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IMF holds unusual talks with Pakistan over $9.4 billion bailout
on November 12, 2024 at 8:08 am
ISLAMABAD — The International Monetary Fund's Pakistan mission chief Nathan Porter on Tuesday (Nov 12) opened unusual talks with Pakistan over a US$7 billion (S$9.4 billion) bailout approved by its board in September, the finance ministry and sources said. The unscheduled visit of the IMF mission and […]
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Philippines says it's under pressure from China to cede claims in South China Sea
on November 12, 2024 at 8:03 am
CANBERRA — China is putting ever-greater pressure on the Philippines to cede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro said on Nov 12 after a meeting with his Australian counterpart in Canberra. "What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to […]
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South Korea's Yoon practices golf to prepare for future Trump meets
on November 12, 2024 at 4:58 am
SEOUL — South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol recently began practising golf, for the first time in eight years, in preparation for future meetings with US President-elect Donald Trump, Yoon's office confirmed on Tuesday (Nov 12). South Korean media said Yoon visited a golf course on Saturday for a sport […]
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Pakistan limits outdoor activities, market hours to curb air pollution-related illness
on November 12, 2024 at 2:21 am
LAHORE — Pakistan's Punjab province banned most outdoor activities and ordered shops, markets and malls in some areas to close early from Monday (Nov 11) to curb illnesses caused by intense air pollution. The province has closed educational institutions and public spaces like parks and zoos until Nov. 17 in […]
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Trial starts over rape, murder of junior doctor in India's Kolkata
on November 12, 2024 at 1:19 am
KOLKATA — A court in the eastern state of West Bengal began the trial on Monday (Nov 11) of a police volunteer accused of raping and murdering a doctor at a government hospital in August, a case that sparked outrage over the lack of safety for women in India. The woman's body was found in a classroom at […]
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Social media magic: How a former chef became Bobby Saputra, the internet's favourite billionaire playboy
by Wong Kim Hoh on November 11, 2024 at 9:15 am
In July 2024, internet personality Bobby Saputra posted a video of himself living it up at what appeared to be the star-studded, ultra-lavish wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, the youngest child of Indian billionaire and Asia's richest man, Mukesh Ambani. The video featured clips of Saputra dancing, […]
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Taiwan businessman Tsao to sue Chinese officials over sanctions
on November 11, 2024 at 8:32 am
TAIPEI — Taiwanese businessman Robert Tsao said on Nov 11 that he would sue in a Taiwan court senior Chinese officials over sanctions they had placed on him, saying he was seeking to counter China's intimidation of lawful activity. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, said in October it would punish […]
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Indonesia says it has no overlapping South China Sea claims with China, despite joint agreement
on November 11, 2024 at 8:19 am
JAKARTA — Indonesia said on Monday (Nov 11) it does not recognise China's claims over the South China Sea despite signing a joint maritime development deal with Beijing, as some analysts warned the agreement risked compromising the country's sovereign rights. Beijing has long clashed with its Southeast […]
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Philippines' Marcos signs tax reform law to lure foreign investment
on November 11, 2024 at 7:39 am
MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law on Monday (11 Nov) a bill lowering corporate income tax rates and granting more fiscal incentives to qualified companies, in a move aimed at enticing foreign investors to do business in the country. Despite being one of Asia's […]
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Vietnam says Temu, Shein must register with government or be blocked
on November 11, 2024 at 7:17 am
HANOI — Vietnam said Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu need to register with the government before the end of November or it will block their internet domains and apps from being used in the country. Vietnam's government and local businesses have expressed concern about the impact of Chinese online […]