The ban on the former president's candidacy for the newly formed MK party has been lifted despite a criminal conviction. The ruling ANC could lose its absolute majority for the first time since 1994 in May elections. A South African court on Tuesday overruled electoral authorities' decision to bar former President Jacob Zuma from running in the country's general elections next month. South Africans will on May 29 vote for a new parliament, which will in turn elect the president. What do we know about the decision? "The decision of the Electoral Commission... is set aside," the Electoral Court wrote in its ruling seen by AFP news agency.  The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) decided last month to bar Zuma from running for a seat in Parliament on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK). The IEC disqualified Zuma over his 2021 conviction and jailing for contempt of court. He was sentenced to 15 months after he refused to testify to a panel investigating corruption under his government. However, the Electoral Court overturned the decision.  South Africa does not allow people sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of paying a fine to run in elections. Zuma's lawyers had argued that the sentence did not disqualify him as it followed civil rather than criminal proceedings and had been shortened by a remission. ANC struggling in polls MK is expected to cut into the vote share of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Opinion polls show that the ANC, which has been rocked by several corruption scandals, could lose its absolute majority in parliament for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. If it does not achieve an outright majority of seats, the ANC will be forced to seek the support of smaller parties to form government. MK is projected to receive substantial support in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, which is Zuma's home region.  

Team Hexagon is the Bangladeshi professional female E-sports team who has qualified for the finals by defeating multiple qualifiers and teams from South Asia. The team members are Tasnia Naina, Sabrina Islam, Sidratil Nuran, Zarrin Saiyara, Jannatul Ferdous and Kayanat Kaiser. Female teams from Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh joined this game. The tournament is aimed at showcasing the talent and prowess of female gamers from across the South Asia region. On its official Facebook page the group stated, “It's a remarkable accomplishment that showcases the team's dedication, skill, and determination. We will keep up the excellent performance as we continue with the tournament. Please wish us luck and cheer us on further.” VCT Game Changers South Asia organized by VALORANT Official and hosted by NODWIN Gaming. Where Team Hexagon, the Bangladeshi professional female E-sports team secured berth in the final through various qualifiers and defeating teams from South Asia. The final of the tournament will start from April 6. However, VCT Game Changers is a new program which will supplement the competitive season by creating new chances and exposure for women as well as marginalized genders within VALORANT E-sports.   

The suspected ballistic missile appeared to fall outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and prompted Fumio Kishida to condemn North Korea's military actions. North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, South Korea's military said. The launch of the missile prompted an alarmed response from Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. South Korea's military said it detected the firing of what seemed like to be a ballistic missile of an intermediate range. According to South Korea, the missile was launched from the area of the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Tuesday at 06.53 a.m. (2153 GMT on Monday). "This is a matter that concerns not only the security of our country but also the safety of the region and the international community. It is absolutely unacceptable," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a news conference in Tokyo. The missile's flying range was about 600 km (372 miles) before it fell into the sea, South Korea's military said. Meanwhile, Japan's military estimated the missile flew a distance of 650 km (400 miles) and hit a maximum altitude of 100 km (62 miles). Tension in Korean Peninsula on the rise This is the first time Pyongyang has launched a missile since March when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a live-fire drill of artillery systems built to target South Korea's capital. The missile launches by North Korea have become more rampant since Russia invaded Ukraine. South Korea and Japan have also increased their security cooperation amid concerns about North Korea and Russia's growing ties.  

Local transportation authority says bus was carrying people to attend Easter weekend church service. A bus carrying 46 people crashed over a bridge in South Africa, killing everyone on board except an 8-year-old girl, local officials said Thursday.  The accident happened on the Mma Matlakala Bridge between Marken and Mokopane, in the northern province of Limpopo, roughly 320 kilometres north of Johannesburg.  The Limpopo Department of Transportation and Community Safety said, in a statement posted on Facebook, the bus was believed to be carrying people who were travelling to attend an Easter weekend church service in the town of Moira.  According to the statement, it's believe the bus lost control and went over the side of the bridge and plummeted 50 metres below onto a rocky surface and caught on fire.  The child who survived the accident was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated, but details of her condition are unclear. The bus was registered in the neighbouring country of Botswana, the department said, and officials are working to confirm the citizenship of the victims.  The statement went on to say "some bodies were burned beyond recognition," while others were either trapped in wreckage or scattered nearby.   Source: CBC

The former president has been expelled from the ruling ANC and has been campaigning for the newly formed MK party. An MK spokesman said the party will appeal the decision made by the Independent Electoral Commission. Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been disqualified from running in the country's general elections in May. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Thursday he was one of eight candidates who faced official objections. "In the case of former president Zuma, yes, we did receive an objection, which has been upheld," IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said at a media briefing. The IEC disqualified him over his 2021 conviction and jailing for contempt of court. Increasing tensions in the run-up to the polls Zuma, who led the country from 2009 to 2018 until his removal amid wide-ranging allegations of corruption, parted ways with the ruling African National Congress in December and is now leading the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK). MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndlhela told the AFP news agency the party " of course will appeal" the IEC's decision. Some of the party's leaders have previously threatened violence if Zuma was barred from contesting the elections. Seperately the ANC has launched a legal challenge against Zuma's party, disputing its use of the name and trademark of the dissolved organization. The MK party is named after the former military wing of the ANC, which was disbanded at the end of apartheid. MK party can still compete in the vote The IEC's decision does not prevent the MK party from taking part in the May 29 poll. It is widely expected to be the most competitive vote since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994. According to recent polls, the ANC may dip below 50% of the national vote for the first time since it came into power. Zuma's popularity has helped the MK Party gain traction ahead of the upcoming polls, particularly in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The biggest names in K-pop have sought out new markets overseas. But they've left a hole in their home market that no other acts have been able to fill yet. South Korea's hugely popular K-pop and the broader "hallyu" or "Korean Wave" genre of popular culture are experiencing something of a crisis, with domestic sales declining, new bands failing to whip up the same frenzy as their predecessors, and shares in the top K-pop agencies plummeting, suggesting that investors are jittery that the bubble may be about to burst.  The domestic slump coincides with those same performers — BlackPink, BTS, and the irascible Psy, who unleashed "Gangnam Style" on an unsuspecting world back in 2012 — growing in popularity on the international music scene. The suggestion is that by attempting to broaden its appeal to a global audience — performing in foreign languages, topping the music charts in key markets around the world and being hyped on the chat shows — those bands have forgotten their roots and are in danger of alienating the very people who launched their careers. Hallyu has, of course, undergone ups and downs in its popularity in the past but has always found a way to reinvent itself or evolve, analysts point out. The challenge, they suggest, is for the industry to pull off that same trick to keep the home-grown fans coming back, buying the music and attending concerts. Domestic versus international popularity  "I would suggest there are absolutely no signs of K-pop declining in popularity abroad and that it is difficult to directly correlate the stock market value of K-pop agencies with the popularity of their bands," said Park Saing-in, an economist at Seoul National University. "But we can say that stock prices reflect the market's future expectations and while hit bands like BTS and BlackPink are still performing, it is fair to ask where their successors are," Park told DW. In recent months, new band Baby Monster has failed to make a significant dent in the Melon Top 100, the South Korean ranking for music sales, while ITZY and NMIXX saw their latest releases sink dramatically in their second week, The Korean Times reported earlier this month. Similarly, sales of the latest mini-album released by girl-group Le Sserafim shrank 20% in the second week of its release. Uncertainty over the bankability of performers at home has hurt the four biggest management agencies, with stocks in YG Entertainment down by 15% in mid-March from the turn of the year. HYBE was down 19%, while industry giant SM Entertainment fell 22% and JYP Entertainment lost a worrying 33% of its share value in the same period, according to the ChosunIlbo newspaper.   In response to the slump in sales, which account for a major slice of total revenue, agencies are attempting to launch an array of new artistes, with YG Entertainment unveiling the boy-band Treasure, HYBE introducing TWS and Katseye and SM Entertainment pushing NCT Wish. But it is not at all clear if any of these bands, plus others that are in the pipeline, have what it takes to take over the mantle of super-groups such as BTS. Scandal and disruption Other problems have also dogged the industry, with the members of BTS presently carrying out their national service, forcing the band into a year-long hiatus, while other stars have been struck down by scandal. Karina, a 24-year-old singer with girl-group Aespa, provoked a storm of protest from fans after it was revealed in late February that she was in a relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook. Agencies encourage their performers not to have boyfriends or girlfriends as that destroys the daydream that they like to promote among fans that these idols are single, and therefore potentially available as a romantic partner, however fanciful that notion might be.   There is a sub-set of fanatical followers who turn up at concerts waving signs that read "my husband" or "my wife" – and revelations that the target of their affections is actually involved in a real relationship is a betrayal that too often leads to anger and accusations on social media.   Whatever the cause of consumers' anguish, that is being reflected in falling popularity at home. "A lot of hallyu culture reached its peak during the COVID pandemic," said David Tizzard, an assistant professor of education at Seoul Women's University and a columnist for a Korean daily focusing on social affairs. Hallyu is a Chinese term that translates to “Korean Wave” and refers to Korean popular culture, everything from music to movies, food and gaming.  "With people stuck indoors or isolated from others, they turned to the high production values of South Korean music and dramas to get them through it," he said. "Hallyu is also more than just content, there's a surrounding community and culture which draws people in. They can do more than just watch a drama, they can learn about the actors, read fan fiction, communicate on Twitter and Tik-Tok," he told DW. Post-pandemic shift When the pandemic ended, some people "moved on," Tizzard said. "It served a purpose. It was a genuine culture, with visible high points of the movie 'Parasite' at the Oscars and Black Pink and BTS achieving great success, but now that culture has shifted and people are looking for something new." Tizzard believes that while hallyu culture may not be as wide as it was a couple of years ago, it remains deep and "the fans who engage in it are still as passionate as they always were." But Park is not convinced that will be enough. "In the past, South Korea produced a lot of hit television dramas that were hugely popular here and around the world," he pointed out. "But that is no longer the case and the television sector has lost its momentum. The same thing can happen with Korean movies or music," Park added. "I would say that K-pop appears to be structurally sound at the moment, but the future remains uncertain."  

Leaders of the ASEAN bloc and Australia made a joint statement calling for peace and stability in the region. China claims the entire South China sea and has been aggressive towards ships from other nations. Leaders of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia issued a collective statement on Wednesday against actions that could jeopardize peace in the South China Sea, following recent tensions between Beijing and the Philippines in disputed waters. "We recognize the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity. We encourage all countries to avoid any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region," the nations said in a joint statement while calling for a "rules-based" order in the Indo-Pacific region. In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said, "We will properly manage differences with the countries concerned and fully and effectively implement them with ASEAN countries." Tensions in the South China Sea Tensions in the trade corridor escalated earlier this week when Chinese vessels in the Spratly Islands were accused of pursuing Philippine ships.  On Monday when the summit began, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo asked Beijing to "stop harassing us."  The following day, the Philippines summoned China's deputy chief of mission in Manila for "aggressive actions" against a resupply mission for their troops. The Philippine coast guard said Chinese ships were involved in two separate collisions, including one where a resupply boat was hit with a water cannon. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, disregarding legal precedents and competing claims from various Southeast Asian nations. The dispute remains a significant security challenge in the region, casting a shadow over a three-day summit between Australia and the 10-nation ASEAN bloc.  China calls Philippines a US 'pawn' Tensions between China and the Philippines also threaten relations between China and the US, already precarious due to Beijing's aggression toward Taiwan. Manila and Washington are subject to a mutual defense treaty, going back to 1951, which binds them to defend each other if one comes under attack. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday that the collisions in the South China Sea were not enough of a reason to invoke the treaty. But Marcos did express his "great alarm" over the incidents. Meanwhile, China accused the US of using the Philippines as a "pawn" "China urges the United States not to use the Philippines as a pawn to stir up trouble in the South China Sea," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters. "The Philippines should not let itself be at the mercy of the United States," she added.  Australia seeks to 'alleviate tensions' China's increasing aggression in the sea has been a priority on the ASEAN summit's agenda, which ends Wednesday.  The summit is being held in Melbourne to mark 50 years of Australia becoming the bloc's first external partner.  Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,  speaking to reporters at the summit said, "I am very concerned and Australia is concerned about any unsafe and destabilizing behavior in the South China Sea. We need to make sure that activity in the South China Sea alleviates any tensions and doesn't add to it."

Around 10,000 junior doctors have defied a government order to return to work. They're protesting plans to increase the annual medical student intake, but polls suggest an unsympathetic public. South Korea's government on Monday began taking steps to suspend the licenses of junior doctors still on strike, several days after its February 29 deadline for them to return to work passed.  Roughly 10,000 physicians walked out almost two weeks ago in a protest against government plans to drastically increase the annual medical student intake. The prolonged strike has led to the cancellation of treatments and surgeries, with the government raising its public health alert to its highest level in response. South Korean law permits the government to order medical professionals to end strike actions or risk suspension or even imprisonment if it perceives public health risks because of their absence. Doctors protested in numbers on Sunday in the capital, including many who are not on strike, with banners carrying slogans like "we are not criminals."  Government moves to suspend licenses Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said at a press conference on Monday that the number of doctors returning to work since the government deadline expired "has been minimal."  Around 9,000 remained on strike and only 565 had returned, according to Park. "Starting today the government is enforcing legal measure," he said, saying that inspections would be conducted at hospitals to confirm which doctors were absent.  "If they violate the government's back-to-work order, a three-month suspension is inevitable," Park said. "We again strongly urge them to return to patients."  The minister warned that such a suspension would lead to a delay of at least a year in the doctors getting their specialization medical certificate and could damage their career prospects. Why are South Korean doctors on strike? The government in South Korea is aiming to increase medical school admissions by 65% — from roughly 3,000 to around 5,000 a year — saying that the country is struggling with an aging population and one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed nations. Medical professionals have argued the reform will erode the quality of medical education and later service. They also say it could lead to inflated costs and unnecessary treatments, and argue that new recruits will gravitate towards higher-paying, non-essential areas like plastic surgery and dermatology. Critics, however, argue that the doctors are more interested in protecting their salaries and status. Polls suggest around three-quarters of the public oppose the work stoppages. The striking junior doctors only make up a fraction of the roughly 140,000 doctors in South Korea. However, they also account for almost half the staff at some major mainly urban hospitals, where they assist senior doctors while training. Senior doctors have not joined the strike but have staged a series of protests to show their support for it.  "The government is very aware of the reasons why all doctors are opposing the increase in the medical school admissions but are exploiting policies to turn doctors into slaves forever," Kim Taek-woo of the Korea Medical Association said at a rally in Seoul on Sunday. In theory, medical professionals who strike against government orders in South Korea can face the suspension of their license or a fine or even up to three years in prison.

The crowd-pulling panda will return to China as part of Beijing's "panda diplomacy" under which animals are leased as goodwill gestures. Fu Bao became a favorite as she was born in South Korea to loaned animals. A South Korean theme park in Yongin near Seoul on Sunday threw a farewell bash for one of its most famous residents, Fu Bao, the giant Panda. Fu Bao — meaning "lucky treasure" — was the first giant panda to be born in South Korea in 2020 and has drawn countless visitors to the Everland theme park. The much-loved Fu Bao, who turns four this year, will be transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province next month, after spending a month in quarantine. Sunday was her last day on show to visitors prior to the quarantine. Farewell Fu Bao Thousands of people gathered to attend a special farewell event held for Fu Bao, with many saying how much they would miss her. Fu Bao will be heading to China as part of an international agreement under which pandas that are loaned or have been born abroad must be returned after a period of time. Zookeeper Kang Cher-won — who has cared for Fu Bao since birth — said the panda had given him love and taught him about the species that was downgraded from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2016. "Fu Bao is a friend who has played many roles," Kang said. "She was my first panda cub, and my heart is filled with memories of her that I will never forget all my life." China's goodwill ambassadors China's "panda diplomacy" has seen animals leased to countries around the world over the years as goodwill animal ambassadors since the 1950s. The cub's parents — 10-year-old female Ai Bao and 11-year-old male Le Bao — arrived in 2016 from Sichuan province as part of the scheme. Last July, Ai Bao gave birth to twins at the Everland theme park. Berlin Zoo is home to Germany's only pandas — Meng Meng, Jiao Qing and their cubs Meng Xiang, nicknamed Pit and Meng Yuan, nicknamed Paule — who were born there in the summer of 2019. The Panda Garden, housing the family, was officially opened by then Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2017.  

The South Korean government has warned trainee doctors they could face legal punishment if they don't end their strike. Protests have been taking place over plans to boost medical school enrollments The government in South Korea made a last-ditch appeal to striking doctors on Thursday to end their mass walkout, or face having their medical licenses suspended and prosecution. Thousands of resident and intern doctors have walked off the job for the past 10 days in protest over government plans to raise the number of students enrolling at medical school by 2,000 each year. They argue that the government should first address pay and working conditions before attempting to raise the number of doctors. Return to work ultimatum "We've said that we won't hold them responsible for leaving their worksites if they return by today," Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a briefing. "Doctors are there to serve patients, and those patients are anxiously waiting for you. This isn't the way to protest against the government," said Park. South Korea's Health Ministry said that as of Wednesday night, around 9,076 of the country's 13,000 medical interns and residents were confirmed to have walked off the job. Senior Health Ministry official Kim Chung-hwan told a briefing that starting on March 4, doctors who missed the deadline to return to work would be notified of plans to suspend their licenses and that they would be given an opportunity to respond. Government says emergency, critical care stable The walkouts have strained South Korea's health system, leading to postponed surgeries and suspended medical treatments. Health authorities say the handling of emergency cases and those needing critical care is largely stable. Still, in an effort to ease the burden, military medical facilities have been temporarily opened to the public.