Southeast Asia is one of the nations most susceptible to natural disasters, but a new analysis released on Thursday ( Aug 15 ) reveals that its citizens also feel the most prepared to deal with them. It seems reasonable that the countries in and around the Pacific Ring of Fire,Continue Reading
TOKYO:  , Japan will lift its week-old “megaquake” warning later on Thursday ( Aug 15 ) if there is no further major seismic activity, the disaster management minister said. Thousands of Chinese people canceled their holidays and stocked up on necessities as a resulted in empty shelves in some storesContinue Reading
Late on Wednesday, media broadcast live images of its coalition partners visiting the home of Thaksin, 75, its chairman and influent figurehead. Pheu Thai has made a quick move to maintain its benefit. ” They want to get crucial… The longer it takes, the more quarrels and power problems mayContinue Reading
Whoever succeeds him will have a combined legacy of both successes and bag.
His record on defence and international legislation speaks for itself, it’s no coincidence that US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, Japan’s biggest cheerleader, was among the first to challenge praise. He hailed the “new age of ties”  , ushered in over the past three years, and has spoken of how the prime minister could do what his father Abe could not: Double military spending, relax defence export laws, and restore relations with South Korea, all without sparking mass , demonstrations.
Any successor to China’s birds seem unlikely to rock the boat too much in this situation, despite Sanae Takaichi’s current financial protection minister’s influence having a tendency to be a dying breed these days.
But it’s at apartment where issues need most attention.
Kishida’s” New Capitalism” economic policy was a busted flush, spooking markets and earning , him the derisive ( and undeserved ) nickname of” Tax-Hike Four Eyes”. His successor will need to concentrate more on the home economy.  ,
And he departs with his promise of income increases above prices, which are only beginning to have an impact, with real income eventually rising for the first time in 27 weeks in June. Otherwise, the general public also worries about inflation and the poor renminbi, which he should have won.
His successor may have to deal with any additional industry woes brought on by Kishida’s choice to lead the Bank of Japan, Kazuo Ueda, in the wake of the rate increases.
With over a quarter to go, it’s entirely possible that more than air dirty laundry in public, the group will merge around a popular prospect: Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, perhaps, or plan heavyweight Toshimitsu Motegi.  ,
However, possible rivals may take a hint from Kishida, who is known for being a voracious reader. One of the prime minister’s favorite novels is apparently Crime And Punishment. According to Dostoyevsky, “power is simply vouchsafed to the person who dares to bend and pick it up… one has only to try.”
Together with local partners, Australia may drive for stronger worldwide frameworks that can distinguish between these scenarios and hold the concerned parties responsible.
For Australia, the recent opening of the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Center, which invested an additional$ 18 million ( US$ 11.9 million ) over four years, is a commendable start, framed as a contribution to efforts by the Quad grouping in this area. But only this determination will be inadequate.
A detailed Indo-Pacific local cable protection framework, created in collaboration with partners in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, is required to protect undersea infrastructure from rising geopolitical threats.
The establishment of wire protection zones throughout the Indo-Pacific and additional steps should be included in this framework to safeguard the security of this crucial infrastructure. The lack of a sturdy wire protection program in Papua New Guinea or Solomon Islands, for example, underscores the intensity.
The Baltic Sea event may serve as a wake-up phone, not just for Europe, but for Australia and its Indo-Pacific lovers. The South China Sea’s proper uncertainty and the country’s heavy rely on underwater cables may spur efforts to address flaws in digital facilities safety frameworks.
It is not only about preventing injury, it’s about ensuring that when injury occurs, it is addressed quickly and accurately, with strenuous accountability enforced.
Cynthia Mehboob is a PhD Scholar at the Australian National University’s Department of International Relations. This remark first appeared on Lowy Institute’s blogging, The Interpreter.
CLASHES On Wednesday, fighting between the military and cultural armed parties in Shan state continued. According to its Major-General, Tar Bhone Kyaw, Ta’ang National Liberation Army ( TNLA ) fighters were fighting junta troops in the Shan state towns of Hsipaw and Naungcho. For comment, AFP has contacted the MyanmarContinue Reading
BEIJING: Chinese internet giant Tencent announced on Wednesday ( Aug 14 ) an 82 per cent surge in second-quarter net profit, its biggest jump since late 2020, after a resurgence in its gaming business. Tencent is one of the most important players in China’s technology business, operating the country’s widespreadContinue Reading
Mr Anwar has been highlighting Malaysia’s designed walk to meet BRICS.
At a seafaring meeting held last month in Kuala Lumpur, he said, adding that the country could serve as a vital trading gateway between the East and the West.” We should be comfortable enough to decide our course of action, our priorities, our corporate interests defined on our own terms,” he said.  ,
BRICS, established in 2009, first included Brazil, Russia, India, and China, while South Africa joined a year later. It has since expanded to encompass Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
Researchers said Mr Anwar’s decision to join the alliance is understandable, considering the financial potential of BRICS people.  ,
Collectively, the alliance is home to more than 40 per cent of the world’s population, contributes a fourth of the world economy and accounts for a second of all industry.
According to Mr. Danial Abdul Rahman, CEO of Malaysian think tank Asian Strategy and Leadership Incorporated ( ASLI),” It could become a very formidable bloc.”  ,
” Global GDP ( gross domestic product ) growth is forecasted at about 3.2 to 3.3 per cent. Countries like India and China are a little further along the curve while the BRICS countries are close to 3.6 %.
Some BRICS people have global power over important commodities and resources, according to Mr. Danial. ” So we’re looking at crude oil and gas, we’re looking at metal and platinum”.
While joining BRICS makes feeling, how many Malaysia will benefit financially is still unclear, argued economists.
” If there are no trade facilitations, I do n’t foresee any tangible benefit economically”, said Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid, fellow at the National University of Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysian and International Studies.  ,
” But at the same time, in terms of security, two ( members of BRICS) are in the ( UN) Security Council, which have veto power. We ( would ) have a seat in a powerful bloc to promote our interests”.
BANGKOK: Srettha , Thavisin won a parliamentary vote to be Thailand’s prime minister next August, after a closely-fought vote where his party had finished just next. Just under a year later, the 62-year-old property tycoon-turned-politician was dismissed from the premiership by a court order on Wednesday ( Aug 14), plunging SoutheastContinue Reading
BANGKOK: Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was dismissed on Wednesday ( Aug 14 ) by the Constitutional Court , for a breach of ethics , in appointing to his Cabinet a former lawyer who was briefly imprisoned 16 years ago. Here’s a look at the selection process for a new president andContinue Reading