Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Ambassador Moin briefs bank representatives on outcome of PM visit to China

BEIJING, Dec 8 (APP):Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haq here on Thursday met with representatives of Pakistani banks in Beijing and briefed them on the outcome of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s last month visit to China.

During the meeting, he exchanged views and solicited their suggestions to deepen trade and investment relations between Pakistan and China and expand exports to China.

Malaysian PM Anwar receives courtesy call from Thai DPM

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Dec 8 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday received a visit from Thai Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan at his official residence, Seri Perdana, here.

Prawit was accompanied by Thai Deputy Defence Minister Gen Chaichan Changmongko during the courtesy call.

Prawit and his delegation were received by Anwar, Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail when they arrived at Seri Perdana at about noon.

South Koreans set to become younger as traditional way of counting age scrapped

SEOUL, Dec 8 (Reuters) - South Korea on Thursday passed laws to scrap its traditional method of counting ages and adopt the international standard - a shift which will make its citizens either 1 or 2 years younger on official documents.

Koreans are deemed to be a year old when born and a year is added every Jan. 1. This is the age most commonly cited in everyday life.

A separate system also exists for conscription purposes or calculating the legal age to drink alcohol and smoke, in which a person's age is calculated from zero at birth and a year is added on Jan. 1.

Japan draws up guidelines for nuclear power plant reconstruction

TOKYO, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan's industry ministry Thursday drew up guidelines to enable the greater use of nuclear power plants through reconstruction and operating life extensions.

The guidelines, aimed at supporting efforts to ensure the sustainable use of nuclear energy and realize carbon neutrality, note that the Japanese government will promote developing and constructing innovative next-generation reactors to replace decommissioned ones.

EXPLAINER: China’s relaxed ‘zero-COVID’ brings big changes

BEIJING (AP) — In a move that caught many by surprise, China announced a potentially major easing of its rigid “zero-COVID” restrictions, without formally abandoning the policy altogether.

It’s not clear what exactly prompted the move, although it follows the largest show of public dissent against the ruling Communist Party in more than 30 years by residents fed up with constant testing, quarantines, travel restrictions, rolling lockdowns and business closures.

Here’s a look at the changes known as the “New Ten Requirements” announced on Wednesday.

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Indonesia paroles bombmaker in deadly Bali attacks in 2002

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Islamic militant convicted of making the explosives used in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people was paroled Wednesday — after serving about half of his original 20-year prison sentence — despite strong objections by Australia, which lost scores of citizens in the Indonesian attacks.

Hisyam bin Alizein, also known by his alias Umar Patek, was a leading member of the al-Qaida-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah, which was blamed for the blasts at two nightclubs in Kuta Beach.

China begins implementing relaxed anti-COVID-19 measures

BEIJING (AP) — China began implementing a more relaxed version of its strict “zero COVID” policy on Thursday amid steps to restore normal life, but also trepidation over a possible broader outbreak once controls are eased.

The country reported 21,165 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, though it was unclear whether the lower number reflected fewer infections or a reduction in testing.

China strongly condemns attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul: Mao Ning

BEIJING, Dec 7 (APP): China on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on the Pakistani embassy in Kabul last week and said it firmly opposed all forms of violence and terrorist acts.

“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes all forms of violence and terrorist acts,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning said during her regular briefing in response to a question raised by APP.

Indonesia releases bombmaker in Bali attacks on parole

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A bombmaker in the 2002 Bali attacks that killed 202 people was released from an Indonesian prison on parole Wednesday after serving half his 20-year sentence, despite the opposition of Australia’s prime minister, who described him as “abhorrent.”

Umar Patek was a leading member of the al Qaida-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah, which is blamed for the bombings at two nightclubs in Kuta Beach. Indonesian authorities have said Patek was successfully reformed in prison and they will use him to influence other militants to turn away from terrorism.

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