Politics

  • Politics NewsChina downplays Micron ban as individual case, not broader US firm targeting

    China downplays Micron ban as individual case, not broader US firm targeting

    China is attempting to mitigate the fallout from its recent decision to partially ban sales of US chipmaker Micronโ€˜s products in the country on national security grounds. The ban has been challenged by Washington, which views it as a deliberate targeting of US businesses in response to export controls imposed on China. However, Chinese authorities, including the foreign ministry andโ€ฆ

  • Politics NewsWhite House reports progress in talks to avert US debt default

    White House reports progress in talks to avert US debt default

    The White House has reported some progress in the ongoing discussions with Republican negotiators to prevent a catastrophic US debt default before the June 1 deadline. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that both sides must understand that they wonโ€™t get everything they want. The talks between US President Joe Biden and Republicans in Congress are set to continue,โ€ฆ

  • Politics NewsChina bans US Micron chips, escalating global chip industry risks

    China bans US Micron chips, escalating global chip industry risks

    Chinaโ€™s recent ban on certain sectors using chips from United States-based Micron Technology has highlighted the potential risks faced by the global chip industry amidst rising Sino-US trade tensions. The move against Micron, the largest US memory chipmaker, is widely perceived as retaliation for Washingtonโ€™s attempts to limit Beijingโ€™s access to crucial technology. This comes as the Group of Sevenโ€ฆ

  • World NewsGreece’s political earthquake: Mitsotakis wins, Tsipras suffers huge setback

    Greeceโ€™s political earthquake: Mitsotakis wins, Tsipras suffers huge setback

    Greece experienced a โ€œpolitical earthquakeโ€ as the conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his centre-right New Democracy party secured a significant electoral victory. With nearly 41% of the vote, the party was just five seats short of a majority. Alexis Tsipras, the centre-left rival and leader of the Syriza party, congratulated Mitsotakis as Syriza only managed to secure 20% ofโ€ฆ

  • Politics NewsThailand’s Democrats deny seeking to join Move Forward Party-led coalition

    Thailandโ€™s Democrats deny seeking to join Move Forward Party-led coalition

    Prominent members of Thailandโ€˜s Democrat Party dismissed claims that they are considering joining the coalition led by the Move Forward Party (MFP). These rumours emerged on Thursday night after the formation of a 10-party alliance, suggesting that a group of winning Democrat candidates close to acting party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on were seeking to approach the MFP and Pheu Thai to joinโ€ฆ

  • World NewsChina commerce minister to meet US officials amid tense relations

    China commerce minister to meet US officials amid tense relations

    Chinaโ€˜s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao is set to visit the United States next week to meet with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, according to Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for Chinaโ€™s embassy in Washington. The visit comes as the US aims to engage with Beijing to repair strained relations. Liu announced the plans during anโ€ฆ

  • Business NewsMove Forward Party policies to boost retail, banking, and tourism stocks

    Move Forward Party policies to boost retail, banking, and tourism stocks

    The new coalition government led by the Move Forward Party is expected to have a positive impact on retail, banking, and tourism stocks, as per analysts. The partyโ€™s policies aim to enhance the economyโ€™s efficiency by reducing monopolies and increasing welfare for all, says Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). The sectors likely to benefit from these policies include retail, tourism, transport,โ€ฆ

  • World NewsMontana becomes first US state to ban TikTok over Chinese surveillance fears

    Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok over Chinese surveillance fears

    Montana becomes the first US state to ban the Chinese-owned TikTok app, with Governor Greg Gianforte signing legislation that prohibits Google and Appleโ€™s app stores from offering it within the stateโ€™s borders. The ban is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. TikTok, which has over 150 million American users, has faced increasing calls for a nationwide ban dueโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s economy defies global recession fears with post-election boost

    Thailandโ€™s economy defies global recession fears with post-election boost

    Thailandโ€™s economy is predicted to gain momentum during the last three quarters of this year, despite the looming threat of a global recession, partly due to the boost from the May 14 General Election, according to analysts. The countryโ€™s GDP growth for the first quarter was 2.7% year-on-year, surpassing the expected 2.3% and marking an improvement from the 1.4% growthโ€ฆ

  • World NewsCouncil of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders

    Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders

    A year after Russiaโ€™s expulsion from the Council of Europe (CoE) due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the leaders of the 46-nation human rights body convened in Iceland to take preliminary steps toward the potential prosecution of Russian leaders. The summitโ€™s main focus was the creation of a โ€œregister of damagesโ€ to document evidence for use in a specialโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsMilitary-backed senators refuse to back MFP form a government

    Military-backed senators refuse to back MFP form a government

    Military-backed senators yesterday told the Move Forward Party (MFP) that they wonโ€™t be helping them form a government. The MFP need at least 376 members to form a coalition government but Thai senators said that they wonโ€™t be getting any votes from them. They will have to find the votes from somewhere else if they have ambitions to run theโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsRecord breaking! Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history

    Record breaking! Bangkok has highest turnout in voter history

    The 2023 General Election witnessed the highest voter turnout in Bangkokโ€™s history. According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), over 74% of eligible voters cast their ballots in the election yesterday. Representatives from the BMA announced the unofficial election result from 6,360 polling stations in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 4,479,155 eligible voters, 3,339,664โ€ฆ

  • World NewsBiden administration warns of catastrophic consequences if US defaults on debt

    Biden administration warns of catastrophic consequences if US defaults on debt

    The United States government is facing a potential economic catastrophe if a debt deal is not reached in the coming days. The possibility of the countryโ€™s first-ever default is causing concern, as negotiations between Democrats and Republicans are expected to continue this week. The two parties have been unable to come to an agreement, despite warnings from officials and bankersโ€ฆ

  • World NewsBiden optimistic about avoiding US debt default despite impasse with Republicans

    Biden optimistic about avoiding US debt default despite impasse with Republicans

    Tensions continue to rise over the US debt limit, with President Joe Biden expressing optimism about reaching an agreement with Republican counterparts while acknowledging that no deal has been struck yet. The ongoing deadlock has raised the spectre of a first-ever US default, which could bring potentially disastrous consequences, including a possible recession and global financial contagion. Republicans in Congressโ€ฆ

  • World NewsImran Khan calls for nationwide ‘freedom’ protests after arrest in Pakistan

    Imran Khan calls for nationwide โ€˜freedomโ€™ protests after arrest in Pakistan

    Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for nationwide โ€œfreedomโ€ protests today after last weekโ€™s unrest following his brief arrest and detention. The former cricket star, who has faced numerous legal cases since his removal from office in April last year, was released on bail on Friday when the Supreme Court declared his detention unlawful, AFP reported.โ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsThai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces

    Thai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces

    Thai police are keeping a vigilant eye on incidents of vote-buying today, following allegations of election law malpractices in three intensely competitive provinces. After a meeting with election officials, National Police Chief Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas confirmed yesterday the arrest of a man in the northeast Bueng Kan province, under the suspicion of vote-buying. Evidence collected during the arrest includedโ€ฆ

  • Politics NewsPheu Thai Party candidates launch campaign caravan at Democracy Monument

    Pheu Thai Party candidates launch campaign caravan at Democracy Monument

    Today at 9.30am, the Pheu Thai Party began its campaign at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Led by 35 year old Patongthan Shinawatra, and Sathorn Taweewon, they were joined by 33 Bangkok constituency candidates. Patongthan and Sathorn waved flags and released a car caravan as a symbol of their commitment to Thailandโ€™s democracy. The Pheu Thai Partyโ€™s caravan procession wasโ€ฆ

  • Politics NewsThai Election Commission predicts 85% turnout, confident of smooth process

    Thai Election Commission predicts 85% turnout, confident of smooth process

    Thailandโ€˜s Election Commission (EC) predicts an 85% voter turnout for the upcoming General Elections tomorrow (May 14) and maintains confidence in its ability to conduct the elections efficiently despite a few issues encountered during advance voting last week. EC member Thitichet Nuchanart revealed the estimation after an impressive 91% turnout was recorded for last weekendโ€™s advance voting process. The ECโ€ฆ

  • World NewsUMNO’s relevance continues despite being perceived as lifeless, says party president

    UMNOโ€™s relevance continues despite being perceived as lifeless, says party president

    Despite widespread perceptions of being a โ€œlifelessโ€ party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) still holds significance, according to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Speaking at the partyโ€™s 77th-anniversary celebration, he acknowledged that the party currently has only 26 members in parliament, along with four more from the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, but insisted the partyโ€™s relevance endures. UMNO, Malaysiaโ€™sโ€ฆ

  • Business NewsBiden and senior Republicans meeting postponed for further staff discussions

    Biden and senior Republicans meeting postponed for further staff discussions

    Crunch negotiations between US President Joe Biden and senior Republicans have been delayed until early next week, allowing staff to continue their discussions, according to a statement from the White House yesterday. An insider familiar with the talks between the Democratic and Republican leaders described this as a positive development, implying that it was not the right time for theโ€ฆ

  • World NewsChina faces backlash over pressure on dissidents abroad but remains undeterred

    China faces backlash over pressure on dissidents abroad but remains undeterred

    China is currently facing a strong backlash from Western countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, regarding its controversial efforts to pressure dissidents and their advocates abroad. Despite arrests, expulsions, and investigations taking place, Beijing remains persistent and undeterred in its actions. Isaac Stone Fish, founder and CEO of Strategy Risks, suggests that the increasingly assertiveโ€ฆ

  • World NewsMyanmar peace plan progress lacking, says Indonesia’s president

    Myanmar peace plan progress lacking, says Indonesiaโ€™s president

    Despite having agreed to implement a peace plan with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) two years ago, Myanmarโ€™s ruling military has made no significant progress, according to Indonesiaโ€™s president. Speaking on the second day of the ASEAN leadersโ€™ meeting in Labuan Bajo, President Joko Widodo stressed the need for the blocโ€™s unity in deciding the next steps toโ€ฆ

  • World NewsFumio Kishida’s unexpected political comeback in Japan

    Fumio Kishidaโ€™s unexpected political comeback in Japan

    It seems that remembering the name of Japanโ€™s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may be worth it after all, despite the nationโ€™s rapid turnover of leaders. Kishidaโ€™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 leaderโ€ฆ

  • Business NewsTaiwan’s offshore wind farms amid China tensions and geopolitical risks

    Taiwanโ€™s offshore wind farms amid China tensions and geopolitical risks

    In the port city of Taichung on Taiwanโ€˜s west coast, a crane hoists into place the final section of a white wind turbine tower that stands almost a hundred metres tall. This turbine will be one of 111 spinning at a multi-billion US dollar offshore wind project up to 60km into the Taiwan Strait. Constructed by Denmarkโ€™s Orsted, this projectโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsPheu Thai sets conditions for coalition government formation

    Pheu Thai sets conditions for coalition government formation

    Pheu Thai Family leader and prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn โ€œUng Ingโ€ Shinawatra has revealed three conditions for the party to form a coalition government, with one condition being that Pheu Thai must manage all major ministries. During an hour-long interview published on TikTok and Instagram Live, which was hosted by celebrity Kachapa โ€œMod Damโ€ Tancharoen on Monday night, Paetongtarn maintainedโ€ฆ

  • Thailand NewsEastern economic corridor barely accessible to small businesses

    Eastern economic corridor barely accessible to small businesses

    The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project in Thailand is falling short of its intended purpose, as only a few small local businesses are able to access and benefit from it, according to the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party. Prime ministerial candidate for the TST, Supan Mongkolsutee, stated that the EEC scheme is predominantly aimed at larger companies, leaving small businessesโ€ฆ

  • World NewsCanada won’t be intimidated by China’s expulsion of Canadian consul, says Trudeau

    Canada wonโ€™t be intimidated by Chinaโ€™s expulsion of Canadian consul, says Trudeau

    Canadaโ€™s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, stated yesterday that the country would not be intimidated by Chinaโ€™s tit-for-tat expulsion of a Canadian consul. This came after Ottawa expelled a Chinese diplomat earlier this week, who was accused of targeting a lawmaker critical of Beijing. Trudeau emphasised that his administrationโ€™s decision to expel the Chinese official was taken to convey a clearโ€ฆ

  • Business NewsBiden meets Republican leaders in bid to resolve US debt limit impasse

    Biden meets Republican leaders in bid to resolve US debt limit impasse

    A significant meeting took place between President Joe Biden and Republican leaders yesterday, with the hope of breaking the deadlock over the US debt limit, which could have repercussions in the upcoming presidential election. The key gathering had President Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell discussing the national debt ceiling, which currently stands at US$31.4โ€ฆ

  • Northern Thailand NewsThai villagers complain to Election Commission over alleged vote-buying

    Thai villagers complain to Election Commission over alleged vote-buying

    Thai Villagers from Non Reuang, in the district of Ban Kho in the northeast Khon Kaen province, stormed the Election Commission (EC) office with their lawyer and village headman, accusing a well-known political partyโ€™s candidate of engaging in vote-buying activities. The villagers presented video clips and witness statements to the investigative team, along with an official complaint against the allegedโ€ฆ

  • World NewsPhilippine president clarifies use of military bases granted to US

    Philippine president clarifies use of military bases granted to US

    Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasised on Thursday that the additional military bases in his country, recently granted to United States access, will not be utilised to target China or any other nation. Marcos spoke at a think-tank event and responded with a simple โ€œnoโ€ when questioned if the United States had requested his government contribute troops for combat operationsโ€ฆ