Laos embraces China, Russia-led SCO amid frustration with Asean

By Maria Siow In a move analysts see as both a survival strategy and a calculated signal of dissatisfaction with Asean, Laos has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner. The decision was confirmed on September 1 during the SCO summit in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, where Laotian President Thongloun […]

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Trump calls on all NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, threatens 50 percent to 100 percent tariffs on China

BASKING RIDGE: President Donald Trump said Saturday he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum. Trump posted on his social media site that NATO’S commitment to winning the war “has […]

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Malaysia’s US$24 million Gaza aid pledge tests solidarity amid cost-of-living crisis

By Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s plan to send 100 million ringgit (US$24 million) in aid to Gaza has become a lightning rod for economic anxieties as Malaysians weigh their long-standing support for war-ravaged Palestinians against mounting frustrations over spiralling living costs and government austerity measures. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the humanitarian package late on Sunday, […]

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US-India relations hit new low despite Trump-Modi bromance: What’s next?

By Yashraj Sharma New Delhi, India — When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, many Indian analysts celebrated, arguing that his bonhomie with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would shield the country from the chaos that the United States president could unleash. The two leaders had effectively campaigned for each other previously, […]

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Kazakh Foreign Minister Visits Kabul, Signs $500M Railway Deal as Mining Push Gathers Momentum

By Stephen M. Bland In a major step toward deepening regional engagement, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu arrived in Kabul this week, signaling a continuing shift towards pragmatic engagement in Astana’s policy towards Afghanistan. The visit resulted in significant diplomatic and economic developments, including the signing of a $500 million agreement on the Herat-Torghundi railway. […]

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US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: sources

US and India trade negotiators were pushing on Wednesday to try to land a tariff-reducing deal ahead of President Donald Trump’s July 9 negotiating deadline, but disagreements over US dairy and agriculture remained unresolved, sources familiar with the talks said. The push comes as Trump announced an agreement with Vietnam that cuts US tariffs on […]

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US sanctions four Indian companies

The United States has imposed sanctions on four Indian entities. The sanctions have been imposed for their alleged involvement in the sale and transportation of petroleum products to Iran. This information was given by the US government. News Indian Express. According to information provided by the US government’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the […]

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PM Shehbaz arrives in Uzbekistan on 2-day visit to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Uzbekistan on Tuesday on a two-day official visit to enhance bilateral relations with the Central Asian country. Pakistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened ties through trade and economic cooperation. A $1 billion trade deal was signed in 2023, and plans for further collaboration, including a roadmap for industrial cooperation, show […]

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