By Sam Beltran As foreign ministers from Asean member states gathered in the Philippine city of Cebu this week, the bloc faced a familiar dilemma: how to keep pushing for peace in Myanmar without sliding into what critics warn could become “de facto acceptance” of its military regime. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) […]
Read MoreBy Iman Muttaqin Yusof Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given Malaysia’s top enforcement officials a week to prove they are serious about stamping out corruption and smuggling, warning that those who feel they are unable to deliver should step aside. “My patience is wearing thin,” Anwar said, urging the officials to declare within seven days […]
Read MoreBy Biman Mukherji Bangladesh’s recent pull-out over perceived security concerns for the showpiece T20 World Cup cricket hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month has underscored the unprecedented way regional political tensions have spilled over into sports. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the 20-team event on Saturday after the International Cricket Council rejected […]
Read MoreBy Liu Zhen The US faces critical “sustainment risks” that might lead to rapid defeat in a conflict with China, according to a Heritage Foundation report, which also found that while such a scenario could start in the Taiwan Strait, it would not be contained there. Based on the findings of an AI-based study called […]
Read MoreBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he wants to build a “sophisticated relationship” with Beijing to boost economic growth and security today (29 January), signalling a reset after years of strained ties between the two countries. On the most important day of his four-day visit to China—the first by a […]
Read MoreBy Joseph Sipalan A Malaysian minister has become the butt of jokes for claiming that work stress can turn people gay, as continued government intervention of what it describes as sexually deviant behaviour piles pressure on the country’s LGBTQ community. The enforcement spotlight fell on Malaysia’s sexual minorities two weeks ago after religious authorities and […]
Read MoreBy Resty Woro Yuniar The appointment of President Prabowo Subianto’s nephew to the leadership of Bank Indonesia (BI) has reignited debate over whether Southeast Asia’s largest economy can preserve the central bank’s independence – a question closely watched by foreign investors and currency markets. While some analysts warned that any perception the central bank could […]
Read MoreISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari met UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Dubai’s Zabeel Palace on Wednesday, Zardari’s office said, during which the two sides discussed ways to expand trade, investment and economic cooperation. Zardari arrived in the UAE on Monday with a high-level delegation for a four-day official visit […]
Read MoreNepal’s Election Commission said today (28 January) it is ready to hold elections as planned, despite concerns over weather conditions in high-altitude Himalayan regions when the vote takes place on 5 March. The poll follows deadly anti-corruption protests in September that toppled the previous government, prompting an accelerated election schedule and an unusual early-year date […]
Read MoreKazakhstan has taken a major step toward expanding its green energy portfolio, as MPs approved a draft law ratifying an agreement with China on the implementation of large-scale renewable energy projects. Presenting the document, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said the agreement was signed on November 12, 2024, on the sidelines of the COP29 Climate Forum, […]
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