Author: Jafar Marzooq

North Korean soldiers have been filmed receiving uniforms and equipment at a training ground in Russia’s far east, appearing to confirm reports from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) that 1,500 soldiers have been shipped over for military training to be deployed in Ukraine. The North Korean troops are thought to be receiving training before being sent to the front line in Ukraine, in what is thought to be a clear sign of the ever-warming relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. In a video shared with CNN by Ukrainian government organization the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security, a long line of…

Women’s clothes are high on the government’s agenda once again in Tajikistan, where authorities and Islamic leaders are working on new guidelines on what women should wear to work and during their leisure time. The new dress code — the second of its kind in six years — is expected to be made public in the coming days, and a special event is reportedly being planned for the capital, Dushanbe, in August to showcase compliant clothes. Sulaimon Davlatzoda, the head of the state Committee for Religious Affairs and the Regulation of Traditions, told a press briefing in the capital this week that…

Moscow (28/2). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that non-governmental organizations in Central Asia have stepped up their anti-Russian activities amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Shoigu said this at the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 27. According to him, there are more than 100 “large pro-Western non-governmental organisations” operating in Central Asia, which have more than 16,000 representative offices and branches. “Against the backdrop of the special military operation, these NGOs have significantly increased their anti-Russian activities in order to reduce military-technical, economic and cultural cooperation between the Central Asian states and Russia.…

All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday (31 March). All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30…

Warsaw, Berlin (25/3 – 80) A diverse group of Pamiri and Ismaili interest groups gathered to discuss the terror attack in Moscow. “We reject the notion this were Pamiris or Ismailis representing us”, said one of the spokespeople, who want to remain anonymous out of fear of persecution by the Tajik authorities. “They are Takfiris”, he said. Non-believers, apostates to the cause. The majlis (meeting) was called after Moscow was quick to blame Tajik immigrants for the terror attacks. Previous warnings were ignored by Moscow. “We as a Pamiri community do not belief in the use of violence against the…

The G7 on Wednesday issued a pointed warning on China’s militarisation of the South China Sea and called for Beijing to press Russia for an unconditional withdrawal Afrom Ukraine. The body representing most of the world’s largest economies had Beijing squarely in mind after convening a virtual meeting attended by its members’ heads of state, with the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East also figuring prominently. In a statement, it urged China to “press Russia to stop its military aggression” and to “support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” in line with the principles of the UN Charter. While the Group of 7 leaders reaffirmed a…

While FinTech funding in ASEAN plunged 70%, Singapore retains top spot. Sustainability is garnering significant investor interest in ASEAN despite uncertain macroeconomic conditions in 2023, with Green Financial Technology (FinTech) firms bringing forth innovative solutions to help businesses and governments address challenges and opportunities of going green. This insight is part of the FinTech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the Green Transition report, jointly launched by UOB, PwC Singapore and the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) today. Singapore retained its podium position within the region, securing US$747 million FinTech funding, or 59 per cent of total funding in ASEAN. Though this was…

KUCHING (Dec 8): The construction of a new RM5 million dedicated Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) office in Sibu District will begin next year. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali in revealing this said the pilot project is expected to be completed in three years to accommodate the need for a dedicated APM office in the state. “Many APM offices, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, still operate from federal and state government premises, or rely on CSR (corporate social responsibility) from various companies. “Therefore, we initiated this pilot project to…

KUCHING (Nov 21): It is timely for the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 to be tabled, as the law would help tremendously in enhancing the performance, responsibilities and duties, and the delivery of public service. In stating this, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said every member of the public is entitled to all these in the first instance, adding that the Bill signifies the seriousness and commitment of the state government, under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, in matters concerning public transparency. “This law is a crucial step towards creating a trustworthy and efficient government, and provides a channel for…

PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Jens Ruebbert, chairman of the EU-Asean Business Council (EU-ABC), expressed optimism about Cambodia’s investment climate under the new government as Prime Minister Hun Manet has offered broad support for the private sector, according to Manet’s social media team. Ruebbert and his EU-ABC delegation met with Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, where they discussed a number of projects. The October 24 meeting was also attended by representatives from 25 private companies and newly-appointed EU ambassador Igor Driesmans. Manet welcomed the delegation, as well as the private sector representatives, who wish to explore investment…