Tarique Rahman is on course to be elected the new prime minister of Bangladesh after his centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won enough seats to secure a majority in the general election. Rahman, 60, is the figurehead of the influential Zia family, who have dominated politics in the country for decades. Both of his parents […]
Read MoreBy Aidan Jones Allegations of irregularities in Thailand’s election – including vote-buying, uncounted ballots and tallies greater than the names on electoral lists – have gathered momentum, increasing the pressure on polling authorities to hold recounts. Protests across the country have been aimed squarely at the Election Commission (EC). While any potential recounts are unlikely […]
Read MoreBy Iman Muttaqin Yusof As Washington redraws the global map for critical minerals, Malaysia is pitching itself to the United States as a “trusted” link in the supply chain while making clear it will not serve as a quarry shipping out unprocessed resources. Analysts say the stance reflects a careful balancing act: Kuala Lumpur wants […]
Read MoreBy Ushar Daniele The persistent tuberculosis cases in Malaysia are indicative of an outbreak that could be under-reported for a disease that is easy to diagnose and treat, according to medical experts. Malaysia had detected 10 active TB clusters nationwide as of February 7, with a total of 2,571 cases. Four of these clusters – […]
Read MoreChina has sharply reduced its humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan, marking a notable shift in Beijing’s engagement with one of Central Asia’s most aid-dependent economies. In an analysis published by Eurasianet, journalists Carly Brant and Sean Kearin examine how the scale-back reflects broader changes in China’s regional priorities, evolving financial strategy, and growing expectations that partner […]
Read MorePakistan has announced a fresh wave of diplomatic appointments, naming new ambassadors to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Iran as part of a broader reshuffle of its foreign missions. A total of 19 ambassadors and consuls general have been appointed to represent Pakistan in 17 countries worldwide, including key regional partners in Central Asia and the Middle […]
Read MoreTAIPEI: Taiwan plans to send officials to assess US rare earths deposits with a goal to have such minerals refined on the island, Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin said on Wednesday. President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up efforts to secure US supplies of critical minerals after China rattled senior officials and global markets last year […]
Read MoreA leaked letter from the Philippines’ foreign secretary has exposed a fault line in the country over how to publicly confront Beijing in the South China Sea, days before the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) created its own maritime spokesman role. The new position was in addition to existing voices from the Philippine coastguard, armed […]
Read MoreIn a move that has sent shockwaves through Kyrgyzstan’s political establishment, President Sadyr Japarov on February 10 dismissed national security chief Kamchybek Tashiyev, a figure widely regarded as his closest ally and informal “co-ruler.” For more than five years, the Japarov-Tashiyev tandem has defined Kyrgyz politics. Their partnership emerged from the turbulence of 2020, when […]
Read MoreBy Cao Jiaxuan in Beijing Economic issues are expected to take centre stage at the US-China summit in April but regional security will also feature, according to former US ambassador to Beijing Nicholas Burns. Speaking via a video link to the Yale Centre Beijing on Tuesday, Burns said US President Donald Trump would be “right […]
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