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Politics
Kuwait emir pledges zero tolerance towards corruption, deplores media spat
By Habib Toumi Kuwait: Kuwait’s Emir has pledged that no-one regardless of their status will evade punishment related to public funds crimes and stressed that the issue was under his personal attention. “We reaffirm our relentless keenness on preserving public funds, and our commitment to protecting them, and affirm that…
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Politics
Kuwait designated premier declines post amid rare public feud
By Habib Toumi Kuwait: Kuwait’s caretaker prime minister has turned down a proposal by the Emir to be reappointed and to form a new government. Shaikh Jaber Al Mubarak said in a statement on Monday that although it was an honor to serve the country, he felt sorry “over not…
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Politics
South Korea, U.S. decide to postpone upcoming joint air exercises for diplomacy
Bangkok: South Korea and the United States decided to put off their wintertime combined air exercises to support diplomacy with North Korea, the two sides said Sunday, with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper urging Pyongyang to reciprocate the goodwill by returning to nuclear talks. Esper and South Korean Defense Minister…
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Politics
Rajapaksa elected Sri Lanka’s president
Colombo: Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has been elected the seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka and will take the oath on Monday at the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential Candidate Rajapaksa who contested under the flower…
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Politics
Esper says U.S. will seek Japan’s efforts to resolve GSOMIA issue: Cheong Wa Dae
Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday he will try to persuade Japan to “smoothly” resolve the dispute over the two neighbors’ military information-sharing arrangement, according to the presidential office. During a 50-minute meeting with Esper at Cheong Wa Dae, Moon explained his…
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Politics
North Korea says it sent ultimatum to South Korea over Mount Kumgang project
Seoul: North Korea sent an ultimatum to South Korea earlier this week that it will unilaterally remove the South-built facilities from its Mount Kumgang resort unless Seoul tears them down on its own, Pyongyang’s official news agency reported Friday. The North’s tough stance suggests little room for inter-Korean negotiations that…
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Politics
Pentagon chief calls for renewal of Seoul-Tokyo intel-sharing pact
Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper urged South Korea and Japan on Friday to work together to renew their expiring military information-sharing pact, saying its termination will only benefit North Korea and China. Esper made the call during a joint press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo after…
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Politics
India offers 300 tertiary scholarships for Malaysian students
Paris: The government of India is offering full scholarships to 300 Malaysian students to pursue their tertiary studies. Malaysia’s Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the matter was conveyed to him by India’s Human Resource Development Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank when they met on Wednesday on the sidelines of…
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Politics
U.S. defense secretary open to altering military activity in South Korea
Washington: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that he is open to altering military activity in South Korea if it helps diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea. Esper made the remark to reporters flying with him to Seoul, where he is due to hold annual defense talks with Defense Minister…
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