Asia news

• Elon Musk offers to send terminals to restore internet to volcano-hit Tonga

  21-01-2022 23:26 via theguardian.com
  
  Tesla billionaire says he could send Starlink terminals via SpaceX to Pacific island nation where communication is downElon Musk has offered to send Starlink internet terminals to Tonga, after the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami left the Pacific island nation without communication links to the rest of the world.Replying on Twitter to a Reuters story that Tonga could be without internet connection for a month, the billionaire entrepreneur wrote: “Could people from Tonga let us know if
  
  Read more

• Afghan women taken from their homes after speaking out

  21-01-2022 21:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The BBC searches for an Afghan woman removed from her home after protesting against Taliban rule.
  
  Read more

• IMF warns China over cost of Covid lockdowns

  21-01-2022 19:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Hardline approach to pandemic risks damaging global economy, says Kristalina GeorgievaCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageChina, the world’s second largest economy, should review its zero-tolerance approach to the pandemic or risk damaging the global recovery, according to the head of International Monetary Fund.Kristalina Georgieva said Beijing should reassess the use of lockdowns to limit the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant since it became cl
  
  Read more

• ‘Quiet fabulosity’: remote New Zealand church gets pink makeover to celebrate queer community

  21-01-2022 19:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Sam Duckor-Jones has transformed an unused church into what he hopes will be a place for rural queerness to thrive On the wild and remote west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, an old dame is getting a hot-pink makeover, with all the synthetic flowers, coloured beads and glitter she can take. Her name is Gloria, and she is an 83-year-old church, on her way to becoming a public sculpture and “queer beacon” for the local community.“I didn’t grow up in the church, I
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Tonga: Survivor tells of sea escape from tsunami-struck island

  21-01-2022 14:29 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Lisala Folau says he swam for more than a day, clinging to a log at sea, to survive the tsunami.
  
  Read more

• Toyota: just in time now just means more disruptions  

  21-01-2022 13:45 via ft.com
  Japanese group made more vulnerable by what was once its biggest strength and edge over global rivals — lean manufacturing
  
  Read more

• Australian Open: Naomi Osaka out to Amanda Anisimova, Ashleigh Barty wins in Melbourne

  21-01-2022 12:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Defending champion Naomi Osaka is out of the Australian Open after losing in the third round to American opponent Amanda Anisimova.
  
  Read more

• Tonga: Zero-Covid island nation fears aid could bring in virus

  21-01-2022 11:40 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Efforts are underway to deliver humanitarian supplies with the minimum risk of infection.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Morrison speaks out against China’s ‘economic coercion’ at Davos

  21-01-2022 11:07 via theguardian.com
  
  Australian prime minister told forum the Indo-Pacific had become ‘highly contested’ due to ‘grey-zone tactics’ – but without naming namesScott Morrison has taken aim at China for “economic coercion”, foreign interference and cyber attacks in a speech to the Davos World Economic Forum.Without naming the source of “sharper geopolitical competition”, the Australian prime minister warned of increasing territorial disputes in the Indo-Pacific regi
  
  Read more

• UK foreign secretary calls on allies to curb rise of Russia and China

  21-01-2022 10:24 via ft.com
  Liz Truss urges liberal governments to ‘face down global aggressors’
  
  Read more

• Hongkongers launch hamster rescue mission after Covid cull declared

  21-01-2022 09:38 via theguardian.com
  
  Thousands sign petitions and many offer to house pets, as officials say more than 2,000 imported hamsters must be killedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAuthorities and pet-lovers in Hong Kong are locked in a game of cat and mouse, with citizens mounting a clandestine rescue operation for hamsters condemned to be euthanised over fears they could transmit Covid-19.On Tuesday, government and health officials announced traces of the virus had been found on 11 hamste
  
  Read more

• Samsung pulls ad with drag queen after backlash

  21-01-2022 08:49 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The ad, which showed a Muslim mother expressing support for her drag queen son, was criticised online.
  
  Read more

• Tonga turns back aid flight from Australia after positive Covid case discovered

  21-01-2022 07:59 via theguardian.com
  
  Morrison government promised Tongans Covid-safe humanitarian relief after volcanic eruption and tsunamiGet our free news app; get our morning email briefingTonga has turned back an aid flight from Australia due to a positive Covid case on board, despite assurances from the Morrison government that humanitarian relief from the volcanic eruption and tsunami could be offered in a Covid-safe way.Tonga is Covid-free and has a strict border control policy, requiring contactless delivery of aid that be
  
  Read more

• MPs criticise cyber agency for not aiding China rights group after it was hacked

  21-01-2022 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Ipac’s website went offline following comments about lawyer Christine Lee reportedly seeking to influence MPsMembers of a cross-party China human rights group have accused Britain’s cybersecurity agency of “failing to respond” with help after their website was taken offline this week in an attack they fear came from Beijing.MPs from the Inter Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac) said the incident took place on Tuesday, days after the group had said publicly it was &ldqu
  
  Read more

• Two-thirds of passengers on first flight to Covid-free Kiribati diagnosed with virus

  21-01-2022 06:37 via theguardian.com
  
  Island nation set to impose lockdown next week after virus escaped from quarantine centreCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAfter remaining Covid-free for the entirety of the pandemic, Kiribati has reopened its borders – only for two thirds of the passengers on the first international flight to arrive in ten months to test positive for the virus. The island nation is now set to impose a four-day lockdown from Monday after the virus was found to have spread in
  
  Read more

• China’s threat to ‘punish’ Olympic athletes for free speech ‘very concerning’, Australia says

  21-01-2022 06:28 via theguardian.com
  
  Sport minister Richard Colbeck says Australia opposes advisory on political comments from Beijing Winter Olympics committeeGet our free news app; get our morning email briefingFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesPotential restrictions on athletes’ speech at the Beijing Winter Olympics are “very concerning”, Australia’s sport minister, Richard Colbeck, has said after China warned of “punishment” for political comments at next month’s
  
  Read more

• Papua New Guinea repeals death penalty 30 years after reintroduction

  21-01-2022 06:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Justice minister says state lacks ability to humanely execute those convicted, while PM says PNG is a ‘Christian nation’Papua New Guinea has repealed the death penalty 30 years after reintroducing it, with prime minister James Marape saying it was “not an effective deterrent to serious crime”. Offences such as treason, piracy, murder – including sorcery related violence – and aggravated rape will now be punishable by life imprisonment without parole or parole
  
  Read more

• ‘Not sustainable’: Omicron tests China’s zero Covid policy as first cases detected

  21-01-2022 06:00 via theguardian.com
  
  With the Winter Olympics imminent, experts predict more extreme measures but question strategy’s wisdomCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage
  Like many middle class Chinese, the 26-year-old banker from Beijing spent the first two weeks of January celebrating the new year. She visited Dior, shopped at Walmart and lunched at Quanjude, the city’s best-known Peking roast duck restaurant. One evening, she watched a standup comedy show. And on one weekend, she d
  
  Read more

• Japanese inflation rises 0.5% for second month as fuel costs surge

  21-01-2022 05:57 via ft.com
  Consumer price index growth at fastest pace in almost two years but remains below BoJ’s 2% target
  
  Read more

• Jack Ma’s Ant Group implicated in corruption scandal by Chinese state media

  21-01-2022 05:49 via ft.com
  Documentary on state broadcaster CCTV adds to pressure on billionaire’s internet empire
  
  Read more

• Slipping into St Bathans’ Blue Lake is like swimming in Cleopatra’s bath – but on another planet | Kiran Dass

  21-01-2022 04:00 via theguardian.com
  
  The colour of the lake reminds me of a film in which a group of elderly people are rejuvenated by aliens via a swimming poolGuardian writers and readers describe their favourite place in New Zealand’s wilderness and why it’s special to themI grew up next to the swooshing, murky tea-coloured Waipā River in Ngāruawāhia. Always risk-averse, childhood myths of Taniwha and the idea of the snapping teeth and slither of monster eels terrified me a bit, so I never swam in rive
  
  Read more

• Tonga volcano: Biblical disaster shakes most Mormon nation in the world

  21-01-2022 03:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Tonga is the world's most Mormon nation and the Church is playing a key role after the volcanic eruption.
  
  Read more

• Kazakhstan unrest: 'If you protest again, we'll kill you'

  21-01-2022 02:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Activists in Kazakhstan say they are being arrested and beaten as police crack down after unrest.
  
  Read more

• Franco Mulakkal: Hundreds write to Kerala nun who lost rape case against bishop

  21-01-2022 01:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Critics have called the acquittal of powerful Bishop Franco Mulakkal a 'miscarriage of justice'.
  
  Read more

• Why an OnlyFans creator could go to jail for posting nudes

  21-01-2022 01:48 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Titus Low is one of Singapore's most successful OnlyFans creators - but now he might find himself in jail.
  
  Read more

• New Hong Kong barristers’ chief warns profession to stay out of politics

  21-01-2022 01:47 via theguardian.com
  
  Victor Dawes says the group should build closer ties to mainland China amidst concerns about the rule of lawThe newly elected leader of Hong Kong barristers says that his profession should avoid politics and build closer ties to mainland China, as concerns grow about rule of law in the financial hub.The Hong Kong Bar Association has been a vocal defender of human rights and its previous leader had criticised a Beijing-imposed national security law, drawing fierce condemnation from Chinese offici
  
  Read more

• Thailand’s Bitkub plans crypto expansion in SE Asia

  21-01-2022 01:15 via ft.com
  Chief plots push into region amid growing trading volumes during pandemic
  
  Read more

• The radio station bringing worried Tongans together

  21-01-2022 01:05 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A community broadcaster in Brisbane, Australia, is bringing information and support following the tsunami.
  
  Read more

• Jack Ma’s Ant Group implicated in corruption scandal by Chinese media

  21-01-2022 01:01 via ft.com
  Documentary on state broadcaster CCTV adds to pressure on billionaire’s internet empire
  
  Read more

Follow @UK_Asia_News on Twitter!