Category: Asia News

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Education must evolve: Hasina

Hasina said the government is setting up various universities in the country with the aim of providing the necessary tools to succeed in the modern workplace….reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for greater emphasis on science and technology, and technical education to ensure employment opportunities for the people in keeping with the requirements of the modern age.

Hasina said this while speaking at the inaugural event for the distribution of stipends, tuition fees, admission assistance and financial grants among poor and meritorious students under the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust via video conference on Sunday, bdnews24 reported.

She said the government is setting up various universities in the country with the aim of providing the necessary tools to succeed in the modern workplace.

“We have established the Maritime University, the Civil Aviation and Aerospace University. In other words, we are looking at the subjects and the kind of education that is very important in different parts of Bangladesh and setting universities accordingly. We are doing this so that everyone can receive a proper education.”

Also read:Bangladesh thanks India for providing vaccines

Education in science and technology alongside technical training is crucial as it improves job prospects, according to the Awami League chief.

“It’s relevant both at home and abroad. And it’s necessary in our country in light of the 100 economic zones that we are creating. There will be domestic and foreign investment. It will take a lot of people with technical expertise there. Therefore, we want to create a skilled workforce.”

“If we create skilled manpower, they will be able to make a huge contribution to our economic development. Therefore, we are taking various measures to that end.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted the steps taken by her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to modernise and develop the education system of the country while outlining the various initiatives taken in this regard by her Awami League government.

Also read:B’desh set to launch mass vax drive

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-Top News ASEAN News Asia News

Thailand begins Covid-19 vax drive

thailand

The Beijing-based Chinese bio pharmaceutical company has already signed vaccine deals with more Asian countries

Thailand on Sunday began its Covid-19 vaccination roll-out, with the first shot, using China’s Sinovac vaccine

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha administered the event at the country’s infectious disease institute, where other officials, including deputy public health minister, agriculture minister, culture minister and deputy education minister, were also vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine.

“It’s a historic day and a day to help the country rebuild confidence against the pandemic,” Prayut told reporters after all the recipients of the vaccine ended their 30-minute observation period and had shown no adverse reaction.

Also read:Thailand set to begin clinical trials of its own vaccine

Also on Sunday, 159 people in Samut Sakhon province, the epicentre of the country’s new wave of an outbreak that erupted in mid-December, are scheduled to receive their first shot of the vaccine. These included local officials as well as representatives of at-risk groups such as medical workers and migrant workers.

On Wednesday, Thailand received its first batch of Covid-19 vaccines, 200,000 doses from China’s Sinovac, which were then distributed to 13 provinces, including the capital Bangkok. An additional 1.8 million doses are scheduled to arrive in March and April.

Also read:Brunei, Malaysia border to stay closed

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-Top News ASEAN News Asia News

Myanmar’s UN envoy fired

Myanmar is currently seeing some of its biggest protests in years against a military coup

In an emotional speech, Kyaw Moe Tun said no-one should co-operate with the military until it handed back power to the democratically elected government….reports Asian Lite News

Myanmar’s military rulers said they have fired the country’s ambassador to the UN, a day after he called for help to remove the army from power.

In an emotional speech, Kyaw Moe Tun said no-one should co-operate with the military until it handed back power to the democratically elected government.

Security forces intensified a crackdown on anti-coup protesters on Saturday.

Local media say dozens were arrested, and that a woman was shot in the city of Monwya. Her condition is not clear.

  • Myanmar protesters

The country has been rocked by protests since top government leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, were overthrown and detained after the army took power on February 1.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Friday, Kyaw Moe Tun urged the international community to use “any means necessary to take action” against the military to help “restore the democracy”, saying he was representing Suu Kyi’s ousted government.

“We need further strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people and to restore the democracy,” he said.

Also read:Malaysia sends back Myanmar migrants

The speech was met with applause and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the new US envoy to the body, was among those praising his remarks as “courageous”.

In a further show of defiance, Kyaw Moe Tun held up three fingers, a gesture against authoritarian rule that has been adopted by anti-coup protesters in the country.

Myanmar’s state television announced his removal on Saturday, saying he had “betrayed the country and spoken for an unofficial organization which doesn’t represent the country and had abused the power and responsibilities of an ambassador”.

Further protests were held in several cities with water cannon reportedly deployed and journalists among dozens detained.

In the main city of Yangon, crowds of protesters were advanced upon by police firing tear gas.

Also read:China rebuts Myanmar rumours

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-Top News Afghanistan World News

Ghani stresses on Afghans’ right to peace

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday said the international community has kept the country’s citizens away from their fundamental rights of peace during the last four decades, reiterating that the people now want permanent and dignified peace.

Addressing a ceremony on Armed Forces Day, Ghani said Afghan security forces have played a prominent role in fighting international terrorism and that they can protect the values the country has achieved over the last 20 years, Tolo news reported.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAlNACeik7w&t=4s

Referring to his recent address to the UN Security Council, Ghani said: “My main sentence was that for the last 40 years, the international community has kept a massive nation away from their fundamental right which is peace and this is unacceptable.”

“We want peace and we want dignified peace and a peace that is ensured by the power of our security and defense forces and with the will of the people. This peace will come,” he said.

Ghani said the violence must end and that there should be no more bloodshed and no one should remain deprived of education anymore.

He added that Afghans will decide on the next president and the next government.

“The people of Afghanistan have elected their government and president and they will elect the next president of Afghanistan,” Ghani added.

Role Of Armed Forces 

“It is the right of the nation and the security and defense forces will prove that change will be legal and based on the nation’s will; otherwise, the tenure of the Republic is clear.”

He said that the Afghan security and defense forces are conducting over 90 per cent of counterterrorism operations.

“Today’s Afghanistan is not the one it was in the past, the one that was protected by others. Today, you are safeguarding it. We are very close to self-reliance,” he said.

Also Read-Taliban delegation in Pakistan amid peace talks

Read More-UK backs Afghanistan on Taliban fight

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-Top News Afghanistan UK News

UK backs Afghanistan on Taliban fight

Ghani, Johnson discussed bilateral ties and Afghan peace process

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a telephonic conversation with the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during which the former reiterated his country’s continued support to the latter’s fight against the Taliban, according to a statement by the British government.

“Johnson on Friday reiterated the UK’s longstanding support for the Afghan government’s fight against the Taliban as part of the NATO coalition,” said the statement.

“They agreed on the importance of making progress in peace talks to secure a sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan and to preserve the gains made by civil society and women and girls,” the statement added.

The Presidential Palace said in a statement that Ghani and Johnson discussed the bilateral ties and the Afghan peace process, Tolo news reported.

The British Prime Minister assured President Ghani of his country’s continued support to the Afghan peace process, strengthened regional diplomacy, and UK’s support to Afghan forces, the Palace said.

The statement further said that both of them also discussed the global efforts to tackle the pandemic and the roll out of vaccines in Afghanistan and the UK.

Also Read-Queen Elizabeth: Think about others, take jab

Read More-Biden stresses on immigration reforms

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-Top News Asia News

Brunei, Malaysia border to stay closed

Brunei has received a shipment of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine from China last month

There is only one active case still being treated at the National Isolation Center in Brunei…reports Asian Lite News

Brunei has extended the suspension of cross-border activities between Brunei and Malaysia for another two weeks until March 10.

Temporary suspension on the entry of foreign nationals from Malaysia, including transits through Brunei via land and sea ports, is extended by 14 days, until March 10, the PMO said in a statement.

A staff member of Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd has physical examination before participating in a blood donation in Bandar Seri Begawan, capital of Brunei

“Transit through Brunei Darussalam may only be considered for official government travels, students required to attend school, emergency services (such as ambulances, police and military) and Malaysia-registered Transport Operators with Cross-Country Permits issued by the Brunei government for import deliveries of essential goods to Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, granted that the travelers attained endorsement from the relevant Malaysian authorities for their travels,” the PMO said.

Also read:Malaysia gets 1st shipment of vaccines

Located in Southeast Asia, northwest of Kalimantan, Brunei shares land and sea borders with East Malaysia.

According to the PMO, the temporary suspension on the collection and delivery of private goods at checkpoints handled by operators registered in Brunei is also extended until March 10.

Temporary suspension on commuters via land and sea, for the purpose of work, is also extended by 14 days, until March 10.

“The conditions for the consideration of entry and exit travel are subject to review by the Cross-Border Affairs Steering Committee from time to time,” the PMO said.

A total of 44 imported cases have been confirmed in Brunei since the last local infection case was reported on May 6, 2020. There is only one active case still being treated at the National Isolation Center.

Also read:Malaysia sends back Myanmar migrants

Also read:Biggest decline: Malaysia’s GDP shrinks by 5.6%

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-Top News Arab News Asia News

Netanyahu due in Bahrain

israel Bahrain

Bahrain is the fourth Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with Israel…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation by Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to visit the Gulf state.

The prime minister’s office issued a statement saying the two leaders agreed that Netanyahu will travel to Bahrain “as soon as possible,” once Covid-19 restrictions would allow it.

Also read:Israel, US set up new anti-missile system

Bahrain was also looking into a possible investment in a planned Covid-19 vaccine factory that is expected to be built in Israel, according to the statement.

“The crown prince noted he is interested in examining a possibility of Bahrain joining an investment in a vaccine manufacturing plant that is planned to be established in Israel together with other countries,” the statement read.

Netanyahu announced earlier in February that he postponed his first official visits to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to Israel’s coronavirus lockdown. Some of the lockdown’s restrictions have been lifted but a ban on outgoing and incoming flights is still in effect.

Israel has signed the US-brokered agreements to normalize ties with the UAE and Bahrain in 2020.

Also read:Israel, Syria swap prisoners

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-Top News Asia News

FATF keeps Pakistan on grey list

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

The global watchdog has strongly urged Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan before June 2021, reports Asian Lite News

In a major blow to Imran Khan-led government, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global watchdog against money laundering and terror financing, has retained Pakistan in the ‘grey list’.

The decision was taken after a three-day meeting of the multilateral watchdog which started on Monday under the German Presidency of Dr Marcus Pleyer.

The global watchdog has strongly urged Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan before June 2021. It noted that Pakistan has now largely addressed 24 of the 27 action items.

Mr Pleyer said that Pakistan has made “significant progress” but “some serious deficiencies remain” and all these deficiencies are “in the realm of terror financing”, according to a report from the Hindustan Times.

Also Read – FATF may need darker shades of grey for Pakistan

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-Top News Asia News

Kim tightens grip on military

Kim adopted various measure to ensure that the”new generation have the proper political consciousness and moral point of view.”…reports Asian Lite News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has chaired a Military Commission meeting to discuss the discipline among the military officers and stricter control over the younger officers.

At the expanded military commission meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party on Wednesday, Kim stressed on the importance of establishing “revolutionary moral discipline” particularly among the younger generation in the Army.

“To establish the revolutionary moral discipline within the KPA is not just a technical issue, but a fatal issue related to the existence of the KPA and success or failure in the army building and military activities,” Kim said, referring to the People’s Army.

Kim also called for intensified education and control to ensure that the commanding officers of the “new generation have the proper political consciousness and moral point of view.”

The meeting also saw a discussion of “a series of shortcomings revealed in the military and political activities and moral life of KPA commanding officers.”

Kim’s criticism appears aimed at tightening discipline among military officers amid challenges from global sanctions and the country’s prolonged fight against the global pandemic.

Several major commanding officers were dismissed or appointed at the meeting, reflecting an apparent generational change in the organisation.

Kim Song-gi was appointed as the Commander of the North’s Navy, while Kim Chung-il was appointed the Commander of the Aviation Force.

The tile of the Vice Marshal was also conferred on Defence Minister Kim Jong-gwan and Kwon Yong-jin, Director of the General Political Bureau of the North Korean Army.

Also read:WFP Threatens To Stop Operations in North Korea

Also read:S.Korea secures more Covid vaccines

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-Top News Asia News

Japan cabinet okays RCEP trade deal

The accord still leaves the door open for India, which dropped out due to fierce domestic opposition to its market-opening requirements, to rejoin the bloc

Japan’s cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to a bill to ratify a free trade deal (FTA) signed last year by 15 Asia-Pacific countries.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will cover a third of global trade and population, making it the world’s largest FTA, will become the “foundation of trade in Asia,” Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama told a press conference on the matter.

“To establish a desirable economic order in the region through the steady implementation of this agreement, I hope that it will be approved by parliament at an early date,” Kajiyama also said.

1159385 Caption: Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits via video conferences in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 15, 2020



The trade deal was signed last November and will see tariffs eliminated on 91 per cent of goods, with standardised rules pertaining to investment, intellectual property and e-commerce.

The RCEP groups the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

After the agreement is ratified by six ASEAN members and three non-ASEAN signatory countries, the RCEP will come into effect.

Also read:Fiji, Japan ink emergency loan deal

Also read:Japan begins nationwide inoculation drive