Two of the five detainees have been released under an amnesty, but remain in an immigration detention centre. Beijing is demanding their return, whilst human rights organisations and the Thai opposition are calling on Bangkok to halt the process, as the men face the risk of persecution.
China’s envoy for Asian Affairs spent a week in the former Burma, scene of violent clashes between the military and anti-coup fighters. Yesterday, Beijing announced a successful cargo test connecting its southwestern province with the Indian Ocean via Myanmar.
The Bloomberg monthly report puts Malaysia last among 53 countries with a high or medium level of development. With over 1.7 million reported cases and 16,382 deaths, Malaysia’s pandemic figures are comparable to Japan’s despite having a population four times smaller.
About 39 people died from extreme weather phenomena in the past week. Every year at least 9,000 Vietnamese die from poor sanitation and 250,000 are hospitalised because of contaminated water. Prolonged drought has damaged crops. For farmers, the pandemic has complicated the situation even more.
"We often think that evil comes above all from outside: from the behaviour of others, from those who think badly of us, from society". "And we spend time laying blame; but blaming others is a waste of time. One becomes angry, bitter, it keeps God out of one's heart".
For military spokesman, the Rohingya “are also our people as well”. For years the Muslim minority was the victim of violence by Myanmar’s military. Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing introduced a law against genocide, but the anti-coup resistance fear it will be used against them.
Selangor State wants to separate religion from politics. In recent years, Malaysia has seen a push towards polarisation and radicalisation, partly by governments focusing on policies that stress the Malay, thus Islamic identity.
Recruits will no longer have to undergo this traumatic practice to enter the country's armed forces. This form of violence had been denounced several times by human rights activists. Indonesian Catholic Women's Organisation: 'Abuse against women must be avoided in all workplaces'.
The US leader is in Southeast Asia to counter China’s influence and revive US global leadership. In the vaccine war, the US will provide an additional million doses of vaccine to Vietnam within 24 hours. The region’s countries prefer a policy of balance between the two powers.
The Vatican dicastery for integral human development will provide support for the people of Vietnam, severely tried by the pandemic. This deed joins the Vietnamese Church's commitment to the sick. “Here Jesus is waiting for me to give his love to others,” said a nun in Xuân Lộc who contracted the virus in hospital. Francis also offers aid to cyclone Yaas victims in Bangladesh.
It is now possible to produce, sell and consume kratom leaves, but not the concentrates. The opiate has been traditionally used in rural areas. The decision comes after a bitter debate in a country where drug use is severely punished. The COVID-19-related crisis in agriculture also affected the decision.
For President Said Agil Siroj, the situation in Afghanistan is likely to fuel "a new wave of radicalism". The appeal to army and police leaders to guarantee security and preserve the values of pluralism and unity in diversity. The evacuation of Indonesian personnel from Afghanistan continues, the diplomatic representation transferred to Islamabad.
The opposition-backed alternative executive launched its first broadcast on August 20, but the military is restricting access to anti-junta information. Since Feb. 1, the Tatmadaw has killed more than 1,000 people. The violence may be considered crimes against humanity. Because of Covid-19, people are dying on the steps of hospitals that are no longer admitting patients.
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