China and Japan differ on whether their foreign ministers spoke last week at ASEAN Japan and China are giving conflicting accounts about whether their foreign ministers briefly spoke last week The Independent UK · Jul 27
Explained: Why crude oil prices tumbled over 9% to below $90/bbl in one day Crude oil prices plunged more than 9% to $88 a barrel after the US paused strikes on Iran and Tehran signalled restraint, boosting hopes of de-escalation. Reports said China is backing Pakistan's efforts to revive US-Iran peace talks, easing fears of prolonged supply disruptions. The sharp decline in oil prices… The Economic Times · Jul 27
Dollar pulls back as US-Iran attacks pause, oil drops The dollar weakened against major currencies as the United States paused its bombing campaign in Iran. Oil prices also sank significantly after the temporary halt in military strikes. Investor confidence improved globally following reports of renewed peace talks and continued oil flows. The euro and British pound saw gains against… The Economic Times · Jul 27
A Hong Kong democracy activist's long-awaited London reunion may be cut short Former pro-democracy lawmaker Wu Chi-wai has reunited with his family in London after more than five years in a Hong Kong prison The Independent UK · Jul 26
The Taliban's Trojan horse: What really happened after Afghanistan's opium ban Wars have been fought over land, over succession, over a woman said to have launched a thousand ships toward Troy. Opium got its own war twice, in 1839 and again in 1856, but not the kind that name suggests. Britain went to war for the right to keep selling opium… The Times of India · Jul 26
'Xi, Putin assured they won't arm Iran': Trump says China, Russia keeping promise Trump said Xi gave him the assurance during their recent meeting in Beijing, where the Chinese leader promised that neither the Chinese government nor its defence companies would provide military equipment to Iran. "President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any… The Times of India · Jul 25
China reaffirms its neutrality China has assured Thailand it remains neutral in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, saying military equipment supplied to Cambodia was delivered under an earlier agreement, Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthumjaroen said. Bangkok Post · Jul 24
Exporters shrug off new Trump tariffs The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country's competitiveness on the global stage. Bangkok Post · Jul 24
Quote of the day by Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew: 'I do not yet know of a man who became a leader as a result of having undergone a leadership course' Lee Kuan Yew was known for his iron fist with which he founded the base of today's Singapore. He was revered for his leadership and this is one of his most memorable leadership quotes, where he said leaders are not manufactured in leadership courses. They are made through everyday crises,… The Times of India · Jul 24
U.S. And Iran Continue To Escalate. China Began a Push To Bring Them Back To The Negotiating Table Pakistan began a new China-led push to get the U.S. and Iran to negotiate, according to a new report. International Business Times · Jul 24
Chinese proverb of the day: 'When you are poor, you will... once you become rich, you'll be...' Life lessons from motivational proverb on self-interest, timeless truth, success, true worth, isolation, wealth, social climbing, fake friends, humility and human connection Chinese proverb of the day explains how people often change their behavior based on another person's financial status. The saying shows that poverty can lead to isolation, while wealth attracts attention from friends, relatives, and acquaintances. The proverb explores human nature, self-interest, fake relationships, humility, and true human connection. Its… The Economic Times · Jul 24
Pakistan, Iran explore path towards new talks with US in a China-initiated push, sources say Pakistan is exploring ways to revive stalled US-Iran talks following a push by China, with exploratory discussions held during Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni's visit to Islamabad. While Pakistan is seeking to mediate amid rising regional tensions, officials say a halt in attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states… The Economic Times · Jul 24
'There are Chinese projects on territories in J-K that belong to India': MEA objects to illegal occupation India's Ministry of External Affairs accused China of illegally occupying Indian territories. Beijing's ongoing infrastructure projects in these regions also drew strong objections from New Delhi. This statement followed discussions between Indian and Chinese foreign ministers at the ASEAN summit. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted previous positive engagements between… The Economic Times · Jul 24
Pakistan Seeks $10 Billion US 'Brokerage Fee' After Playing Mediator in US-Iran Conflict Pakistan has requested a $10 billion US exchange stabilisation fund to bolster its economy, despite concerns over its long-term economic reforms. International Business Times UK · Jul 24
The Economic Times · Jul 24 India rebuffs Pakistan's ASEAN comments, reaffirms Indus Waters Treaty abeyance India on Friday firmly rejected Pakistan's remarks at the ASEAN forum, affirming the Indus Waters Treaty stays in abeyance until Islamabad halts cross-border terrorism. The External Affairs Ministry also dismissed claims of India causing deliberate flooding in Pakistan as baseless, attributing Chenab River surges to heavy monsoon rains.
The Independent UK · Jul 24 China coast guard uses water cannons on 2 Philippine vessels as top diplomats meet in Manila Chinese coast guard ships have fired water cannons at two Philippine fisheries vessels in the South China Sea
The Times of India · Jul 24 China opened the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge in 2025, reported to have a record 1,208-metre cable-stayed main span and designed to carry expressway, highway and intercity rail across the Yangtze China's Changtai Yangtze River Bridge opened in 2025, a significant engineering achievement. This record-breaking structure boasts the world's longest cable-stayed span at 1,208 meters. It is the first river crossing to combine an expressway and an intercity railway on one deck. The bridge dramatically reduces travel time between Changzhou and…
The Independent UK · Jul 24 South Korea abandons hardline stance on North’s nuclear weapons programme Seoul is moving away from demanding Pyongyang fully give up nuclear weapons before any settlement
The Economic Times · Jul 24 GTRI questions US 10% Section 301 tariff on Indian exports, says measure lacks credible evidence India's new ban on imports made with forced labour helped lower a proposed US tariff on its exports to 10% from 12.5%, but the Global Trade Research Initiative says Washington has offered no evidence against India. It argues the move is mainly aimed at keeping US tariff barriers in place,…
The Economic Times · Jul 24 India reiterates WTO-consistent trade policy, calls for development-oriented reforms India concluded its eighth Trade Policy Review at the WTO. Members broadly appreciated India's constructive engagement and economic resilience. India reiterated its commitment to transparent and WTO-consistent trade policies. It also emphasised development-oriented WTO reforms for developing countries.
Bangkok Post · Jul 24 US to impose new tariffs of up to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, including Thailand, on Friday The United States on Friday will impose new tariffs of either 10% or 12.5% on goods from its top 60 trading partners, including China, Japan and Thailand, officials said, citing their alleged failure to adequately ban the import of goods made with forced labour.
The Independent UK · Jul 24 Pastor recounts ‘miracle’ release from Chinese prison after Trump intervened Trump’s intervention came after he vowed to ‘save our Great Christian population’
The Economic Times · Jul 23 India slams Pakistan for "cynically" misusing ASEAN Regional Forum to peddle falsehoods India strongly criticized Pakistan's unwarranted comments on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister made these remarks at the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting. New Delhi stated that Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance due to Pakistan's terrorism sponsorship.…
The Economic Times · Jul 23 Rubio says US committed to helping end Ukraine war after meeting Lavrov US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated America is ready to help end the Ukraine war. He spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during an ASEAN gathering in Manila. Rubio conveyed President Donald Trump's clear message of US willingness to facilitate peace. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to a political…
Bangkok Post · Jul 23 China’s durian imports from Thailand and Malaysia soar as glut pressures growers HONG KONG — China's durian imports rose 47%, year on year, in the first half of 2026, with Thailand and Malaysia posting particularly strong gains, according to customs data, as Southeast Asian exporters offloaded a glut of the fruit that had sparked a price drop.