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Indonesian voters greeted with chocolates, candy on Valentine’s Day

14 Feb 2024

DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) – Heart-shaped balloons, chocolate and pink candy welcomed voters to a polling station in the city of Denpasar on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali during the presidential election on Wednesday, Valentine’s Day. Voters were greeted at the 026 Tunjungsari Polling Station by women dressed in pink traditional clothing, handing out chocolates instead …

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Once disgraced, Indonesia’s ex-commander Prabowo on track for presidency

14 Feb 2024

By Kate Lamb JAKARTA (Reuters) -Dismissed from the military amid speculation of rights abuses, exiled in Jordan, and once banned from the United States, Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto is now poised to be the country’s next leader on his third try for the office. Prabowo, 72, claimed victory with a seemingly insurmountable lead in …

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South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Cuba, North Korea’s old friend

14 Feb 2024

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea has established diplomatic relations with Cuba, one of North Korea’s Cold War-era allies, the South Korean foreign ministry said on Wednesday. With their United Nations representatives exchanging letters in New York, the two countries have agreed to open diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, the ministry said in a statement. …

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Better than roses: Thai couples marry on elephants for Valentine’s Day

14 Feb 2024

CHONBURI, Thailand (Reuters) – Reflecting Thailand’s long association with the majestic beasts, couples riding elephants wearing traditional dress chose this Valentine’s Day to exchange their vows in a mass wedding featuring the pachyderms. “The ceremony is sacred which makes everyone want to have a wedding atop of the elephants,” said one of the brides, 36-year-old …

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Japan PM Kishida plans South Korea visit on March 20, reports Fuji TV

14 Feb 2024

TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering visiting South Korea on March 20, broadcaster Fuji TV reported on Wednesday. Kishida seeks to meet President Yoon Suk Yeol and discuss issues including North Korea ahead of the South Korean legislative election in April, Fuji TV reported, citing government sources. Officials in both Tokyo …

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On eve of Indonesia vote, defence minister ahead despite protests

13 Feb 2024

By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesia finalised complex logistics for Wednesday’s election across thousands of islands, with defence minister and former special forces commander Prabowo Subianto frontrunner in the race to win power in the world’s third-largest democracy. It was unclear, however, whether Prabowo would be able get the simple majority needed to avoid a …

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Shehbaz Sharif to be coalition candidate for next Pakistan PM -spokeswoman

13 Feb 2024

By Asif Shahzad, Ariba Shahid and Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be the nominee for Pakistan’s next premier to lead a new coalition alliance formed between different parties, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday after national elections last week returned a hung parliament. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Tuesday …

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Armenian soldiers killed by Azerbaijani fire in biggest skirmish since exodus

13 Feb 2024

By Felix Light and Nailia Bagirova TBILISI/BAKU (Reuters) -Armenia said on Tuesday that four of its soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani fire along the two countries’ heavily militarised border, the first fatal incident since they began negotiating a deal to end more than 30 years of intermittent war last year. Fatal exchanges have been common …

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Thai activists arrested for sedition after ‘harassing’ royal motorcade

13 Feb 2024

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thai police on Tuesday arrested two activists on charges of sedition and computer crime for allegedly harassing a royal family motorcade in Bangkok. Insulting the monarchy, constitutionally enshrined to be held in “revered worship”, carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison under Thailand’s strict lese majeste law. Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, …

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Jailed former Thai leader Thaksin granted parole, PM says

13 Feb 2024

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand’s controversial billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted parole after serving six months in detention, the prime minister said Tuesday, while highlighting his service to the country. The influential Thaksin, a political heavyweight and arguably Thailand’s best known prime minister, made a dramatic homecoming after …

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