Malaysia: Three-year jail term for selling, buying rainbow Swatch
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has warned that anyone buying or selling LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches could face prison terms of up to three years and a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($4,360). The move is part of an order by the authorities “prohibiting publications related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer and + (plus) (LGBTQ+) on Swatch […]
Two Asians win U.S. Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions
WASHINGTON: Two Asian nationals, a Bangladeshi and a Nepalese, were among the six laureates worldwide hailed for winning the first annual U.S. Secretary of State’s Award for Global Anti-Racism Champions. The six global civil society champions have “courageously advanced the human rights of members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities and combatted systemic racism, […]
Ukrainian diplomat in Seoul recalled for assaulting Korean police officer
A Korean police officer on duty (Yonhap) SEOU: A Ukrainian diplomat stationed in Seoul has been summoned back home over assaulting a police officer at a bar earlier this week. On Tuesday, the first secretary of the Ukrainian embassy in Seoul attempted to hit an employee who tried to stop the diplomat from entering a […]
Climate in Asia: Land and ocean warming, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, sea ice loss
GENEVA: The global climate system is complex. In order to help understand such complexity, the WMO State of the Climate reports use climate indicators to describe how the climate has changed—providing a broad view of the climate at a global and regional scale. These indicators are representative of quantities most relevant to monitoring climate change, […]
Russia-Africa summit urged to strengthen media cooperation in combating hatred, Islamophobia
SAINT PETERSBURG: The Union of News Agencies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (UNA) has stressed the need for closer media cooperation in confronting hate speech and Islamophobia. UNA Acting Director General Mohammed bin Abd Rabbo Al Yami said that cooperation is highly significant, especially amid renewed assaults on Islamic sanctities, including in Sweden and […]
Hun Sen to step down after 14,099 days as Cambodia’s Prime Minister; Hun Manet to succeed him on August 22
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has officially confirmed that he will not continue to be the Prime Minister of Cambodia and that Dr. Hun Manet, his eldest son, will become the new Prime Minister starting August 22. “Hun Manet will begin his post as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia from […]
President Zhaparov defends wider use of Kyrgyz language at home
President Sadyr Zhaparov (Kabar) BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Zhaparov has defended his country’s plans to “fully develop the Kyrgyz language,” turning down criticism by Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. On July 17, Zhaparov signed the constitutional law that establishes the legal framework for the use of the Kyrgyz language and the government and private areas […]
Marcos stresses Philippines’ commitment to addressing climate change effects
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has used his annual State of the Union speech to emphasize his administration’s commitment to climate change as an important criterion in the country’s integral national policies, planning, and decision-making. “The building blocks of progressive, livable and sustainable communities will never be complete without appropriate and responsible action to […]
Major media issues discussed at Shusha Global Media Forum
Group picture of the participants (Azernews) SHUSHA: Azerbaijan’s Global Media Forum on “New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution” has called for greater awareness to tackle successfully disinformation and fake news. The forum was held in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, as part of the Year of Heydar Aliyev and marking […]
Kazakhstan adopts visa-free entry for Gulf countries
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (SPA) JEDDAH: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that his country has adopted a visa-free entry system for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in order to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity. Stressing that the tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the region’s economy, Tokayev expressed at the GCC-Central […]
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Trump, Kim, and the Three P’s of Summit Diplomacy: 
