Tag: aseaninfocus
Need for speed as US young guns target Basketball World Cup
WASHINGTON, Aug 24, 2023 (AFP) – A talented United States team of young NBA players will try to capture the Basketball World Cup with a fast-paced attacking style and a physical defensive scheme. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr guides an formidable squad of Americans in their 20s who seek a third global crown in the past four attempts at the World Cup, which begins August 25 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. “We put […]
Singapore police investigate bomb threats at 18 locations
SINGAPORE, Aug 23, 2023 (AFP) – Singapore police have launched an investigation into bomb threats allegedly made at more than a dozen locations around the city-state, including government buildings and embassies, police said Wednesday. Authorities were alerted to the threats at around 09:10 am local time (0110 GMT) on Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement. It added that the threats were reported at “18 locations around Singapore, including government buildings, embassies and […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast – August 23, 2023
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – August 22, 2023
https://youtube.com/live/cL-2PWHZUWM
Three candidates nominated for Singapore president vote
SINGAPORE, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Three candidates were nominated Tuesday to run next week in Singapore’s first contested presidential vote in more than a decade, officials said. While the role is largely ceremonial, there are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city’s financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. Incumbent Halimah Yacob ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. Election officials announced the […]
Philippines says resupply mission reaches remote South China Sea outpost
MANILA, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines said a resupply mission had reached a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, despite attempts by Chinese vessels to “block” the boats carrying provisions for Filipino marines. Two Philippine Coast Guard boats escorted two supply vessels to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship. They arrived just over two weeks after China […]
Thaksin’s return: From exile to 8 years’ jail sentence in Thailand
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday after 15 years in exile and was immediately jailed, just hours before his party’s candidate was elected prime minister. The Supreme Court ordered the 74-year-old billionaire to serve eight years on old graft charges, though it is not clear how much time he will serve behind bars, as his Pheu Thai party forms the government and rumours swirl of […]
Ex-PM Thaksin returns to Thailand after 15 years in exile
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the kingdom Tuesday, after 15 years in exile and hours before parliament votes for a new prime minister. The billionaire landed in a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport at 9 am (0200 GMT), to be greeted by hundreds of noisy “Red Shirt” supporters waving banners and singing songs. Thaksin emerged briefly from the terminal building to bow and offer a […]
Plane carrying former Thai PM Thaksin lands in Bangkok: local media
BANGKOK, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s divisive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra touched down by private jet in Bangkok on Tuesday, local media reported, returning to the kingdom after 15 years in exile. Public broadcaster Thai PBS said he arrived at 9:00 am (0200 GMT) and showed footage of the plane at Don Mueang airport. This is a developing story.
Australian charged with making fake bomb threat on plane
SYDNEY, Aug 14, 2023 (AFP) – An Australian man was charged Tuesday with making a fake bomb threat on a flight to Malaysia, terrifying passengers and causing havoc in the country’s airspace. The Malaysia Airlines flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back Monday afternoon when the agitated man started claiming he had “explosives” in his backpack, police said. Police said the 45-year-old, who was arrested after the plane returned to Sydney, […]
Malaysians vote in six state elections seen as referendum on Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12, 2023 (AFP) – Malaysians in six states went to the polls Saturday to vote for state assembly members in elections widely seen as a barometer of support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government. While the elections are unlikely to immediately affect Anwar’s current two-thirds majority in parliament, analysts said his hold on power could weaken if his Pakatan Harapan coalition suffers a setback, especially among Malay Muslim voters in the […]
