Yesterday
'Recession for the ages': Philippines economy on its knees
The Philippines this week recorded its biggest contraction in memory and economists are concerned there is no path back.
- Emma Connors
US-China defence ministers talk South China Sea, Taiwan
The 90-minute call was the first time US Defence Secretary Mark Esper had spoken to his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, since March amid tensions between to the world powers.
Elite international schools face expat gap
Premium-priced institutions are finding the market for a $US50,000-a-year education – particularly one delivered online – has diminished substantially.
- Emma Connors
Trump's plan to ban US-listed Chinese firms revealed
The recommendations to delist companies that do not let US officials review audits are part of the US President's efforts to toughen his nation's stance towards China.
- Demetri Sevastopulo and Kadhim Shubber
China sentences Canadian to death after drug trial
Canada's foreign ministry said in a statement that it was "profoundly concerned" by the sentence and called on China to grant clemency to Xu Weihong.
- Yew Lun Tian
This Month
Vietnam alarmed by more infectious G strain of virus
The Vietnamese government says a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in Da Nang is more contagious than previous versions.
- Emma Connors
Fears for China SMEs after crackdown on shadow banking
Multiple shadow banking lenders have told the Financial Times they would stop servicing medium to high-risk borrowers after the Supreme Court announced a plan to “significantly” cut the interest rate shadow banks could charge.
- Sun Yu
Indonesian economy shrinks for the first time in 20 years
South-east Asia's largest economy was slow to react to the pandemic and now it's paying the price, economists say.
- Emma Connors and Natalia Santi
Singapore uses wristband trackers to keep tabs on travellers
Asian nations are experimenting with ways to get business travel moving again while avoiding virus outbreaks.
- Emma Connors
Will COVID-19 tame China’s multibillion-dollar wildlife trade?
Scott Morrison has called for an inquiry into how the virus spread from animals to humans and Beijing appears ready to clamp down on the exotic species market.
- Christian Shepherd and Qianer Liu
North Korea has 'probably' developed nuclear devices for its missiles
The rogue nation's past six nuclear tests had likely helped it develop miniaturised nuclear devices, according to a confidential UN report.
- Michelle Nichols
Former BoJ official blasts Abe tourism push
Abenomics advocate Yutaka Harada, who served on the Bank of Japan's board until March, said that the central bank had taken sufficient steps to cushion the pandemic's immediate blow to the economy.
- Leika Kihara and Izumi Nakagawa
Asia's factory pain eases as China's activity jumps
Manufacturing activity in China expanded at the fastest pace in nearly a decade as domestic demand improved, suggesting the world's second-largest economy will help cushion the pandemic's blow to world growth.
- Updated
- Leika Kihara
- Opinion
- Corruption
No end to Malaysia’s political games after Najib’s courtroom downfall
The Malaysian public is stuck with games of three-dimensional chess between – and within – teams of politicians who are UMNO men who missed out on the power they sought through that party.
- Liam Gammon
July
HK delays election, citing COVID-19. The opposition isn't buying it.
Carrie Lam's government insists the delay is for health reasons but it's part of a pattern of arresting activists, making certain speech illegal and blocking opposition figures from standing in the election.
- Austin Ramzy
Will the conviction of a former PM change Malaysia?
He's facing 12 years in prison and fines of more than $65 million after being found guilty in a 1MDB corruption trial but his old party is still scheming its way back to power.
- Emma Connors
Why do young Indonesian women marry older Western men?
In this extract from her new book Gods and Demons, Deborah Cassrels delves into the reasons for bicultural marriages. It's not as one-sided a deal as it looks.
- Deborah Cassrels
Jakarta office blocks become hotspots
The Indonesian capital is pleading with its 10 million citizens to wear masks as virus outbreaks set back business.
- Emma Connors and Natalia Santi
Hong Kong activists arrested for online posts under new laws
The sweep appears to be the first targeted arrests of activists under the new law, which came into force a month ago and gives the Chinese government broad new powers over the semi-autonomous territory.
- Austin Ramzy and Elaine Yu
- Analysis
- Corruption
Judge's hard line on Najib's corruption will weigh on appeal
The findings of fact made by a Kuala Lumpur High Court judge are unlikely to be overturned on appeal.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
