South East Asia

The Philippines is no longer the top supplier to the Chinese market, with a 32 per cent drop in exports. Vietnam instead consolidated its growth thanks to competitive prices, geographic proximity, and higher production. Meanwhile, the European Union is boosting ties with the communist Southeast Asian country after the US threatens new tariffs.

The Thai capital’s new archbishop makes his official entry at the Cathedral of the Assumption. He thanked Cardinals Michael Michai Kitbunchu and Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij who were present at the ceremony, and urged the faithful to “walk together” and bring “the joyful proclamation of the Gospel to all.”

The state-owned oil giant is involved, with billions in losses. The Attorney General's Office has revealed a fraud related to the blending of fuels. Thousands of vehicles may have suffered serious damage. The malfeasance stems from serious lack in transparency and heavy political meddling.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) approves a new bylaw that should enter into force within a year. The goal is to limit the number of pets per household according to size and type of the house and address the issue of aggressive animal behaviour.

Despite the risk of persecution, Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs held for over a decade. Activists and NGOs say the group risks persecution in China. The Thai government confirmed the news after the fact, while for Beijing it is a case of “illegal migration”.

The environment and the anti-corruption campaign led by the current secretary general Tô Lâm are among the “sensitive” issues that landed him in jail on 7 June of last year. It is not known whether he plans to appeal. International human rights groups are calling for his release.

Despite reports of more people being freed, thousands remain at risk in compounds in Myanmar or even on the Thai border if their governments do not act. Analysts note that some Chinese citizens voluntarily work in online scams. Myanmar’s military and allied militias are out of sync with China because shutting down the centres would mean giving up an important source of income.

Shot by the killers on a motorbike who pulled up alongside his car in broad daylight. Notre Dame University: ‘Let's not let this become another unsolved case in the growing list of senseless acts of violence in our country’. A few days ago the decision was made to postpone the Bangsamoro elections.

Wanted in India for money laundering, he now can preach in public after a ban imposed five years ago for making incendiary sermons. Malaysian political leaders and human rights activists urge the government to reconsider the decision. His attacks against the believers of other religions risk undermining harmony and coexistence.

A non-violent uprising culminated with the dictator’s flight on 25 February 1986. The US still plays a pivotal role in a delicate regional balance amid Chinese expansionism. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s rehabilitation and reburial in Manila’s Heroes Cemetery have helped his son’s rise to power. The country’s political instability mirrors its propensity to natural disasters.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto today inaugurated a new sovereign wealth fund, which is expected to manage US$ 900 billion in assets to finance projects and stimulate economic growth. This has elicited strong criticism because of the risk of corruption and slashed welfare programmes, which could deprive victims of terrorism of medical care.

Developed by entrepreneur Dylan Tan, the Sohai system automatically responds to messages that arrive as phishing attempts with meaningless conversations, preventing criminals from acting. In 2023, Malaysia recorded losses of 98 million dollars just for scams on Facebook. Over a thousand people are already involved, while interest from the authorities is growing.