By Sam Beltran The Philippines’ latest push for seabed rights in the South China Sea could complicate its efforts as this year’s Asean chair to build regional consensus, analysts say, adding another layer of complexity to already slow-moving talks on a code of conduct for the disputed waterway. On July 28, Manila delivered an official […]
Read MoreBy Gabriel Dominguez and Dannie Pengin Beijing Japan’s latest defence white paper warns of China’s growing ability to sustain military operations farther into the western Pacific Ocean, while pledging to bolster its own monitoring systems, strike capabilities and ammunition production. Released on Tuesday, the 610-page document cautions that Beijing is strengthening its aircraft carrier force […]
Read MorePakistan-administered Kashmir is undergoing one of its most serious political crises in recent years, marked by deadly protests, a prolonged internet blackout and a regional election taking place amid heightened security. The unrest has been driven by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil society groups that has emerged […]
Read MoreSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged today (4 August) authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heatwave in the country, calling it a national disaster after scorching conditions were blamed for 19 deaths. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee ordered officials to take necessary measures to protect the daily lives […]
Read MoreBy Andrei Matveev With only weeks remaining before Kazakhstan elects its new 145-member Kurultai on August 23, three national surveys point to a commanding victory for Adilet and place Auyl in second. The less certain question is whether Ak Zhol, Respublica, or another smaller party can clear the 5% electoral threshold and join them in […]
Read MoreIndia has clarified that the proposed interaction between former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and journalists in New Delhi is a private event and that the Indian government has no involvement in organising it. Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing today (4 August), ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The interaction you […]
Read MoreCockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said comparisons of the Jantar Mantar protest against the NEET exam paper leak with the uprisings in Bangladesh and Nepal were being made to “defame” the outfit. “Protests in Bangladesh and Nepal are being used to defame us. We are different,” Abhijeet Dipke said, responding to remarks made […]
Read MoreAhead of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s reported 5 August programme, Bangladesh on Monday conveyed to India that Dhaka expects New Delhi’s cooperation in ensuring that any person, including fugitive Hasina, cannot use Indian territory to make political statements or conduct any activities aimed at creating instability within Bangladesh. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun […]
Read MoreBy Mohammad Mozammel Hossain Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased again, driven by a strong rise in remittance inflows, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bank on Monday. The country’s gross foreign exchange reserves climbed to $36.469 billion ($36,469.94 million), according to the central bank’s Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department. The […]
Read MoreBy Yashraj Sharma New Delhi, India – Two of the world’s biggest militaries, Russia and India, have made their most substantive defence pact yet, allowing them to station soldiers and aircraft on each other’s territory. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) bilateral agreement, which was signed last year and is now operational, facilitates the […]
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