India
Fitch upgrades Trump’s effective tariff rate to 19.4%
President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policy is set to sharply increase the United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR), with Fitch Ratings warning of substantial rises as new duties take effect on August 1.
Geopolitics is weighing on FDI, capital chasing certainty over scale – study
The world is living through turbulent times, but investors are still chasing returns which has affected the flows of international foreign direct investment.
ASEAN in 2025: still relevant, but only just
Founded on August 8 1967, in Bangkok, ASEAN has long prided itself on unity in diversity, guided by the principles of non-interference and consensus-based decision-making.
Myanmar - four months on from the M7.7 earthquake
In late March, a 7.7-magnitude quake struck central Myanmar - devastating regions such as Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw and Shan State - killing at least 3,700 people and injuring nearly 5,000, with thousands more missing
_-_CC_By_2.0_Cropped_1752732421.jpg)
ASIA BLOG: The global fallout of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
There have already been rumblings in Taiwan that self destruction of key infrastructure would be preferential to Chinese takeover.
Deadly clashes erupt in Bangladesh - again
Fresh violent clashes in Bangladesh’s Gopalganj district on July 17 left at least four people dead and dozens injured after a confrontation between police forces and rival political supporters turned deadly.
India hits 50% non-fossil fuel electricity capacity five years ahead of target
India has reached a major milestone in its energy transition journey, achieving 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contributions target under the Paris Agreement
IMF: The debate over falling fertility
A decline in global population later this century may threaten human progress, or it may lead to better lives.
UNFPA survey reveals why millions can’t have the families they dream of
A growing global crisis in reproductive agency – not overpopulation or declining birth rates – is one of the most urgent demographic challenges of our time, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.
COMMENT: What will Trump’s Russian 100% secondary sanctions do to the oil markets?
US President Donald Trump announced on July 14 that the US could impose 100% secondary sanctions on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal in Ukraine is reached within 50 days.
Melting icecaps will cause more and bigger volcanic eruptions, study shows
As the weight of melting ice is lifted off volcanos, eruptions will become more common and more violent, according to a new study of volcanos in Chile’s Patagonia region.
Tipping Point: when populations peak – Statista
As July 11 marks World Population Day, celebrating the approximate date that the world's population reached 5bn in 1987, we're taking a closer at one of the population trends that will affect many countries sooner or later in the 21st Century.
Global warming may create a "permanent El Nino", changing the world's weather patterns
Scientists are warning that global warming is disrupting the natural rhythm of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), potentially creating the conditions for a “permanent El Niño”-like climate state, with significant weather consequences.
_1752202224.jpg)
Ever in India’s shadow, Bangladesh needs to define its own energy path
As a country Bangladesh is at an energy crossroads. Following decades of natural‑gas dominance, its energy planners are charting a course towards a diversified power policy with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant the jewel in the crown.
India’s smart metering push gains momentum
India’s ambitious smart metering programme is gathering pace as state-owned distribution companies (DISCOMs) and private partners ramp up deployments across the country.
India unlikely to extradite former Bangladesh PM Hasina despite leaked audio
While the interim government of Bangladesh has accused Hasina of crimes against humanity, including state-sanctioned killings during the extraordinarily disruptive and violent student-led protests, India is under no legal obligation to extradite her.
Global sea temperatures reach 21°C to set new all-time record high in June
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average sea surface temperature reached 20.96°C in June, the highest for the month since records began.
South Asia looks southeast as trade ties strengthen to counterbalance China
This tilt has been most pronounced in India’s expanding economic outreach to Southeast Asia under its "Act East" policy, which has evolved from a diplomatic slogan to a trade and connectivity strategy.
_1752018041.jpg)
East and Southeast Asia react to Trump’s tariff delay with unease, strategic reassessment
Cynics are even claiming the US president doesn’t want to push his controversial tariffs into the spotlight as the US reels from devastating flash floods in Texas that claimed over 100 lives in recent days.
Lavrov hits back at Nato’s Rutte, denies Russian plans to invade Europe or attack Nato
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte's claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping could ask Russia to attack Nato to clear a path for China’s occupation of Taiwan, or that it plans to invade Estonia.