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Politics
[Asia Round-up] Asia accounts for two thirds of modern slavery
The recently released Global Slavery Index conducted by Walk Free Foundation reveals that there are an estimated 29.8 million people enslaved worldwide. India, China, and Pakistan enslave the highest number of people while Mauritania has the highest prevalence. Out of 22 million people enslaved in the index’s top 10 countries,…
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East Asia
N. Korea tries to project unity on anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death
North Korea vowed to unite behind leader Kim Jong Un during carefully staged events Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of his father’s death, in an attempt to show it has returned to business as usual after the purge and execution of his once-powerful uncle last week. Kim sat silently…
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East Asia
N. Korea still changing after Chang’s fall
In what can be described as the most public purge in North Korean history, Chang Song Taek– until recently the second most powerful man in North Korea – has lost his position and life. His sudden downfall has produced much speculation. Indeed, but what is the likely impact of…
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Politics
Sri Lanka will never sell women to boost tourism
Commercial sex would never be legalised and Sri Lanka would not sell its women for the sake of promoting tourism, the government says. According to rough estimates, there are about 40,000 sex workers in Sri Lanka. Among the campaigns conducted by the government is to increase awareness on abortions and…
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Politics
[Asia Round-up] Diapers form 12.14% of waste in Malaysia
Adult and baby diapers now 12.14% of waste in Malaysia Diapers formed 12.14 per cent of the total waste disposed in Malaysia. This shows that Malaysia has an ageing population as more senior citizens are using diapers. This fact stressed the importance of using more environmental-friendly and cost-effective technology such…
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East Asia
Korean rage over Dokdo not helping their claim
In late October, Korean and international newspapers reported on the military exercises the South Korean army held at the tiny Korean island of Dokdo. The picture was impressive: the soldiers in full battle gears, choppers and warships were present in the footage. The footage looked good, and this is why…
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East Asia
Headquaters of UN Green Climate Fund seated in Incheon, S. Korea
The headquarters of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a new UN fund aimed at helping developing countries tackle climate change, is officially opened in South Korea on Wednesday. An opening ceremony was launched on Wednesday morning to celebrate the Green Climate Fund with its headquarters located in Songdo of Incheon…
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South Asia
Pakistan produces more mullahs than doctors and engineers annually
Although all the religious parties except two (Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam who could clinch a few seats in 342-member parliament) were rejected by the people of Pakistan in the general elections held in May this year, they are penetrating deep and deeper in the society by establishing thousands of seminaries…
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South East Asia
Thai crisis deepens as protest leader urges PM to resign after violent clashes
The United Nations closed its main office in Bangkok, dozens of schools closed and many civil servants stayed away from work Monday as the Thai capital braced for more violence in a spiraling political crisis. After a weekend of chaos in pockets of Bangkok, protesters vowed to push ahead with…
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West Asia
UN inspectors to visit Arak heavy water plant in Iran, IAEA confirms
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will accept an offer from Iran to visit Iran’s Arak heavy-water production plant early next month, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told a press conference here on Thursday. Amano announced Iran’s invitation to visit the heavy-water plant in the central city of Arak on…
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