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Society
Koreans greet new year with bell-ringing ceremonies nationwide
Seoul: South Korea welcomed the new year with traditional bell-ringing ceremonies in Seoul and other cities nationwide at midnight Tuesday. The most attention-grabbing bell-ringing ceremony took place at Bosingak Belfry in Jongno, central Seoul, as several prominent celebrities rang the bell 33 times amid cheers from tens of thousands of…
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South Asia
Pakistan launches healthcare program for transgender community
By Nasir Aija AsiaN Representative Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched a healthcare program for the transgender community of Pakistan, stressing on the need to correct the toxic views we hold about trans people. Addressing a ceremony here in the federal capital, the prime minister said: “We will take…
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Society
Social media bring joy to orphan couple in Egypt, destitute patient in Malaysia
By Habib Toumi Manama: Facebook and social media have helped an orphan couple in Egypt celebrate their wedding in great style and amid thousands of guests and a patient in Malaysia undergo a surgery for which he had no money. In Tanta, a large city about 100 kilometers north of…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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