Anish R M
Assange’s last stand

On the first day of Assange’s crucial hearing his defense highlighted the political nature of the US extradition attempt, which is a violation of the UK/US extradition treaty

The elections in Taiwan are consequential for regional peace

A vice-president with a diminished popularity and a divided opposition are set to battle it out in an election that has the potential to affect peace and stability in East Asia

South Korea’s top court upholds compensation for victims of Japan’s forced wartime labor

South Korea’s Supreme Court has upheld lower court orders to two Japanese companies to compensate 11 forced wartime labor victims

UK court to hear Assange’s final appeal against extradition in February

In the hearing, two judges will review an earlier decision to reject Assange’s appeal against his extradition to the US

Malaysian socialists arrested during protest against forced eviction of farmers

Chairman of Parti Sosialis Malaysia and three others were arrested as they tried to resist an eviction drive against 200 farmers in the Prime Ministers’ constituency

Thailand political crisis Uncertainty looms as Thai parliament blocks Pita Limjaroenrat from leading new government

Wednesday was nothing short of high drama in Thai politics as Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, was also temporarily suspended from serving as a legislator by the Constitutional Court, just as parliamentarians were debating his eligibility to stand for the prime minister’s post

Philippines and US conduct largest ever drills near South China Sea

The annual US-Philippines military exercise has nearly doubled in size, with close to 18,000 troops participating in the exercise, of which over 12,000 are from the US alone.

Assange completes four years in UK jail, struggle against US extradition continues

The Wikileaks founder has spent four years in a high-security prison without a conviction or a charge, fighting a prolonged extradition process. Meanwhile, his supporters have shown no signs of easing the struggle for his release

Steven Donziger In split decision, US apex court rejects Steven Donziger’s review plea despite irregularities

Environmental lawyer Steven Donziger is widely known for representing thousands of Ecuadorian villagers in a multi-billion corporate pollution lawsuit against Chevron

Philippines constitutional convention Progressives in the Philippines reject move to overhaul 1987 Constitution

Progressive minority bloc lawmakers voted against the proposal that will seek to form a constitutional convention through elections by October

Indonesian court convicts soldiers for killing and mutilation of West Papuans

The rare conviction by a military court for the gruesome killing of four Papuans in August was welcomed by civil society groups and rights advocates

South Korea truckers strike Despite government’s back-to-work order, South Korean truckers continue strike

The nationwide truck drivers’ strike completed 10 days on December 3, despite back-to-work orders and further strike-busting threats from the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol government