Tuesday, 19 Nov 2024

Asia

Asia News – Get latest breaking news & top stories today in Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Australia/New Zealand at…

Climate change is driving some albatrosses to 'divorce', study finds

MELBOURNE (NYTIMES) – Albatrosses usually mate for life, making them among the most monogamous creatures on the planet. But climate change may be driving more of the birds to “divorce”, a study published last week by New Zealand’s Royal Society says. The study of 15,500 breeding pairs of black-browed albatrosses on New Island in the […]

Gujarat's crackdown on non-vegetarian street stalls prompts concerns

NEW DELHI – The divide between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in India has always been very public. Streets are dotted with “pure vegetarian” restaurants, and “eggless cakes” compete for greater space in bakeries. This acerbic divide cropped up again in November, after a move by certain cities in the state of Gujarat targeting street vendors selling […]

Trial of 47 Hong Kong democracy activists adjourned till March

HONG KONG (REUTERS) – A closely monitored national security trial involving 47 Hong Kong democracy campaigners charged with conspiracy to commit subversion, most of whom have been in custody since March, has been adjourned till March next year, a judge ruled on Monday (Nov 29). Magistrate Peter Law adjourned the next hearing till March 4, […]

India's Bharat Biotech resumes exports of home-grown Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin

BENGALURU (REUTERS) – Indian vaccine maker Bharat Biotech said on Monday (Nov 29) it has resumed export of its Covid-19 vaccine shot, Covaxin, and executed long-pending orders in November. The company also said exports to additional countries will commence from December, according to a statement it shared on Twitter. It was not immediately clear whether […]

Fiji sends troops to Solomon Islands as hunger fears grow after deadly riots

HONIARA (AFP) – Fiji joined an international peacekeeping force in the crisis-hit Solomon Islands on Monday (Nov 29) as the Red Cross warned of food shortages in the Pacific island nation’s devastated capital. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama deployed an initial 50 Fijian troops to maintain law and order in the wake of deadly anti-government riots, lifting […]

Horseback archery: Malaysians take a shot at ancient pastime

REMBAU (AFP) – Riding a galloping horse under the blazing sun, Malaysian archer Zaharudin Rastam Yeop Mahidin fires an arrow at a target as the crowd cheers. This is horseback archery, which was common for thousands of years in hunting and warfare but declined with the introduction of firearms and other modern combat gear. Now it […]

Indonesia offers 8 new oil and gas blocks for bids

JAKARTA (REUTERS) – Indonesia is putting eight new oil and gas blocks located across the archipelago up for bids, Mr Tutuka Ariadji, the director general of oil and gas at the country’s energy ministry, said on Monday (Nov 29). The oil and gas blocks had a total capacity of at least 500 million barrels of […]

A welcome chance to reconnect Singapore and Malaysia: The Star editor

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore opens on Monday (Nov 29), but even at this late stage, there will be challenges to overcome. The first batch of Malaysians will be crossing over to Singapore without having to undergo quarantine, the first such initiative with a […]