New Law Paves Way for Special Investment Zone in Kyrgyzstan

By Sergey Kwan Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a new law establishing a special financial investment territory in the Issyk-Kul region. The legislation, titled “On the Special Financial Investment Territory ‘Tamchy’ with a Special Legal Regime and Status,” was approved by the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) on June 19. The law codifies Japarov’s earlier presidential […]

Read More

Trump’s Tariffs May Hurt Kazakhstan’s Economy, Expert Warns

By Aliya Haidar On July 7, U.S. President Donald Trump informed Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that Washington will impose a 25% tariff on goods from Kazakhstan, effective August 1, 2025. Tokayev responded on July 10, affirming Kazakhstan’s commitment to “developing fair, predictable, and mutually beneficial trade relations” with the United States. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness […]

Read More

Jaishankar meets Singapore’s counterpart Vivian Bala, says “Singapore is at heart of India’s Act East Policy”

Singapore City [Singapore]: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Singapore counterpart Vivian Bala on Sunday. He stated that Singapore is at the heart of India’s ‘Act East Policy.’ In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Singapore is at the heart of our Act East Policy. Always insightful to exchange views there. […]

Read More

Thailand defrocks 6 senior monks as sex and blackmail scandal engulfs Buddhist clergy

Six senior monks in Thailand have been defrocked and two others are missing after authorities uncovered tens of thousands of pornographic images and videos allegedly featuring a woman in sexual acts with high-ranking clergy – a scandal that has rocked the kingdom’s conservative Buddhist establishment. The investigation began after the sudden disappearance of the abbot […]

Read More

Australia juggles its China trade needs with Philippines defence ties

By Sam Beltran As the Asia-Pacific’s power dynamics continue to evolve and shift, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China promises to be a test of his country’s ability to walk the fine line between economic self-interest and strategic resolve. His trip, which began on Saturday, unfolds against the backdrop of Australia’s deepening security […]

Read More

Lavrov meets Kim: Russia’s urgent bid for more troops from North Korea?

By Park Chan-kyong Russia’s appeals to North Korea for military manpower have taken on new urgency with Sergey Lavrov’s weekend trip to the country. The Russian foreign minister’s visit, his first to North Korea since 2009, signalled Moscow’s growing reliance on its neighbour for troops and engineering support, analysts say – suggesting that Kim Jong-un’s […]

Read More

Malaysia’s ruling PKR in bind over judicial crisis, after Anwar’s daughter joins protest

By Hadi Azmi and Joseph Sipalan A fresh quandary may be brewing in Malaysia’s ruling People’s Justice Party (PKR), after Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar joined a march calling for judicial independence while her party weighs disciplinary action on her peers for demanding an investigation into alleged meddling in the country’s judiciary. Nurul Izzah, the […]

Read More