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East Asia
Singapore responds to Hong Kong
By Ivan Lim Contributor to AsiaN Singapore: In 2016, a Singaporean civic activist Jolovan Wham was found guilty of organising an illegal public assembly without a police permit. The theme of the indoor conference was Civil Disobedience and Social Movements. There was a Hong Kong connection: Joshua Wong was…
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Society
Definition of Malaysian Batik needs to be refined to enhance its status
Kuala Lumpur: The definition of Malaysian batik as outlined in the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Act 1979 has to be refined further to accord more significance to this traditional textile art and elevate the status of the batik industry. Its current definition, according to Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia (Penyayang)…
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Politics
Boao Forum for Asia Ulaanbaatar Conference in Mongolia to boost common development
Ulaanbaatar: The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) (BFA) Ulaanbaatar Conference to expand cooperation between Mongolia and China and advance common development in Asia and beyond has concluded. The forum, held for the first time in Mongolia, aims at helping the Chinese entrepreneurs better understand the business environment and related…
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Business
UAE to levy 100% tax on electronic smoking devices as list of excise taxable products expanded
Abu Dhabi: The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it would expand the list of excise taxable products to include sweetened beverages, sugary drinks and electronic smoking devices. The measure to be implemented starting January 1, 2020 aims “to reduce consumption of unhealthy goods and modify consumers’…
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South Asia
Pakistani villages submerged as India releases river water
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Correspondent Islamabad: Dozens of villages in Pakistan’s Punjab province were submerged and scores of people evacuated after India released up to 38,000 cusecs of water into River Sutlej without prior intimation earlier this week. “Over 50 villages were submerged and crops stretching over hundreds of…
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Business
Taiwan tourism revenue soars to new high in Q2
Taipei: Japanese and Chinese tourists emerged as the biggest spenders in Taiwan during the second quarter of the year, official data indicates. Tourism in the country revenue reached a record of $3.96 billion in the second quarter of the year, according to the central bank. Bank officials attributed the new…
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Politics
Indonesia’s police targeted in 74 percent of terror attacks in 2017-2018: Study
Jakarta: The police came under attack in 74 percent of the terror cases in Indonesia during 2017-2018, according to a study. “Some 74 percent of the terrorist attacks in Indonesia during the 2017-2018 period had made the police the prime target,” Director of Program and Research of the Habibie Centre…
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Politics
Indonesia, Africa to be huge power if united: President Jokowi
Bali: President Joko WIdodo (Jokowi) said that Indonesia and Africa could become a huge power if they are united through concrete cooperation to boost the welfare of the peoples. “Indonesia is ready and pleased to forge cooperation with our brothers in Africa. Indonesia is your true partner, your trusted…
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Culture
Actress Ku Hye-sun denies ending marriage with actor Ahn Jae-hyun
Seoul: Actress Ku Hye-sun’s lawyer said Wednesday she does not have any intention to end her marriage with actor Ahn Jae-hyun, denying persistent media speculation over their imminent divorce. Ku’s legal agency, LIWU Law Group, said the 35-year-old actress and 32-year-old Ahn have never reached an agreement on divorce,…
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Politics
Top diplomats of South Korea, Japan to hold talks amid high tensions over trade, history
Seoul: The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan were set to hold bilateral talks in Beijing on Wednesday as Seoul is considering whether to renew a military information-sharing pact with Tokyo amid badly frayed relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart, Taro…
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