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Philippines says dialogue with Beijing continues despite South China Sea tensions
MANILA, Feb 20 — The Philippine foreign ministry said on Friday that it is maintaining open communication with China even as it strengthens cooperation with “like‑minded” countries that support its stance in the South China Sea. “Even as the DFA
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Sweden to open youth prison units for offenders as young as 13 amid rising gang crime
HELSINKI, Feb 20 — Sweden will establish dedicated youth units in prisons for children as young as 13 years old, in a bid to address rising youth crime, the Ministry of Justice announced Thursday, reported Xinhua. Minister for Justice Gunnar
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Bangkok police disguise as lion dancers to arrest suspect in US$64,000 Buddhist artefact theft case
BANGKOK, Feb 19 — Thai police donned a lion dance costume during this week’s Lunar New Year festivities to arrest a suspect accused of stealing about US$64,000 worth of Buddhist artefacts, police said Thursday. Officers dressed as a red-and-yellow lion
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Liquid gold: Anonymous donor gives Osaka 21kg of gold to fix ageing water pipes
TOKYO, Feb 19 — Osaka has received an unusual donation — 21 kilograms of gold — to pay for the maintenance of its ageing water system, the Japanese commercial hub announced Thursday. The donation worth US$3.6 million was made in
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King Charles expresses ‘deepest concern’ over Andrew’s arrest, says law must take its course
LONDON, Feb 19 — Britain’s King Charles said on Thursday it was with “deepest concern” he had learnt about the arrest of his younger brother, former Prince Andrew, adding that the law must take its course. “I have learned with
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Five children among victims as fireworks shop blast in Hubei claims 12 lives during holiday
BEIJING, Feb 19 — Five children were among the 12 people killed in an explosion at a general store selling fireworks in China during the Lunar New Year holiday, state media said Thursday. Setting off fireworks and crackers is common
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Indonesia secures US$14.8m WHO grant to strengthen national health system
JAKARTA, Feb 19 — Indonesia has secured US$14.8 million (RM58 million) in grants from the World Health Organisation (WHO) after signing a Grant Agreement and Joint Workplan for the 2026-2027 biennium to strengthen national health programmes. The Indonesian Health Ministry’s
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Dr Reddy’s says Wegovy copycat to be priced competitively, with 50-60pc discounts feasible
HYDERABAD, Feb 18 — Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy’s Laboratories hopes to launch a generic version of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy at a competitive price that could be up to 60 per cent lower than the branded product, a
Read MoreJapan loses 600,000 Chinese tourists in January as diplomatic spat escalates
TOKYO, Feb 18 — Mainland Chinese visitors to Japan tumbled 60.7 per cent in January year-on-year, figures showed Wednesday, in the continued fallout from the countries’ diplomatic spat. “Last year, the lunar new year began in late January, but this
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Facebook, TikTok inaccessible as Gabon shuts down social media
LIBREVILLE (Gabon), Feb 18 — Facebook and TikTok were no longer available in Gabon today, AFP journalists confirmed, hours after the media regulator announced their suspension because of the risk of “conflict-inducing excesses”. Gabon’s media regulator yesterday announced the suspension
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