Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday said it firmly opposes the U.S. invitation to Taiwan authorities to participate in the so-called summit for democracy, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks when asked to comment on the inclusion of Taiwan on a list of invitees to the so-called summit for democracy recently released by the U.S. State Department.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — New coronavirus infections in South Korea exceeded 4,000 in a day for the first time since the start of the pandemic as a delta-driven spread continues to rattle the country after it eased social distancing in recent weeks to improve its economy.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said most of the new 4,116 cases reported Wednesday came from the capital Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan region, where an increase in hospitalizations has created fears about possible shortages in intensive care units.

BEIJING, Nov 23 (APP): China on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan positive remarks on the Chinese businesses in Pakistan and said it would continue to support Chinese companies to make investment in Pakistan so that they could make their due contribution to the bilateral cooperation.

BEIJING, Nov 23 (APP): Chinese and Russian internet media outlets should promote multilateralism, combat false information, safeguard equity and justice in cyberspace, and contribute more to the friendly ties between the two countries, a forum was told.

NUR-SULTAN, November 23. /TASS/: Kazakhstan’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev has decided to hand over the leadership of the ruling party Nur Otan (The Light of the Fatherland) to incumbent President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Nazarbayev’s press secretary Aidos Ukibai said on Tuesday after a meeting of the party’s political council.

"During the meeting of the party’s political council, Nursultan Nazarbayev took a decision to hand over the leadership of the Nur Otan party, stressing that the party should be led by the country’s president," he wrote on his Twitter account.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (NNN-Bernama) — The Sultanate of Oman that celebrated its 51st National Day on Nov 18, has always maintained very friendly and cordial relations with Malaysia since the establishment of diplomatic relations back in January 1982.

Oman’s ambassador to Malaysia Sheikh Al-Abbas Ibrahim Hamed Al Harthi said this is the testament to Oman’s ’s effective foreign policy and diplomacy spearheaded by the sultanate’s ruler His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (NNN-Bernama) — Economic sanctions meant to punish those in power in Kabul are instead freezing millions of people across Afghanistan out of the basics they need as the winter begins, said director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dominik Stillhart.

Expressing his frustration over the situation that he described as a man-made suffering, Stillhart in a statement made available to Bernama on Monday said sanctions on banking services has sent the country’s economy into free-fall and holding up bilateral aid.

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Nov 23 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian Court of Appeal has set Dec 8 for decision on former prime minister Najib Tun Razak’s appeal against his conviction and sentence for misappropriation of Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

The Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court (PKPMP), in a media statement, stated that the decision will be delivered at 9 am.

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Nov 23 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia will implement three new mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the management system for the import of halal meat products into the country, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

TAIPEI, Nov 23 (Reuters) - A U.S. warship again sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which always riles China whose government believes Washington is trying to stir regional tensions.

The U.S. Navy said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" through international waters in accordance with international law.