Sara
- World News
Fumio Kishida’s unexpected political comeback in Japan
It seems that remembering the name of Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may be worth it after all, despite the nation’s rapid turnover of leaders. Kishida’s premiership began positively in late 2021 but faced challenges when ties between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Unification Church became a focal point in the media after the killing of former leader…
- World News
Japan works towards opening NATO liaison office in Tokyo
Japan is progressing with plans to establish a NATO liaison office in Tokyo, according to Japan’s ambassador to the US, Koji Tomita. Speaking at an event held by the National Press Club in Washington, Tomita referred to a report by Nikkei Asia earlier this month, which stated that the US-led alliance intends to open the office – it’s first in…
- Thailand News
Move Forward Party aims to make an impact in upcoming Thai elections
The Move Forward Party, which emerged in the wake of the dissolution of Thailand’s Future Forward Party, is set to make a significant impact in the upcoming polls. The latter won 81 seats in the 2019 Thai elections, enjoying overwhelming support from young voters due to its liberal-progressive stance. However, the country’s Constitutional Court disbanded the party over campaign finance…
- Thailand News
Southern Thailand’s struggle to attract foreign investors
The Southern Region Industrial Estate in Songkhla province of Thailand is unusually quiet. Long winding roads, usually bustling with heavy vehicles, are mostly empty. There are only two industrial estates in southern Thailand, the other being the Songkla Industrial Estate. In total, there are 67 industrial estates across the country. Sirianya Pornsuwankun, a tenant of the Southern Region Industrial Estate…
- World News
Resumption of live pig exports from Indonesia’s Pulau Bulan to Singapore could take a year
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has indicated that it could take up to a year for Indonesia’s Pulau Bulan to resume live pig production and exports. Singapore halted imports of live pigs from the island after African swine fever (ASF) was detected in some pig carcasses last month. The affected carcasses, part of a consignment of live pigs from Pulau…
- World News
Singapore’s prime minister urges ASEAN to work towards a joint power grid
Following the success of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore power integration project, Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, 70 years old, called on ASEAN yesterday to continue working towards a joint power grid. A regional power grid will strengthen energy security, and resilience in member states, and advance regional decarbonisation, Lee said. The Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore project demonstrates that “multilateral power trading in…
- World News
Protests across Pakistan after Imran Khan’s arrest and military rebuke
Protests broke out across Pakistan following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan during a court appearance in the capital, Islamabad. The arrest comes amid political turmoil and hours after the powerful military criticised the former international cricketer for accusing a high-ranking military officer of plotting to kill him. Demonstrators in several cities directed their anger at the military,…
- Thailand News
Bersatu dismisses claims of opposition having numbers to challenge Anwar Ibrahim
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has dismissed claims that the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition has the numbers in the Lower House to challenge Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amidst speculation of a move to oust him from his position. According to The Star, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris noted recently that there have been claims that his party has enough…
- Environment News
Green candidates struggle for support in Thailand’s election amid pollution crisis
Amid escalating pollution in Thailand, green political candidates face an uphill battle to gain traction with voters ahead of the elections. Despite hazardous smog plaguing Bangkok and northern Chiang Mai, environmental issues have taken a backseat to populist welfare policies as political parties try to outdo each other. Green Party leader Phongsa Choonaem admitted that while the public’s understanding of…
- World News
Foxconn founder Terry Gou vows to preserve peace between Taiwan and China if elected president
Richard Fox, a 72-year-old billionaire, pledged to “preserve peace” between Taiwan and China at a rally held in the run-up to the January 2024 presidential elections. Fox is the founder of technology giant Foxconn, a significant provider of components for Apple’s iPhones. In April, he announced his bid for the presidential nomination from Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang party, which advocates for…
- World News
Scientific expedition to Antarctica reveals surprising temperatures and climate impact on Singapore
Standing on an ice sheet with only a t-shirt on his back, 52-year-old Professor Benjamin Horton certainly did not expect such weather during his trip to Antarctica. “The first couple of days, the weather was amazing. The oceans were like a mirror. We had wildlife, humpback whales, popping out (of the ocean),” said the director of the Earth Observatory of…
- World News
Japan’s Prime Minister visits Seoul seeking deeper ties amid regional threats
Tokyo/Seoul: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul yesterday to meet South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol amidst a sceptical public regarding the leaders’ pursuit of deeper ties in the face of nuclear threats from North Korea and China’s increasing assertiveness. Kishida’s bilateral visit marks the first by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, responding to Yoon’s trip…
- World News
China’s aircraft carriers: A threat or propaganda showpiece?
While China’s recent military drills with its Shandong aircraft carrier showcased its modernizing forces, experts believe it could take over a decade for China to pose a credible carrier threat far from its shores. Military attaches and defence analysts question the value of China’s carriers in a potential conflict with the US over Taiwan or their ability to be protected…
- World News
Chinese foreign minister assures Russia and India of deepening bilateral ties at SCO meeting
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has assured his Russian and Indian counterparts that China will continue to deepen bilateral relations and that “coordination and cooperation” will only grow stronger, as it demonstrates its solidarity with two of China’s biggest neighbours. Qin met with other foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India last week, as Beijing seeks to…
- World News
CIA accused of using powerful cyberweapons against China and other countries, report reveals
China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Centre (CVERC) and cybersecurity company 360 jointly released a report yesterday, accusing the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of using powerful cyberweapons to attack other countries, including China. The report claims that the CIA has orchestrated “peaceful evolution” and “colour revolutions” worldwide through superior technology. The report concentrated on numerous cyberattacks within China. Investigators…
- Thailand Election News
Thai youth vote for reform despite political hurdles
Three years ago, 24 year old Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul was at the forefront of a democracy movement in Thailand as thousands of young protesters clashed with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets on the streets of Bangkok. The movement shook the kingdom with its calls for reform and unprecedented demands to curb the power of King Maha Vajiralongkorn but gradually…
- World News
Biden and Marcos Jr discuss Beijing’s South China Sea expansion in White House meeting
In recent discussions at the White House, President Joe Biden and Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr addressed Beijing’s assertive expansion through the strategic trade routes and islands of the South China Sea. This move signals Washington’s increasing concern over China’s aggressive claims of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, despite international rulings stating otherwise. The situation, coupled with…
- World News
Chinese citizen journalist who exposed early Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan to be released
Chinese citizen journalist who went missing three years ago after publicising videos of overcrowded hospitals and bodies during the Covid-19 outbreak is to be released, according to a relative and another person familiar with his case. Fang Bin, along with other members of the public known as Chinese citizen journalists, posted details of the pandemic in early 2020 on the…
- World News
Japanese man opens free cafe for Ukrainians in Kharkiv after living in metro station
When 75 year old Fuminori Tsuchiko from Tokyo arrived in eastern Ukraine‘s city of Kharkiv last year, he knew he wanted to help people affected by Russia’s invasion. Touched by the hardships faced by residents who were forced to seek shelter in subway stations due to Russian shelling, Tsuchiko decided to stay and lend a helping hand. For several months,…
- World News
Philippines coast guard confronts Chinese vessels making dangerous manoeuvres in South China Sea
A confrontation involving the Philippines Coast Guard and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea has escalated tensions between the two nations. The incident took place during a week-long patrol mission in the strategically important waterway, coinciding with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to Manila to meet his Philippine counterpart and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. China claims a majority…
- Pattaya News
Music teacher seriously injured in Pattaya car accident on Sukhumvit Road
A 33 year old music teacher in Pattaya, Thailand, has been hospitalised with serious injuries after being involved in a car accident with a pickup truck. Chakkrit Juthawipat was driving his BMW sedan along Sukhumvit Road towards Sattahip when the incident occurred around 5.30am yesterday. According to witnesses, Chakkrit was exiting an alley onto the main road when his BMW…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya scores with mayor’s 400 million baht kick to complete football stadium
Pattaya is buzzing with excitement after its mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, declared an additional investment of 400 million baht towards completing the long-stalled massive football stadium construction in the area. Residents are keen to see this project come to fruition as it holds the potential to change the face of their city. In a commitment to transparency and preventing any corruption,…
- Pattaya News
Free circumcision program for young Muslim in Pattaya a cut above the rest
In Pattaya, a recent initiative sponsored by Nongprue Subdistrict has enabled young Muslim males to receive circumcisions, a significant aspect of their faith. Nongprue Mayor Winai Inpitak introduced the programme on April 25 at the Nurul Yaqeen Mosque alongside Pairoj Yuttanava, who serves as the chairman of the Nernplubwan 6 Community. While circumcision is typically carried out on male infants,…
- Thailand News
Laotian woman arrested in Pattaya for overstaying visa by three years
During a routine inspection at a Pattaya nightclub, local police arrested a Laotian woman who had overstayed her visa by three years. The arrest took place last night at Club Panda, a popular establishment on Walking Street. The inspection occurred around 10pm yesterday when law enforcement officials entered the establishment and found 160 patrons, both local Thais and foreign nationals.…
- Pattaya News
Homeless woman attacks man with knife, claims self-defense against attempted rape in Pattaya
A homeless woman in Pattaya is said to have allegedly struck a homeless man on the head with a chopping knife during a party, alleging it was in self-defence because the man attempted to rape her. However, the victim claims that the woman was trying to rob him. The victim, 52 year old Sujin Sriubol, was found by residents of…
