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South Asia
Pakistan formally opens Kartarpur Corridor for Indian Sikh pilgrims
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan formally inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor at a colourful ceremony on Saturday in Narowal area near Indian border, paving the way for Sikh pilgrims to visit Darbar Baba Guru Nanak, one of their religion’s holiest sites in Pakistan without needing a…
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Politics
Mahathir: If they do something not nice to us, we have to be un-nice to them
Bangkok: When Dr Mahathir Mohamad spoke at a dialogue session at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) last Saturday on the sidelines of the just concluded 35th ASEAN Summit here, he called for the 10-ASEAN nations to speak with one voice on the global stage to avoid being bullied,…
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Politics
U.S. ratchets up pressure on South Korea to jack up share of defense costs
Seoul: The United States is ramping up pressure on South Korea to sharply increase Seoul’s share of the expenses for stationing American troops here, apparently with an eye to expanding the scope of their cost-sharing deal to cover activities outside the peninsula. This week, James DeHart, the top U.S. negotiator…
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Politics
Moon requests continued support from OANA news agencies for Korea peace
Seoul: President Moon Jae-in asked Thursday for continued attention and support for the Korea peace process from Asia-Pacific news agencies, as he greeted their representatives at Cheong Wa Dae. “Peace on the Korean Peninsula is a starting point for achieving a peace community of co-prosperity,” Moon said in a meeting…
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Politics
Headquarters of international alliance to protect safety of maritime navigation opened
By Habib Toumi Manama: The headquarters of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) Task Force, an international alliance that aims “to protect the safety of maritime navigation and international trade”, have been opened in Bahrain. The premises within the US Naval Support Activity were inaugurated by Field Marshall Shaikh Khalifa…
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Politics
Senior U.S. diplomat calls recent Moon-Abe meeting ‘encouraging’ sign
Seoul: The top American diplomat for East Asia on Wednesday described this week’s meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as an “encouraging” sign in fence-mending efforts between Seoul and Tokyo. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell made the remarks after paying courtesy calls…
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Politics
U.S. underscores commitment to Indo-Pacific region after RCEP deal
Washington: The United States has underscored its commitment to free trade with the Indo-Pacific region after a bloc of nations led by China struck a major trade deal without U.S. participation. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement, was announced earlier Monday by the 10 member…
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Politics
South Korea’s president revs up ASEAN diplomacy, breaks ice with Abe
Bangkok: Attending ASEAN-hosted summits here this week, South Korean President Moon Jae-in had multiple goals — from drumming up support for the dormant Korea peace process to reaching out to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He also placed a focus on drawing more attention to an upcoming ASEAN-South Korea commemorative…
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Politics
Kuwait’s Al Hajraf to be named new Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General
By Habib Toumi Manama: Kuwait’s finance minister Nayef Al Hajraf will be the next Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reports in Kuwait said on Monday evening. The position rotates among the member states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Oman…
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South Asia
Pakistan closes Kabul embassy following harassment of diplomats
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul will remain closed from today (Monday) for an indefinite period due to the harassment of Pakistani diplomats in Afghanistan’s capital. “Due to security reasons, Consular Section of the Embassy of Pakistan, Kabul will be closed from tomorrow Monday, 4th November,…
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