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Politics
Kuwait emir urges new prime minister to crack down on corruption
Kuwait: Kuwait’s Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah has urged the newly-appointed Prime Minister, Shaikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah to crack down on corruption. “We have given you responsibility … a big responsibility … fight corruption and the corrupt … Inshallah Allah the Almighty help…
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Politics
2 South Koreans seized by Houthi rebels in Red Sea
Seoul: Houthi rebels in Yemen seized three boats carrying two South Koreans and 14 others in the Red Sea this week, and all of them have been confirmed to be safe, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Tuesday. The Iran-linked militia captured them and the three vessels — two tugboats and a…
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Politics
Moon vows to maintain security cooperation with Japan despite looming GSOMIA expiry
Seoul: President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday his government will try “till the last moment” to avoid the termination of an accord with Japan on exchanging military information but he made clear that depends on Tokyo’s stance on its export restriction against Seoul. Although the agreement, known as GSOMIA, is scheduled…
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Politics
South Korea, U.S. abruptly cut short defense cost-sharing talks
Seoul: South Korea and the United States abruptly cut short their defense cost-sharing talks Tuesday, with the U.S. chief negotiator accusing Seoul of making proposals falling short of a “fair and equitable burden sharing.” The abrupt ending underlined wide differences between the two sides after Washington’s reported demand for a…
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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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