Western Asia
International forces in Gaza should ensure Palestinians and Israelis don’t pose threat to each other, Qatar PM tells CNN
by Masum BillahDUBAI: International forces to be deployed in Gaza under the US-brokered ceasefire plan should ensure that Palestinians and Israelis do not pose a threat to each other, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told CNN. Sheikh Mohammed added that the International Stabilization Force should have a clear mandate, which “we are working together […]
Former UK minister in U-turn over Israel’s killing of Palestinian nurse
by Masum BillahLONDON: A former Conservative minister in the UK has admitted a change of heart over the killing of a prominent young Palestinian nurse and accused the Israeli government of murdering her, The Independent reported. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also accused by Alistair Burt of carrying out fake inquiries into the death […]
Grand Egyptian Museum opens, displaying Tutankhamun’s tomb in full for first time
by Masum BillahNear one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza — Egypt today (1 November) officially opened the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), marking what it hopes will be a new cultural landmark of the modern age. Described as the world’s largest archaeological museum, the GEM houses around […]
As Iraqi politicians gear up for election, public disillusion sets in again
by Masum BillahBAGHDAD: Iraqis are bracing for yet another election they fear will change little, with many seeing the pro-reform campaign banners for the Nov. 11 vote as empty gestures from elites who have delivered little since the 2003 US-led invasion. Years of corruption, high unemployment, and poor public services have blighted daily life since then, even […]
Saudi billions poised for Syria but US sanctions remain a barrier
by Masum BillahMajor Saudi Arabian firms are planning billion-dollar investments in Syria as part of the kingdom’s business-forward approach to the country’s recovery, but US sanctions and a fractured Syrian state apparatus pose formidable obstacles. Among the companies looking to break into the market are Saudi renewable energy major ACWA Power and state telecoms firm STC, said […]
East Asia
Refuel row: Japan rescinds airbase access to South Korean jets over Dokdo islets dispute
by Masum BillahBy Julian Ryall Tokyo has rescinded a plan to allow South Korean military jets to refuel at a base in Okinawa after learning the aircraft had recently flown near contested islets in the Sea of Japan, a revelation that triggered nationalist anger and concerns about the political risks of closer defence ties between the uneasy […]
North Korea sends 5,000 construction troops to Russia: Seoul
by Masum BillahSEOUL: North Korea has sent about 5,000 construction troops to Russia since September to help with “infrastructure reconstruction,” a South Korean lawmaker said Tuesday after a briefing by Seoul’s spy agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been emboldened by the war in Ukraine, securing critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops […]
Trump tries old tactic with China on fentanyl – a new ‘working group’
by Masum BillahUS President Donald Trump began his second term by signaling that talks with China to stop a deadly flow of fentanyl were fruitless and instead slapped 20% tariffs on Chinese goods to try to push Beijing to tackle trafficking of the synthetic opioid. But last week, after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, […]
China’s Xi seeks to boost investment, expand economic ties with Russia
by Masum BillahChina’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sought to expand mutual investment with Russia and affirmed Beijing’s commitment to advance ties despite “turbulent” external conditions, Chinese state media reported. Xi met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People, a day after Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a meeting with […]
Canada PM says talks with Xi marked ‘turning point’ in relations
by Masum BillahGYEONGJU, South Korea: Canadian premier Mark Carney on Saturday called talks with China’s leader Xi Jinping a “turning point” in relations, adding he had raised tricky topics like foreign interference with Beijing. Canada’s relations with China have been among the worst of any Western nation but both are at the sharp end of Donald Trump’s […]
South Asia
IMF delegation meets BGMEA leaders, seeks assessment of garment industry challenges
by Masum BillahA visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation today (5 November) met with leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in the capital’s Uttara to discuss the current status and future risks of the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector. The meeting was attended by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu and other top […]
Pakistan welcomes India’s Sikh pilgrims, first since May war
by Masum BillahPakistan on Tuesday welcomed dozens of Sikh pilgrims from India, AFP journalists saw, in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the nuclear-armed neighbours. More than 2,100 pilgrims were granted visas to attend a 10-day festival marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh […]
Pakistan eyes 2026 launch for first Chinese submarine in $5 billion arms deal
by Masum BillahThe Pakistan Navy expects its first Chinese-designed submarine to enter active service next year, the country’s top admiral told Chinese state media, bolstering Beijing’s bid to counter regional rival India and project power toward the Middle East. A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is “progressing smoothly,” Admiral […]
South Asia must unite for climate resilience, shared prosperity: Rizwana
by Masum BillahEnvironment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called on South Asian nations to rebuild trust, strengthen regional connectivity, and pursue joint action as global disorder becomes the new reality, said a press release today (4 November). While speaking as a guest of honour at the opening plenary titled “Sustainable Development in the Emerging World Disorder” at […]
Southeast Asia
South China Sea: does new US-Philippine task force mark turning point in allies’ ties?
by Masum BillahBy Sam Beltran The United States and the Philippines have launched a new military task force designed to expand joint operational planning and coordination – a move analysts say underscores both countries’ determination to strengthen deterrence against Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. While the initiative formalises years of expanding defence ties, observers […]
Indonesia’s China-funded ‘Whoosh’ railway faces corruption probe
by Masum BillahBy Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia’s anti-corruption watchdog has launched a preliminary investigation into the construction of the US$7.3 billion Jakarta–Bandung High-speed Railway that analysts say could implicate senior figures in the administration of former president Joko Widodo. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed last week that it was gathering evidence related to alleged irregularities in […]
Atomic ambitions: Singapore eyes the nuclear option for a net-zero future
by Masum BillahBy Jean Iau in Singapore Land-scarce Singapore officially remains non-committal about building a nuclear reactor, but experts say all signs point to the city state turning to atomic energy to meet its net-zero goals by 2050. The discourse around civilian nuclear energy has picked up in recent years, with Singapore studying its deployment, developing expertise […]
US-Cambodia military drills return after 8-year hiatus amid warming ties
by Masum BillahThe US and Cambodia will revive flagship military exercises for the first time in eight years, the latest sign of warming ties following a flurry of deals between the two sides including a Trump-backed peace accord with Thailand. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the return of the Angkor Sentinel drills after a meeting with […]
China’s military says it tracked Philippine patrol in South China Sea
by Masum BillahBEIJING: China’s military said on Saturday it monitored and tracked a joint patrol organized by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea on October 30 and October 31. Washington and Manila have beefed up military cooperation, unveiling plans on Friday to form a new joint task force for areas including the South China Sea, […]
Central Asia
What’s Holding Back Kazakhstan’s Air Transport Market?
by Masum BillahBy Dauren Moldakhmetov Kazakhstan’s aviation industry has posted steady growth in recent years. Over the past four years, passenger and cargo traffic have risen by more than 36% and 23% respectively, with an actively expanding route network. The state’s aviation development strategy prioritizes infrastructure upgrades, improved safety standards, and expanded international cooperation. Yet, despite these […]
UNESCO Conference in Samarkand Highlights Uzbekistan’s Heritage
by Masum BillahBy Sadokat Jalolova At the opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted Uzbekistan’s growing role in global cultural dialogue and its expanding cooperation with UNESCO. Held on October 30, the event marked the first time in four decades that the conference had convened outside […]
Tajikistan says it is ‘deeply concerned’ by latest EU sanctions targeting its banks
by Masum BillahALMATY: Tajikistan’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it was “deeply concerned” by the inclusion of Tajik banks in the latest round of EU sanctions against Russia, and said it would take measures to minimize the consequences on Dushanbe. Three Tajik banks — Spitamen, Dushanbe City Bank and the Commercial Bank of Tajikistan — were included […]
Kazakhstan: Trump to Host US-Central Asia Summit on November 6
by Masum BillahKazakhstan’s presidency says a Central Asia–United States summit will be held in Washington on November 6. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump to thank him for the invitation to participate in the summit on that date in the U.S. capital, Tokayev’s press office said on Sunday. President Tokayev regarded the […]
How US and EU Sanctions Are Rippling Through Central Asia
by Masum BillahBy Andrei Matveev Russia’s economy has faced renewed pressure following a fresh round of sanctions imposed this past week by both the European Union and the United States. After abruptly canceling a planned meeting with Vladimir Putin in Budapest, President Donald Trump shifted to a more hardline stance, announcing new sanctions. While these sanctions may […]
