World
Asia
Afghan forces face enemies within as Taliban infiltrate crumbling ranks
As a senior US official admitted: “If you don’t have fuel, the Afghan army doesn’t fight. And if they’re not being paid, they don’t fight.”
- by Dan Lamothe
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China sends sharp-tongued ‘wolf warrior’ to US as ambassador
The first-time ambassador and frequent critic of the West will instantly become Beijing’s most important overseas envoy.
First images of Sean Turnell inside Myanmar jail as he receives jab
The Australian economist is being held at a Myanmar prison reportedly rife with COVID-19 as the strife-torn nation faces an alarming outbreak.
- by Chris Barrett
‘Beacon of hope’: Whole nation jabbed in just a week
In the extraordinary vaccination effort, health workers even trekked for days through landslides and pouring rain to reach extremely remote villages atop steep mountains to administer doses.
- by Wasbir Hussain and Rishi Lekhi
Qantas flight organised for ‘vulnerable’ Australians stuck in Indonesia
The Australian government is working with the airline to organise expat flights from Indonesia, which has become the global epicentre of the COVID-19 virus.
- by Chris Barrett
‘Justice for Noor’: Outcry over beheading of ex-diplomat’s daughter
The killing of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam on the grounds of an Islamabad mansion has roused anger over Pakistan’s record of protecting women from violence.
- by Miriam Berger
‘Most significant expansion’: China builds nuclear missile silos in desert
The vast site, spread over nearly 500 square km in the Xinjiang region, is thought to house 110 silos for launching weapons.
- by Jamie Johnson
‘We will not flinch’: US defence chief calls out China on first trip to South East Asia
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Western superpower was committed to a constructive relationship with China, but took aim at Beijing’s conduct.
- by Chris Barrett
Hong Kong waiter convicted of terrorism in security laws’ first verdict
Tong Lim, who has been held without bail for almost a year, pleaded not guilty after he drove a motorcycle into a group of police officers at a protest in 2020.
Once cast as Duterte enemy, Filipino weightlifter raises spirit of a nation
Hidilyn Diaz, daughter of a tricycle driver, is a national heroine for winning the Philippines’ first gold medal. Two years ago, she feared for her life.
- by Chris Barrett
Renowned Scottish climber dies in avalanche on K2
Rick Allen died in an avalanche while attempting to scale K2 in northern Pakistan, the world’s second-highest mountain peak.
- by Munir Ahmed