Singapore not relying solely on new law to achieve racial harmony, says Shanmugam

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Marketing SOCIAL COHESION

Mr Shanmugam shared that during people interviews, one popular sentiment was that” this Bill simply prevents cultural discord, but does not promote cultural harmony”.

” I can grasp the view. What individuals want to see is something that will positively encourage people of all races to coexist harmoniously.

However, people may be forced to get along with each other through the use of laws, said Mr Shanmugam.

” That has to travel through federal guidelines, through the foundation, the structure of society, how we build that DNA into nation over time. And that is what we have been doing”, he said.

He claimed that laws create a pretty strong legal framework and can be imposed on individuals, reducing and preventing bad behavior. They are usually needed only for a small minority of people, said Mr Shanmugam.

Outside of the law, he claimed, there are social structures that can be used to promote policies that promote racial harmony.

” The Bill … will not be a cure for solving all race-related problems, but it is a powerful message of our commitment to be united as one people”, he said.

IMPACT ON RACE-RELATED Debate

Mr. Shanmugam cited the case study of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, which the new Act was based on, as an example of the possible effects of the Act on stifling race-related discussions and a possible overwhelming use of the restraining commands by the government.

” We have had similar power for over 30 years, and the forces have never been used. That provides an evidence of how the government uses these power, he said.

The key is to possess the rights, but also to use them sparingly and carefully.

He added that there are safeguards in place to prevent people from using the restraining purchases.

For example, it can only be used by the Minister for Home Affairs, who has to be officially accountable, including in congress.

The person can make images to the national council after an RO&nbsp is issued, which will then produce recommendations to the president regarding how to deal with it, such as whether to confirm or reject it.

The senator also has to follow Cabinet’s tips, and if Cabinet and the national government thinks, then the leader has the choice on what to do, explained Mr Shanmugam.

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Autonomous navigation, two-man remote crew: Singapore navy’s unmanned surface vessels begin patrols

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SINGAPORE:” Cease, Stop, Stop”. An autonomous area vessel sailed toward and intercepted a” dubious” vessel in Singapore waters, and a warning came out. &nbsp,

The sound alert, translated from text to speech, is part of the ship’s calibrated reaction to circumstances at sea. &nbsp,

These Republic of Singapore Navy ( RSN) assets, known as Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessels ( MARSEC USVs ), started conducting operational patrols in January. &nbsp,

When required, these assets will also investigate and interdict suspicious vessels, the Ministry of Defence ( MINDEF ) said in a fact sheet on Tuesday ( Feb 4). &nbsp,

During a simulated sea risk situation close to Changi Naval Center in Tanah Merah, members of the internet had the opportunity to sail on a USV while watching how it responds to such vessels.

Each vessel can go at a rate of more than 25 knots, or about 50 kilometers per hour, on a 16.9 meter long vehicle. Additionally, it has a maximum duration of operation ( a vehicle can run without needing resources or repair ) of more than 36 hours.

It is able to perform automatic routing, with the help of a sensor and 360-degree camera.

Additionally, the USV has a remote weapons program that can be used to fire notice or disabled photos as needed. However, this method is not intelligent. &nbsp,

Directing the weapons program is an activity that may need a “man in the loop” as it involves “deliberate people selection”, said commanding agent for the USV squadron&nbsp, Lieutenant Colonel Tan Kailing.

Speaking to reporters, Colonel ( COL ) Thung Yee Meng, commander of the sixth Flotilla fleet, said the MARSEC USVs are” a first” for the Singapore navy in terms of the autonomy they incorporate. &nbsp,

He added that the navy’s use of robotic technology demonstrates its commitment to creating innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency.

The RSN has since started receiving four MARSEC USVs. By the end of 2024, he added, three of the arteries had been delivered.

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Australia bans DeepSeek on government devices over security risk

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7 minutes before
Tom Gerken

Technology columnist

Getty Images DeepSeek logo - a purple cartoon whale - on an iPhone home screenGetty Images

Due to what it claims is a security risk that the startup’s Chinese artificial intelligence ( AI ) technology poses, Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government computers and systems.

In January, DeepSeek stunned the world by releasing a bot that matched US competitors ‘ performance levels and claimed to cost significantly less to train.

Billions of dollars were wiped off share markets globally, including in Australia, where stocks tied to AI- such as steelmaker Brainchip- fell strongly immediately.

The American government has argued that the phone’s Chinese roots are to blame for the “unacceptable threat” it poses to national security.

DeepSeek has been approached for remark.

Australia’s move particularly requires any federal institutions to “prevent the use or installation of DeepSeek materials, applications and online services”, as well as remove any previously installed, on any state program or machine.

A wide range of workers, including those employed by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Electoral Commission, may not be able to use the national resources.

It is less obvious if it means that DeepSeek will be banned from computers in the open market, including in schools.

The device restrictions does not apply to private individuals.

Growing- and common- issues

European nations have a history of being wary of Chinese technology, particularly Huawei, a telecoms company, and TikTok, a social media platform that has been restricted on national security grounds.

DeepSeek appeared to be a different approach at first, having quickly become the most popular free game in the UK and the US.

President Donald Trump referred to it as a “wake up contact” for the US, but he added that if AI prices were to be lowered, it might be a good development.

Since then, nevertheless, questions about it have started to be voiced.

An American technology secretary recently said in January that places needed to be “very mindful” about DeepSeek, citing “data and protection” concerns.

Italy, which partially blocked ChatGPT over private concerns in March 2023, has already banned the software.

Officials in South Korea, Ireland, and France have all begun inquiries into how DeepSeek businesses user data on China machines.

Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary for the White House, has also stated that the US is currently looking into achievable safety concerns.

The US Navy apparently forbids its people from using DeepSeek, but it has not yet confirmed this to the BBC.

Usually, AI tools will assess the causes sent to them to increase their product.

Similar to DeepSeek, this is true of apps like Google Gemini and ChatGPT.

All of them collect and preserve information, including contact names and dates of birth.

Security experts have previously cautioned those working in sensitive or national security areas against the possibility that chatbots ‘ contents might be kept and analyzed by those tools ‘ creators.

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Five ways China is hitting back against US tariffs

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21 days ago
Michael Race

Business columnist, BBC News

Getty Images A gantry crane lifts containers at the Nanchang International Dry Port in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, ChinaGetty Images

After China responded to the US’s individual implementation of tariffs with steps of its own, the trade war between the world’s two largest economies has gotten worse.

Following President Donald Trump’s blanket 10 % tax on all Chinese goods into the US, Beijing has set out to target particular American items with retaliatory income, among other steps.

This most recent tit-for-tat builds on the ongoing trade dispute between the countries, with tariffs having previously been imposed and threatened on a number of products since 2018.

A package may still be struck because Trump has stated he intends to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping. What might the impact remain if China launches its response as planned on February 10th?

Fuel, oil and gas

Getty Images Vehicles transfer coal at the coal terminal of Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang, in eastern China's Jiangsu provinceGetty Images

Trump’s tariffs have caused China to impose import taxes of its own on US coal and liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) of 10 %, as well as a 15 % sur crude oil.

Businesses wanting to buy fossil fuels from the US would have to pay the tax as a result of Beijing’s answer.

China is the world’s largest supplier of fuel, but it gets most of it from Indonesia, although Russia, Australia and Mongolia are also among its suppliers.

When it comes to the US, China has been increasing exports of LNG from the state, with levels almost double 2018 rates, according to Chinese customs information.

However, its overall trade in fossil fuels is reasonable, with US imports accounting for only 1.7 % of China’s full crude oil purchased from abroad in 2023. This suggests that China’s dependence on the US may be low, and the effects of the taxes might be low.

As the Kremlin tries to finance its war work, China may easily obtain more products from Russia, according to Rebecca Harding, a business analyst and chief executive of the Centre for Economic Security think container.

On the flipside, the US is the nation’s largest LNG supplier, and so has lots of other customers, especially the UK and the European Union.

Agricultural technology, pick-up cars and big cars

As well as fuel, China has slapped a 10 % tariff on agricultural machinery, pick-up trucks, and some large cars.

However, China does not import a lot of US pick-ups and goods, therefore a 10 % tax on an already sizable number of exports would not be too harsh on consumers. It imports the majority of its cars from Europe and Japan.

China has increased opportunities in farm equipment in recent years to boost production, lower import dependence, and increase its food safety.

Therefore, it might be a new strategy to try to boost domestic market by imposing tariffs on agricultural technology.

Julian Evans-Pritchard, brain of China finance at firm Capital Economics, said all the price measures were “fairly reasonable, at least equivalent to US moves”.

He suggests that China’s targeted goods represent about$ 20bn ( £16bn ) worth of annual imports- around 12 % of China’s total imports from the US.

This is a significant improvement over the US’s US-targeted$ 450 billion in Chinese products.

However, he claimed that China had” clearly been calibrated to try to send a message to the US]and domestic audiences ] without causing too much damage.”

Google spacecraft

Additionally, the Chinese government has made some non-tariff announcements, one of which is an anti-monopoly research into US software giant Google.

It is questionable what the inspection will require, but for environment, Google’s search providers have been blocked in China since 2010.

The company continues to operate in the country by offering apps and games to Chinese markets through collaboration with local developers.

But China simply generates about 1 % of Google’s world income, which suggests if it cut ties fully with the land, it wouldn’t be much worse off.

Calvin Klein added to the list of “unreliable institutions.”

Getty Images Calvin Klein jeans of different styles hung up in a row on pegsGetty Images

China has listed PVH, the British business that operates Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, as its so-called “unreliable object” record and accused them of “discriminatory actions against Chinese companies.”

The record, which has different US companies on it, was created in 2020 by Beijing amid the heating up of business conflicts.

For Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, being on China’s record may make it harder to accomplish business in the country. They may experience restrictions, including charges, and having the work visa of their international staff revoked.

Officials will also go to companies of the companies to evaluate procedures, according to Andreas Schotter, teacher of global business at Western University in Ontario, Canada.

The US has its own “entity list,” which forbids a number of organizations from purchasing goods from US businesses without Washington’s approval.

” China is retaliating in the same way that President Trump accuses Chinese businesses.” This is all a result of US-China’s de-coupling, Prof. Schotter continued.

Export controls on rare metals

While tariffs have been imposed on businesses that import products from abroad, China has also imposed export controls on 25 rare metals.

For a lot of electrical products and military equipment, some metals are essential components.

China has mastered the art of producing almost 90 % of the world’s refined metals.

Wormwood, a scarce resource for the aerospace sector, is included in the restricted list.

While there are restrictions on exports, Mr Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics, said it was notable that the critical metals China imports from the US, which are used to make high-end chips, semiconductor machinery, pharmaceuticals and aerospace equipment were not targeted in any measures.

Exports will decline sharply as a result of previous rounds of restrictions, which have been proven to be costly. Companies must now scramble to obtain licenses, a procedure that takes several weeks.

When it comes to the impact of the restrictions, it appears the US has a plan. Trump stated on Monday that he wanted Ukraine to provide more rare earth metals in exchange for$ 300 billion in support of Russia’s campaign.

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Thailand pulling the plug on scam gangs in Myanmar

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Electricity, online and gas supply to close on Wednesday in five places where gangs operate

​​Myawaddy, in Kayin state across the border from Mae Sot district in Tak province, has changed dramatically because of a massive influx of Chinese capital to develop new business and entertainment complexes such as Shwe Kokko city, home to a number of ruthless scam operations. (Photo By Naphat Kongchan/Natty Loves Myanmar)
Due to a significant influx of Chinese money to create new business and leisure complexes like Shwe Kokko area, which is home to a number of brutal fraud operations, Myawaddy, in Kayin condition across the border from Mae Sot district in Tak province, has drastically changed. ( Photo By Naphat Kongchan/Natty Loves Myanmar )

As part of its efforts to end call-center fraud gangs that have become a threat to national security, Thailand did cut light, online, and energy source in five areas of Myanmar on Wednesday morning.

The decision was made following a meeting of the National Security Council where Mr. Phumtham, who is also the defense minister, and other top officials came to the conclusion that a swift response to the safety risk was needed to stop the criminal gangs.

Three areas where the murder groups are known to work are being targeted: Myawaddy, across from Mae Sot in Tak state, Payathonzu, same Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi, and Tachilek, same Mae Sai region in Chiang Rai.

Starting from 9am Wednesday, Mr Phumtham said, services will be cut off to Myanmar-based power distributors at five connection points:

  • Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge-Myawaddy
  • Ban Huay Muang-Myawaddy
  • Three Pagodas-Payathongzu
  • Ban Mueang Daeng-Tachileik
  • First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge-Tachileik.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been given the task of informing the Myanmar government and letting hospitals and communities know about possible changes. &nbsp,

How many customers of electricity who had no connection to illegal activities would be affected, and what might be done?

According to local media, Mr. Phumtham claimed that the matter had been discussed with Myanmar’s authorities because they understood that the crime groups ‘ activities were a global issue, not just those of Thailand.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra earlier on Tuesday approved a complete ban on fuel and electricity supply to sites connected to the gangs operating in Myanmar.

She claimed that the supply could be immediately cut off if there was compelling evidence that scammers were gaining from Thailand’s power and fuel supply.

In Myanmar, there are many villages that rely on Thailand for fuel and electricity close to the Thai border.

” We must take care of our people first”, the prime minister said.

She continued,” The scam gangs ‘ activities have had a huge impact on Thai people and the national image.”

This calls for serious measures that can be taken right away, the author writes. This is a serious issue that really concerns every nation.

Ms. Paetongtarn will make her first official trip to China on Wednesday, where she is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping to talk about cyberfraud scams in Thailand’s neighbors, trade cooperation, and other issues.

In light of concerns that some travelers were cancelling trips after a viral report about the trafficking of a Chinese actor to Myanmar via Thailand last month, the prime minister will also ask Mr. Xi to help reassure Chinese tourists that it is safe to travel to Thailand. ( Story continues below )

Late last month, Thai and Chinese officials crossed the border into the Mae Sot district of Tak to examine an economic zone in Myawaddy, Myanmar. In response to concerns about scams close to the border, Chinese officials visited them. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

Late last month, Thai and Chinese officials crossed the border into the Mae Sot district of Tak to examine an economic zone in Myawaddy, Myanmar. In response to concerns about scams close to the border, Chinese officials visited them. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

Chinese fugitives

Across Southeast Asia, the multi-billion-dollar cyber scam operations have been expanding, particularly in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The majority of the operators are Chinese, as are the majority of their victims.

The scam businesses have taken cover in areas of Myanmar where the military regime is losing control of territories to rebels, frequently run by Chinese fugitives who fled their home country in 2020 following a domestic crackdown.

The notorious Shwe Kokko and KK Park complexes in Myawaddy are run by Karen militias that have dissolved their affiliations with the Karen National Liberation Army, a bitter adversary of the scam gangs. &nbsp,

In accordance with Mr. Phutham’s earlier statement, supply contracts let the Provincial Electricity Authority cut or discontinue services to gang-linked areas in the name of national security.

” From June 2022 to June 2024, more than 500, 000 Thai people fell victim]to scam gangs ] and lost over 60 billion baht”, he said. Because the issue is already serious,” I believe a gradual decrease in the power supply would be too slow.”

Myanmar’s state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, in a rare article on scam centres last month, said basic essentials, including power and internet, are not provided by Myanmar but by other countries, in a veiled reference to Thailand.

It said “foreign organisations” were investing in this infrastructure.

Myanmar’s military government since October 2023 has repatriated more than 55, 000 foreigners, overwhelmingly Chinese, who were forced to work in scam compounds to their home countries, the newspaper said.

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Coal and gas among US targets of China’s retaliatory tariffs

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After President Donald Trump imposed a 10 % tax on all Chinese exports, China has announced retaliatory tariffs against the US.

The counter-measures include a 15 % tax on coal and liquefied natural gas imports from the US, while crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks and large-engine cars will face a 10 % tariff. These are anticipated to become effective on Monday.

China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) alleging that the US is breaking international law.

Trump claims that the taxes are a reply to trade imbalances as well as an effort to stop the flow of fentanyl. According to his management, the drugs used to produce them were imported from China.

Beijing has recently stated that the fentanyl issue in America was unique.

On Tuesday, the new US price of an extra 10 % on Chinese exports went into effect.

China claimed in a statement that the answer “untilaches its ] personal problems, and also undermines the US’s standard economic and trade cooperation.”

Beijing’s addition of more US companies to its website “unreliable institution” list is one more action the Trump administration has taken in response to the new tariffs.

This day PHV Corp, the organization that owns clothing companies Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and US biotech company Illumina, have both been targeted.

In a statement, China’s trading government accused the companies of “discriminatory steps against Chinese businesses”.

Companies that are added to the list may be subject to a number of sanctions, including the revocation of their foreign workers ‘ work visa.

Beijing has also announced intentions to stifle the export of 25 essential vitamins, some of which are essential components for electronic goods.

These include metal, which is hard to supply and a vital substance for the aviation industry, tellurium, commonly used for solar panels, and molybdenum, which is used to enhance steel alloys.

A Chinese regulator has opened an exploration into Google into reported antitrust violations.

Google also conducts some enterprise there despite the fact that its search solutions have been blocked since 2010 in China. For instance, it also offers apps and games to the Chinese market through partnerships with regional engineers.

In the past, both the US and China have imposed taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of one another’s items as part of a growing trade war.

Meanwhile, Trump has suspended for 30 days the 25 % tariffs on Mexico and Canada that he threatened.

The two US neighbors reached an agreement in last-minute negotiations to require stricter border surveillance and take more aggressive measures to combat fentanyl trafficking. This is a success for Trump’s plan to rely on the US market to compel concessions from different nations.

Up, China, Mexico and Canada accounted for more than 40 % of goods into the US last season.

When the 30-day date is off, it is still unclear whether Trump did follow through on his threats to Canada and Mexico.

Companies may start to reduce their reliance on American markets as a result of this uncertainty, hold off on hiring employees or investing in new factories until the deal stand-off is resolved.

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Trump tariffs: China counters US with measured opening move

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15 days before
Laura Bicker

China journalist

Reuters Cars drive on the road during the morning rush hour in BeijingReuters

Beijing has made its decision. It has decided to respond after weeks of warning of countermeasures and urging Washington to “meet China halfway” and to negotiate or at least harm to fight with its own tariffs.

China announced that starting on February 10, it would start imposing a 15 % tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products, as well as a 10 % tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles imported from the US.

The time is essential. The two largest economy of the world are still at risk of engaging in trade wars.

The two officials have scheduled a visit later this year, according to the White House, and there are indications, despite today’s statement, that China is in listening method and is keeping the door open for deals.

First, China’s shop actions are limited in scope compared to Donald Trump’s tax of 10 % on all Chinese items heading to the US.

America exports the most liquid natural gas globally, but China only accounts for about 2.3 % of those imports, and its main auto imports come from Europe and Japan.

This deliberate and careful targeting of goods may just be Beijing’s first move in order to snag some bargaining power and leverage before any discussions begin.

Authorities in China does find the polite beginning of relations between the US and China encouraging.

The US president claimed he had a “very good” phone call with President Xi weeks before his annual meeting, which was attended by the highest-level Taiwanese official who had ever been dispatched to such an occurrence. He has even suggested that he and Xi hope to work together to end Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

As he is busy attempting to revive his personal ailing business, President Xi might not want to engage with Trump at this time.

Both officials are familiar with this, even though they might not want to go back in time. There was a wedding time in US-China relationships during Trump’s final term, before the marriage soured.

To offer or not to offer

Trump will also find it much more challenging to reach an agreement with China than with Mexico and Canada, and much of that will depend on what he demands from Beijing.

Cutting China off from key supply chains has been a top priority for the Trump administration, which makes it its chief financial competitor.

If Trump demands very far, Xi may feel as though he can leave, and there will be restrictions on how far he can push himself.

The US senator is dealing with a China that is much more comfortable now than he did in the past. Beijing has expanded its global footprint, and it is now the head business lover for more than 120 countries.

It has consistently tried to lessen the impact of business on its economy over the past 20 years and increased domestic production. Today, imports and exports account for around 37 % of China’s GDP, compared with more than 60 % in the early 2000s, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The 10 % tax does sting, but Beijing may think it can absorb the blow – for today.

The issue will be whether President Trump will actually increase that proportion to the 60 % he pledged during his plan or whether he will continue to use the threat of tariffs as a constant political tool to maintain over Xi’s brain.

Beijing will want to be prepared in the event that that occurs, which would require a strong plan in the event that this situation worsens.

Learning from the past

The leaders next signed a deal last time, but it didn’t work out properly.

The two nations imposed tit-for-tat taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods starting in 2018.

It lasted for more than two years before China finally agreed to spend an additional$ 200 billion ( £161 billion ) annually on US goods in 2020.

Washington hoped the deal would reduce China’s enormous trade deficit, but the Covid epidemic caused the deal to fail, leaving the deficit at$ 361 billion, according to Chinese customs data.

China faces significant difficulties as a result of its thinking many steps ahead of any negotiations.

Beijing also exports nearly four times as much merchandise as it does, and during Trump’s second term in office, it ran out of things to destination.

If the trade war escalates, economists believe China will now consider a range of alternatives to tariffs as retaliation.

The clock is ticking. This is not a total trade war, however. Companies around the world will be keeping an eye on the outcome of the meeting’s outcome after this year.

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Serge Atlaoui: French man on death row in Indonesia to return home

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13 hours before
Alex Loftus

BBC News

Getty Images A man wearing a white shirt, a black cap and a black face maskGetty Images

A European national who has been imprisoned in Indonesia since 2007 for drug offenses has left the country as part of a deal reached between the two countries.

Serge Atlaoui, 61, was accused of being a” chemist” by Indonesian authorities and arrested in 2005 at a factory in Jakarta, where dozens of kilos ( pounds ) of drugs were found.

The father-of-four was granted humanitarian extradition on “humanitarian basis” because he has cancers and has been receiving regular treatment at a hospital. An agreement was reached between Indonesia and France on January 24th.

” It’s a miracle”, his wife Sabine Atlaoui told France’s RTL radio. ” He survived 19 years of prison. He survived an murder”.

The 61-year-old will be handed over to French officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, before boarding a corporate flight to Paris.

Upon returning, Atlaoui may be presented to prosecution” and most good detained while awaiting a selection”, Atlaoui’s attorney Richard Sedillot told AFP.

Atlaoui told his family that he does not want to travel to the aircraft, according to his family.

When he is free, she told RTL,” He wants to discover his home once more.” ” However, we do not know how long it may take”.

In France, the maximum sentence for a related crime is 30 years, Indonesia animal rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra told Reuters.

It will be up to Paris to offer” clemency, asylum or a diminished word”, he said.

Getty Images A man wearing a white shirt, a black cap and a black face mask, walking away from a car in a crowd Getty Images

Atlaoui, a machinist from Metz in north-eastern France, has often denied being a drug kingpin.

He claimed to be installing equipment in an plastic shop, but told AFP in 2015 he” thought there was something suspicious”.

The conviction was changed to death on charm by the Indonesian high court after previously serving life in prison.

His execution was scheduled for 2015, but paused thanks to pressure from the French government.

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Thai PM to meet Xi in Beijing, attend Asian Winter Games

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For his first official trip to China in a month, Paetongtarn has a hectic schedule that runs from February 8 to February 5.

PUBLISHED: 4 Feb 2025 at 19: 02

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks to reporters after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting. (Photo: Royal Thai Government)
After the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses writers. ( Photo: Royal Thai Government )

During her four-day formal visit starting on Wednesday, authorities spokeswoman Jirayu Houngsub stated that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra intends to strengthen ties with China in some areas, especially their long-term expense partnership.

Ms. Paetongtarn stated during Tuesday’s government conference that the government would increase efforts to promote the long-term purchase collaboration in areas that are vital to the transition to a greener and more modern society, such as by supporting the electric vehicle and semiconductor industries, as well as data centers.

The leading also emphasized the need for ministries and organizations to ensure the safety of foreign tourists and develop strategies to combat international crime syndicates, especially call-centre gangs that use the kingdom as a means of transport for their victims, according to Mr. Jirayu.

As preparations are being made for the appearance of another set of large pandas on mortgage from China to mark the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations this year, the PM instructed the appropriate agencies to help efforts to promote social and delicate power exchanges between the two countries.

Ms. Paetongtarn stated on Tuesday that she was anticipating her Feb. 8 to 8 visit to China. ” I am very excited. It is expected to be a good trip”, she said.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Li Qiang, she will meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss a range of issues before heading north to Harbin, Heilongjiang province, to watch the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.

She is scheduled to meet with Zhao Leji, the head of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, in addition to a meeting with Mr. Li.

In order to strengthen the business partnership between the two nations, Ms. Paetongtarn will also speak with business executives from China and Thailand.

Her visit coincides with Thailand-China Friendship’s Golden Jubilee year as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.

It will also reaffirm Thailand’s commitment to advancing the shared goals of promoting people’s safety and well-being, as well as the future-readiness of the people of both countries, while deepening their mutual understanding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

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