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November
Taiwan says it sees less Chinese interference ahead of elections
Written by Nur Yasmin
Taiwan is seeing less Chinese interference ahead of its local elections, possibly due to China's own domestic problems and its efforts to improve its international image, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Wednesday.
Taiwan has accused China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory, of repeated efforts to sway the results of its elections, whether by online disinformation campaigns or overt military threats.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday's elections in Taiwan for mayors and councillors, Wu said China was always a factor when Taiwan voted, but this time around Beijing was meddling less.
"I would describe it as that the Chinese interference in our election is not as prevailing as previous elections," he said.
The elements not there this time included using cheap air tickets to encourage Taiwanese who live in China to go home to vote for pro-China candidates, or intimidating Taiwan's people, Wu said.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. It has accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of hyping up the threat from China for political gain.
Wu said he did not definitively know why China was being more hands-off with this election, but it could be because Beijing was trying to get its ties with other countries back on track after being criticised for threats against Taiwan.
China staged military exercises near Taiwan in August after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei. While China's military activities have continued, they have been at a much reduced scale.
"It is also possible that China is being very busy in dealing with its own domestic problems," Wu added, referring to issues like China's COVID-19 lockdowns and property market problems.
The DPP has sought to reframe the vote as a way to show China it will not be intimidated and that the world is watching Taiwan defend its democracy.
Wu said the elections were important for China too as Taiwan was a model for democracy in the Chinese-speaking world.
"We are very proud of that and we will continue to serve as an example for China's future development." (Reuters)
November
Malaysian king calls council of sultans to resolve election crisis
Written by Nur Yasmin
Malaysia's king on Wednesday called a special meeting of his fellow hereditary sultans to discuss who should be prime minister as an unprecedented post-election crisis entered its fourth day.
The king is due to pick a new prime minister after the leading contenders - opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin - failed to secure enough support for a majority following a Saturday election that produced an unprecedented hung parliament.
The uncertainty over the election prolongs political instability in the Southeast Asian country, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risks delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.
The Council of Rulers, which groups the heads of all nine royal houses, will meet on Thursday to discuss the formation of a new government, the palace said in a statement.
"The purpose of the meeting of the Council of Malay Rulers is for the King to get the thoughts of the Malay rulers so that he can make a decision for the wellbeing for the people and the country," the palace said.
King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is in the spotlight as he considers who will be the next prime minister, after both Anwar and Muhyiddin missed his Tuesday afternoon deadline to put together an alliance.
The constitutional monarch plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament.
Malaysia has a unique constitutional monarchy in which kings are chosen in turn from the royal families of nine states to reign for a five-year term.
King Al-Sultan Abdullah made his announcement of a special council after meeting lawmakers from the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition.
Anwar's coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional bloc won 73. They need 112 - a simple majority - to form a government.
Barisan won only 30 seats - the worst electoral performance for a coalition that had dominated politics since independence in 1957 - but the support of its members of parliament will be crucial for both Anwar and Muhyiddin to get to 112.
Barisan said on Tuesday it would not align with either of the rival coalitions.
Muhyiddin said he had declined the king's suggestion for the rivals to work together to form a "unity government". Muhyiddin runs an ethnic Malay Muslim conservative alliance, while Anwar heads a multi-ethnic coalition.
Muhyiddin's bloc includes an the Islamist party PAS, whose electoral gains have raised concern in a country with significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities, most of whom follow other faiths.
Investors have also been spooked over worries about the Islamist party's possible impact on policies.
Police this week cautioned social media users to refrain from posting "provocative" content on race and religion after the divisive election. (Reuters)
November
South Africa's Biovac in new oral cholera vaccine deal
Written by Nur Yasmin
South Africa's Biovac Institute has signed a licensing and technology transfer deal with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to develop and make oral cholera vaccine for African and global markets, the companies said on Wednesday.
The partnership with non-profit IVI, headquartered in South Korea, aims to boost output and reduce vaccine shortages amid a spate of global outbreaks that spurred the World Health Organization (WHO) to temporarily change its dosage regime.
Cholera is a potentially deadly disease spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the faeces of those infected person. Outbreaks often happen in disaster-hit areas or poorer communities lacking proper water and sanitation services.
"This initiative will be the beginning of end-to-end vaccine manufacture at Biovac, while at the same time addressing an ongoing and increasing cholera disease burden globally," its Chief Executive Morena Makhoana said in a statement.
He said technology transfer would start in January next year, with the first clinical trial batches expected in 2024, ahead of licensing by domestic regulators and WHO pre-qualification certification.
"We will then be well placed to supply UN agencies, such as WHO and UNICEF/GAVI, as many African countries and other least developed countries source their vaccines through this mechanism," he said, regarding the WHO certification.
Wednesday's deal is supported by 120 million rand ($7 million) from the Wellcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the first phase of the project.
It will allow Biovac to expand its capabilities beyond filling and packaging of vials to end-to-end vaccine product development and drug substance manufacture.
"We are thrilled to partner with Biovac to complete a technology transfer of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) that will add another manufacturer to the marketplace and expand production capacity," said Julia Lynch, director of IVI’s cholera programme. (Reuters)
November
European lawmakers declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism
Written by Nur Yasmin
The European Parliament on Wednesday decided to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, arguing Moscow's military strikes on civilian targets such as energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools and shelters violate international law.
The move is largely symbolic, though, as the European Union does not have a legal framework in place to back it up. At the same time, the bloc has already slapped unprecedented sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. (Reuters)
November
Russia asks Turkey to refrain from full-scale Syria offensive
Written by Nur Yasmin
Russia has asked Turkey to refrain from a full-scale ground offensive in Syria, senior Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev said on Wednesday, because such actions could trigger an escalation of violence.
"We hope our arguments will be heard in Ankara and other ways of resolving the problem will be found," he said, after a fresh round of Syria talks with Turkish and Iranian delegations in Kazakhstan.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said this week that Turkey would attack Kurdish militants in Syria with tanks and soldiers soon, signalling a possible ground offensive in retaliation for a bomb attack in Istanbul.
Lavrentyev said the United States was following a "destructive" course in northeastern Syria, and resolving the Kurdish issue would be an important factor in stabilising the situation in the region.
The United States has allied with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the YPG Kurdish militia, in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, causing a deep rift with Turkey.
Russia, Turkey and Iran pledged in a joint statement after the talks to further resist "separatist plans aimed at undermining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and threatening the national security of neighbouring countries, including through cross-border attacks and infiltration". (Reuters)
November
Pakistan reopens Afghan crossing shut after border hostilities
Written by Nur Yasmin
Pakistan has reopened a major Afghan border crossing that was shut for trade and transit after security forces clashed last week, officials from both sides said on Monday.
As the crossing opened on Monday, three people were wounded in another clash reported on a northwestern border with Afghanistan, an Afghan official said.
Abdul Hameed Zehri, Deputy Commissioner of the Pakistan town of Chahman, which borders the Afghan district of Spin Boldak, said the southwestern crossing was reopened after dialogue between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban officials on Sunday.
Thousands of people and hundreds of trucks that had been stranded on both sides were able to cross the border on Monday, Zehri said.
The separate hostilities that started on Monday were in the northwestern Pakistan district of Kurram, said Munib Zadran, a police spokesman for bordering Paktia province.
A Pakistani security official said the fresh exchange of fire killed one member of border personnel and wounded nine other people.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the latest clash.
"We are going to meet senior Pakistani officials to find an amicable solution," he said.
The Pakistan military did not respond to a request for comment, but a Pakistan security official said there has been regular border management coordination with Afghan authorities, adding that details of Afghan investigations into last week's hostilities will be shared with Pakistan in due course.
Disputes linked to the miles long border have been a bone of contention between the neighbouring countries for decades. (Reuters)
November
Sri Lanka to hold rates as inflation slows slightly, focus on IMF bailout
Written by Nur Yasmin
Sri Lanka's central bank is expected to keep rates steady as inflation shows signs of easing and as authorities focus on discussions to secure a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout to stabilise its crisis-hit economy.
Thirteen out of 15 economists and analysts polled by Reuters forecast rates to remain unchanged at Thursday's policy announcement, as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) waits for the effects of its earlier hikes to filter through to prices and the broader economy.
The CBSL held both the standing deposit facility rate (LKSDFR=ECI) and standing lending facility rate (LKSLFR=ECI) stand at 14.50% and 15.50%, respectively, in its last policy announcement on Oct. 6. read more
"Things have stabilised to some extent on the monetary side, but not the economy as a whole. If global economic stress starts to ease and if Sri Lanka secures an IMF deal before next March we can expect rate cuts in mid-2023," said Visaahan Arumainayagam, analyst for Colombo-based brokering firm Asha Securities.
The CBSL has raised rates by a record 950 basis points this year to battle runaway inflation which has piled pressure on an economy grappling with its worst crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
After hitting an annual peak of 68.9% in September with food inflation climbing to 93.7%, consumer inflation moderated slightly to 66% in October.
Sri Lanka's economy shrank 8.4% in the quarter through June from a year ago in one of the steepest declines seen in a three-month period, amid fertilizer and fuel shortages. The central bank is forecasting gross domestic product to contract 8.7% in 2022, one of the worst full year slumps on record.
An acute dollar shortage has left Sri Lanka struggling to pay for essential imports of food, fuel and medicine, with all eyes on the IMF bailout to try and stabilise the nation's perilous debt situation and finances.
"The key challenges will be getting the debt restructuring plan through, getting an IMF programme underway, securing bilateral funding support and addressing the structural issues that led to a fiscal and current account deficit," said Rehana Thowfeek, economist for think tank Advocata Research.
"Sri Lanka is in need of some deep economic reforms which are politically challenging, overcoming this will be difficult." (Reuters)
November
Harris says U.S. stands with Philippines against coercion in South China Sea
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Tuesday that her trip to the Philippine island of Palawan in the contested South China Sea underscored a need to uphold international rules and norms in the area and around the world. Harris also said the United States stood by the Philippines in the face of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea. (Reuters)
November
Malaysia's Anwar: for now there is no question about forming a minority government
Written by Nur Yasmin
Malaysia's king needs more time to make a decision on who to appoint as the country's next prime minister, opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday after an audience at the palace.
For now there is no question about forming a minority government, he added.
Anwar and ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin both met with King Al-Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday after the incumbent ruling coalition decided it would form the opposition, leaving it up to the monarch to decide on a PM appointment. (Reuters)
November
U.S. calls for U.N. Security Council president's statement on North Korea missiles
Written by Nur Yasmin
The United States called on Monday for a United Nations Security Council presidential statement to hold North Korea accountable for its missile tests after Pyongyang's launch last week of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was vital the 15-member Security Council respond with one voice and reiterated U.S. charges that China and Russia were "emboldening" Pyongyang by blocking council action.
"These two members' blatant obstructionism puts the Northeast Asian region, and entire world, at risk," she told a Council meeting Washington called to discuss Friday's test.
"We will offer another opportunity for the Council to hold the DPRK accountable for its dangerous rhetoric and its destabilizing actions," she said, using the North's abbreviated official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"The United States will be proposing a presidential statement to this end."
On Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the U.N. Security Council showed "double standards" over military activities, calling them a "grave political provocation".
"The UNSC has turned blind eyes to the very dangerous military drills of the U.S. and South Korea and their greedy arms buildup aiming at the DPRK and taken issue with the DPRK's exercise of its inviolable right to self-defence," Kim said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.
Kim, a senior official of the North's ruling Workers' Party, criticised the U.S. envoy's remarks and her efforts for a concerted voice through a joint statement, likening Washington to a "barking dog seized with fear".
"The United States should be mindful that no matter how desperately it may seek to disarm the DPRK, it can never deprive the DPRK of its right to self-defence," Kim said.
"The more hellbent it gets on the anti-DPRK acts, it will face a more fatal security crisis."
China was "concerned" by the "upward spiral of rising tension and intensifying confrontation" on the Korean peninsula, said its U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun, but added that the Council should help ease tension and not always condemn or pressure Pyongyang.
Washington should take the initiative and offer realistic proposals to respond to North Korea's "legitimate concerns", he said.
"All parties should remain calm, exercise restraint, act and speak with caution, and avoid any actions that may escalate tensions and lead to miscalculation," Zhang said.
Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, accused Washington of trying to force North Korea into unilateral disarmament though sanctions and force, and blamed the missile tests on military drills by the United States and its allies.
A spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations said a draft president's statement would be provided to the Security Council soon and negotiations would follow.
After the meeting, Thomas-Greenfield read a joint statement by 14 countries, including eight Security Council members, that condemned the North's latest launch, as well as a subsequent state media report that the missile could be used for a pre-emptive nuclear strike.
The missile landed about 120 miles (200 km) from Japan's coastline and the test was "a serious escalation" that "poses an unequivocal threat to international peace and security", the countries said.
The Council must act to limit the advancement of North Korea's weapons programs, it added.
North Korea has launched an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles this year and Washington has warned for months that Pyongyang could test its first nuclear device since 2017 at any time.
This month, a senior U.S. official said Washington believes China and Russia have leverage to persuade North Korea not to resume nuclear testing and U.S. President Joe Biden told his Chinese counterpart last week Beijing had an obligation to try.
On Monday, North Korea's foreign minister accused U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres of siding with Washington and failing to maintain impartiality and objectivity, saying it was Pyongyang's right to develop weapons for self-defense. (Reuters)