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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/china/40021890

Hong Kong Government to Allow Tour Groups in November

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

The Hong Kong Government announced on 7 November that specific arrangements for inbound tour group travellers will be launched this month.

The specific arrangements will allow inbound tour group travellers who are received by licensed travel agents and have pre-registered their itineraries to enter designated tourist attractions including theme parks, museums and temples, as well as dine in designated catering premises when holding the Amber Code of the Vaccine Pass.

The Government will also explore the permissibility of allowing such travellers to undergo fewer nucleic acid tests while balancing the epidemic risks.

Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) welcomed the Government’s latest announcement. Pang said, “The new arrangements mark Hong Kong’s resumption to normality and send a positive message to travellers and our trade partners around the world. It is expected that the specific arrangements can help gradually attract leisure travellers to visit Hong Kong again, especially consumers in short-haul markets. The HKTB will continue to work with the Government, the tourism industry, and related sectors to demonstrate Hong Kong’s diverse tourism appeal to ramp up travelers’ interests in visiting the city, to drive the revival of tourism in Hong Kong.”

The HKTB has been constantly and closely engaging travel trade and media partners around the world.  

For instance, in October, the HKTB lined up more than 400 meetings with over 200 local trade partners and representatives in visitor source markets, including tour operators, hotel and attractions, to discuss partnership opportunities and gear up for bringing back visitors.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/europe/40021888

Man held after eggs thrown at King Charles

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

A man was detained on Wednesday after eggs were thrown at King Charles and Camilla, his wife and queen consort, as they carried out an engagement in northern England.

Footage on social media showed eggs landing on the road beside the British monarch and his wife as they arrived for a traditional ceremony in York. They appeared to be unmoved by the incident and carried on with the engagement.

Police officers were seen in a video speaking to a member of the crowd, while others chanted “God save the king“. Footage showed police carrying away a man in restraints to a nearby police van.

Charles, who came to the throne in September after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, is on a two-day tour of northern England.

Eggs were also thrown at Elizabeth’s royal car in 2022 when she visited Nottingham, central England, and anti-British protesters threw eggs at Charles during a walkabout in central Dublin in 1995.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021886

Hun Sen to wear Cambodian-made watch to upcoming summits

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Prime Minister Hun Sen said he would wear a Cambodian-made watch during the Asean summit and related meetings, which are set to take place from November 10 to 13 in Phnom Penh.

As a souvenir for regional and world leaders who will attend this weekend’s summits, Cambodia has produced 25 watches with the Asean logo. They will be gifted to dignitaries during the summits.

In a November 7 social media post, Hun Sen said he would not only wear the watch at the meetings in Phnom Penh but also at the upcoming G20 summit in Indonesia on November 15 and 16, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Thailand on November 17 and 18.

“The Asean chair will be the first person to wear this watch, which was made in Cambodia,” he said.

“I will wear this watch at the Asean summit in Phnom Penh, the G20 summit on November 15, 16 in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on November 17 and 18 in Thailand, which I will attend in the name of Asean chair. Khmer can do it!” he added.

The Phnom Pehn Post

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021877

Eight Malaysian universities in Asia’s top 100 for higher education: QS rankings

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Malaysia has one of Asia’s best higher education systems, according to the latest “QS University Rankings: Asia 2023”.

The latest rankings show the country having the highest concentration of top-50 and top-100 universities in Asia.

Overall though, its rankings declined, with more drops than gains among the 36 institutions ranked. Of these, 12 improved, five remained stable and 19 declined.

Leading the pack is Universiti Malaya (UM) ranked ninth, which is also Asia’s second-most well-regarded international research institution.

It is also the most well-regarded university among international employers and academics alike, according to QS’ reputation surveys.

It ranks among Asia’s top 10 for employer reputation and top 20 for academic reputation.

UM also produces Malaysia’s most impactful research, with its work in liver and heart disease garnering particular interest.

Next in the rankings are Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia at 27th and 30th places respectively.

They are followed by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which climbed from 35th to 32nd spot, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which dropped a spot from 38th to 39th this year.

Taylor’s University is the top private university in Malaysia having climbed four spots to 49th.

The other private universities are Universiti Teknologi Petronas (68th), UCSI University (72nd), Sunway University (122nd), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (144th), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (174th) and Management and Science University (177th) among the top 200 in Asia.

The 15th edition of the rankings notes that Malaysia’s institutions are intensely collaborative in terms of international research but still struggle in terms of research quality and impact.

Malaysia is intensely collaborative in terms of cross-border research, with three universities among Asia’s top 10 for International Research Network, more than any other location featured in this ranking.

UPM’s research is supported by Malaysia’s highest staff expertise, according to the “Staff with PhD” indicator, in which it ranks 27th regionally.

Malaysia also boasts one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan international student cohorts, indicating it is an attractive study destination.

QS senior vice president Ben Sowter said Malaysia should invest in expanding its research capability and reform and simplify its immigration policy and visa rules to attract more international faculty members.

“The expansion and internationalisation of the higher education system will support Malaysia’s next stage of development.

“As Malaysia transitions to a high-income economy, to remain competitive, economic growth will need to be fuelled by technology and innovation,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

For the first time in eight years, a Singaporean university does not rank first and Singapore does not dominate the top three.

Instead, China’s Peking University ranks first followed by the National University of Singapore, and Tsinghua University, China.

Evaluating the region’s institutions based on academic and employer recognition, research, resources and internationalisation, this year’s Asia rankings is the largest ever, featuring 760 universities.

The Star

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021875

Joko reaffirms his backing for Prabowo as next president of Indonesia

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Indonesia’s President, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, on Monday made an off-the-cuff remark that appears to endorse Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto as the country’s next head of state.

Speaking during an event marking the anniversary of the United Indonesia Party (Perindo), President Jokowi said he expected Prabowo to win the presidential election in 2024, the same year that his second and final term ends.

“I won the election twice. My apologies, Pak [Mr] Prabowo. But it seems that after this, it will be Pak Prabowo’s turn,” Jokowi said with a chuckle.

Prabowo, who has been nominated by his Gerindra Party to contest the 2024 presidential election, stood up from his seat in the audience, raising his hands to salute the president.

Jokowi then teased Prabowo by asking him in what official capacity he was attending the Perindo anniversary celebrations: “As the defence minister or the Gerindra chairman? Or both?”

The former three-star general agreed to make his third bid for the country’s highest office after Gerindra executives and members unanimously nominated him as the party’s presidential candidate in August, during its national leadership meeting in West Java.

Prabowo has consistently ranked among the leading potential contenders in recent opinion polls alongside Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan.

But even before Monday’s quip, Jokowi signalled last week that he had thrown his weight behind the Gerindra chairperson’s 2024 candidacy, while he was inaugurating the 2022 Indo Defence Expo and Forum with Prabowo.

“I don’t need to give him my blessing. I already endorsed his candidacy from the start,” he said at the time.

The Jakarta Post

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021872

Anwar denies any pact between him and Ahmad Zahid

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

There will be no cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Umno, Anwar Ibrahim made it clear.

The Pakatan chairman said the heads of Pejuang, Bersatu and PAS, namely Mahathir Mohammad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Abdul Hadi Awang, had been making baseless accusations on his relationship with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“They say I am having discussions with Ahmad Zahid. They said there is a recording of a phone conversation [between us].

“When have I ever talked to him? I am only meeting and talking with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu to further strengthen our coalition,” he said in his speech at a Pakatan Harapan high tea at a restaurant in Taman Molek, Johor.

On Monday, Mahathir claimed that Anwar and Ahmad Zahid had already held talks about cooperating.

In a separate matter, Anwar said those who jumped ship previously should not be given second chances.

“Do not give a single vote to traitors. We should not trust any of them,” he said.

The Star

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021861

Terra co-founder Do Kwon faces $79.8m lawsuit in Singapore after crypto crash

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon is facing a US$56.9 million (2.11 billion baht) representative action suit in Singapore over his alleged role in a wipeout of cryptocurrencies he created.

Julian Moreno Beltran, a Spanish citizen, and Douglas Gan, a Singaporean, filed the lawsuit in the Singapore High Court in September against the South Korean, whose full name is Kwon Do-hyeong, and three other defendants on the basis of alleged fraudulent misrepresentation.

Beltran and Gan represent 359 plaintiffs who claim they had been misled into thinking the cryptocurrency TerraUSD, also known as UST, was designed to have a relatively stable price, and they suffered heavy losses after TerraUSD crashed.

The other defendants are listed as Terraform Labs, which Kwon co-founded, Greek co-founder Nikolaos Alexandros Platias, and Luna Foundation Guard (LFG). Terraform Labs and LFG are registered in Singapore.

Kwon was previously based in Singapore but is no longer in the republic. He is believed to be in Europe, according to the Korean Broadcasting System. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in September, requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and arrest him.

The Terra-USD stablecoin was meant to have a constant US$1 value in a complicated arrangement with sister token Luna.

Terraform Labs also ran Anchor Protocol, a lending and borrowing platform where users could earn returns of almost 20 per cent annually by lending out their UST holdings.

However, in May, due to a loss of business confidence, many investors began withdrawing their funds in Anchor, causing the value of UST to crash to a low of 20 cents, resulting in the wipeout of its market value amounting to billions of US dollars.

The $56.9-million sum which the claimants are seeking is the difference in value between the sum in US dollars they believed their assets were worth and the value of their assets after the crash.

Most of the claims are in the range of hundreds of thousands of UST. The plaintiffs are also seeking aggravated damages for fraudulent misrepresentation.

They allege Kwon and Platias, who was head of research at Terraforms Labs, had claimed that UST was stable by design, and it would be able to maintain its peg regardless of market size, volatility or demand.

They cited a white paper by the pair, which was published a year before the launch of UST in 2020, in which they claimed the cryptocurrency they were proposing would maintain a stable price due to their algorithm.

Liesel Chong, a senior lawyer at Gloria James-Civetta & Co, said there is a high threshold to prove fraudulent misrepresentation.

“The person who made the representation must have done so knowing that it is false, or without belief in its truth, or recklessly as to its truth,” she said.

Kwon’s lawyer Melissa Thng from Dentons Rodyk said: “For the time being, our clients’ position is that none of the claimants were ‘cheated’, and they intend to defend the case vigorously at the appropriate time.”

The next case conference, during which the court is expected to set timelines and give further directions, is expected to take place on November 16.

The Straits Times

Asia News Network

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asia-pacific/40021858

The latest news on what’s happening in the region

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2022

Check out what’s hot in the region on November 9, as The Nation puts together headlines from members of Asia News Network (ANN). Click to read more:

ANN news highlights: Wed, Nov 9, 2022
Bringing Asia Closer

Crisis Sri Lanka
UN issues warning about worsening food crisis in Sri Lanka | AFP for The Daily Star
 

US-S Korea
How will US elections affect South Korea? – Korea Herald
 

G20 Japan-China
Japan, China coordinating in-person summit – The Japan News
 

G20 Russia
Jokowi says Putin may seek to join summit virtually – Reuters for Jakarta Post
 

Tragedy S Kore 
Crowd crush probe zeroes in on police – Korea Herald
 

Defense Japan
Govt. to create ‘comprehensive defense budget’ framework to meet 2％ target – The Japan News
 

Gov’t Philippines
Opinion: Wanted: A sense of urgency | Inquirer 
 

Tourism HK
Tourism, retail sectors welcome easing of rules for tour groups | China Daily
 

Property 
Can Asian hubs withstand the coming global property downturn? – Straits Times
 

Telecom  Brunei
UNN invests BND85M in new undersea cable | Borneo Bulletin 
 

Business India
Nihon Kohden to build its largest manufacturing facility of India at MET City, Haryana – The Statesman
 

Business Bangladesh
Chinese firm to invest $61m in economic zone of Bepza | The Daily Star
 

Auto Pakistan
Dewan group to assemble Kia vehicles – Dawn
 

Tech S Korea 
Twitter Korea sacks 25% of staff, with layoffs expected at Meta – Korea Herald
 

Business China
Amazon’s first front-end bonded warehouse to settle in Ningbo – China Daily

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/world/middle-east-africa/40021845

Rats with backpacks trained to find humans in disaster zones

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2022

Giant rats wearing tiny high-tech backpacks are being trained in Tanzania for search and rescue operations.

Belgium-based non-profit company APOPO has already trained rats and dogs to detect landmines as well as sniffing out outbreaks of tuberculosis. But because of their size and agility, rats could also be a valuable tool for existing search & rescue efforts.

“Rats are just as trainable as dogs and they’ve got great sense of smell and they’re small size and natural agility should hopefully make them really good in this scenario where they could squeeze in small spaces and get closer to any victims,” lead researcher Dr Donna Kean told Reuters.

The rats here however are not the usual rodents that most people associate with garbage and disease. These are African Giant Pouched Rats, that can weigh up to around 1500 grams (3.3 lbs).

Not only are these rats very biddable, meaning they can be trained much like a dog, but they also have a longer lifespan than other rats.

“Our rats can live up to 8 to 10 years in captivity, which means that even after the training, which can take nine months to a year, they still have quite a long working career ahead of them,” Kean said.

Training of these rescue rats began in August 2021 at APOPO’s Training and Research Center, hosted by the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro, Tanzania.

The rats were trained to locate humans in a mock disaster zone, such as after an earthquake, and will eventually be outfitted with a technology-enabled backpack to enable real-time wireless audio-visual communication from within the debris site. They are also being trained to pull a microswitch around their necks when a victim has been located.

“The rat pulls (the) handle that’s hanging around at its neck… and can remotely let us know when they’ve found potential victim,” added Kean.

In testing, the rats were able to learn the basic behavioral sequence within a limited search space: search for and move into proximity of a “trapped victim”, trigger the microswitch by pulling the ball attached to their vest to remotely communicate to their handler when the victim has been found, and return to release point to receive food when the handler activates a beeper signal.

Kean said they are now increasing the complexity of the environment to more closely mimic real disaster sites. A multifunctional backpack is being designed by a team of engineers at Eindhoven University of Technology, which will include a video camera, microphone and speaker for 2-way communication, and a device for tracking where the rat is located.

Once rats are proficient, Kean said, they plan move them to Turkey for additional training trials with Turkish search and rescue group GEA. If successful, they could be moved to operational trials in which the rats could be mobilized in response to any natural disaster.

Reuters

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https://www.nationthailand.com/world/asean/40021842

Indonesia’s Jokowi wins Abu Dhabi Forum peace prize

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2022

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was presented the Hasan bin Ali International Peace Prize from the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace (ADFP) in Jakarta on Monday in recognition of his role in promoting peace, particularly through Indonesia’s G20 presidency.

The prize was handed over by ADFP secretary-general Al Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, who along with another representative of the forum and United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, visited Jokowi at Merdeka Palace.

“We are here today to deliver the 2022 Imam Hasan bin Ali International Peace Prize to [the president] in recognition of your outstanding efforts toward peace,” the secretary-general said.

Accompanying the president at the meeting was State Secretary Pratikno, who later told the press that the award was an honour for Indonesia as a whole.

“This is a very prestigious award bearing the name of Hasan bin Ali, who was a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,” Pratikno said. “This is, of course, an exceptional award for us, the government, the president and for the Indonesian people. This also shows that the president has been trusted as a leader who spreads a message and culture of peace to the world.”

At the same time, Pratikno added, it was a sign of support “for all of us to succeed in hosting the G20 for world peace and prosperity”.

As the leader of Indonesia’s G20 presidency, Jokowi has promoted global cooperation despite major sources of geopolitical tension, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

Resisting pressure from the West to isolate and condemn Russia, the president chose to keep all communication lines open and promote a global recovery agenda using the G20 presidency as his vehicle.

He also became the first Asian leader to visit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the midst of war, which he then followed with a visit to Moscow to help spread the message of ending the conflict.

In an interview with The Jakarta Post earlier this month, Jokowi called on leaders of the Group of 20 to resolve their differences at the Bali summit later this month, in the hope of easing tensions arising from the Russia-Ukraine war.

Jokowi said 17 of the G20 leaders had confirmed their attendance and that he would continue to encourage all of them to come, saying that developing countries were “really waiting” for the leaders to come up with solutions for the food and energy crises.

The Ukraine war has sharply impacted global food and energy supplies, after a long interruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Jakarta Post

Asia News Network