Latest Southeast Asia News
Indonesian walking 700 kilometers backward to save forests
BEKASI, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian man is walking more than 700 kilometers (430 miles) backward from his village in eastern Java to the country's capital to raise awareness about deforestation. Medi Bastoni began his arduous expedition on July 18 from his home on the slope of Mount Wilis, a dormant...
No Rohingya turn up for repatriation to Myanmar
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh's refugee commissioner said Thursday that no Rohingya Muslims turned up to return to Myanmar from camps in the South Asian nation as they wanted their demands for citizenship and guarantees of safety met first. Abul Kalam told a news conference that no one from 295...
Papuan students hold independence rally in Indonesia capital
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 100 West Papuan students in Indonesia's capital staged a protest against racism on Thursday and called for independence for their restive region. The protesters marched down a main road leading to Indonesia's army headquarters and presidential palace chanting "Freedom...
2 whistleblowers appear in Australian court over leaks
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Two whistleblowers appeared in a Canberra court on Thursday charged separately with leaking classified government information that alleges Australia bugged East Timor's Cabinet and potential war crimes committed by Australian troops in Afghanistan. Free speech demonstrators...
Rohingya still fear safety in Myanmar, repatriation unlikely
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) — The repatriation of hundreds of Rohingya Muslims appeared unlikely to proceed as planned Thursday after those who were eligible told the U.N. refugee agency and the Bangladesh government they didn't want to return to Myanmar unless their citizenship and safety were ensured....
China's rust belt looks abroad as growth slows, tariffs bite
YINGKOU, China (AP) — From Thailand to Kenya, trains run on tracks from steel mills in China's northeast, a rust-belt region that is trying to capitalize on a multibillion-dollar national initiative to build ports, railways and other projects abroad. Announced in 2012, the Belt and Road Initiative is...
Ties to China shape cautious reaction to Hong Kong protests
For Canada and the European Union, they are a "situation." For President Donald Trump, a potential stumbling block in ongoing trade disputes. And for South Korea, an issue to be monitored. With the notable exception of Taiwan, cautious comments from the few governments willing to speak out on the ongoing protests...
McCain's family fights to define legacy of civility, service
WASHINGTON (AP) — Cindy McCain stood on a knoll in Tempe, Arizona, last year and looked out over the Rio Salado. The spot where she stood, on 26 acres (11 hectares), is where she and her ailing husband, Sen. John McCain, had discussed building a "gathering place" for his archives, hiking and perhaps...
Thailand to set up center to combat 'fake news'
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's government on Wednesday announced a plan to set up a center to combat unverified news on social media platforms, rejecting concerns that it might be used to suppress free speech. The planned center's goal would be to fight all kinds of fake news, with a focus on misinformation...
More Rohingya families say they will not return to Myanmar
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) — A Bangladeshi refugee official says the heads of some 200 Rohingya families interviewed by officials from the U.N. refugee agency and the government have told them they will not go back to Myanmar unless their demands for citizenship and safety are ensured. Refugee official...
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