Chosen by his party two years ago, Wong will be the fourth prime minister since Singapore's independence. Outgoing PM Lee had already announced his retirement but the pandemic changed his plans. Wong is already implementing new policies for seniors.
A spokesperson for Papuan nationalist group, Sebby Sambom, claimed responsibility for the death of Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogorlay, who was ambushed along with a local village chief in Painai district. The killings follow a change by the Indonesian military towards pro-independence groups.
The incumbent prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has moved the country closer to Beijing over the past five years with Beijing funding several infrastructure projects. Various opposition candidates would like to restore ties with the country’s traditional partners, Australia and New Zealand. Many observers believe that domestic political issues will play a role in the vote, despite taking a backseat in the campaign.
Under pressure from local businessmen, Parliament wants to relax stringent regulations on the protection of the sea and working conditions on fishing vessels, which are often linked to human trafficking. The current law had been passed in 2015 under pressure from the European Union, which threatened a ban on local fish products. But now, with industrial production in crisis, Thailand hopes to catch up by 'liberalising' the sector.
The economic crisis is being felt by street vendors for Avurudu, the national holiday celebrated in these hours that marks the beginning of the year for both Sinhalas and Tamils.
Today's news: Crowds rush to return to Gaza City but Israeli army does not open check-point; Landslides in Sulawesi cause 18 deaths; Hanoi also wants to establish a demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin, in response to China; Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes let fellow Chinese win the Beijing half-marathon.
