World / Asia

Revellers gather in Sydney early for New Year's Eve celebrations 31 Dec 2016 - 07:14 pm

Sydney: Australia rang in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display in Sydney, sending rainbow-coloured showers into the night sky and defying...

Deputy Commissioners to replace DCOs 31 Dec 2016 - 07:14 pm

Pakistani province Punjab’s Governor Rafique Rajwana has endorsed Punjab Civil Administration Ordinance 2016 after the Chief Minister’s nod. According to the ordinance, the...

China announces ban on ivory trade by end of 2017 31 Dec 2016 - 06:53 pm

China will ban all domestic ivory trade and processing by the end of 2017, a move described by activists as a potential "game...

Movie-mad Indians challenged to rewrite sexist Bollywood songs 31 Dec 2016 - 05:55 pm

MUMBAI: A women’s rights organisation is asking movie-mad Indians to rewrite sexist Bollywood songs, the latest attempt in drawing attention to gender stereotyping...

Thai King urges unity in first New Year speech 31 Dec 2016 - 05:38 pm

BANGKOK: Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn called for unity in his first New Year address since taking over from his late father, who was...

South Koreans rally to demand 'Park-free' 2017 31 Dec 2016 - 05:38 pm

Seoul: More than half a million South Koreans marked New Year's Eve with a massive protest Saturday calling for the immediate arrest and...

Taiwan calls for peaceful ties with China amid tensions 31 Dec 2016 - 01:28 pm

BEIJING: Taiwan's president has called for “peaceful relations” and “positive exchanges” amid recent tensions with China. “Over the past few months, it's becoming...

Pakistan, India arms race intensifies in 2016 31 Dec 2016 - 01:16 pm

KARACHI, Pakistan/GUWAHATI, India: India and Pakistan remained locked in an arms race in 2016 amid mounting diplomatic tensions, border clashes and further hikes...

Military, breakaway rebels clash in Philippines south 31 Dec 2016 - 01:11 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines: Hundreds of people have fled their homes in the Philippines’ Muslim south after fighting broke out between government forces...

Myanmar warns Malaysia aid flotilla may be turned back 31 Dec 2016 - 11:33 am

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia/YANGON, Myanmar: A Malaysian flotilla transporting aid for Rohingya Muslims may be turned back by force if it enters Myanmar waters...

Taiwan won't cave to Beijing threats, says president 31 Dec 2016 - 11:09 am

Taipei: Taiwan will not bend to pressure despite China returning to its "old ways" of intimidation, President Tsai Ing-wen said Saturday, following Beijing's...

Experts wary of confederation call to resolve Kashmir 31 Dec 2016 - 10:51 am

SRINAGAR, Indian-held Kashmir: An Indian author’s call for a confederation of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as a means to resolve the decades-long dispute...

Pakistan, India arms race intensifies in 2016 31 Dec 2016 - 10:46 am

KARACHI, Pakistan/GUWAHATI, India: India and Pakistan remained locked in an arms race in 2016 amid mounting diplomatic tensions, border clashes and further hikes...

Australia kicks off global New Year party defying terror threat 31 Dec 2016 - 10:29 am

Sydney: Global terror attacks have cast a pall over 2016 but Australia was Saturday set to defy the threats and ring in the...

Indonesia warns airline after videos appear to show intoxicated pilot 31 Dec 2016 - 10:05 am

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have issued a warning to airline PT Citilink Indonesia after videos circulated appearing to show an intoxicated pilot from the...