-
Society
Christians mark Christmas in Bahrain with prayers, expressions of gratitude
By Habib Toumi Manama: Christians from several communities in Bahrain have celebrated Christmas Eve in a joyous spirit and amid expressions of gratitude for the tolerance they enjoy in the overwhelmingly Muslim country. Hundreds of Christians gathered at the various churches in Bahrain where they prayed for peace and…
Read More » -
Society
Malaysia: Set realistic academic goals for children
By Nor Hayati Endan Kuala Lumpur: Schooling should be an enjoyable, and not stressful, experience for students. However, there have been many instances of children caving in to the pressure of meeting the high expectations pinned on them by their parents and teachers. In August this year, the media reported…
Read More » -
Business
Malaysia to enforce smoke, vape ban in eateries starting 2020
Kuala Lumpur: Smoking and vaping will be strictly prohibited in all eateries across Malaysia from 2020 onwards, the health ministry has announced. Health deputy minister Dr Lee Boon Chye has warned that offenders would be slapped with a fine of RM250 ($60.40). “If stubborn (and) not paying up, a fine…
Read More » -
Society
Singapore Press Watch: Unexpected responses to fake law strictures
By Ivan Lim Contributor to AsiaN Singapore: The Singapore authorities’ invoking of a new law on fake news to call out two political commentators has met with unexpected responses: while one has complied with an order to post a correction, but not unequivocally, the other has refused to do…
Read More » -
Society
South Korea to allow re-entry for voluntarily departing illegal foreigners
Seoul: The justice ministry on Tuesday decided to work out a system to permit illegal stayers to re-enter the country if they voluntarily depart the country by June next year. In addition, ways to give such stayers better stay status in the future will be mapped out. The efforts are…
Read More » -
Society
Parliament passes children safety bills in plenary session
Seoul: South Korea’s parliament passed uncontested bills, including those on children safety, in its morning plenary session Tuesday, without reviewing the budget bill and other contentious bills on electoral and prosecution reform. Among the 16 bills that were passed in the morning session were those on children’s road safety. The…
Read More » -
South Asia
China rejects reports of selling Pakistani women, organ trade
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Representative Islamabad: The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has categorically rejected a media report by an American press agency alleging that at least 629 Pakistani girls were sold as brides to China. American wire service on December 4 reported on acts of abuse, organized prostitution, and…
Read More » -
Society
Native-language classes connect multicultural students to their heritage
Seoul: Whenever she visits her hometown of Ulaanbaatar on the vast Mongolian steppe, Seoul-resident Jadambaa Nasanjargal makes a point of returning with children’s books written in her native language. At home, she reads the traditional folktales to her daughter, translating into Korean as necessary, to introduce her 7-year-old to the…
Read More » -
Society
South Korean NGO sues Disney over alleged screen monopoly by ‘Frozen 2’
Seoul: A South Korean non-governmental organization has lodged a complaint against the Korean unit of Walt Disney Co., claiming its latest animated film, “Frozen 2,” violated the antitrust act by occupying up to 88 percent of domestic movie screens. The movie topped the box office over the weekend again, drawing…
Read More » -
Society
Pengsoo, the giant penguin South Korean millennials love
Seoul: Pengsoo is South Korea’s newest rising star. Debuting in March with a 23-second “meokbang,” or eating show, clip of munching on meringue cookies, Pengsoo now boasts more than 1 million subscribers on YouTube. Pengsoo soared to stardom in less than a year, appearing on both terrestrial and cable…
Read More »