ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said Turkey would launch cross-border offensives, like previous military operations in Syria, in the "new era" after snap polls on June 24. "Turkey will launch additional offensives like Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations to clear its border of terror organisations in the new era," Erdogan said as he revealed the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) manifesto in Istanbul. Operation Euphrates Shield took place between August 2016 and March 2017 against the Islamic State group, while the Olive Branch offensive targeted the People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in its western enclave of Afrin earlier this year. The president did not give any details on where the next operation could take place although there has been speculation that Ankara could launch an offensive in northern Iraq. Turkey says the YPG is linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency inside Turkey since … [Read more...] about Turkey vows to launch new cross-border military operations
Crossing borders
Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival
Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival GOYANG, South Korea — With a single step over a weathered, cracked slab of concrete, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made history Friday by crossing over the world's most heavily armed border to greet his rival, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, for talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons. Kim then invited Moon to cross briefly north with him before they returned to the southern side. Those small steps must be seen in the context of the last year — when the United States, its ally South Korea and the North seemed at times to be on the verge of nuclear war as the North unleashed a torrent of weapons tests — but also in light of the long, destructive history of the rival Koreas, who fought one of the 20th century's bloodiest conflicts and even today occupy a divided peninsula that's still technically in a state of war. It was all smiles Friday as Moon grasped Kim's hand and … [Read more...] about Kim Jong Un makes history, crosses border to meet his rival
Hotspots, rat trails, elephant trails used for cross-border crimes are identified
KUALA LUMPUR: National security agencies have identified hotspots, 'rat trails' and 'elephant trails' along the border areas which are frequently used for cross-border criminal activities, the Dewan Negara was told today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said these hotspots and trails were used to smuggle controlled items and cigarettes, as well as illegal immigrants. He said this includes an estimated 971.5 km of coastline along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and 839.7 km along the east coast, while in Sarawak it was 1,765.8 km and Sabah 2,344.6 km of coastline, respectively. "There are also rat trails along maritime borders especially in mangrove areas which are close to the neighbouring countries and these trails are patrolled not just at sea but also on land. "There are also an unknown number of rat trails and elephant trails along the 556 km of the Malaysia-Thailand border which covers settlement areas and jungle but there are … [Read more...] about Hotspots, rat trails, elephant trails used for cross-border crimes are identified
Asean, Australia to make it easier for cross-border digital trade
Speaking at an Asean-Australia business summit, Turnbull said Australia will continue to work with its closest neighbours in the region on trade liberalisation. “You dont grow stronger by closing the door to other markets. Protectionism is a dead end. It is not a ladder to get you out of the low-growth trap. It's a shovel to dig it much deeper,” he said. “We must face the world, not turn from it. Embrace free trade, not retreat from it, and do so on the basis of strong and transparent rules, fair and open competition and non-discriminatory legislation.” Turnbull's remarks echoed those made by Lee on Thursday in an interview with Australian media, in which he said that recent moves by the United States to protect its domestic industries have raised the spectre of tit-for-tat trade wars. He warned that steps taken by US President Donald Trump, such as imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, set a precedent and countries were now “under pressure … [Read more...] about Asean, Australia to make it easier for cross-border digital trade
Ripple wants to be part of Singapore’s cross-border payments blockchain experiment: Report
The blockchain company behind cryptocurrency XRP is hoping to work with Singapore authorities to develop the use of blockchain technology here, The Business Times (BT) reported on Wednesday (Jan 10).Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reportedly told BT that the company has attended talks with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its technology to be part of the central bank’s blockchain experiment in cross-border paymentsMr Garlinghouse added that Ripple sees Southeast Asia as a priority market with pressing remittance demands. Read also: Ripple, the company behind cryptocurrency XRP, is betting big on Asia “Cross-border is where we think we can uniquely help,” Mr Garlinghouse was quoted as saying.MAS had announced during the 2017 Singapore Fintech Festival that it would start experimenting on cross-border payments using blockchain technology.At the moment, no deals have been confirmed.Ripple’s technology is used by banks to improve the speed of … [Read more...] about Ripple wants to be part of Singapore’s cross-border payments blockchain experiment: Report