CNA Correspondent Podcast: Finish line in sight for India’s marathon election
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EQT beats Asia mid-market growth fund target | FinanceAsia
The total fund commitments for private equity firm EQT’s BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Partnership fund totaled$ 1.6 billion, more than twice the fund’s original target of$ 750 million.
The Asia- focused middle- business buyout fund, which had an original goal size of$ 750 million, closes with$ 1.6 billion in full fund commitments, of which$ 1.4 billion is fee- generating, according to a company statement.
The , may focus on the technologfundy, services, and medical businesses across Asia, prioritising India, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia. To date, it has invested in four things.  ,
In 2024, practically$ 29 billion in total commitments have been raised by EQT’s personal capital strategies around the world.
The bank has a “diverse selection” of international investors, while existing investors in the lineup Asian huge- cover buyout funds made up over 80 % of the entire commitments, according to the statement. A” significant” unknown part of the agreements also came from EQT people, while the majority of the remaining agreements came from owners in other EQT cash, which were allocating to the Eastern system for the first time.
Following the$ 24 billion closing of EQT X in February and the$ 3 billion closing of EQT Future in March, the fund’s total commitments increased to nearly$ 29 billion in total after the fund closed.
” We have invested in Asia for the past three decades, and our large-cap platform is now fully developed and established.” We no longer had a dedicated pool of capital to invest in compelling mid-market companies, according to Jean Salata, chairman of EQT Asia and head of the EQT Private Capital Asia advisory team.  ,
¬ Haymarket Media Limited. All rights reserved.
Attorney-general to decide on Thaksin lese majeste case after delay
PUBLISHED: 29 May 2024 at 06: 02
On Wednesday, the attorney-general’s decision will be all about the attorney-general’s decision to implicate former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for lese majority.
Attorney-General Amnat Chetcharoenrak delayed the decision on April 10 until Wednesday in the midst of a second investigation statement from the authorities.
Prior to this, Prayut Phetcharakhun, the Office of the Attorney-General’s ( OAG ) deputy spokesman, claimed police investigators had not sent the office a complete report.
He said the lawyer- general was seeking further questioning, saying he needed more information, and Thaksin even requested it in a petition for good treatment.
Mr. Prayut claimed that the attorney-general had to make a decision despite receiving some of the necessary extra information from the police.
The Technology Crime Suppression Division took over the case after Thaksin’s parole was granted on February 18 and gave him a momentary release.
In 2015, Thaksin is alleged to have defamed the monarchy in remarks made during an appointment with the North Korean Chosun Ilbo magazine, in which he claimed secret council supported the revolution that overthrew the rule of his younger girl Yingluck Shinawatra.
The remarks made during the meeting, according to authorities, perhaps had violated both the Computer Crime Act and Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which are also known as the der guess rules.
Public prosecutors may deal with the situation as they please, according to Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong’s statement on Tuesday.
A group of protesters gathered on Tuesday to hand a letter to the OAG asking it to expedite the accusation against Thaksin outside the state advanced on Chaeng Watthana Road.
The Thai Citizens Protecting the Monarchy organization’s chair, Arnon Klinkaew, said the organization will rush to see if Thaksin is charged by the OAG.
We will show outside the state advanced until the end of July, he said.
Earthcare cloud mission launches to resolve climate unknowns
47 hours ago
Jonathan Amos,Science correspondent, @BBCAmos
EsaA powerful joint European-Japanese satellite has been launched to examine how clouds affect the climate.
Some low-level clouds are known to cool the planet, while others that are large does act as a cover.
The Earthcare goal will employ a laser and radar to examine the atmosphere to determine the location of the balance.
One of the biggest uncertainties in computer models ‘ predictions of how the weather will change as a result of rising levels of greenhouse gases is how the climate may change.
According to Dr. Robin Hogan of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, “many of our models predict that cloud cover may shrink in the future, which will mean that clouds will reflect less sunlight back into space, absorb more of it at the surface, and increase the warming we would experience from carbon dioxide,” according to Dr. Hogan.
The SpaceX rocket launched the 2. 3 tonne dish from California.
The European Space Agency ( ESA ), which is in charge of the project, has described it as its most challenging Earth observation project to date.
The technical difficulties in ensuring the violins ‘ expected functionality have been significant. It’s taken completely 20 times to go from objective approval to start.
EumetsatEarthcare will circle the Earth at a height of about 400km ( 250 miles ).
In total, there are four tools that will work together to gather climate scientists ‘ information.
The most basic tool is an imager, a camera that records the picture below the aircraft to provide context for the dimensions made by the other three devices.
Earthcare’s German ultraviolet laser will see the narrow, great clouds and the tops of clouds low down. Additionally, it will identify the small particles and droplets ( aerosols ) in the atmosphere that have an impact on how clouds form and how they behave.
The Chinese sensor will look into the skies to see how much water they are carrying and how it is accumulating snow, hail, and rain.
And a sensor can determine how much of the energy that the Sun sends back into space is being reflected again.
AirbusThe balance between the amount of energy that is currently spent overall and the amount that is in the Sun is what drives our climate, according to Dr. Helen Brindley of the UK’s National Center for Earth Observation.
” If we change that balance, for instance by increasing greenhouse gas amounts, we reduce the amount of outgoing strength compared to what’s coming on and we steam the weather”.
As well as the longer- word culture perspective, Earthcare’s data will be used in the here and now to increase weather forecasts. For instance, how a wind develops may be affected by its cloud’s state at first as it was seen by the satellite days earlier.
EsaThe initial research strategy for Earthcare was put forth by Prof Anthony Illingworth, from Reading University, and acquaintances in 1993.
He claimed that seeing the dish suddenly journey was a dream come true, adding,” It’s been a long and difficult trip with a fantastic team of engaged scientists and engineers from the UK and abroad. Collectively, we’ve created something really extraordinary that may change the way we understand our world”.
One of the major technical challenges was the space light, or lidar.
A pattern that would be dependable in the absence of space was a challenge for the developer Airbus- France. A fundamental change in the instrument’s configuration was required, which added significantly to the overall cost of the mission, which is now valued at around €850m ( £725m ).
Nasa” These are n’t missions that you put up to be cheap and quick, to solve small problems, this is complex. The UK Space Agency’s Dr. Beth Greenaway, the mind of Earth study, said that the explanation Earthcare has taken so long is because it “wants the golden standard.”
Earthcare wo n’t have long to gather its data. It may feel the pull of the remaining atmosphere at that level if it is 400 kilometers flying. The spacecraft will be pulled down by this method.
” It has gas for three years with a supply of a second time.” It’s generally lifetime- limited by its small circle and the drag it”, said Esa’s Dr Michael Eisinger.
The professional development of Earthcare was led by Airbus- Germany, with the standard vehicle, or composition, of the spacecraft built in the UK. Additionally, Britain provided the sensor from Thales Alenia Space UK and the imager from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. GMV- Britain has designed the ground systems that may practice all the data.
EsaThe Japanese space agency ( Jaxa ), because of its strong interest in the mission, will follow its usual practice of giving the spacecraft a nickname-” Hakuryu” or” White Dragon”.
Dragons are ancient, divine creatures that control water and can fly in the sky in Japanese mythology. This year, 2024, also happens to be the Japanese Year of the Dragon, known as “tatsu- doshi”.
There’s a connection in the appearance of the satellite, too, which is covered in white insulation and has a long, trailing solar panel, resembling a tail.
” Earthcare, like a dragon rising into space, will become an entity that envisions the future for us”, said Jaxa project manager Eiichi Tomita.
What Iran can gain and lose from Sudan intervention – Asia Times
Since the Hamas-led strike in Israel in October 2023, Iran has been well documented and has attracted more attention. Similar to this, Tehran’s hands supplies to Russia have drawn international attention and have slapped Tehran.
Tehran’s military action in another dangerous turmoil, the civil war in Sudan, has received much media attention.
Since that turmoil started in April 2023, it has killed at least 13, 000 individuals, injured through 33, 000 people and displaced thousands more. In the southwestern region of Darfur, people are after more slaughtered after years of semblable serenity.
Iran’s participation in Sudan’s military authorities was limited to providing humanitarian support right away after fighting broke out between two rival parties.
But that policy did n’t last long. Tehran provided some Mohajer- 6 premium surveillance and fight robots to President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, between December 2023 and January 2024.
In February, the robots helped the SAF take place from Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as” Hemedti”, and the military Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, during an unpleasant in the area of Omdurman.
The issue in Sudan has a strategic significance for Tehran, despite receiving less international attention than the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. As an analyst on Iran’s foreign policy, I can see how Tehran is increasingly using its presence in American conflict zones to expand its military, industrial, and especially political objectives. It follows a pattern similar to Iran’s role in Ethiopia during the Tigray War of 2020-22.
Projecting strength
Since the U.N. arms sanctions against Tehran ended in October 2020, drone exports to the SAF have continued Iran’s actions both physically and economically.
Iran has since delivered monitoring and strike drones to its quasi-state proxies and colleagues in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemeni Houthis, as well as to progressively distant nations like Ethiopia, Russia, Tajikistan, and Venezuela.
Iran has used this strategy to work power, improve alliances, and sway disputes in the Middle East and other areas. At the same time, it may prove a beneficial source of income for the Iranian business, as well as a display for the government’s systems.
While it is difficult to determine the precise revenue Iran has received from military drone exports, the estimated value of the global market in 2022 was US$ 12.55 billion, a figure expected to reach$ 14.14 billion in 2023 and$ 35.60 billion in 2030.
Arming the Army helps both Iran’s wider political objectives and its rivalry with local competitors, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.
Rogue says
Iran and Sudan have a history dating back to 1989, when Tehran supported the revolution led by Omar al-Bashir, who afterwards became Sudan’s leader. Iran provided Sudan with development aid and military support in the 1990s and 2000s. It stationed naval vessels in Syrian ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and exported machines it.
Along these strategically important routes and transport lanes, Tehran facilitated the movement of Houthi rebels in Yemen and Palestinian militants in Gaza while importing oil into American nations and bringing arms into local markets.
Sudan continued to offer consular assistance to Tehran throughout the time as a fellow so-called rogue state that was subject to US punishment and sanctions.
It voted against UN General Assembly resolutions that condemned Tehran’s human rights record and recognized Iran’s right to pursue a nuclear programme. From 1979 to 2021, Sudan ranked as Iran’s second- largest trading partner in Africa and accounted for 3 % of its regular monthly deal with the globe.
But between 2013 and 2016, Iran- Sudanese relationships suffered a series of serious losses. Sudan closed Iran’s cultural center in 2014 and fired its political staff because it allegedly proselytized Shiism in a state with a majority of Sunnis. Two years later, in 2016, it and other locations in the Horn of Africa cut official ties with Tehran.
Iran broke away from Sudan and Africa in order to concentrate on radioactive politics with the United States and other world powers, which was the cause of these losses. In exchange for joining the Saudi-led alliance against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the UAE began to provide more military, political, and economic aid to Sudan and other nations in the Horn of Africa.
Sudan’s struggled with confinement and financial hardship as a result of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for al-Bashir, the oil-rich South Sudan’s dissolution, and the ensuing intensified sanctions from the United States.
Iran and Sudan participated in international forums for agricultural participation afterward, but diplomatic relations between the two countries previously completely recovered.
making an impact in the Horn
Iran has the chance to alter its position with Sudan thanks to the civil warfare. Tehran is re-establish relations with Sudan by supporting the SAF, as well as limiting or limiting Saudi and Emirati influence in the nation and the world as a whole.
Tehran aims to regain control of the state and assist al-Burhan and the SAF in winning the war.
Giving aid to the SAF also fits into a fluid that dates back to the war and is again related to Iran’s struggle for control with Saudi Arabia. Hemedti traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2019 and pledged his support for it against Iran and the Houthis while serving alongside al-Burhan in the Transitional Military Council following al-Bashir’s resignation by a revolt.
However, supporting the SAF is not without threats for Iran.
For example, a victory for as- Burhan and the SAF is far from certain. The RSF has taken control of some important state, including Khartoum and Gezira, since October 2023. The SAF launched an offensive in Omdurman in February 2024 and gained it. However, the entire balance may nevertheless bend in the RS F’s pursuit.
And in contrast to the war in Syria and Ukraine and Sudan, Tehran has found itself in the uncomfortable place of supporting a rebel of Russia, which supports the RSF.
Tehran and Abu Dhabi are vying for control in Sudan by supporting the SAF and RSF, both, in contrast to the Ethiopian fight, in which Iran supported the state along with Turkey and the UAE. As Sudan’s largest exporter and second-largest importer, the UAE has a significant financial advantage over Iran in the martial sector.
Supporting issue
Even if al-Burhan were to win, it’s never a given that Iran’s standing in Sudan would drastically improve or expand.
Iran is constrained by being a Iranian power, Sudan is a Sunni- majority region. And even before Sudan severed ties with Iran and descended into another civil battle, it had longer accepted agrarian, professional, development and military support from Iran’s local rivals, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
After Khartoum joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, it restored normal relationships with Tel Aviv through the Abraham Accords in exchange for USS diplomatic and economic opportunities.
Time will tell whether Iran’s military involvement in Sudan represents a turning point in diplomatic relations or just a transfer of arms from another civil discord fueled by international action.
At Florida International University, Eric Lob is an associate professor of politics and international relations.
This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.
Migrant worker fired over ‘loan shark’ harassment faces deportation after being unable to find job
SUPPORT FROM WORKERS ‘ RIGHTS GROUP , Workers Make Possible, a non-governmental organization dedicated to preventing Mr. Sharif from being deported, and the non-governmental organization Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics ( HOME), have made efforts to assist him. A spokeswoman for the party, Ms Kokila Annamalai, said they have worked withContinue Reading
NESDC says 1 in 70 people a suicide risk
Mental health issues plague 10 million
PUBLISHED: 29 May 2024 at 05: 09
According to the National Economic and Social Development Council ( NESDC ), almost 11 % of the country’s population is thought to be mentally ill, and almost 10 % of them are a suicide risk.
However, about 16 % of the community is constantly stressed out, it said.
Danucha Pichayanan, director- standard of NESDC, said on Monday, upon the launch of the company’s second quarter report on Thai society, that emotional health has become a crucial issue.
According to the Department of Mental Health, there are 2.9 million medical patients in 2023, up from 1.3 million in 2015.
” Despite Thailand officially having 2.9 million patients who received medical treatment]last year], the actual number of those with mental health issues may reach as many as 10 million, as many people do n’t seek treatment”, Mr Danucha said.
This suggests that there are many more cases of undiagnosed cases than the global average, and it also suggests that we have a higher percentage of these people.
Additionally, a significant portion of the population is at risk of developing mental health issues.
The department discovered that between Oct. 1, 2023, and April 22, 2024, the proportion of people with mental health issues who experienced high stress levels was 15.48 %, the risk of depression was 17.20 %, and the risk of suicide was 10.63 %.
According to Mr. Danucha, these images have declined over the past few years, adding that mental health issues have a significant impact on the economy. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety cause an economic decline of over US$ 1 trillion, resulting in the loss of approximately 12 billion days worldwide.
According to him, almost one in five people with mental health issues cannot care for themselves, necessitating community support and causing major human resource losses. Additionally, less than a quarter of medical patients with high levels of risk are properly monitored and cared for.
Additionally, the NESDC discovered that more social and economic pressures have contributed to higher rates of depression and stress. The top two mental health issues in governmental 2023 were anxiety and depression, surpassing both meth abuse and other substance abuse combined.
According to Mr. Danucha, the murder charge is nearly as high as it was during the Tom Yam Kung crisis in 1997.
” In governmental 2023, the murder charge was 7.94 per 100, 000 people, close to the charge during the Tom Yum Kung turmoil at 8.59 per 100, 000 people”, he said, adding that economic problems also impact mental health.
According to a study in the UK, air pollution increased melancholy by 20 % among young people.
Seven out of ten persons in Bangkok experience stress at work, according to Mahidol University.
From duck rice to black pepper crab rice dumplings, these are some new flavours to try this year
Shang Palace’s Fish Maw Pork Knuckle Rice Dumplings ($ 42.90, 650g ) recall the rich soups of the Chinese New Year. Chefs slow-cook pork knuckles to spoon-tenderness before deboning the deal by wrapping it in sticky grain and steaming it. The result is a premium, more- ish dumplings total of delightful textures. The Sweetened Purple Rice Dumpling with Custard is also new to this year’s line- up ( S$ 22.90, 280g ). The oozy pastry is encased in a mix of black and white sticky rice by purple sweet potatoes before being thinly covered in chewy mochi.
If you’re gifting: The Heritage of Asia Rice Dumpling Gift Set ($ 70.90 ) features six dumplings inspired by various Shangri- La properties. Among them are the Sambal Pork Floss with Salted Egg Yolk Rice Dumpling, Pad Kra Pao Moo ( Thai herb meat ) Pancake, and Fujian- type Rice Dumpling with Abalone, Roasted Pork, Sea Cucumber and Dried Shrimp.
PANDAN GULA MELAKA, A CASTLE OF COCONUT AND QUINOA GLUTINOUS RICE DUMPLING FROM WAN HAI CHINESE RESTAURANT, IS A STRAIGHTFULLY RICE DUMPLING.
Commentary: Good reasons for Thailand’s economic stimulus
Allow SOME CREDIT FOR TRYING
That does not indicate that Srettha’s certain stimulus, as written, is properly designed. Payments to households that made up about 4 % of Americans ‘ personal income and could be deposited rather than spent right away, as well as policies ( from lockdowns to generous unemployment aid ) that reduced supply, led to high inflation during the pandemic era.
Srettha has suggested bills that could reach Thais ‘ quarterly per capita income, which would require quick and limited spending, in addition to a significant proposed minimum wage increase.
Giving a lot of money to poor rural areas with a quick expiration date ( over 140 per cent of pre-COVID monthly per capita income in the Isaan region ) and few places to spend it is a recipe for peculiar kinds of inflation.
However, these flaws may be addressed by lowering obligations to 5, 000 ringgit, staggered over a month with no “expiration” and no regional restrictions. Also, if commerce eventually recovers to post- COVID levels, the authorities would have more reason to minimize or further stagger payments.
Fraud is a risk, just like it is with infrastructure projects, and it’s not clear if authorities can create a payment system that is available to older and remote citizens. Tackling these problems will depend on the strength of Thailand’s parliamentary, criminal and media oversight.
American economists have frequently criticized Asian governments for undermining their customer and home sectors and rather encouraging investments and exports. Thailand’s government should be commended for trying to take the economic conditions of households significantly now, which it does deserve.
The Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard Kennedy School is home to Richard Yarrow as a Fellow. In the summer of 2024, he may serve as a Visiting Fellow at Thammasat University. This remark initially appeared on the ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute’s website, Fulcrum.
Wissanu Krea-ngam to serve as cabinet aide
In a novel constitutional dispute, PM picks Wissanu.
Previous deputy prime minister and constitutional professional Wissanu Krea-ngam will be appointed as an assistant to the Cabinet’s Secretariat to assist with the government’s legal matters.
Mr. Wissanu confirmed on Tuesday that Srettha Thavisin may designate him to fill the position.
He claimed that the committee had recently contacted him to ask for it after he resigned as deputy prime minister after the Prayut Chan-o-cha government’s rule expired last season.
When Mr. Srettha learned of the situation, he informed him that he would nominate him as an assistant to the secretary.
” I’ve previously discussed the matter with representatives from the commission’s committee. They promised to update the paperwork and working program. They said they would ask me to be an director”, Mr Wissanu said.
He continued, adding that he is not required to report a declaration of assets and liabilities to the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) like other political office holders, which is not a political office without a salary.
” The new article is unique from an assistant to the perfect chancellor”, he added.
Mr. Wissanu resisted stating that he would not get any political business as a result of his being asked if this would allow him to once again assume the position of deputy prime minister under the Pheu Thai-led authorities.
He added that next Saturday he met Mr. Srettha for discussions on a variety of subjects.
They included the prime minister’s new travels to France and Italy, as well as the complaint filed by 40 lawmakers opposing the prime minister’s session of Pichit Chuenban as business secretary.
Additionally, Mr. Wissanu denied that Mr. Srettha may assist him in helping him fight the case in court.
Despite the fact that his eligibility was in dispute, the Constitutional Court next Thursday approved a petition asking for Mr. Srettha’s impeachment over the visit of Pichit.
Mr. Srettha was instructed by the courts to provide an explanation within 15 weeks. However, the jury decided not to dismiss him as PM pending its decision.
Previously, the 40 caretaker senators had asked the Constitutional Court if Mr Srettha and Pichit should be removed from office under Section 170 ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) of the charter, which deals with the ethics of cabinet ministers.
After the 2014 revolution, Mr Wissanu was appointed as deputy prime minister in charge of constitutional politics under the previous administration.
He even served as deputy prime minister under Thaksin Shinawatra between 2002 and 2006 and as the commission’s minister from 1993 to 2002.
Mr Srettha said on Tuesday a prime minister’s attempt for Mr Wissanu’s interview was being drawn upward. ” I presently met him for deals on the problem”, he said.
When asked if the government’s hiring of Mr. Wissanu implies that there are n’t enough legal experts in the administration, Mr. Srettha responded that it is necessary to find more capable individuals to support its efforts so that it can better serve the public.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the deputy prime minister and inside secretary, welcomed Mr. Wissanu’s session, praising his constitutional acumen as a benefit to the government.
MP Parit Wacharasindhu, a member of the Move Forward Party ( MPF), claimed on Tuesday that the Pheu Thai-led government had no other viable option and had to approach the previous government to ask a former cabinet minister to assist with its work.
Mr. Parit, who presides the House committee on social development, bulk conversation, and public participation, said it was questionable whether the real motivation for appointing Mr. Wissanu was to assist Mr. Srettha in the court case or whether it was just to support the government’s work as the prime minister claimed.