinawatra can play a role in the government, and that it would be ‘unwise’ of him not to seek the ex-premier’s opinion.

Thailand PM Srettha Thavisin says Thaksin Shinawatra can play a role in the government, and that it would be ‘unwise’ of him not to seek the ex-premier’s opinion.

21 Sep 2023 - 1:54PM