Key issues as Malaysia prepares to vote
Announcing the dissolution of parliament, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said political instability has had a negative impact on the economy and expressed a need to return the mandate to the people. Analysts also expect the instability to hurt voter turnout, especially among those who traditionally vote for the opposition,Continue Reading
Landslides block roads, cause power cuts in Phuket
PHUKET: Multiple landslides caused by torrential rain blocked traffic and caused blackouts in this southern tourist island on Thursday, but Phuket airport remained open.Continue Reading
Welcome no more: Rohingya face backlash in Bangladesh
“IT IS VERY HURTFUL” Refugees acknowledge that violence and criminal activity exist within the Kutupalong camp network – though it is the Rohingya themselves who are its chief victims. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an Islamist militant group that has clashed with Myanmar’s army in the past, has soughtContinue Reading
China considers reducing COVID-19 quarantine for visitors: Report
China is considering shortening the duration of quarantine for inbound visitors from 10 to seven days, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday (Oct 20), citing people familiar with the matter. Officials are targetting a cut in the quarantine period to two days in a hotel and then five days at home,Continue Reading
Actor ‘Tono’ poised for charity swim across Mekong River
NAKHON PHANOM: Heartthrob actor-singer Pakin “Tono” Kumwilaisak is ready for his charity swim across the Mekong River to Laos on Saturday to raise funds for cash-strapped public hospitals, defying criticism and concern for his safety.Continue Reading
Bills to repeal 377A, amend Constitution to protect definition of marriage tabled in Parliament
Mr Lee had said in his National Day Rally speech that attitudes towards homosexuality have shifted considerably, and while Singapore remains a broadly conservative society, gay people are now better accepted, especially among younger Singaporeans. “Most people accept that a person’s sexual orientation and behaviour is a private and personal matter,Continue Reading
Taliban rule is unstable, illegitimate and falling apart
The Taliban recaptured power in 2021 and established a monopoly on violence. Although the Taliban have quashed competition and projected themselves across the country, the regime has not consolidated power, gained domestic legitimacy or shown that it can protect itself from high-profile assassinations. Despite holding a sizeable all-male gathering of about 3,500 clerics and tribal elders in late […]Continue Reading
Indonesia bans all syrup medicines after death of 99 children
It follows a cough syrup scandal in The Gambia which has been linked to the deaths of nearly 70 children.Continue Reading
Man resold S$153,000 of his company’s meat products after failing to be reimbursed, gets jail
On his employer’s instructions, the man hired three part-time workers and paid them first, but was not immediately reimbursed for their salaries.Continue Reading
Sanctions on Russia boosting, not reducing, its revenue
The European Union has just approved new sanctions against Russia, including a price cap on oil sales, following the United States’ September 30 announcement of new economic sanctions. Both announcements are in response to Russia’s annexation of four regions of Ukraine. The goal of sanctions against Russia is to cripple Russia’s capacity to wage war […]Continue Reading