Strict action if army personnel found involved in enforced disappearances: B’desh Army HQ

Dhaka : Strict action will be taken if any army personnel found to be involved in the enforced disappearance cases, the Army Headquarters said today (3 July). “Several army members, who were on deputation to various organisations, have been accused of involved in disappearance cases. The matter is under investigation,” said Md Shafiqul Islam, colonel […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Thai opposition to hold off on no-confidence vote against government

Thailand’s opposition parties said on Thursday that they will hold off on launching a no-confidence vote against suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending a court ruling, but they vowed to work together to avoid political deadlock. Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Paetongtarn from her duties after accepting a petition from 36 senators who accused […]

Read More

Thai veteran politician set for single day as acting prime minister

BANGKOK: Thailand’s acting prime minister is set to helm the country for only one full day on Wednesday (Jul 2), standing in for suspended premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra before being replaced himself in a Cabinet reshuffle. Transport minister and deputy prime minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit began his engagements by attending a ceremony in Bangkok celebrating the longevity […]

Read More

China says it is willing to take lead in signing Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty

China firmly supports establishing a Southeast Asia nuclear weapon free zone and has made clear its willingness to take the lead in signing the treaty, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. “We stand ready to stay in communication with ASEAN countries on this matter,” Mao Ning told a regular press conference. Malaysia said […]

Read More

Indonesia bets on critical minerals to avert US tariffs – will its ‘second-best offer’ work?

By Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia is banking on its rich reserves of critical minerals to persuade the United States to pull back steep looming tariffs – an offer that could appeal to American strategic interests even as concerns remain about regulatory risks and China’s entrenched role in the country’s mineral supply chains. Coordinating Minister for […]

Read More

India eyes ‘strategic foothold’ in Indo-Pacific with stake in Colombo Dockyard

By Biman Mukherji India has signalled its growing maritime and shipbuilding ambitions in the Indo-Pacific with the country’s biggest warship builder, state-run Mazagon Dock, set to acquire a controlling stake in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders said last week it would buy a 51 per cent stake in Colombo Dockyard for US$52.96 million. […]

Read More

Philippines joins Japan’s ‘one-theatre’ plan against China sea threat

By Sam Beltran The Philippines is adopting a Japan-led strategy to treat the East and South China seas as a unified theatre of operations – a shift that is seen to reflect growing alignment among regional allies in the face of China’s expanding maritime footprint. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the “one-theatre” concept would promote […]

Read More

Economist Huang Yiping floats Hong Kong as stablecoin staging ground

By Sylvia Ma Issuing a stablecoin pegged to the offshore yuan in Hong Kong may be more feasible than in mainland China due to the latter’s capital controls, a central bank adviser has said. The comments from Huang Yiping, also dean of Peking University’s National School of Development, came as worries arise in Beijing’s policy […]

Read More