Asia

With Gen Z protests, is East Timor going the Nepal way?

Student-led protests in East Timor have forced the government to scrap controversial lifetime pensions for officials, reflecting growing youth activism against inequality and government excess.

Taliban cut off internet in Afghanistan: Why women will be the most impacted

Afghanistan is facing a near-total digital blackout as the Taliban cut both wired and mobile internet services nationwide. The shutdown, aimed at stopping 'immoral activities', has disrupted businesses, education, and communication. Women, already under strict Taliban restrictions, face the harshest consequences

Indonesian President Prabowo defends his free meal scheme after 6,000 suffer food poisoning

Indonesian President defended his ambitious plan to provide food for children after many suffer food poisoning. During a speech at a political party event stating the percentage affected was small

'It's her Mann Ki Baat': PM Modi pays tribute to Italy's Meloni in foreword of her autobiography

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a nod to his radio broadcast as he wrote the foreword to the Indian edition of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's autobiography

The curious case of China buying 2.7 mn tonnes of crude from oil importer Indonesia: Iranian barrels rerouted?

China’s sudden purchase of 2.7 million tonnes of crude from oil-importing Indonesia raises questions over whether Iranian barrels are being rerouted through Southeast Asia to evade US sanctions

Cambodian PM Hun Manet accuses Thai forces of evicting civilians on the border

Cambodia's leader Hun Manet has accused Thailand of preventing more than 20 families from returning to their homes on the disputed border

Could the world’s oldest mummies have come from Asia?

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence suggesting the world’s oldest mummies may have been created in Southeast Asia, dating back up to 14,000 years. The discovery reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers smoke-dried their dead thousands of years before Egypt or South America practised mummification

What overseas trips by world leaders since the end of the Cold War tell us

Donald Trump’s second term has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity, from billion-dollar deals abroad to summits with world leaders like Vladimir Putin. With Trump set to visit King Charles III in the UK, a new dataset tracking 35 years of over 100,000 leader trips offers insights into shifting global priorities

Who was Nepal King Prithvi Narayan, whose portrait sparked talks monarchy's return?

A portrait of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, displayed behind Nepal Army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel during a national address, has triggered a debate over monarchy amid violent protests. Amid talks of an interim government, many are revisiting the legacy of the king who unified the Himalayan nation over two centuries ago

14 governments in 17 years: How Nepal has struggled with political instability for decades

Nepal is back in political turmoil after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid violent protests over corruption and poor governance. Soldiers patrol Kathmandu as the country grapples with a legacy of fragile coalitions. Since becoming a republic in 2008, Nepal has cycled through 14 governments, none completing a full term