Asia Pacific

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has refused to attend the International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial hearing concerning alleged crimes committed during his controversial “war on drugs.” The hearing marks a significant step in the ongoing legal scrutiny of Duterte’s administration, which has faced international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016...

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been formally reappointed as head of the country’s ruling Workers’ Party, reinforcing his grip on power and signalling continuity in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s political direction. The decision, announced through state media following a high-level party meeting in Pyongyang, underscores the regime’s emphasis on stability, ideological unity and...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online An extraordinary act of generosity has left officials in Osaka, Japan, both stunned and deeply grateful after a mystery donor gifted the city 21 kilograms of gold bars — worth approximately $3.6 million — to help fix its ageing water system. The astonishing contribution, announced by Osaka’s mayor at a press conference, has sparked curiosity and admiration as the city grapples...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The United States and Indonesia have finalised a major reciprocal trade agreement that will see Washington lower tariffs on Indonesian goods to 19 percent, deepening economic ties between the two nations and reshaping their long-standing trade relationship. The agreement was formally signed in Washington, D.C., by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, after months...

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Seoul is bracing for a landmark courtroom decision as former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stands on the brink of a verdict in a historic insurrection trial that could see him sentenced to the death penalty or life imprisonment for his role in a failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Japan is gearing up for a period of political and policy change after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was reappointed with a commanding legislative mandate following a landslide election victory for her ruling coalition, giving her government a supermajority in the lower house of the National Diet and the muscle to push through a bold conservative agenda. Takaichi, who made history as Japan’s...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online A court in southern India has handed down the death penalty to three men convicted of a brutal attack last year that saw an Israeli tourist and her Indian homestay host raped and a male tourist killed, judicial and media sources report. The verdict highlights both the severity of the crime and mounting public concern over the safety of travellers...

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online In a move that has electrified Philippine politics, Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, officially announced her candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections. The announcement, made during a televised address on Wednesday, signals the continuation of the Duterte political legacy and sets the stage for a fiercely contested race. Sara Duterte, who has served...

Published: 17 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Millions of people across Asia and around the world have welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse, celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year with colourful festivals, traditional rituals, and public gatherings from Beijing to Bangkok. The event, steeped in centuries of cultural heritage, draws participants of all ages who come together to mark a new beginning,...

Published: 17 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online India’s much-anticipated AI Summit opened this week amid long queues, technical glitches, and widespread confusion, highlighting the challenges of managing one of the country’s largest gatherings focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Attendees, including policymakers, tech leaders, and international delegates, faced delays at registration and entry points, prompting criticism from participants and observers alike. The summit, described...