• 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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  • Society

    Suwon building robust standards in COVID-19 response

    Suwon: South Korea, one of the first nations after China to be hit with a major coronavirus outbreak, sought to mitigate the spread of the disease and ensure the safety of its citizens and residents. South Korea’s response system to the epidemic is considered the best model and Suwon, the…

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  • Business

    With eased social distancing, South Koreans imagine post-coronavirus life

    SEOUL: When South Korea reported its first case of the new coronavirus on Jan. 20, little was fathomed about how this virus would change life. Three months into the virus outbreak, what was once deemed a regional virus has developed into a global pandemic, reshaping how people work, rest and…

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  • Society

    Longing for coronavirus-free, ecotourism dream Ulleungdo

    By Sang-ki Lee Founder of Asia Journalists Association (AJA) AsiaN CEO ULLEUNGDO: As South Korea’s health officials continue their drive to stem completely the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday that the tally now stood at 10,752, with 244 deaths,…

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  • Society

    Free book ATM supports reading culture in Hanoi amid virus outbreak

      By Phong Lan Dantri Online Newspaper, Vietnam HANOI: Following the recent success of the rice ATM project, a free book ATM machine has been set up in Hanoi to help people continue their reading habits amid the difficult time caused by the Covid-19 epidemic. The first-ever free book ATM machine…

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  • Society

    Saudi courts to drop flogging in disciplinary cases

    By Habib Toumi RIYADH: In a major development in the Saudi legal system, the General Assembly of the Supreme Court, the kingdom’s highest court, has instructed all courts to drop flogging sentences in disciplinary cases. The decision was approved by the majority of the assembly comprised of the Supreme Court president…

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  • Society

    Spectre of COVID-19: Run from dorms to Singapore citizenry

      By Ivan Lim Former AJA President, Contributor to AsiaN  SINGAPORE: An early favourite in the Covid-19 world wrestling challenge, Singapore began to falter midway in the match, leading to what some have characterised as a costly lesson of presumption. Entering the ring, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as…

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  • Society

    Bahrain extends COVID-19 circuit breaker to Ramadan

    By Habib Toumi MANAMA: Bahrain’s circuit breaker to choke off the spread of the coronavirus will be extended to Ramadan, the holy month associated with extra piety and devoutness as well as large family and social gatherings, while existing measures will be reinforced. Preventive measures announced by the Government Executive…

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  • Politics

    Military plays major role in Covid-19 prevention in Vietnam

    By Phong Lan Vietnam HANOI: While Vietnam has been praised by international friends for its first success in combating the coronavirus, not everyone is aware that the local military is making great contributions in preventing the spread of the deadly virus. With experiences earned from the SARS epidemic outbreak in…

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  • Society

    Time to be humbler, more human as we deal with coronavirus fallout

    By Habib Toumi MANAMA: A Tunisian superstar has called on people to draw lessons from the coronavirus tragedy that has befallen the world to engage in introspection, work on ways to get rid of their arrogance and become humbler. “We are going through a worldwide tragedy, and people have to…

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