China
Myanmar junta fires at Chinese Red Cross convoy during earthquake aid mission
Myanmar's military junta attempted to stop a Chinese Red Cross convoy carrying aid for earthquake recovery by firing warning shots, a spokesperson said on April 2.
Beneath the bluster, US Senator holds meeting with Chinese VP in Beijing
Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines, “carrying President Trump’s America First agenda”, held a meeting in the Great Hall of People with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in late March.
India’s energy growth to follow unique low-carbon path
India is expected to become an important player in global energy markets, following a distinct growth path marked by lower energy intensity, a diverse energy mix and expanding commodity imports, according to Wood Mackenzie's latest Horizons report.
Chinese firm wins project management deal for Iraq oilfield
Chinese company HQC has secured a contract to provide project management services for Iraq's West Qurna 1 oilfield
Beijing blocks BlackRock's Panama port deal amid US-China tensions
The proposed sale of two key Panamanian ports by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to a consortium led by BlackRock has hit a roadblock, as China exerts pressure to halt the deal.
COMMENT: Brazil’s Lula builds economic bridges across the Pacific
Brazil's President Lula boosted ties with Japan and Vietnam during his Asian tour last week, securing aircraft deals, beef markets and partnerships.
What exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for the transactional multipolar world?
Did Russian President Vladimir Putin just endorse US President Donald Trump’s plan to annex Greenland? And what exactly is Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision for a multipolar world?
US Defence Secretary Hegseth downgrades Russian threat, focus exclusively on Taiwan in new foreign policy strategy
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has reoriented the US military to prioritise deterring China’s seizure of Taiwan and shoring up homeland defence, but has downgraded Russia to a second tier, along with several other potential enemies.
_1743377740.jpg)
Survivors pulled from the rubble in Myanmar as the death toll rises following M7.7 earthquake
More people have been rescued from the rubble over two days after a powerful earthquake struck in neighbouring Myanmar, where the death toll in the country now exceeds 1,700 with some indicators that it may rise further.
Death toll in Myanmar earthquake could hit 10,000 claims US agency
The death toll from the March 28 M7.7 earthquake in Myanmar has reportedly moved past the 1000 mark. It is expected to climb further with some claims hinting at several thousand people still unaccounted for.
Trump and Carthage: The end of history revisited
What has gone wrong with the world? Protests and wars have broken out across the globe. Analysts are warning that weak countries could face problems but the strong ones are suffering from a deeper long term rot that will change the world order.
M7.7 earthquake leads to Bangkok building collapse – fatalities confirmed
Two construction workers have been confirmed dead at a Bangkok building collapse with more fatalities expected.
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocks much of Southeast Asia
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday, March 28 at 2.20 pm, with the tremors felt as far away as neighbouring Thailand and China to the northeast as well as Bangladesh and India to the west.
Indian defence reforms stymied by lack of funds
India’s plans to modernise its military and strengthen domestic defence production are facing mounting challenges due to financial constraints, despite a net boost in the country’s defence budget.
Myanmar junta chief to attend regional summit in Bangkok
Myanmar's military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to attend a regional summit in Thailand in April, marking his first visit to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations member state since 2021.
Indonesia joins BRICS' new development bank
Indonesia has formally decided to become a member of the BRICS-affiliated New Development Bank, just months after fully integrating into the China-led economic alliance
The ‘Squad’ looks at adding two new members to counter China in the Indo-Pacific
The Philippines is seeking to expand the informal security alliance known as the ‘Squad’ by including India and South Korea, in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have?
A spate of protests across several emerging markets is reigniting concerns over economic stability and long-term financial health. From Turkey to Indonesia, social unrest has flared up that threaten countries with weak fundamentals.
,_GWEC_resized_Cropped_(1)_15_1742861514.jpg)
Energy demand surges, renewables increase substantially
The latest report from the International Energy Agency has revealed a significant rise in global energy demand in 2024, driven primarily by a sharp increase in electricity consumption.
Glaciers are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, says UN agency
Mass loss of ice from the world’s 19 glacier regions was 450bn tonnes in 2024, says a new report from the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation.