In a series of morning tweets, President Donald Trump threw Washington’s relations with Doha into deep crisis on Tuesday and raised doubts about the future of the largest US air base in the Middle East.　Trump publicly accused key regional ally Qatar of funding extremism, while tacitly backing a blockade of the emirate, home to the Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha where around 10,000 US military personnel are stationed.　The base is also the regional headquarters of US special forces and Air Force comm

World News June 7, 2017

Sharp political passions over President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and his links to Russia brought people onto the streets of cities around the globe on Saturday, mostly to condemn but some to praise him. 　They came as Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, ended days of confusion to make clear that “President Trump believes the climate is changing” and that man-made pollutants are partly responsible. 　She insisted in a CNN interview that Trump, who ha

World News June 4, 2017

The probe into Russia’s role in the US election pierced the innermost circle of the White House Saturday, with reports that Donald Trump’s son-in-law sought a secret communications line with Moscow -- the most damning allegation yet from the scandal.　The latest furor was stirred up after the Washington Post reported late Friday that Jared Kushner -- arguably Trump’s closest White House aide, and husband to the president’s eldest daughter Ivanka -- made a pre-inauguration proposal to the Russian

World News May 28, 2017

President Hassan Rouhani, who won re-election on Saturday, has spent three decades at the heart of Iran’s revolutionary establishment but still faces opposition from hardliners for trying to rebuild ties with the West.　The 68-year-old cleric, almost always clad in his white turban, repeated his convincing 2013 victory by bringing together moderates and reformists with his pledges to end Iran’s isolation and improve civil rights at home.　Born in Semnan province on Nov. 12, 1948, Rouhani is marrie

World News May 21, 2017

President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information about Islamic State militants to Russian officials during a meeting last week, The Washington Post reported Monday, prompting strong condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.　Three White House officials who were in the May 10 meeting strongly denounced the story, saying no intelligence sources and methods were discussed -- but they didn’t deny that classified information was disclosed. 　Citing current and former US officials,

World News May 16, 2017

The Laotian youth team was strongly represented through its cultural performance of Laotian traditional dance at the Asean Youth Workshop on Media Literacy in Bangkok last week.　The dance, complete with national costume, was part of a cultural exchange taking place as part of a larger workshop on media literacy and the correct use of social media in today’s modern age.　Through the passing of Laotian culture and traditions from generation to generation, Laotian people have always spread their cul

World News May 9, 2017

A chance encounter with VR turned into a passion and business for this start-up founder.　Ask Lionel Chok what he thinks of virtual reality and his enthusiasm is infectious: “Virtual reality is kick-ass!”　To some people, virtual reality, or VR, is simply a term associated with clunky headsets and video games.　 Mr. Lionel Chok‘s start-up Immersively focuses on education, services and applications in augmented and virtual reality technologies. The Straits Times　To Chok, however, VR presents a world

World News May 9, 2017

Firms such as Panasonic and NEC are focusing on grooming local workers in deep skills.　Brand-name Japanese companies which have operations in Singapore are rolling out programmes to groom Singaporean employees, in a nod to the Republic‘s reputation as a talent hub.　The likes of Panasonic, NEC and enterprise resource planning firm Works Applications from Japan are focusing on grooming Singapore talent in deep skills, be it through student internships or management trainee programmes.　 Workers at

World News May 9, 2017

Apple reported falling iPhone sales, highlighting the need to deliver blockbuster new features in the next edition of the flagship device if the company is to fend off rivals like Samsung Electronics.　Investor confidence has been mounting ahead of a major iPhone revamp due later this year. Yet competitors released new high-end smartphones recently, putting pressure on Apple to deliver a device that is advanced enough to entice existing users to upgrade and lure new customers.　Apple sold 50.8 mil

World News May 3, 2017

Thousands of people joined a global March for Science on Saturday with Washington the epicenter of a movement to fight against what many see as an “assault on facts” by populist politicians. 　US President Donald Trump himself passed dozens of protesters on his way to visit wounded soldiers at a military hospital.　“Stop denying the earth is dying,” one sign visible from Trump’s motorcade read.　People with signs attend a rally before the March for Science in New York on Saturday. AFP-Yonhap　Despit

World News April 23, 2017

Delivering the latest jolt in Britain's year of political shocks, Prime Minister Theresa May called Tuesday for a snap June 8 general election, seeking to strengthen her hand in European Union exit talks and tighten her grip on a fractious Conservative Party. 　With the Labour opposition weakened, May’s gamble will probably pay off with an enhanced Conservative majority in Parliament -- but it‘s unlikely to unite a country deeply split over the decision to quit the EU. British Prime Minister Ther

World News April 19, 2017

If there were a global contest for winning elections, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would see himself as the undisputed -- and undefeated -- heavyweight champion of the world.In the 15 years since his ruling party came to power, Erdogan has taken part in 11 elections -- five legislative polls, two referenda, three local elections and a presidential vote -- and won them all.On Sunday, Erdogan claimed victory in his 12th and arguably biggest ballot-box challenge since his ruling Justice

World News April 17, 2017