Security Council strongly condemns DPRK nuclear test (UN News, 10 September 2016)
Security Council strongly condemns DPRK nuclear test (UN News, 10 September 2016) The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear test on 9 September and said it is a clear violation of repeated calls on the country to halt such activity. In a press statement after the…
Read MoreJapan, China vie for ASEAN influence (Nikkei Asian Review, 8 September 2016)
Japan, China vie for ASEAN influence (Nikkei Asian Review, 8 September 2016) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tacitly warned Southeast Asian leaders against making too many concessions to China, engaging in a diplomatic tug of war with Beijing ahead of the East Asia Summit. “I expect ASEAN to play a leading role in creating stability and…
Read MoreASEAN could become 4th largest economy in the world (Asia One, 6 September 2016)
ASEAN could become 4th largest economy in the world (Asia One, 6 September 2016) The ASEAN economy is expected to grow at 7 per cent per annum, with GDP reaching US$4.7 trillion (S$1.9 trillion) in 2020 and the possibility of becoming the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030, the Lao Prime Minister Thongloun…
Read MoreASEAN must work more closely to tackle new terror trends: PM Lee (Today, 7 September 2016)
ASEAN must work more closely to tackle new terror trends: PM Lee (Today, 7 September 2016) While South-east Asia has been dealing with terrorism for some years, the emergence of three new trends means there is a greater need for the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) to work more closely to tackle the issue,…
Read MoreState of play: The race for the next UN Secretary-General (New Europe, 12 September 2016)
State of play: The race for the next UN Secretary-General (New Europe, 12 September 2016) The next United Nations Secretary-General is to be decided this October, but recent straw poll results show that the decision for the position is still very much up in the air. Currently there are ten nominated candidates, including Srgjian Kerim (Macedonia), Danilo Türk (Slovenia),…
Read MoreWTO appeals court backs South Korea in US trade dispute (Channel News Asia, 7 September 2016)
WTO appeals court backs South Korea in US trade dispute (Channel News Asia, 7 September 2016) South Korea largely won an appeal ruling at the World Trade Organization in a challenge that puts U.S. anti-subsidy duties on Korean-made washing machines in jeopardy. The ruling by the WTO Appellate Body, which is final, strengthened South Korea’s…
Read MoreThe US will have zero credibility in Asia if TPP fails, ex-CIA official warns (CNBC, 12 September 2016)
The US will have zero credibility in Asia if TPP fails, ex-CIA official warns (CNBC, 12 September 2016) The U.S. political impasse on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal is a “brewing disaster” that could be a significant setback for U.S. engagement in Asia. “I think U.S. credibility goes almost to zero in the region if we don’t get that done,” said…
Read MoreASEAN considers tribunal’s verdict on South China Sea ‘legal and binding’: Barack Obama (Indian Express, 9 September 2016)
ASEAN considers tribunal’s verdict on South China Sea ‘legal and binding’: Barack Obama (Indian Express, 9 September 2016) In an apparent warning to China, US President Barack Obama has said all ASEAN members agreed that Beijing should uphold the verdict of The Hague arbitration tribunal on the South China Sea dispute with the Philippines as it is “legal…
Read MoreAt regional UN meeting, South-East Asian countries agree to establish dedicated health emergency preparedness fund (UN News 9 September 2016)
At regional UN meeting, South-East Asian countries agree to establish dedicated health emergency preparedness fund (UN News 9 September 2016) Countries in the South-East Asian sub-region have agreed to establish a dedicated funding stream to build preparedness for health emergencies in the region, which is also one of the most disaster-prone in the world, the…
Read MoreAs migration continues to accelerate in south-east Asia, UN health agency calls for a focus on migrants’ health (UN News, 8 September 2016)
As migration continues to accelerate in south-east Asia, UN health agency calls for a focus on migrants’ health (UN News, 8 September 2016) Noting greater vulnerability of the health of migrant populations, including heightened risks of infectious diseases, malnutrition, substance abuse and maternal and neonatal mortality, the United Nations health agency has urged a regional…
Read MoreHuman rights law targets N. Korean leader (Korea Times, 4 September 2016)
Human rights law targets N. Korean leader (Korea Times, 4 September 2016) South Korea’s new law aimed at documenting human rights abuses in North Korea went into effect in early September — the latest in a series of efforts to put pressure on the Kim Jong-un regime. Analysts say North Korea may react furiously because…
Read MoreChina says US deliberately misread WTO rules in steel subsidy spat (Channel News Asia, 13 July 2016)
China says US deliberately misread WTO rules in steel subsidy spat (Channel News Asia, 13 July 2016) China’s Commerce Ministry has said the United States had deliberately misinterpreted World Trade Organization (WTO) rules after the U.S. Commerce Department found in favour of subsidy rates for Chinese steel. The U.S. Commerce Department found in favour of…
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