World
Asia
Sri Lanka appoints new prime minister in bid to stop civil unrest
Ranil Wickremesinghe has been prime minister of the island nation five times before.
- by Krishan Francis
Latest
Unvaccinated North Korea reports first COVID outbreak, goes into lockdown
The North’s government has shunned vaccines offered by the UN-backed COVAX distribution program, possibly because those have monitoring requirements.
- by Kim Tong-Hyung
Hong Kong police bail Catholic cardinal arrested on national security charge
Cardinal Joseph Zen and three others who helped run a now-disbanded Hong Kong fund for protesters were arrested on charges of “collusion with foreign forces”.
- by James Pomfret and Jessie Pang
‘We don’t think it’s sustainable’: WHO questions China’s zero-COVID strategy
The comments come after researchers warned that China was at risk of unleashing a major Omicron wave if restrictions are lifted without boosting both vaccination rates and access to treatments.
- by Sarah Newey
Sri Lanka’s prime minister rescued as troops ordered to shoot violent protesters
Mahinda Rajapaksa had to be rescued from his official residence after rioters broke down the gate after he resigned.
- by Krishan Francis, Bharatha Mallawarachi and Krutika Pathi
Analysis
World elections
There is a new Marcos in Manila and he wants a maritime deal with China
Western powers will have to engage Ferdinand Marcos jnr despite his family’s past to ensure the Philippines does not stray into Beijing’s orbit.
- by Chris Barrett
Updated
World elections
Dictator’s son Marcos wins in election landslide in the Philippines
Three decades after returning from exile, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos jnr achieved a historic majority in the country’s presidential poll, according to unofficial results.
- by Chris Barrett
‘Quite disturbing’: Holy man leader of corpse-worshipping cult arrested in Thailand
Supporters screamed and jostled with police as the bearded, shirtless white-haired man was led to a police vehicle.
- by Tassanee Vejpongsa
Updated
World politics
Sri Lanka’s PM resigns amid violent protests and economic crisis
Protests against the government have raged for weeks with thousands demanding Rajapaksa quit for mishandling the economy.
- by Krishan Francis and Bharatha Mallawarachi
Shanghai’s feared hazmat-clad health workers videoed dragging people from homes
People living in the same building of confirmed COVID-19 cases can now be sent to quarantine centres, even as numbers drop.
Beijing loyalist and sole candidate John Lee elected as Hong Kong’s leader
As the only candidate in Sunday’s secret ballot, Lee won near-unanimous support from the Election Committee.