Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

Taiwan: Nauru switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The Pacific Island nation of Nauru said Monday that it is switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, a move that reduces the dwindling number of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to 12 around the world.

A statement from the government of Nauru said it was severing ties with Taiwan and seeking a resumption of relations with China.

Turkiye-Malaysia 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations signifies more than just numerical milestone – Ambassador

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (NNN-Bernama) — The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Malaysia this year holds more significance than merely a numerical milestone.

Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Emir Salim Yuksel, emphasised that it stands as a solid reaffirmation of both countries’ dedication to expanding cooperation in various areas.

Philippines’ Approved Investment Projects Up 73 Percent In 2023

MANILA, Jan 14 (NNN-PNA) – Approved investment projects in 2023, amounted to 1.26 trillion pesos (roughly 22.5 billion U.S. dollars), 73 percent higher than in 2022, Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) said, today.

Citing an updated report of Board of Investments (BOI), the DOF said in a press release that, the approved investments comprised 311 projects, mainly on renewable energy, telecommunication infrastructure, and the export of copper, gold, and other metals. These projects would produce over 49,000 jobs, if fully operational.

China opposes Japan's congratulatory message to Taiwan president-elect

BEIJING, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The Chinese embassy in Japan said on Sunday that it "resolutely opposed" Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa's statement congratulating Taiwan's new president-elect Lai Ching-te.

In a statement published on the Japanese foreign ministry's website on Saturday, after the results of the Taiwan presidential election were announced, Kamikawa congratulated Lai on his victory, calling the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing "an extremely crucial partner and an important friend."

Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts again, a month after deadly incident

AGAM, Indonesia, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupted on Sunday, with ash rising 1,300 metres (4,300 feet) from the peak six weeks month after a fatal eruption, according to the country's geological agency.

The volcano in West Sumatra province erupted at least twice by 0337 GMT on Sunday, the agency said, urging the evacuation of people within 4.5 km (2.8 miles) of the centre of the eruption, with the possibility of lava flows in rivers and valleys.

North Korea fires missile, minister to visit Russia as tensions rise

SEOUL, Jan 14 (Reuters) - North Korea fired an apparent intermediate-range missile into the sea on Sunday, South Korea and Japan said, as tensions run high after Pyongyang's recent launches of an intercontinental ballistic missile and its first military spy satellite.

North Korea has stepped up pressure on Seoul in recent weeks, declaring it the "principal enemy", saying the North will never reunite with the South and vowing to enhance its ability to deliver a nuclear strike on the U.S. and America's allies in the Pacific.

A Japanese domestic flight returns to airport with crack on a cockpit window. No injuries reported.

TOKYO (AP) — An All Nippon Airways domestic flight turned back to Japan’s northern airport of Sapporo after a crack was found on the cockpit window, according to the airline and media reports.

ANA Flight 1182 was en route to Toyama airport in central Japan on Saturday but had to return to the New Chitose airport for repairs, the airline said. There were no reports of injuries among the 65 people on board.

The crack was found on one of the cockpit windows and the cause is under investigation, according to local media reports.

South Korea: North Korea launches a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile that can reach distant US bases

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, South Korea’s military said, two months after the North claimed to have tested engines for a new harder-to-detect missile capable of striking distant U.S. targets in the region.

The launch was the North’s first this year. Experts say North Korea could ramp up its provocative missile tests as a way to influence the results of South Korea’s parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November.

Japan ANA Boeing 737-800 flight turns back due to cockpit window crack

TOKYO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A domestic flight of Japan's All Nippon Airways (9202.T) returned to its departure airport on Saturday after a crack was found on the cockpit window of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft midair, a spokesperson for the airline said.

Flight 1182 was en route to Toyama airport but headed back to the Sapporo-New Chitose airport after the crack was found on the outermost of four layers of windows surrounding the cockpit, the spokesperson said, adding there were no injuries reported among the 59 passengers and six crew.

Taiwan: The ruling-party candidate strongly opposed by China wins Taiwan’s presidential election

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te emerged victorious in Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday and his opponents conceded, a result that will determine the trajectory of the self-ruled democracy’s relations with China over the next four years.

China had called the poll a choice between war and peace. Beijing strongly opposes Lai, the current vice president who abandoned his medical career to pursue politics from the grassroots to the presidency.

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