LEE HSIEN LOONG

Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela offered condolences to the United Kingdom on Friday following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch.

After almost a century, the nation is done with criminalizing sex between men. It’s the right thing to do, but it’s hard to separate the move from the contest for global talent.

Singapore's gay community says the government's plan is "a triumph of love over fear" but warned there's still a long way to equality.

Since 2007, when Parliament last debated whether to repeal Section 377A, its position was to keep the law but not enforce it. He said the government will amend the constitution to “safeguard the institution of marriage” and prevent any constitutional challenge to allow same-sex unions. Singapore’s top Islamic leader, Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, said the repeal was a “tough balancing act” and steps to preserve traditional values were crucial. Taiwan became the first Asian government to legalize gay marriage in 2019, and Thailand recently approved plans allowing same-sex unions. National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said the repeal could set the scene for future challenges to the constitution.

Singapore’s gay community says the government’s plan to decriminalize sex between men is “a triumph of love over fear.”.

Singapore plans to repeal a colonial-era law that criminalizes sex between men but will amend the constitution to bolster rules to prevent same-sex marriages. While the long-awaited change was welcomed by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, the government looked to appease concerns from conservative and religious groups by protecting the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. Here’s where things stand:

Singapore plans to repeal a colonial-era law that criminalizes sex between men but will amend the constitution to bolster rules to prevent same-sex marriages. While the long-awaited change was welcomed by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, the government looked to appease concerns from conservative and religious groups by protecting the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. Here’s where things stand:

LGBTQ groups applauded the repeal but said discrimination will continue without recognition of same-sex couples.

The change comes as the country also plans to repeal a law that criminalizes gay sex.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — (AP) — Singapore announced Sunday it will decriminalize sex between men by repealing a colonial-era law while protecting the city-state's traditional norms and its definition of marriage. “Even as we repeal Section 377A, we will uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage,” Lee said. But gay men say the law hangs over their heads and discriminates against them. In 2018, India decriminalized gay sex after its Supreme Court in a historic ruling struck down Section 377 that punished gay sex by up to 10 years in prison. Some Asian countries have also moved to legalize gay marriage, with Taiwan as the first in 2019.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he believed it is the "right thing to do now" as most Singaporeans will now accept it.

BANGKOK — (AP) — Singapore announced Sunday it will decriminalize sex between men by repealing a colonial-era law while protecting the city-state's definition of marriage. During his speech at the annual National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he believed it is the “right thing to do now” as most Singaporeans will now accept it. “This will bring the law into line with current social models and I hope provide some relief to gay Singaporeans,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during his speech at the annual National Day Rally. He said the government will also amend the Constitution to ensure that there can be no constitutional challenge to allow same-sex marriage. “Even as we repeal Section 377A, we will uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage,” Lee said.

Singapore's leader says the city-state will decriminalize sex between men by repealing a colonial-era law while protecting the city-state's definition of marriage.

The benign global economic conditions that buoyed the city-state for decades are over, for now at least.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan.

Pelosi arrived in Singapore early Monday, kicking off her Asian tour as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing. Pelosi, head of one of three branches of the U.S. government, would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit Taiwan since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. Washington is obligated by the Taiwan Relations Act, a federal law, to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself. She has long challenged China on human rights and wanted to visit Taiwan earlier this year.

Singapore Asia Pelosi In this photo provided by Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. Pelosi arrived in Singapore early Monday, kicking off her Asian tour as questions swirled over a possible stop in Taiwan that has fueled tension with Beijing. Lee and Pelosi also discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan and mainland China, and climate change, it said. Lee “highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security," it added, in an apparent allusion to reports that Pelosi may visit Taiwan. She has long challenged China on human rights and wanted to visit Taiwan earlier this year.

The White House is criticizing Beijing’s rhetoric over an expected visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan and vowing the United States “will not take the bait or engage in saber rattling."

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has named Finance Minister Lawrence Wong as deputy prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle.

It won’t be a big, U.K.-style burst of freedom, but it’s welcome all the same.

The finance minister pulls ahead of rivals and gets the key endorsement. Crucial tests await — before and after his ascent.

The White House says President Joe Biden will host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian nations in Washington next month for a summit.

New freedoms after two years of strict Covid regulations were met less with jubilation than a cautious acceptance.

The meeting between Joe Biden and Lee Hsien Loong was "important" in showing Russia that sanctions are not just supported by the U.S. or Europe.

Virus Outbreak Biden FILE - President Joe Biden speaks alongside Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the East Room of the White House, March 29, 2022, in Washington. Biden would receive the shot after his administration rolls out covid.gov, what it says is a one-stop website that will help people in the United States access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments, along with status updates on infection rates where they live. “Now, with a click of a button, people will be able to find where to access all of these tools,” the White House said. The additional booster dose will be administered by a member of the White House Medical Unit. A subvariant of the highly transmissible omicron that scientists call BA.2 is now the dominant coronavirus mutant in the United States.

Virus Outbreak Biden FILE - President Joe Biden speaks alongside Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the East Room of the White House, March 29, 2022, in Washington. The Biden administration is launching what it says is a one-stop website that will help people in the United States access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments, along with status updates on infection rates where they live. Biden would receive the shot after his administration rolls out covid.gov, what it says is a one-stop website that will help people in the United States access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments, along with status updates on infection rates where they live. “Now, with a click of a button, people will be able to find where to access all of these tools,” the White House said. The additional booster dose will be administered by a member of the White House Medical Unit.

Virus Outbreak Biden FILE - President Joe Biden speaks alongside Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the East Room of the White House, March 29, 2022, in Washington. The Biden administration is launching what it says is a one-stop website that will help people in the United States access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments, along with status updates on infection rates where they live. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File ) (Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Biden administration is launching what it says is a one-stop website that will help people in the United States access COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments, along with status updates on infection rates where they live. President Joe Biden planned remarks Wednesday afternoon to announce the rollout of covid.gov. “Now, with a click of a button, people will be able to find where to access all of these tools,” the White House said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has recalled Ukraine’s ambassadors to Georgia and Morocco.

Biden US Singapore President Joe Biden listens as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON — (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he wasn't yet convinced that Russia's announcement that it would scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv will lead to a fundamental shift in the war. Lee noted that "the war in Ukraine has implications for the Asia Pacific" region, a seeming reference to China's saber-rattling toward Taiwan. Biden administration officials have said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has closely watched the U.S. and Western reaction to the Russian invasion. The Biden administration has repeatedly underscored its "One China" policy, which recognizes Beijing as the government of China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

Biden US Singapore President Joe Biden listens as Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON — (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday sought to assure Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that his administration remains focused on the Indo-Pacific region even as they deal with the fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. “Even as we address the crisis in Europe, my administration is strongly supportive of moving rapidly to implement the Indo-Pacific strategy ... and the United States is a proud Indo-Pacific nation,” Biden said. Singapore, which typically waits for United Nations backing before implementing sanctions, has imposed restrictions on some exports and a ban on financial institutions from doing business with Russian banks. Biden was scheduled to host several national leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week, but the summit was postponed.

US Singapore Pentagon Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks during a meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, Monday, March 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON — (AP) — Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will visit President Joe Biden at the White House to highlight a strategic relationship that administration officials hope will pay dividends as Biden faces challenges in both hemispheres. Singapore is a rare Southeast Asian nation to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Biden has sought to deepen ties in Asia as a counterweight to China's growing influence. The Democratic president originally was scheduled to host several national leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week, but the summit was postponed.

President Joe Biden says he's not yet convinced that Russia’s announcement that it will scale back military operations near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv will lead to a fundamental shift in the war.

US Singapore Pentagon Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin appears during a meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Pentagon, Monday, March 28, 2022, in Washington. Rolling out the Defense Department's $773 billion request for fiscal 2023, Pentagon leaders said the budget was finalized before the invasion so it has no specific money for the war. The budget also invests heavily in high-tech weapons and capabilities needed to counter China, Russia and other adversaries. The 2023 budget plan includes a 4.6% pay hike for the military and for Defense Department civilians -- the largest raise in 20 years. Other cuts are proposed in the budget including the decommissioning of several ships, a reduction in the number of F-35 fighter jets purchased in 2023 compared to earlier plans, and an effort to phase out the Army's A-10 attack aircraft.

Office workers walk out for lunch break at Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore on January 4, 2022. SINGAPORE — Singapore will ease Covid restrictions including outdoor mask mandates from March 29, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in an address on Thursday. The peak of the omicron wave in Singapore appears to have passed. As of Tuesday, 92% of the population has received two shots under the national vaccination program, while 71% have received boosters. Around 0.3% required oxygen supplementation over the last 28 days, and 0.04% were in the intensive care unit.

Singapore’s top court will decide Tuesday on the fate of a Malaysian man on death row who is believed to be mentally disabled.

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday evening.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected Chinese criticism of Australia’s new nuclear submarine alliance with the United States and says he doesn’t mind that President Joe Biden might have forgotten his name.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea, warning its actions there amount to “coercion” and “intimidation” and affirming that the U.S. will support its allies in the region against Beijing’s advances.

At least seven people have died outside Kabul airport, including a toddler, as people remain desperate to escape the country. The U.S. is getting commercial airlines to help in the evacuation effort. Roxana Saberi reports.

Harris' visit to Singapore was meant to signal the U.S.' staunch commitment to regional partners in the face of a rising China, but chaos in Kabul is marring America's image as a reliable ally.

Singapore US Harris U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, right, is welcomed by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana in Singapore Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. The announcements came Monday after Harris met with Singapore President Halimah Yacob, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. She then walked around the courtyard, reviewing the band, accompanied by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month and he vowed U.S. support against Beijing’s intrusions in the South China Sea. “Where she could fall into a trap is really trying to pit this as a U.S. versus China trip.

The Vice President spoke at a news conference in Singapore alongside Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who offered the use of his country's air force to assist with evacuations.

Speaking at a news conference in Singapore, Harris repeatedly declined to engage when asked what she felt should have been done differently in the withdrawal. Harris’ visit to Singapore and Vietnam this week is seen as the first real test of the Biden administration’s ability to reassure key allies of its resolve. The announcements came Monday after Harris met with Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee. Austin traveled to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month and vowed U.S. support against Beijing’s intrusions in the South China Sea. “Where she could fall into a trap is really trying to pit this as a U.S. versus China trip.

Vice President Kamala Harris says the U.S. must maintain its focus on evacuating Americans and vulnerable Afghans and shouldn’t get distracted by questions over what went wrong in the chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

Vice President Kamala Harris asserted Monday that the U.S. must maintain its focus on evacuating Americans and vulnerable Afghans and shouldn’t get distracted by questions over what went wrong in the chaotic U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Speaking at a news conference in Singapore, Harris repeatedly declined to engage when asked what she felt should have been done differently in the withdrawal. Harris took questions alongside Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the two met for about two hours to discuss issues ranging from the COVID-19 response to cybersecurity and supply chain cooperation.

Harris spoke to reporters during a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong following an earlier meeting.

The White House on Monday announced a series of new agreements with Singapore aimed at combating cyber threats, tackling climate change, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and alleviating supply chain issues.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is giving new urgency to Vice President Kamala Harris’ tour of Southeast Asia.

Lawrence Wong, current education minister and second finance minister, will helm the finance portfolio from May 15, the prime minister's office said on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump went off script during a closed-door speech to Republican donors, with former Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell among his targets.

Former President Donald Trump is staking his claim to the Republican Party in a closed-door speech to donors Saturday night, casting his populist policies and attack-dog politics as the key to future Republican success.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shocked the nation on Thursday, announcing he will step aside as the designated successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Singapore’s designated future leader, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, has taken himself out of the running in a surprise decision, citing his age.

Singapore's deputy prime minister announced on Thursday that he will be stepping aside so that a "younger leader who will have a longer runway can take over."

The U.S. vaccine rollout hits snag as health workers balk at shots; US tops 4,000 daily deaths from the coronavirus. Laura Kelly said Thursday that inmates will be vaccinated after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities. ___ALBANY, N.Y. — Faced with mounting criticism over the slow pace of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, New York Gov. The announcement came as many local officials argued it was time to distribute the vaccine beyond health care workers. Shots also are still being given to health care workers, first responders and staff and residents at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

A city in northern China is offering rewards of 500 yuan ($77) for anyone who reports on a resident who has not taken a coronavirus test. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)BRISBANE – A city in northern China is offering rewards of 500 yuan ($77) for anyone who reports on a resident who has not taken a recent coronavirus test. China on Friday reported 53 new cases, including 33 in Hebei. Quarantine workers would be tested for the virus daily. Authorities in Brisbane are locking Australia’s third-most populous city down for three days beginning Friday evening to contain the spread.

Wearing masks and plastic gloves, Singaporeans began voting Friday in a general election that is expected to return Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's long-governing party to power. The health crisis and concerns over an economic recession are a bonanza for Lee's People's Action Party, with voters likely to opt for stability. The younger Lee joined an opposition party last month but is not running in the election. The prime minister has said the polls are about securing the country's future, not his family feud. Polls will be open 12 hours and results are expected to begin arriving late Friday,___Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Singapore Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party Lee Hsien Loong, second left, wears a face mask while talking to food vendors at a local market at Yio Chu Kang while on the campaign trail in Singapore July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Ee Ming Toh)Singaporeans vote Friday in Southeast Asias first election since the coronavirus pandemic began, with the health crisis and a grim economy expected to bolster Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs party and extend its unbroken rule. Lee Hsien Loong is the country's third prime minister and has led the government since 2004. Singapore's elections follow polls in Mongolia last month and in South Korea in April, when governing parties in both countries scored resounding victories. Only ownself check ownself. This is dangerous for the future of Singapore, Lee Hsien Yang said in a final election message on Facebook.

(AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's estranged brother is not running in next month's general election but said Tuesday he hopes to be a catalyst for change" as campaigning began. I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee," Lee Hsien Yang said in a statement on Facebook. Prime Minister Lee, 68, told reporters after submitting his candidacy Tuesday that he wasn't worried about his brother's sway over voters. As for Lee Hsien Yang, I have no comment. The public will assess which ones are worth listening to, which ones make sense," the prime minister said.

Countries under lockdown should do what Singapore has done to blunt the spread of the coronavirus, according to an infectious disease expert working with the World Health Organization. As of March 31, Singapore recorded a total of 879 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths, its health ministry reported. People walk past a poster reminding people to keep a safe distance from each other at the National Gallery of Singapore on March 30, 2020 in Singapore. Lockdown playbookWhile Singapore has implemented more restrictive measures in recent days, it has not gone into a total lockdown. So (a) lockdown is really any country's second chance it's not an intervention in itself.

BEIJING – The Latest on a virus outbreak that began in China (all times local):12:15 a.m. There are now 40 confirmed cases in the city-state. ___7 p.m.Hong Kong has quarantined 161 people who arrived from mainland China on Saturday as a new emergency measure to stem the spread of the virus begins. The international financial hub has shut many border checkpoints but refused to completely seal its border because it relies on mainland China for food and other goods. It instead imposed a 14-day quarantine starting Saturday on all people arriving from mainland China to dissuade cross-border travel.

Those ties with other countries would include those in financial services with Hong Kong, tourism, or trade, Lee said. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam leaves the chamber as she is heckled by pro-democracy lawmakers at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on October 16, 2019. We hope Hong Kong will be able to overcome these problems. But, responding to a question from the audience on whether he has seen businesses moving from Hong Kong to Singapore, Lee said: "I haven't seen it happen yet. "I mean, we hope Hong Kong will calm down ... and that Singapore companies will be able to send people to go to Hong Kong and do business there," Lee said.