Ukraine hails new air defences, warns power situation 'tense' - CNA

KYIV: Ukraine announced on Monday (Nov 7) it had received more air defence systems from Western military allies, as officials in Kyiv asked residents to use electricity sparingly after weeks of Russian attacks on energy facilities.

The new weaponry comes as a question mark hovers over American support for Ukraine ahead of elections on Tuesday which will determine control of the US Congress.

Republicans, who analysts say will win the House of Representatives and perhaps the Senate too, have expressed concerns about the level of spending for Ukraine - although President Joe Biden's White House has vowed "unwavering" support for Kyiv regardless of the vote outcome.

Ukraine's defence ministry meanwhile said it was requisitioning several energy and manufacturing companies of strategic importance to guarantee sufficient supplies for the military to fend off Russia's invasion.

Attacks by Moscow's forces, including with Iranian-made drones over the past month, have destroyed around 40 per cent of Ukraine's power stations.

Kyiv has been rocked by barrages of Russian attacks on the first day of each week for nearly a month, but air raid sirens were quiet on Monday with residents out as normal.

In a grey and foggy Kyiv residents were unfazed by the threat of fresh strikes Monday.

"To be honest, it's not only Mondays, it's been eight months that we know this can happen every day and we adapted. I'm not going to change my routine for that. I'm coming to work ... just like every other day," 21-year-old Kyiv resident Alyona Plekh told AFP.

HELPING HANDS

Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov announced Monday that Ukraine had received National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and Italian Aspide air defences, adding to weapons supplied by Germany.

"These weapons will significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army and will make our skies safer," Reznikov said on social media.

"We will continue to shoot down the enemy targets attacking us. Thank you to our partners - Norway, Spain and the US," Reznikov added.

Meanwhile, North Korea dismissed as "groundless" claims by the United States that Pyongyang is supplying artillery ammunition to Moscow for the fighting.

"We once again make clear that we have never had 'arms dealings' with Russia and that we have no plan to do so in the future," the statement from the North Korean defence ministry said, according to state media KCNA.

"TENSE" SITUATION

Weeks of Russian attacks have caused sweeping blackouts and restrictions on energy use across Ukraine.

"The situation in the power system is tense. We ask all residents of the region to support energy workers in the struggle on the energy front. To do this, use electricity sparingly," city authorities said in a statement.

Those pleas come just one day after Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko warned of a possible total blackout in the capital.

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2022-11-07 21:33:00Z
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Is China About to End Covid Zero? Here's What We Know Right Now - Bloomberg

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1. Is China About to End Covid Zero? Here's What We Know Right Now  Bloomberg
2. Dollar gains as China sticks to stringent COVID policy, souring risk sentiment  CNA
3. ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: China unwavering on zero COVID  ForexLive
4. U.S. stocks dip, dollar up as China sticks to pandemic policy  Reuters
5. AUDUSD slides towards 0.6400 on zero-covid policy concerns, China, US data eyed  FXStreet
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2022-11-07 10:23:12Z
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Chinese Trade Unexpectedly Drops as Demand Slowdown Worsens - Bloomberg

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1. Chinese Trade Unexpectedly Drops as Demand Slowdown Worsens  Bloomberg
2. Instant view: China October imports of soybeans and copper fall y/y  CNA
3. China’s trade shrinks as COVID curbs, global slowdown bite  Al Jazeera English
4. ‘Turning point’ for China trade as exports suffer first drop in over 2 years  South China Morning Post
5. China's exports, imports fell in October amid tight COVID policy  Nikkei Asia
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2022-11-07 06:59:00Z
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China Markets Set for More Volatility as Covid-Zero Policy Stays - Bloomberg

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1. China Markets Set for More Volatility as Covid-Zero Policy Stays  Bloomberg
2. Dollar gains as China sticks to stringent COVID policy, souring risk sentiment  CNA
3. Asia stocks resilient as Wall Street slips, China trade disappoints  Reuters
4. U.S. stocks dip, dollar up as China sticks to pandemic policy  Reuters
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2022-11-07 00:51:00Z
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Perikatan Nasional pledges to create 1 million jobs during Malaysia GE15 manifesto launch - CNA

SHAH ALAM, Selangor: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has vowed to solve the bread and butter issues faced by the people, saying this will be the coalition’s top priority if it wins Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15).   

During the launch of the coalition’s manifesto on Sunday night (Nov 6), issues of the economy and cost of living featured prominently on the agenda.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin also pledged to create one million high-income opportunities in the next few years.

“Some people have asked if we can do it. I said yes. Why? Because we have the experience,” he said.   

Mr Muhyiddin also claimed that during his time as prime minister, the government managed to create 558,000 jobs in 2021.

“I believe that if we are given the mandate, we can do it and can do it much better,” he said.

PN’s manifesto contained 12 pillars that covered 30 “strategies” and 234 “offers”.  

The pillars included improvement in governance, reducing the development gap, environmental sustainability, optimising the potential of women as well as empowerment of the aged among other areas.  

In his speech, Mr Muhyiddin said that if elected as government, PN’s first Cabinet meeting would be to discuss ways of solving the rising cost of living issues that are caused by inflation.    

“To solve this issue, the government must look at the issue of supply disruptions and cost of imports more seriously, especially with a depreciation of the ringgit compared to other currencies, especially the American dollar,” he said.

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2022-11-06 14:55:31Z
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Malaysia GE15: Independent candidate Tian Chua apologises to PKR's Anwar for joining Batu contest - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Independent candidate Chua Tian Chang, who is among those who threw their hats into the ring for the 10-cornered fight in Batu, Kuala Lumpur, has apologised to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Anwar Ibrahim.

Mr Chua, a former PKR vice president who is better known as Tian Chua, was quoted as saying by Berita Harian on Sunday (Nov 6) that he was contesting in the parliamentary seat as he wanted to serve.

After Tian Chua submitted his nomination papers on Saturday, Mr Anwar said that he will be sacked from PKR for running as an independent.

PKR’s deputy president Rafizi Ramli later said that the party will discuss Tian Chua’s move to contest in Batu as an independent candidate after the 15th General Election (GE15) as the focus should now be on campaigning efforts.

According to the Berita Harian report, Tian Chua said: “I have to respect the president’s power. I understand Anwar’s dilemma, he is forced to carry out the responsibility as president to follow the party’s rules.”

“I really understand his disappointment and I apologise for being forced to do something that saddens him.

“But I wish to emphasise that my friendship with Anwar will not change even a bit at all, although affected by current political situations,” Tian Chua, who is among the founding members of PKR, added.

He also said that he continues to respect Anwar and appreciate his sacrifices as a leader.

Tian Chua was Batu Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2018. During the 2018 polls, Tian Chua was disqualified to contest and his nomination was rejected due to an RM2,000 (US$421) fine from a court case that he paid in 2010.

Tian Chua is among the PKR politicians who are believed to be close to former PKR deputy president and current caretaker senior minister Azmin Ali. 

In 2020, as part of what is commonly known as the Sheraton Move, Mr Azmin led several PKR lawmakers to leave the party. This was among the factors that resulted in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration at that time. Mr Azmin later joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Tian Chua was dropped from PKR’s GE15 line-up.

The 10-cornered fight in Batu is the most crowded contest in GE15. There are six candidates from the major coalitions including PKR’s P. Prabakaran, Malaysian Indian Congress’ A. Kohilan Pillay and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s Azhar Yahya.
 
Besides Tian Chua, there are three other independent candidates. 

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2022-11-06 08:50:26Z
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Ismail Sabri popular among his Pahang constituents, but questions remain over future Malaysia PM role - CNA

One resident who only gave his name as Frankie, 52, said he feels Triang is lagging in development behind the next door town of Kerayong, where the hospital and Syariah court are located.

Frankie, who works in a school canteen, said his ageing school building was in dire need of a facelift. But because there was not enough federal funds allocated, he said, administrators had to canvass large sums of donations.

“I’m still deciding who to support for this election,” he added.

Another Triang resident, who only wanted to be known by his surname Chong, said he is still undecided on who to vote for.

Mr Chong, who runs a hardware shop, recognised that Mr Ismail Sabri has given financial assistance to those who are disadvantaged, but called on the federal government to improve Malaysia’s economy as a whole.

“People will prosper only if the economy is good,” the 38-year-old said. “I will support the candidate who can help the people of Malaysia.”

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2022-11-05 22:00:38Z
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