How the India-UK trade deal could shape future pacts with the EU and US

By Biman Mukherji India and Britain are poised to sign a long-awaited free-trade agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to London this week, a deal analysts see as a signal that New Delhi is willing to shed its traditionally protectionist stance and engage more deeply with Western partners amid rising global trade tensions. The […]

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Marcos slammed for ‘inexcusable’ snub of Filipino-American community during US visit

An activist holds up a cardboard cutout depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s face with the body of a dog during a demonstration in front of the US Department of State in Washington on Monday. Photo: Reuters By Sam Beltran Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing a wave of criticism from migrant advocates and […]

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Trump’s ‘diplomatic gift’ to Myanmar junta via letter sparks US policy concerns

By Maria Siow Myanmar has capitalised on a tariff letter from United States President Donald Trump that could have unintentionally legitimised its junta, according to observers, who warn that the “huge diplomatic gift” risks undermining Washington’s existing policy ahead of the Southeast Asian country’s key election. While the election is not viewed by Asean as […]

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India turns to Europe for next-gen fighter tech as defence ties deepen

By Biman Mukherji India is looking to Western European partners to co-develop next-generation fighter jet engines to reduce its reliance on Russia and the US for defence supply and potentially secure access to advanced technologies as part of its diversification strategy, according to analysts. The Indian defence ministry is leaning towards partnering with French aerospace […]

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Vietnamese coastal provinces on emergency footing as Typhoon Wipha nears

Vietnam’s Prime Minister put coastal provinces on emergency footing for Typhoon Wipha, saying it could cause flooding and landslides, as airlines cancelled flights ahead of the storm’s expected landfall early on Tuesday. Wipha is expected to complicate the search for people still missing after a tourist boat capsized during a thunderstorm in Halong Bay in […]

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‘Japanese First’ party emerges as election force with tough immigration talk

The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in Japan’s upper house election on Sunday, gaining support with warnings of a “silent invasion” of immigrants, and pledges for tax cuts and welfare spending. Birthed on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, […]

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