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Politics
Singapore eyes July or September to hold general elections
By Ivan Lim Former AJA President, Contributor to AsiaN SINGAPORE: General elections as early as in July, or latest in September. This is what Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) appears to have set its mind on as it sees the Covid pandemic outbreak in the Republic as stabilising, with restrictions…
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Politics
In second setback this year, Dr Mahathir loses party membership
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been dismissed from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), the political party he founded in 2016 A letter signed by the party’s executive secretary Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya said that the party memberships of Dr Mahathir, Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, Bersatu…
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Politics
Some leaders win virus bonus; whammy for million$ skippers
By Ivan Lim Former AJA President, Contributor to AsiaN SINGAPORE: Feared as the Evil Genie everywhere, the Coronavirus is displaying almost mystical abilities to impact the fortunes of politicians across the globe, for better or for worse. Take South Korea’s Moon Jae-in. The president’s political fate took an unexpected upswing…
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Politics
40 years later, Gwangju’s heroic movement remains deeply entrenched in South Korea’s collective memory
By Habib Toumi During my first visit to South Korea in 2019, I had the chance to discover several beautiful cities, amazing edifices, attractive sites and breathtaking landscapes. From mountains to seas, from simple temples to complex structures, from sophisticated areas to natural attractions, the country presented a multitude of…
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Politics
Chun’s commander warned South Korea could end up like Vietnam unless Gwangju uprising quelled: U.S. documents
SEOUL: The martial law commander at the time of South Korea’s 1980 pro-democracy uprising warned the then-U.S. ambassador that the country could end up a communist nation like Vietnam unless the revolt was quelled, declassified U.S. documents showed Friday. The commander, Gen. Lee Hui-sung, also tried to justify the martial…
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Politics
Iraq premier invites NATO secretary-general to visit Baghdad “at earliest opportunity”
By Habib Toumi BAGHDAD: Iraq’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi has invited NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to visit Baghdad “as soon as possible” to discuss ways of increasing collaboration with the alliance’s mission in Iraq. Kadhimi stressed that the Iraqi government attaches great importance to the partnership with NATO…
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Politics
Kuwait announces full curfew until the end of May
KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Government decided on Friday to impose full curfew starting Sunday (May 10) 4 pm until May 30, as part of the measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Official government spokesperson Tareq Al-Mizrem said on Twitter that the decision was taken upon recommendations by…
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Politics
Kyrgyzstan marks 75th anniversary of World War II victory
BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek has made a festive flower arrangement on the Victory Square of the city to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Bishkek Mayor’s Office reported that employees of the Bishkekzelenkhoz enterprise were behind the arrangement. Employees planted flowers in the form…
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Politics
Multiple gunshots fired from North Korea hit South Korean DMZ guard post
SEOUL: Multiple bullets from North Korea hit a South Korean guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), prompting the South to broadcast a warning and fire back, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The gunshots hit the guard unit in the central border town of Cheorwon at around 7:41…
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Politics
Malaysia does not recognise refugee status of Rohingyas
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s government said it does not recognise the refugee status of any groups, including the Rohingyas, even if they are United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) card holders. Such groups were, instead, classified as illegal immigrants (PATI), Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said. Malaysia is not party to…
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