Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

5.4-magnitude quake hits 166 km SSE of Tondano, Indonesia -- USGS

HONG KONG, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 jolted 166 km SSE of Tondano, Indonesia at 13:13:19 GMT on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 59.61 km, was initially determined to be at 0.1663 degrees south latitude and 125.2453 degrees east longitude. 

Hong Kong police charge 2 from news outlet with sedition

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police on Thursday formally charged two people from an online pro-democracy news outlet with sedition, a day after the outlet said it would cease operations following a police raid on its office and seven arrests.

National security police said they charged two men, aged 34 and 52, with one count each of conspiracy to publish a seditious publication but did not identify them.

According to local media reports, the two are Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, who were editors at Stand News, an online pro-democracy news outlet.

Southern Thailand Muslim Community Donates 1 Million Baht To Help Flood Victims In Malaysia

HATYAI (Songkhla, Thailand), Dec 29 (NNN-Bernama) — A Muslim community in southern Thailand donated 1 million baht (US$29,838) to help alleviate the burden of flood victims in Malaysia.

The online donation drive campaign is an initiative of young preacher Asari Lateh, along with several independent religious orators in southern Thailand.

Asari and the orators, through “Babazu Channel,” held an online talk to collect the donations.

Malaysian Ambassador To Bahrain Presents Letter Of Credence To King Hamad

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysian Ambassador to Bahrain Shazryll Zahiran presented his letter of credence to King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa on Tuesday.

The Malaysian Embassy in Bahrain in a statement on Wednesday said during the audience, Shazryll affirmed his commitment to continue strengthen the existing bilateral relations, further intensify cooperation and explore new economic, trade and investment opportunities between both countries.

China warns of "drastic measures" if Taiwan provokes on independence

BEIJING, Dec 29 (Reuters) - China will take "drastic measures" if Taiwan makes moves towards independence, a Beijing official warned on Wednesday, adding that Taiwan's provocations and outside meddling could intensify next year.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and in the past two years has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claim, fuelling anger in Taipei and concern in Washington.

Indonesia to turn away boat with 120 Rohingya refugees

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities said Wednesday they will push a boat containing 120 Rohingya Muslims back to international waters despite calls from the United Nations refugee agency to allow the passengers to disembark after being adrift for days off the country’s northernmost province of Aceh.

The boat is reportedly leaking and has a damaged engine, is floating in the open sea in harsh weather, and may be at risk of capsizing, the UNHCR said Tuesday.

Asia keeps omicron at bay, but a surge may be inevitable

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Much of Asia has largely managed to keep omicron at bay even as the variant rages in other parts of the world, but the region that is home to most of the globe’s population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge.

Strict quarantine rules for arrivals and widespread mask wearing have helped slow the spread of the highly contagious variant in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and Thailand quickly reinstated entry and quarantine restrictions in recent weeks after relaxing them in the fall.

Despite defense buildup, Japan’s arms industry struggles

ENIWA, Japan (AP) — The dozens of Type 90, or “Kyumaru,” tanks rumbling through recent shooting drills on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido exemplify the challenge its arms makers face both at home and overseas as the country fortifies its defenses against strategic threats.

The Self Defense Force needs the more advanced aircraft and weaponry sold by U.S. arms manufacturers as Japan’s strategic focus shifts from Russia in the north to the south, where it faces incursions by Chinese fighter jets and naval vessels and North Korean missile launches.

Global shares follow Wall St higher, shrug off omicron fears

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares advanced Tuesday following a rally on Wall Street as investors shrugged off concerns about the highly transmissible omicron variant of the coronavirus.

France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.2% in early trading to 7,155.68, while Germany’s DAX added 0.3% to 15,878.65. Britain’s FTSE 100 was little changed at 7,372.10. U.S. shares were set for gains, with Dow futures up nearly 0.1% to 26,200.00. S&P 500 futures were little changed, up less than 0.1% at 4,783.25.

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