Asia Today

Today's headlines: Indonesia, nine arrests by Medan police for trafficking newborns; Seoul: 23 years in prison for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for supporting martial law in 2024; Traffic in India among the worst in the world, with six of the ten most congested cities in Asia in 2025; Lawyer who defended Christians and converts arrested in Tehran.

Today's news: Thailand’s Transport Ministry halts construction for 15 days after two fatal accidents. In a show of goodwill, Syria recognises Kurdish as a "national language”. More than 5.2 million Afghans have returned home from Iran and Pakistan in 2025. The death toll from a landfill collapse in Cebu, Philippines, rises to 28.

Today's Headlines: in Seoul, Yoon is sentenced to five years in prison in the first of the trials for attempting to impose martial law; In Yemen, Prime Minister bin Breik resigns and is succeeded by Foreign Minister Zindani; Hunger threatens 4.7 million people in Afghanistan; Washington has asked Jakarta to purchase US drones to monitor the South China Sea; The final death toll from the fire at the Wang Fuk Court towers in Hong Kong is 168.

Today's headlines: Tehran reopens its airspace after closing it overnight due to fears of a US attack; The Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh warns its citizens of the risk of crime and fraud; Nepal is also on alert for cases of Nipah virus that have emerged in West Bengal, India; Turkish prisons are housing 130% more inmates than their actual capacity; Iran, Russia, Afghanistan and Thailand are among the 75 countries for which the Trump administration has suspended the issuance of visas.

Today's headlines: Beijing against “external” intervention (by Washington) in Iran, caution also from Arab states. A train derails in north-eastern Thailand, causing at least 22 deaths. In 2025, India saw a 13% increase in cases of hate speech against minorities, including Christians and Muslims. Syrian Kurds protest against Damascus over the expulsion of militiamen from Aleppo after last week's clashes.

Today's news: economy and security at the centre of today's meeting between the Japanese Prime Minister and the South Korean President. Colombo has asked Beijing for help in post-typhoon reconstruction. Activists in Bahrain concerned about the conviction of opposition leader Sharif.

Today's headlines: in Hong Kong, the “mitigation hearing” begins in the trial of Jimmy Lai, who is feared to face life imprisonment. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi may call early elections. Second phase of elections in Myanmar called for by the coup junta. Nepal and Bangladesh ready to resume trade talks frozen since 2020. Pyongyang asks Seoul for explanations regarding a southern drone that allegedly violated North Korean airspace.

Today's headlines: Trump ready to further raise tariffs on India for Russian oil imports; Iranian protests against the high cost of living in 111 cities, death toll rises to 34; Japan to launch plan to reduce textile waste from disposable clothing; China is studying rules for virtual “boyfriends” generated by artificial intelligence.

Today's news: North Korea conducts a new missile test while South Korean President Lee is visiting Beijing. In Myanmar some 6,100 prisoners are pardoned on Independence Day. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar announces a reform to limit PM’s term to two mandates. After a gas deal with Israel, Egypt signs another with Qatar. A record cold snap in Armenia sees temperatures drop to -37°C.

Today's news: South Korean President Lee visits Beijing amid China-Japan tensions over Taiwan. A health emergency is reported in the Indian city of Indore due to contaminated water. An elderly Philippine woman is facing deportation from the United States, where she has lived for 40 years. Russian bombings in Donbass killed a priest member of the pro-Moscow Church who wanted to stay close to his congregation.

Today's news: Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers, while the truce between the two sides holds. In Japan, more than three million people suffer from alcohol-related disorders. For the first time in Israel's history, population growth dropped below 1 per cent in 2025. Archaeologists in Pakistan discovered an ancient civilisation dating back to the 6th century BC.

Today's news: After meeting Netanyahu yesterday, Trump said that to a new attack on Iran was possible. China conducts a second day of war games around Taiwan, sparking protests and fears in Taipei. Nepali authorities cancel the waste recycling programme on Mount Everest, calling it a failure. Indonesia's free meal programme further limits its target audience.