Lawyer denies rumour Yoon’s wife visited plastic surgery clinic before martial law order
By The Korea Times
Seok Dong-hyun, suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyer, dismissed allegations by lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea that first lady Kim Keon-hee visited a plastic surgery clinic on December 3, the day martial law was declared, calling it a “groundless rumour”.
Seok, spokesperson for Yoon’s legal team, criticised Jang’s claims on Facebook.
He compared them to a previous rumour spread by broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, who alleged that Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the ruling People Power Party, was targeted for assassination by martial law troops, accusing Jang of “manufacturing a similarly baseless claim”.
Earlier that day, Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly, alleging that Kim entered a plastic surgery clinic at 6:25pm on December 3 and stayed there for three hours, leaving at 9:30pm – just an hour before the martial law declaration.
The basis of his claim was an anonymous tip from a self-proclaimed witness. Jang suggested Kim’s timing indicated prior knowledge of the martial law declaration.
Jang said, “How could a civilian leave the clinic exactly an hour before martial law was declared unless she knew about it in advance?” He also pointed out that the clinic’s director had been appointed as a presidential adviser in July 2022.
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By The Korea Times
Seok Dong-hyun, suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyer, dismissed allegations by lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea that first lady Kim Keon-hee visited a plastic surgery clinic on December 3, the day martial law was declared, calling it a “groundless rumour”.
Seok, spokesperson for Yoon’s legal team, criticised Jang’s claims on Facebook.
He compared them to a previous rumour spread by broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, who alleged that Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the ruling People Power Party, was targeted for assassination by martial law troops, accusing Jang of “manufacturing a similarly baseless claim”.
Earlier that day, Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly, alleging that Kim entered a plastic surgery clinic at 6:25pm on December 3 and stayed there for three hours, leaving at 9:30pm – just an hour before the martial law declaration.
The basis of his claim was an anonymous tip from a self-proclaimed witness. Jang suggested Kim’s timing indicated prior knowledge of the martial law declaration.
Jang said, “How could a civilian leave the clinic exactly an hour before martial law was declared unless she knew about it in advance?” He also pointed out that the clinic’s director had been appointed as a presidential adviser in July 2022.
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Malaysian university suspends professor over sexual harassment claims
By Joseph Sipalan
The Universiti Malaya (UM) has suspended a professor over allegations of unsolicited nude pictures sent to several students, in the latest issue to rock the campus at Malaysia’s top public university.
Students led by UM’s Feminism Club staged a protest last Friday demanding swift action by the university after a complaint was lodged with campus management over the alleged sexual harassment by a member of its academic staff.
UM on Monday said the professor was suspended in line with its commitment to upholding its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct within its walls.
“Universiti Malaya will continue to ensure that its campus environment remains safe and conducive, including taking firm action against any party involved in misconduct, regardless of their position or status,” the university said in a statement.
Earlier, the higher education ministry said UM had taken immediate action to launch an investigation after receiving the complaint.
The ministry assured the public that university management had followed necessary procedures and guidelines on handling sexual harassment cases to ensure that the rights of all parties involved were protected.
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By Joseph Sipalan
The Universiti Malaya (UM) has suspended a professor over allegations of unsolicited nude pictures sent to several students, in the latest issue to rock the campus at Malaysia’s top public university.
Students led by UM’s Feminism Club staged a protest last Friday demanding swift action by the university after a complaint was lodged with campus management over the alleged sexual harassment by a member of its academic staff.
UM on Monday said the professor was suspended in line with its commitment to upholding its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct within its walls.
“Universiti Malaya will continue to ensure that its campus environment remains safe and conducive, including taking firm action against any party involved in misconduct, regardless of their position or status,” the university said in a statement.
Earlier, the higher education ministry said UM had taken immediate action to launch an investigation after receiving the complaint.
The ministry assured the public that university management had followed necessary procedures and guidelines on handling sexual harassment cases to ensure that the rights of all parties involved were protected.
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Baby girl among 7 killed in three-vehicle crash on Malaysia highway
By Hadi Azmi
A baby girl was among seven people killed in a horrific three-vehicle crash in Melaka state on Monday as 2 million cars packed Malaysia’s highway for the long Christmas break.
The accident near the town of Ayer Keroh, south of Kuala Lumpur, involved a tour bus carrying 27 passengers colliding with a minivan with five passengers and a trailer.
All five in the minivan died, alongside the drivers of the coach and trailer.
Melaka fire and rescue chief Mohd Pisar Aziz said 33 other people were also injured in the crash and they had been sent to three hospitals for treatment.
“We took almost four hours [to clear the crash]. The process of clearing the bus, trailer and minivan … is being carried out,” Mohd Pisar told reporters on the site at midnight.
Traffic was completely stalled for more than 10km, resulting in a flurry of videos on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook from motorists who were caught in the gridlock.
Malaysia ranks third globally for road fatalities, with 22.48 deaths per 100,000 people, according to a 2023 research by German-based car subscription company FINN.
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By Hadi Azmi
A baby girl was among seven people killed in a horrific three-vehicle crash in Melaka state on Monday as 2 million cars packed Malaysia’s highway for the long Christmas break.
The accident near the town of Ayer Keroh, south of Kuala Lumpur, involved a tour bus carrying 27 passengers colliding with a minivan with five passengers and a trailer.
All five in the minivan died, alongside the drivers of the coach and trailer.
Melaka fire and rescue chief Mohd Pisar Aziz said 33 other people were also injured in the crash and they had been sent to three hospitals for treatment.
“We took almost four hours [to clear the crash]. The process of clearing the bus, trailer and minivan … is being carried out,” Mohd Pisar told reporters on the site at midnight.
Traffic was completely stalled for more than 10km, resulting in a flurry of videos on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook from motorists who were caught in the gridlock.
Malaysia ranks third globally for road fatalities, with 22.48 deaths per 100,000 people, according to a 2023 research by German-based car subscription company FINN.
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China’s small businesses gasp for air as consumption slump deepens
By He Huifeng
Two years ago, as China began to roll back its pandemic restrictions, Ella Chen spotted a tasty opportunity. Having lost her office job, she took the bold decision to go into business herself – investing more than 100,000 yuan (US$13,800) to open a milk tea shop in Guangzhou.
Since then, Chen has poured her heart into making the business a success. She works 13 hours a day, can make 30 kinds of tea drinks, and has saved on rent by opening in a residential neighbourhood rather than the downtown business district.
But, like many small-business owners in China, Chen is still struggling to make ends meet. Consumption has not recovered as expected since the pandemic – instead, growth has slowed. And that is forcing companies nationwide to scale back operations or even shut down.
“In the beginning, daily profits were over 200 yuan. Now they’re often less than 100 yuan,” Chen said. “Those regular customers who used to buy a 15-yuan milk tea on weekends or evenings have gradually disappeared. They still pass by my store, they just rarely make a purchase.”
Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have long been the backbone of China’s private economy in terms of job creation, providing 300 to 400 million roles, but the sector is now facing a raft of severe challenges amid a wider economic slowdown.
Insufficient demand, high tax burdens, and rising labour and utility costs are just some of the issues facing MSEs, with the situation deteriorating further in recent months, according to a nationwide survey of 7,500 MSE operators by Peking University’s Centre for Enterprise Research.
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By He Huifeng
Two years ago, as China began to roll back its pandemic restrictions, Ella Chen spotted a tasty opportunity. Having lost her office job, she took the bold decision to go into business herself – investing more than 100,000 yuan (US$13,800) to open a milk tea shop in Guangzhou.
Since then, Chen has poured her heart into making the business a success. She works 13 hours a day, can make 30 kinds of tea drinks, and has saved on rent by opening in a residential neighbourhood rather than the downtown business district.
But, like many small-business owners in China, Chen is still struggling to make ends meet. Consumption has not recovered as expected since the pandemic – instead, growth has slowed. And that is forcing companies nationwide to scale back operations or even shut down.
“In the beginning, daily profits were over 200 yuan. Now they’re often less than 100 yuan,” Chen said. “Those regular customers who used to buy a 15-yuan milk tea on weekends or evenings have gradually disappeared. They still pass by my store, they just rarely make a purchase.”
Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) have long been the backbone of China’s private economy in terms of job creation, providing 300 to 400 million roles, but the sector is now facing a raft of severe challenges amid a wider economic slowdown.
Insufficient demand, high tax burdens, and rising labour and utility costs are just some of the issues facing MSEs, with the situation deteriorating further in recent months, according to a nationwide survey of 7,500 MSE operators by Peking University’s Centre for Enterprise Research.
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Philippine army wants to buy Typhon system, China slams ‘extremely irresponsible choice’
By Raissa Robles
The Philippine army said on Monday that it planned to acquire the Typhon missile system as the weapon could be deployed to expand the country’s defence perimeter, even as concerns linger over its modernisation programme being weighed down by budget cuts.
Lieutenant General Roy Galido, the army’s commanding general, confirmed the plan during his year-end media briefing.
The decision arose after the Typhon was adapted from a ship-based to a land-based platform and tested during the Balikatan multilateral military exercises from April to May this year, Galido said.
“There are negotiations [to acquire the Typhon] because we see its visibility and adaptability,” he added
The use of defence platforms such as the Typhon would be in line with the army’s role in the country’s new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence (CAD) strategy, which calls for a shift towards protecting the Philippines’ maritime borders, according to Galido.
He said the Typhon could help protect the country’s “floating assets” of up to 200 nautical miles (370.4km) from the country’s shores within its exclusive economic zone.
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By Raissa Robles
The Philippine army said on Monday that it planned to acquire the Typhon missile system as the weapon could be deployed to expand the country’s defence perimeter, even as concerns linger over its modernisation programme being weighed down by budget cuts.
Lieutenant General Roy Galido, the army’s commanding general, confirmed the plan during his year-end media briefing.
The decision arose after the Typhon was adapted from a ship-based to a land-based platform and tested during the Balikatan multilateral military exercises from April to May this year, Galido said.
“There are negotiations [to acquire the Typhon] because we see its visibility and adaptability,” he added
The use of defence platforms such as the Typhon would be in line with the army’s role in the country’s new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence (CAD) strategy, which calls for a shift towards protecting the Philippines’ maritime borders, according to Galido.
He said the Typhon could help protect the country’s “floating assets” of up to 200 nautical miles (370.4km) from the country’s shores within its exclusive economic zone.
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Guatemalan who set woman on fire in New York subway charged with murder, arson
By Reuters
A 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen was charged with murder and arson on Monday after allegedly lighting a woman on fire and watching her burn to death on a New York City subway train over the weekend, police and federal officials said.
Sebastian Zapeta was arrested about six hours after police say he used a lighter to ignite the clothes of a woman who appeared to be dozing on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.
On Monday, he was charged with murder and arson, police said.
The suspect entered the US without authorisation in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a few days later. It was unclear when he unlawfully re-entered, the US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
Police said there appeared to have been no prior interaction between the assailant, a Brooklyn man, and the victim, who has not been identified.
Zapeta is in custody and it was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer. He was arrested on a subway train on Sunday afternoon and had a lighter in his pocket, police said. He was due to appear in court to face charges on Monday or Tuesday.
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By Reuters
A 33-year-old Guatemalan citizen was charged with murder and arson on Monday after allegedly lighting a woman on fire and watching her burn to death on a New York City subway train over the weekend, police and federal officials said.
Sebastian Zapeta was arrested about six hours after police say he used a lighter to ignite the clothes of a woman who appeared to be dozing on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.
On Monday, he was charged with murder and arson, police said.
The suspect entered the US without authorisation in 2018 and was deported to Guatemala a few days later. It was unclear when he unlawfully re-entered, the US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.
Police said there appeared to have been no prior interaction between the assailant, a Brooklyn man, and the victim, who has not been identified.
Zapeta is in custody and it was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer. He was arrested on a subway train on Sunday afternoon and had a lighter in his pocket, police said. He was due to appear in court to face charges on Monday or Tuesday.
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Luckin Coffee’s entry into Hong Kong a sign of mainland Chinese brands’ growing dominance
By Cheryl Arcibal
Mainland Chinese brands are ramping up their presence in Hong Kong, using the city to test the waters before foraying overseas, according to analysts.
The debut of Luckin Coffee, which bills itself as the “Starbucks of China” for having the most number of outlets on the mainland, is a sign of things to come for Hong Kong’s retail segment, they said.
Luckin recently opened its first branch at Mira Place in Tsim Sha Tsui, marking its entry into a market that is currently dominated by Starbucks, the US coffee chain. The Chinese coffee chain is set to open another outlet in Tseung Kwan O, according to local media reports.
“We foresee mainland brands continuing their interest to expand to Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and even European markets,” said Lawrence Wan, head of advisory and transaction services for retail at CBRE Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong would be an interesting and strategic market for these mainland brands, especially when high street shop rents have fallen significantly from a peak over the past few years.”
Hong Kong’s retail sales declined for the eighth consecutive month in October, dropping 2.9 per cent year on year, according to government data. Retail sales in the first 10 months of the year fell 7.1 per cent to about HK$312.3 billion (US$40.2 billion), compared with the same period in 2023.
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By Cheryl Arcibal
Mainland Chinese brands are ramping up their presence in Hong Kong, using the city to test the waters before foraying overseas, according to analysts.
The debut of Luckin Coffee, which bills itself as the “Starbucks of China” for having the most number of outlets on the mainland, is a sign of things to come for Hong Kong’s retail segment, they said.
Luckin recently opened its first branch at Mira Place in Tsim Sha Tsui, marking its entry into a market that is currently dominated by Starbucks, the US coffee chain. The Chinese coffee chain is set to open another outlet in Tseung Kwan O, according to local media reports.
“We foresee mainland brands continuing their interest to expand to Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and even European markets,” said Lawrence Wan, head of advisory and transaction services for retail at CBRE Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong would be an interesting and strategic market for these mainland brands, especially when high street shop rents have fallen significantly from a peak over the past few years.”
Hong Kong’s retail sales declined for the eighth consecutive month in October, dropping 2.9 per cent year on year, according to government data. Retail sales in the first 10 months of the year fell 7.1 per cent to about HK$312.3 billion (US$40.2 billion), compared with the same period in 2023.
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Apple’s US$1 billion investment: a win for Indonesia but also a ‘double-edged sword’?
By Amy Sood
Indonesia’s strategy of pressuring Apple into increasing its investments in the country to be able to sell its latest phone appears to have paid off with a US$1 billion pledge, but analysts warn that the country’s strict local content rules could prove to be a “double-edged sword”.
Southeast Asia’s largest economy banned the sale of the new iPhone 16 in October, citing Apple’s failure to meet local content requirements that mandate that a percentage of components or production processes originate within the country. In response, Apple initially proposed US$10 million in new investments to Indonesia, later increasing the offer to US$100 million.
When officials in Jakarta were still not satisfied, Apple last week said it would invest US$1 billion in the country – an amount Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto deemed acceptable, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
Apple also said one of its suppliers would set up a plant on Batam island to produce AirTags, employing about 1,000 workers. The tech giant is also expected to set up a manufacturing plant in Bandung, as well as fund more developer academies across the country for research and development and to train workers.
Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at public policy advisory firm Global Counsel in Singapore, said Apple’s offer showed that “Indonesia’s push for local content rules and onshore manufacturing is starting to pay off”.
The government’s hope is that Indonesia is seen as more than just a market for foreign goods, and instead is incorporated into the manufacturing process, according to Dedi.
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By Amy Sood
Indonesia’s strategy of pressuring Apple into increasing its investments in the country to be able to sell its latest phone appears to have paid off with a US$1 billion pledge, but analysts warn that the country’s strict local content rules could prove to be a “double-edged sword”.
Southeast Asia’s largest economy banned the sale of the new iPhone 16 in October, citing Apple’s failure to meet local content requirements that mandate that a percentage of components or production processes originate within the country. In response, Apple initially proposed US$10 million in new investments to Indonesia, later increasing the offer to US$100 million.
When officials in Jakarta were still not satisfied, Apple last week said it would invest US$1 billion in the country – an amount Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto deemed acceptable, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
Apple also said one of its suppliers would set up a plant on Batam island to produce AirTags, employing about 1,000 workers. The tech giant is also expected to set up a manufacturing plant in Bandung, as well as fund more developer academies across the country for research and development and to train workers.
Dedi Dinarto, lead Indonesia analyst at public policy advisory firm Global Counsel in Singapore, said Apple’s offer showed that “Indonesia’s push for local content rules and onshore manufacturing is starting to pay off”.
The government’s hope is that Indonesia is seen as more than just a market for foreign goods, and instead is incorporated into the manufacturing process, according to Dedi.
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‘It’s hard to tell’: is Trump serious about Greenland, Panama Canal?
By Agence France-Presse
Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, revived calls to buy Greenland and joked about annexing Canada – leaving the world guessing once again whether he is serious or not.
By challenging the sovereignty of some of Washington’s closest allies four weeks before he even returns to the Oval Office, the US-president elect has underscored his credentials as global disrupter-in-chief.
His comments have renewed fears from his first term that Trump will end up being harsher on US friends than he is on adversaries like Russia and China.
But there are also suspicions that billionaire tycoon Trump is looking for leverage as part of the “art of the deal” – and that the former reality television star is grabbing headlines to look strong at home and abroad.
“It’s hard to tell how much of this he really wants, and how much is the latest sound bite that will be heard around the world,” said Frank Sesno, a professor at George Washington University and former White House correspondent.
“He puts other leaders in position of having to figure out what is literal and what is not,” he said.
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By Agence France-Presse
Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, revived calls to buy Greenland and joked about annexing Canada – leaving the world guessing once again whether he is serious or not.
By challenging the sovereignty of some of Washington’s closest allies four weeks before he even returns to the Oval Office, the US-president elect has underscored his credentials as global disrupter-in-chief.
His comments have renewed fears from his first term that Trump will end up being harsher on US friends than he is on adversaries like Russia and China.
But there are also suspicions that billionaire tycoon Trump is looking for leverage as part of the “art of the deal” – and that the former reality television star is grabbing headlines to look strong at home and abroad.
“It’s hard to tell how much of this he really wants, and how much is the latest sound bite that will be heard around the world,” said Frank Sesno, a professor at George Washington University and former White House correspondent.
“He puts other leaders in position of having to figure out what is literal and what is not,” he said.
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Experts gather in Hong Kong to tackle liver cancer together
By Advertising partner
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
The LEAD event brings together top liver disease experts across APAC, providing a vital platform for advancing liver disease diagnosis and management. By discussing the latest clinical evidence, emerging trends, innovative solutions, and health policy issues, the event addresses unmet medical needs and promotes end-to-end patient care in the region.
In collaboration with the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Disease (HKASLD) and Hong Kong Liver Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer Foundation (HKLCF), LEAD APAC 2024 brought together 160 international experts from diverse disciplines in liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to discuss the clinical use of comprehensive liver disease solutions to facilitate early detection and collaborative care.
Opening the event, Lance Little, Head of Region for Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific, spoke to the challenges of HCC in the region.
“Patients with HCC are often diagnosed at a late stage, and this significantly reduces the treatment options and prognosis for them,” he remarked, adding that the five-year survival rate is just 18 per cent, compared to 91 per cent for cancers such as breast cancer.
“There’s a lot of work ahead, especially since the Asia Pacific region has the highest incidence of HCC globally, with rates in countries like China and Vietnam two to three times above the world average,” he said, adding that early detection and cross-disciplinary collaboration are both highly important.
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By Advertising partner
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.]
The LEAD event brings together top liver disease experts across APAC, providing a vital platform for advancing liver disease diagnosis and management. By discussing the latest clinical evidence, emerging trends, innovative solutions, and health policy issues, the event addresses unmet medical needs and promotes end-to-end patient care in the region.
In collaboration with the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Disease (HKASLD) and Hong Kong Liver Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer Foundation (HKLCF), LEAD APAC 2024 brought together 160 international experts from diverse disciplines in liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to discuss the clinical use of comprehensive liver disease solutions to facilitate early detection and collaborative care.
Opening the event, Lance Little, Head of Region for Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific, spoke to the challenges of HCC in the region.
“Patients with HCC are often diagnosed at a late stage, and this significantly reduces the treatment options and prognosis for them,” he remarked, adding that the five-year survival rate is just 18 per cent, compared to 91 per cent for cancers such as breast cancer.
“There’s a lot of work ahead, especially since the Asia Pacific region has the highest incidence of HCC globally, with rates in countries like China and Vietnam two to three times above the world average,” he said, adding that early detection and cross-disciplinary collaboration are both highly important.
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Hong Kong cancels passports of activist Ted Hui and 6 other fugitives
By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong has revoked the passports of seven fugitives, including activist Ted Hui Chi-fung, and barred anyone from funding them, in the second such instance under the city’s domestic security law.
The government announced on Tuesday that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung had specified the seven fugitives as absconders in respect of offences endangering national security.
It also laid out a number of provisions that would be applied to former legislators Ted Hui Chi-fung and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, lawyer Kevin Yam Kin-fung, activists Anna Kwok Fung-yee, Elmer Yuan Gong-yi, Frances Hui Wing-ting and Joey Siu Nam.
The provisions comprise cancelling the Hong Kong passports and prohibitions of making available funds, activities connected with immovable property, and connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders.
Lawyers Kwok and Yam were also subject to the suspension of qualification of practice, while Yuan was subject to the temporary removal from office of director.
In June, similar measures were imposed on six other fugitives – Nathan Law Kwun-chung, unionist Mung Siu-tat, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Simon Cheng Man-kit, Johnny Fok Ka-chi and Tony Choi Ming-da.
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By Sammy Heung
Hong Kong has revoked the passports of seven fugitives, including activist Ted Hui Chi-fung, and barred anyone from funding them, in the second such instance under the city’s domestic security law.
The government announced on Tuesday that Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung had specified the seven fugitives as absconders in respect of offences endangering national security.
It also laid out a number of provisions that would be applied to former legislators Ted Hui Chi-fung and Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, lawyer Kevin Yam Kin-fung, activists Anna Kwok Fung-yee, Elmer Yuan Gong-yi, Frances Hui Wing-ting and Joey Siu Nam.
The provisions comprise cancelling the Hong Kong passports and prohibitions of making available funds, activities connected with immovable property, and connection with joint ventures or partnerships with relevant absconders.
Lawyers Kwok and Yam were also subject to the suspension of qualification of practice, while Yuan was subject to the temporary removal from office of director.
In June, similar measures were imposed on six other fugitives – Nathan Law Kwun-chung, unionist Mung Siu-tat, Finn Lau Cho-dik, Simon Cheng Man-kit, Johnny Fok Ka-chi and Tony Choi Ming-da.
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Cambodian man gets 31 years in jail for gunning down young couple over petty dispute
By Associated Press
A Cambodian real estate entrepreneur, whose high-profile killing of a young couple sparked public outrage, was sentenced on Monday to 31 years in prison.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court said the sentence was the maximum for the crimes committed by Srey Sina, who was also ordered to pay more than US$2 million in compensation to the victims’ families.
Srey Sina, 51, was found guilty of fatally shooting 27-year-old Long Lysong and his fiancée Khin Kanchana, 25, on June 17 while intervening in a property dispute between neighbours in the capital, Phnom Penh. Two other victims in their early 20s sustained minor injuries in the incident, which was captured on video surveillance cameras and the footage circulated widely online.
Srey Sina reportedly told police that he was angered by Long Lysong speaking rudely to him.
The case attracted widespread attention not only because of the seemingly unprovoked killing of a soon-to-be married couple and the petty dispute that sparked it, but also because the suspect held the title of Oknha, an honorific bestowed on businesspeople who donate large sums of money to the government.
Srey Sina, whose trial was held on December 6, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the two killings and ordered to pay compensation of US$1 million each to the victims’ families. Cambodia does not have capital punishment.
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By Associated Press
A Cambodian real estate entrepreneur, whose high-profile killing of a young couple sparked public outrage, was sentenced on Monday to 31 years in prison.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court said the sentence was the maximum for the crimes committed by Srey Sina, who was also ordered to pay more than US$2 million in compensation to the victims’ families.
Srey Sina, 51, was found guilty of fatally shooting 27-year-old Long Lysong and his fiancée Khin Kanchana, 25, on June 17 while intervening in a property dispute between neighbours in the capital, Phnom Penh. Two other victims in their early 20s sustained minor injuries in the incident, which was captured on video surveillance cameras and the footage circulated widely online.
Srey Sina reportedly told police that he was angered by Long Lysong speaking rudely to him.
The case attracted widespread attention not only because of the seemingly unprovoked killing of a soon-to-be married couple and the petty dispute that sparked it, but also because the suspect held the title of Oknha, an honorific bestowed on businesspeople who donate large sums of money to the government.
Srey Sina, whose trial was held on December 6, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the two killings and ordered to pay compensation of US$1 million each to the victims’ families. Cambodia does not have capital punishment.
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Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources
By Victoria Bela
As demand for the lithium that powers China’s booming electric car industry continues to grow and shortages loom, scientists are exploring ways to extract the metal from abundant but so far undeveloped sources.
In a paper published by the peer-reviewed journal Nature on December 11, engineers from Nanjing University assessed the potential of innovations that are being developed to extract lithium from “low-quality brines” like seawater and salt lakes.
The metal – a crucial component in EV batteries – is also present in water found in oilfields and in sedimentary deposits but extraction from these sources has not been viable so far.
“Extracting lithium from these sources presents technical challenges owing to low lithium concentrations and high magnesium-to-lithium ratios,” the researchers said in the paper.
While China is the world’s largest refiner of lithium, it is mostly derived from the highly concentrated brine found beneath the salt flats of South America or from hard rock ores which are abundant in countries like Zimbabwe in southern Africa.
To meet domestic demand for the lithium ores, Chinese mining companies have established extraction and processing operations in Zimbabwe.
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By Victoria Bela
As demand for the lithium that powers China’s booming electric car industry continues to grow and shortages loom, scientists are exploring ways to extract the metal from abundant but so far undeveloped sources.
In a paper published by the peer-reviewed journal Nature on December 11, engineers from Nanjing University assessed the potential of innovations that are being developed to extract lithium from “low-quality brines” like seawater and salt lakes.
The metal – a crucial component in EV batteries – is also present in water found in oilfields and in sedimentary deposits but extraction from these sources has not been viable so far.
“Extracting lithium from these sources presents technical challenges owing to low lithium concentrations and high magnesium-to-lithium ratios,” the researchers said in the paper.
While China is the world’s largest refiner of lithium, it is mostly derived from the highly concentrated brine found beneath the salt flats of South America or from hard rock ores which are abundant in countries like Zimbabwe in southern Africa.
To meet domestic demand for the lithium ores, Chinese mining companies have established extraction and processing operations in Zimbabwe.
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Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia
By Aidan JonesBiman MukherjiMaria SiowAmy SoodKimberly Lim
A student revolution in Bangladesh. A stunning electoral rebuke for India’s once unassailable Narendra Modi. A rare corruption conviction in Singapore and political chaos in Japan and South Korea. Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.
Some developments were easier to predict. Asia’s tycoons grew richer even as ordinary people struggled under rising living costs. Scammers kept on hammering the Asian public, North Korea’s nuclear-armed leader Kim Jong-un continued provoking his southern neighbour and Myanmar’s junta refused to yield power – although its losses are mounting as the country’s civil war grinds on.
It was another year of superlatives for Asia’s environment – but the ones no nation wants to hear: the hottest on record, the heaviest rain ever, the most powerful storms … From India to Japan, Asia contended with floods, bad air and searing heat.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Taylor Swift mesmerised Singapore, a film about ageing got Asian audiences weeping – and earned an Oscar’s shortlist – and a chubby hippo in a Thai zoo blew up the internet.
In July, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unleashed her security forces on massive student-led protests across Bangladesh, killing hundreds. It was a crackdown that spectacularly backfired. On August 5 she fled to India after protests that began over contentious job quotas billowed into a call for an end to her corruption-riddled 15-year period helming the country.
As Hasina loyalists were driven from office and into self-exile, an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammand Yunus was tasked with restoring law and order and paving the way for fresh elections.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Aidan JonesBiman MukherjiMaria SiowAmy SoodKimberly Lim
A student revolution in Bangladesh. A stunning electoral rebuke for India’s once unassailable Narendra Modi. A rare corruption conviction in Singapore and political chaos in Japan and South Korea. Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.
Some developments were easier to predict. Asia’s tycoons grew richer even as ordinary people struggled under rising living costs. Scammers kept on hammering the Asian public, North Korea’s nuclear-armed leader Kim Jong-un continued provoking his southern neighbour and Myanmar’s junta refused to yield power – although its losses are mounting as the country’s civil war grinds on.
It was another year of superlatives for Asia’s environment – but the ones no nation wants to hear: the hottest on record, the heaviest rain ever, the most powerful storms … From India to Japan, Asia contended with floods, bad air and searing heat.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Taylor Swift mesmerised Singapore, a film about ageing got Asian audiences weeping – and earned an Oscar’s shortlist – and a chubby hippo in a Thai zoo blew up the internet.
In July, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unleashed her security forces on massive student-led protests across Bangladesh, killing hundreds. It was a crackdown that spectacularly backfired. On August 5 she fled to India after protests that began over contentious job quotas billowed into a call for an end to her corruption-riddled 15-year period helming the country.
As Hasina loyalists were driven from office and into self-exile, an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammand Yunus was tasked with restoring law and order and paving the way for fresh elections.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Taiwanese lawmakers brawl in parliament over controversial bills
By Yannis Tan
Taiwan’s lawmakers scuffled in chaotic disputes over controversial legislation on December 20.
The major opposition Kuomintang party and its allies have pushed for amendments to laws aimed at ousting elected officials, as well as those that concern the government budget and changes to the constitutional court.
The ruling Democratic People’s Party said in a statement the amendments could “cause significant and irreversible damage to Taiwan’s civil society and democratic system” and that the self-governed island’s “democratic self-checking and self-repairing mechanism will be gone”.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
By Yannis Tan
Taiwan’s lawmakers scuffled in chaotic disputes over controversial legislation on December 20.
The major opposition Kuomintang party and its allies have pushed for amendments to laws aimed at ousting elected officials, as well as those that concern the government budget and changes to the constitutional court.
The ruling Democratic People’s Party said in a statement the amendments could “cause significant and irreversible damage to Taiwan’s civil society and democratic system” and that the self-governed island’s “democratic self-checking and self-repairing mechanism will be gone”.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
