Asia 3 weeks ago Hong Kong reels from deadliest inferno in decades as 128 killed and many casualties Hong Kong is facing one of its darkest moments in recent history after a massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po claimed 128 lives By The Independent
Asia Jan 22, 2025 Vertical Institute Unveils Generative AI Course to Meet Growing Demand for Digital Proficiency The future of work is undeniably intertwined with artificial intelligence (AI), and Vertical Institute is helping professionals stay ahead of the curve with the launch of its new Generative AI course. Designed to equip learners with the skills necessary to thrive in AI-driven industries, the course comes at a time when companies across Singapore are […] By Angela Sim
Asia Dec 6, 2024 Challenging job market diminishes appeal of postgraduate studies in China China is seeing a significant decline in postgraduate entrance exam applications for the second year running, reflecting growing doubts about the value of advanced degrees in a challenging job market. According to data released by the Ministry of Education in November, 3.88 million people have registered for the 2025 postgraduate entrance exam, marking an 11.4 […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Dec 3, 2024 India and China can no longer be treated as developing nations: Objections raised at UN climate talks Delegates from several developing nations at the COP29 UN climate talks in Azerbaijan are challenging the long-standing classification of China and India as developing countries, arguing they should no longer receive the same treatment as the world’s poorest nations. Nigeria’s environment minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has taken a strong stance, stating that China and India […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Dec 2, 2024 China’s defence minister ‘under investigation’ like his predecessors: Powerful military, vulnerable leaders China is one of the world’s most powerful nations, but its defence ministers are proving strangely vulnerable. Dong Jun is the third Chinese defence minister to come under investigation, reports the Financial Times, after his two immediate predecessors were found guilty of corruption. Ironically, the billions :Beijing is splurging on becoming a superpower to rival […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Nov 21, 2024 India’s love affair with cars shifts into high gear as SUV sales soar India’s automotive landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as rising incomes and changing consumer preferences drive a surge in car ownership, particularly toward larger SUVs. Vehicle registrations have more than doubled in the past decade, with the number of cars increasing from 19 million in 2012 to 49 million in 2022, reports The Economist. Car […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Nov 20, 2024 Pakistan ship in Bangladesh signals historic thaw, sparks concern in India In a landmark development, Pakistan’s first direct cargo ship to Bangladesh in five decades docked at Chittagong port on November 11, signalling a historic thaw in bilateral relations that has raised concerns in India over potential strategic realignments in South Asia. The vessel, sailing under a Panamanian flag from Karachi, marks a significant milestone in […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Nov 7, 2024 India’s Adani Group threatens to cut off power supply to Bangladesh over payment dispute In a critical development impacting cross-border energy flows, India’s Adani Group has reduced electricity supplies to Bangladesh by up to 50% from its 1,600-megawatt Godda coal-fired plant, threatening a full suspension of power exports if overdue payments are not resolved. The conglomerate, owned by billionaire Gautam Adani, has set a deadline of November 7 for […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Nov 1, 2024 Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus says ‘no place’ for Sheikh Hasina’s ‘fascist’ party Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has declared there is “no place” for the Awami League in the country’s politics, characterizing the party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as having “all the characteristics of fascism”. In an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate signalled a tough stance against Bangladesh’s […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Oct 24, 2024 Why Trudeau is confronting Delhi over the death of a Khalistani separatist: Canadian politics seen through Indian eyes How did India-Canada relations come to such a pass that the two countries expelled each other’s top diplomats? The murky record of the dead man at the centre of the row and the political considerations alleged to be at play are highlighted by the Indian news site, Firstpost, in a YouTube video. “Why did Trudeau […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Oct 24, 2024 Indonesia’s new President Prabowo transformed by social media Prabowo Subianto, sworn in as the eighth Indonesian President at the age of 73 , is proof that the old can connect with the young. The young supported him more than the old. The young on social media, that is. Especially TikTok. Sworn in as president with the largest Cabinet in decades – a Cabinet […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Oct 23, 2024 New ferry service connects India and Sri Lanka, praised by passengers, aided by Delhi Since its launch in August 2024, the Shivagangai ferry has been making waves, both literally and diplomatically, as it reconnects India and Sri Lanka after a 40-year break in sea transport. Carrying an average of 100 passengers several times a week across the Palk Strait, the ferry service links Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Kankesanthurai […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Oct 16, 2024 American woman flies 18.5 hours to Thailand for a hippo: The unbelievable story of Molly and Moo Deng BANGKOK — In an extraordinary tale of international travel and animal fascination, Molly, an American woman, embarked on an 18.5-hour journey from New York to Thailand. Her destination? To witness the adorable charm of Moo Deng, the celebrated baby pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Molly’s excitement was palpable as she shared her journey […] By Gemma Iso
Asia Sep 28, 2024 Militants back in Bangladesh, fundamentalist party ban lifted after Hasina’s ouster Following the dramatic overthrow of Bangladesh’s government by student protesters in August, a group of boys broke into the home of Tureen Afroz, the former chief prosecutor of a tribunal for war crimes committed during the nation’s independence movement in the early 1970s. They forcibly entered her bedroom, questioned her about not wearing a hijab, […] By Abhijit Nag
Asia Sep 26, 2024 Thailand to allow same-sex marriage from January: Landmark bill signed by King Thailand has made history by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following the royal endorsement of the Marriage Equality Bill. The landmark legislation, published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday (September 24) evening, grants same-sex couples the same legal rights and protections as heterosexual couples. King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved the […] By Abhijit Nag