China woos Bangladesh with Beijing invitation
A 22-member Bangladeshi group of political leaders, civil community activists, scientists and reporters have begun a 10-day visit to China.
A group leader confirmed with the BBC that they will be speaking with Chinese federal officials and top Communist Party members.
Experts claim that China is making offers despite Bangladesh and India’s growing political tensions on a number of issues.
Sheikh Hasina, the exiled head of Bangladesh, is one of those who is affected. Delhi has declined to send her abduction, despite the fact that she has requested it.
Abdul Moyeen Khan, a senior official from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP ) who’s leading the delegation in Beijing, told the BBC:” It’s basically a goodwill visit, initiated by Beijing”.
” It is unique because China has invited a group from Bangladesh this time,” he said.
Many of the group members are members of the BNP and its friends. The BNP, headed by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, is one of the major events in Bangladesh, besides the Awami League led by Hasina.
Additionally, there are several members of the student movement, which started the rebellion against Hasina and ended with the prime minister’s ouster in August of last year.
An interim government, led by the Nobel prize Muhammad Yunus is currently in charge.
It has been urging India to repatriate Hasina to face charges of crimes against humanity and money laundering, among other allegations. The UN says Hasina’s government’s crackdown on protesters during the uprising killed about 1,400 people.
But much India has showed no sign of extraditing Hasina, who denies the charges.
During the 15-year concept of Ms. Hasina, who was widely regarded by her detractors as pro-India, Delhi and Dhaka had maintained close relationships. She maintains close ties to Delhi while balancing her marriage with Beijing.
After the fall of Hasina, Beijing has stepped up its connection with Bangladeshi officials, activists and ambassadors, including from Islamist events.
The Bangladesh time administration’s foreign policy consultant Touhid Hossain and Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, met in Beijing in January for a meeting, and this week’s visit comes after that meeting.
Additionally, it is the second time in recent months BNP authorities have visited China, after Beijing hosted a BNP committee late last month.
With the social pump and lack of India’s control, experts say, Beijing is trying to increase its grip in Bangladesh, a region of about 170 million individuals.
With bilateral trade totaling about$ 24 billion ( £19 billion ), the majority of that is made up of Chinese exports to the South Asian nation.
More than 70 % of China’s military materials come from China, which is a significant source of items for the Bangladeshi army.
In the last six months, India has had very scant contact with the time authorities and other Bangladeshi social leaders in contrast to Beijing’s offers.
The BNP held a rally in December alleging India’s meddling in Bangladesh’s domestic matters by hosting Hasina. On the same subject, some interim government officials have likewise criticized Delhi.
Delhi has reacted furiously to this censure.
The Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said last week that it was up to Bangladesh to decide on “what kind of relationship they want with us”.
He called the condemnation of India by Bangladeshi leaders and politicians “absolutely ridiculous.”
Some claim that Bangladesh’s anxious rhetoric could lead to a Chinese-led government.
In light of recent events, Bangladesh has joined other South Asian nations like Sri Lanka, the Island, and Nepal as targets for both Delhi and Beijing as the powers compete for control.
” I don’t think India should regard the whole continent is under Delhi’s sphere of influence. That approach would produce India experience”, Chinese scientist Zhou Bo, a senior colleague at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, told the BBC.
Two dead, seven injured in South Korean bridge collapse
According to a representative from the interior ministry, the wounded were being taken to hospitals. The incident took place at around 9.50am ( 8.50am, Singapore time ) in Anseong, around 65km south of the South Korean capital. Initial reports that it occurred in Cheonan, Pennsylvania, were corroborated by officials whoContinue Reading
Two dead, five injured in South Korean bridge collapse
According to fire officials, two people died and five others were hurt on Tuesday ( Feb 25 ) at a construction site for an expressway in Cheonan, South Korea. Spectacular images of what appeared to be a part of the bridge collapsing, blowing a huge cloud of smoke into theContinue Reading
Cloudflare appoints Goran Risticevic as vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific
- Over 20 times of strong and stream sales experience
- Visited Cloudflare in Nov 2022, growing APAC’s consumer success group
Cloudflare, Inc., a leading connectivity cloud company, has appointed Goran Risticevic ( pic ) as vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific ( APAC ). He brings 20 years of experience in strong and network sales, as well as service, having worked at AWS, IBM, and NetApp. Since joining Cloudflare in November 2022, Risticevic has been expanding the User Success and Services group in the area. He is based in Sydney, Australia.
In 2010, shortly after launching, Cloudflare expanded its channel into Tokyo after almost 15 years of investment in APAC. Now, its global network spans more than 335 locations across 125 states, including 111 places in Asia Pacific.
” Asia Pacific is home to over 4.5 billion people—more than half the world population—and 66 % of them are online. It hosts some of the fastest-growing economies and is a gateway of technology, driving advancements in industries such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and e-commerce, all of which require strong, smooth, and highly stable internet connectivity. With Risticevic’s authority, I am assured we will continue to help our customers remain protected and connected with people worldwide”, said Mark Anderson, president of earnings at Cloudflare.
Every day, millions of online challenges are blocked by Cloudflare. In Q4 2024 only, it blocked an average of 227 billion digital risks per day worldwide. According to Cloudflare’s Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Readiness Survey 2024, 47 % of respondents experienced more than 10 data breaches in 12 months, with 87 % indicating that AI has contributed to more frequent or sophisticated attacks.
” Asia Pacific’s growth prospects are incredible, fueled by quick business growth and an expanding website business. Nevertheless, this growth comes with significant cybersecurity challenges, as businesses may defend vast amounts of data, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats—all while striving for innovation and expansion. I’m excited to work with our partners to help our customers navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving threat landscape and lead a diverse team,” Risticevic said.
ICAEW partners SC to strengthen expertise in sustainability disclosures
- Concentrate on capacity-building &, conservation credentials programmes.
- Emphasis on officials ‘ roles in conservation policy and practice, and customer involvement
A collaboration between the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ( ICAEW ) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC ) aims to increase knowledge of sustainability disclosures. This collaboration focuses on capacity-building through professional training on climate-related economic disclosures and conservation certifications.
This partnership coincides with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, which emphasizes equality and conservation.
As part of this initiative, ICAEW conducted a factory at the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) Chairs Meeting in Penang. The workshop covered important topics like the impact of global climate regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ( CSRD ) and the IFRS S1 and S2 standards for climate and sustainability disclosures.
Continue reading at https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/icaew-partners-sc-to-strengthen-expertise-in-sustainability-disclosures / for the full article as DNA is transitioning our sustainability coverage to a standalone news site.
How Blackpink’s Lisa helped her White Lotus co-star with his Thai dialogue: She ‘helped a lot’
Thapthimthong and Manobal noted that one of the challenges they faced was keeping the characters ‘ mindsets throughout the blast because of their shared practice of being artists who’ve stepped into the acting industry.
” I feel like there is a level of acting when I sing… But it’s still distinct from’ acting acting’ because in’ acting acting’, you’re jumping in the shoes of someone else for the duration of that whole shot, instead of a three-minute song”, said Thapthimthong.
” You have to stay the same figure. So there are undoubtedly difficulties in that. But there are ways ]of overcoming them ] like reminding oneself ‘ Who are you? ‘,’ What’s happened in this picture?’ or ‘ What’s happened before this landscape?’ so that your personality you maintain the momentum and narrative throughout the entire process.
Manobal then chimed in, sharing her experience:” For me, the challenge was]thinking ] if Mook was in this situation, how is she gonna react or]what is she going to ] say to Gaitok – and not just]thinking about what ] Lisa]would ] usually say”.
” But we had our Thai director who helped us shape]the characters ]”, she added.
This director, in Manobal and Thapthimthong’s opinion, may also make sure Mook and Gaitok communicated using the appropriate form of language.
Quoting the chairman, Manobal recalled:” ‘ Mook is actually close to Gaitok, but don’t state’ ka’ ( a sentence-ending atom to show courtesy in Thai ). Kindly take it out.’ And I’m like’ Oh yeah, I forgot.'”
She added:” Usually, I talk to]Thapthimthong ] the polite way. So I generally say’ ka’ to him. But on set, I often forgot that I’m Mook and he’s Gaitok”.
Is India v Pakistan still cricket’s greatest rivalry?
ReutersRoaring masses, faces painted blue and green, banners waving like challenge standards.
This is the opening of The Greatest Rivalry: India v Pakistan, a new Netflix documentary on one of cricket’s most storied contests.
India’s Virender Sehwag sets the tone: “This is a contest bigger than one between the bat and ball”. Cut to dramatic footage of some of the matches, the Wagah border, partition refugees. A nation split into two, but forever bound by cricket.
Pakistan’s Waqar Younis doesn’t hesitate: “I put this rivalry right at the top. There’s no match like India v Pakistan.” India’s R Ashwin agrees: “I think this is bigger than the Ashes.” Ramiz Raja says it’s “the political garnish that makes this rivalry world-class”.
Despite wars, border standoffs and terror attacks, the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has endured, driven by history and national pride. Even when politics halts the bilateral series, International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments keep the fire alive, turning every match into a high-stakes spectacle.
But Pakistan’s crushing defeat to India on Sunday at the Champions Trophy has reignited the question: is this rivalry overhyped, propped up by slogans like “war minus the shooting” – a phrase George Orwell coined in 1945 to criticise excessive nationalism in sports?
Getty ImagesIs this still the leading clash in bowling, or just one of its most serious? Has it lost its competitive advantage, running more on record than power?
Consider this. From an eight-wicket thrashing in 2018 to a 228-run demolition in 2023, India has dominated, winning six of the last eight ODIs. Pakistan’s last victory? The 2017 Champions Trophy final – a fading memory in an increasingly one-sided rivalry.
What rivalry, asked Dawn – a leading Pakistani newspaper – pointedly after the latest debacle. A cricket war that’s now just a big yawn, headlined India Today magazine.
According to Dawn’s Zohaib Ahmed Majeed, the defeat may become easier to recognize if Pakistan were at least putting up a fight.
According to Majeed, the tense elections between the two neighbors are the only thing that has kept the conflict dead.
In a way, we may thank the officials of these two countries for keeping this conflict dead, because bowlers, especially those on our side, are undoubtedly unable to put on a display that is deserving of its reputation,” he wrote.
” Cut out the battle of words and the real warfare, and what you’ll be left with is a professional cricket team playing a hastily put together group at the last minute.” Pure virtues of football are unmatched in any way.
Getty ImagesIndia Now was no less abrasive. ” Pakistan bowling is quickly sliding into pity country with its record of one-sided defeats to India in recent years. And unless the trend is reversed, baseball fans ‘ hopes of competing with Pakistan could quickly turn into a jumble, according to Sandipan Sharma.
To be accurate, Pakistan’s football difficulties keep mounting. They have missed the final four in the last three ODI World Cups, crashed out in the T20 World Cup team stage and then, as guests of the Champions Trophy, they’ve hit rock-bottom.
Since the 2009 attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus, Pakistan cricket has battled isolation, political turmoil, board instability, frequent coaching changes and selection controversies – all adding to its struggles. Meanwhile, across the border, India has risen as cricket’s powerhouse, backed by a strong domestic system and the IPL, cricket’s richest international league.
Pakistani cricket writer Osman Samiuddin also notes a sense of “marginalisation” among his country’s cricketers, who remain excluded from the IPL and its franchise ecosystem (no Pakistani player has featured in the IPL since 2009, as they were banned after the Mumbai terror attacks). “I think they see Indian cricketers and others as well, like Australian and English cricketers, as partaking in a world of cricket they have been excluded from,” he told a programme.
This has all contributed to the group’s fast-declining wealth.
“It is a futile exercise to wonder if this is the lowest Pakistan cricket has ever been. However, even when Pakistan have plummeted to spectacular lows in the past, they have done it in a way that justifies the cliché of their mercurial nature,” wrote Sidharth Monga in ESPNcricinfo, after Sunday’s game.
” This roll really feels like a switch, slow decline. Players are not fighting with each other, there is no secret drama, there are no cliques in the group plotting to oust the captain, there are no funny run-outs or misfields, no defeats snatched from the jaws of success”.
AFP
AFPThe “war without guns” tale again held fat, especially when Imran Khan’s Pakistan, armed with a dangerous rate assault of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and batting stars like Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq, often got the better of India.
The story may have been accurate up until the early 2000s because of this, according to the actual fans. But it was soon hijacked by the multinationals and the media to cash in on the hyper-pathos of it all”, Nadeem Farooq Paracha, Pakistani author and columnist, told me.
The quality of cricket between the two teams has changed, according to the statement. Indian cricket is getting better every day. In fact, I believe the Pakistani side is now being more pressured by the narrative in question. They underplay it, even though they’re more than willing to pocket its financial benefits”.
The ICC won’t dial down the hype, but the cricket boards and broadcasters are doing everything they can to keep the rivalry alive. It’s too valuable in a time of overexposure of cricket, limited stars, and franchise competition.
This one game has become a financial juggernaut, fuelling a parallel economy wherever it’s played- Dubai, London, Ahmedabad- drawing fans who spend big just to be there. ” Pakistan has talent, but the contest now feels more psychological”, says cricket writer Gautam Bhattacharyya.
Getty ImagesAccording to brand consultant Santosh Desai, the real conflict between the arch rivals takes place beyond the cricket field, where the “rivalry thrives more in imagination than reality.”
” The asymmetry]between the two sides ] only fuels the hype. India’s dominance makes it an easy narrative to sell, a battle royale where the outcome feels preordained. If Pakistan were winning consistently, the marketing appeal would fade. The rivalry’s commercial power lies in India’s superiority, feeding a script designed for validation, not uncertainty”, Desai told me.
India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill dismisses talk of overhyping, calling it a contest fans love to watch. When both of these teams play, it’s an exciting contest. Everyone enjoys the spectacle. If so many people are happy to watch the match, then who are we to say that it is underhyped or overhyped”, he told reporters on eve of Sunday’s game.
Gill is possibly right. Tickets for India-Pakistan games still fly off the shelves – the ICC reported sellouts within minutes. An astonishing 600 plus million viewers tuned in to watch Sunday’s match on Indian streaming platform JioHotstar, setting new records.
However, for the moment, cricket writer Ayaz Memon puts it this way:” the hype is more thrilling than the cricket itself.”
Judge tosses part of a lawsuit against UK band The 1975 for same-sex kiss at Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival
A London judge ruled on Monday ( Feb 24 ) that members of the British band The 1975 cannot be held personally responsible for the losses of a Malaysian music festival caused by lead singer Matty Healy kissing a male bandmate on stage.
The organizer of the Good Vibes Festival is seeking 1.9 million pounds ( S$ 3.2 million ) in losses after Healy criticised the country’s anti-homosexuality laws , and then kissed bassist Ross MacDonald at the Kuala Lumpur show in July 2023.
The clip of the love sparked a reaction in the mainly Muslim nation, where homosexuality is a crime , punished by 20 years in prison and punishment. Some LGBTQ organizations also criticized the group for putting its area at risk and stifling activists ‘ efforts to change.
The 1975 Productions LLP’s four individuals allegedly owed a duty of care in a lawsuit brought by Future Sound Asia in the High Court. But the singer’s lawyer argued that the fit should just target the business  , – not the players.
Judge William Hansen argued that the allegations against the group members were “bad as a matter of laws” and that there is no compelling argument for the case to go to trial. He allowed the situation to proceed against the business, but ordered FSA to give 100, 000 weight in legal fees.
Band lawyer Edmund Cullen had argued the state was an “illegitimate, arbitrary and incoherent” test” to button duty on individuals” because FSA just had a contract with the band’s company.
Authorities initially refused to let the group perform, according to FSA’s prosecutor Andrew Burns, citing reports about Healy’s drug use and subsequent recovery. They gave in after the group promised to follow the band’s instructions and rules, he said.
When the band played the same event in 2016, they had agreed not to bet, smoke, drink, take off clothing or talk about religion and elections on level, Burns said.
Burns said the group deliberately provoked Indonesian authorities in 2023 by smuggling a bottle of wine on stage, and through Healy’s “obscene statement” and the love. He said the group also performed a” second-rate established of music” to upset the audience.
They could be argued that they were acting on their own rather than just by themselves as LLP people, according to Burns.
The band was supposed to be paid US$ 350, 000 ( S$ 468, 700 ) for a one-hour set, Burns said.
The present wasn’t the first day Healy made a political speech in the name of LGBTQ rights: he kissed a female fan at a 2019 music in the United Arab Emirates, which outlaws same-sex physical activity.
After the show in the Malaysian capital, The 1975 cancelled its concerts in Taiwan and Jakarta, Indonesia.
The band has been placed on a blacklist by the Malaysian government.
Anti-torture law reaches 2-year mark
Minister features progress, problems
PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 07: 04
Tawee Sodsong, the justice minister, outlined what he called the two effective years for enforcing the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance BE 2565 ( 2023 ).
On Monday, Pol Col Tawee presided over an event at the Justice Ministry’s department on Chaeng Watthana Rd that celebrated the next anniversary of the protection of the Act.
Representatives from the UNHCR in Southeast Asia, Cynthia Veliko, and other representatives from various organizations, including those from the DSI, DSI, and PACC, were present at the event.
Pol Col Tawee emphasized that the law offers the people necessary protections against forced disappearances and torture.
While the secretary acknowledged development, he also pointed out ongoing problems. The Finance Ministry’s pause in approving some regulatory measures necessary to ensure patients ‘ compensation and rehabilitation has an unresolved issue.
The UN continues to be concerned about the slowness of the assent, which is a result of this delay.
Given that the legislation has been in effect for two years but still hasn’t fully implemented, Pol Col Tawee stressed the need for quick motion.
He even mentioned the assumption that previous laws might be enforced.
He said that despite these failures, the legislation has now led to improvements in the country’s total animal rights landscape.
The secretary also discussed the challenges that Thai citizens who have vanished worldwide face, adding that these situations frequently involve issues in cooperating with foreign governments and the limitations of international law.
He claimed that his organization continues to support the Office of the Attorney General’s efforts to bring about fairness for these people.
According to reports, there have been a total of 141 cases filed under the act, including 58 instances of rape, 45 instances of violence and inhuman treatment, 17 instances of enforced disappearance and 21 situations with two or more crimes. To date, there have been two cases before the judges.
Kim crackdown puts a spotlight on North Korea’s drinking culture – Asia Times
Kim Jong-un, the head of the North Korean Workers Party, late presided over a meeting of the Korean Worker’s Party Secretariat, which oversees the party’s policy of proper behavior and ensures that party members follow it. The group’s standard newspapers, Rodong Sinmun, reported that this meeting was convened to target several shortcomings in discipline ( tangnaegyuryurŭlranp’ok )– including binge eating by some celebration officials.
The conference was particularly concerned with two party control violations. Party officials in Onchon County ( about 60km west of the capital, Pyongyang ) were accused of making inadequate preparation for their local party meeting, which – as a result – was held in a “grossly formalistic]hyŏngshikchŏkŭro] way”.
In the early days of North Korea’s social record, there were accusations of formalism related to overly horsing foreign governments and their socialism strategies. However, when used in reference to Onchon County officers, it meant going through the motions and never displaying much genuine enthusiasm and commitment to the democratic process.
This lack of intellectual zeal was apparently reinforced when 40 of the officials engaged in a “drinking rampage,” an action that was viewed as directly in opposition to the group’s policy of upholding discipline. In the English-language edition of the Rodong Sinmun media post, these officers were branded as a” crooked group”. But in the Korean-language version, they were more colorfully condemned as a “rotten group” ( ssŏgŏppajin muri ) and an “arrogant rabble” ( pangjahan ohapchijol ).
Kim responded by saying that the actions of the party leaders were a “political and social” violence that had harmed the foundations of the Korean Workers Party. In consequence, the Onchon County group committee was disbanded, and the 40 police officers involved in the obscene merriment were designated for punishment. Although no word was given as to the kind of punishment the officials would be subject to, it is likely that they will at the very least be subject to intellectual re-education.
In North Korea, accusations of intoxication and alcohol as a means of demonizing and purging group officials are not new. In December 1955, Pak Il U ( then the minister of post and telecommunications ) was accused of leading a depraved lifestyle and being an alcoholic. This was done to tarnish his reputation, support his ejection from the Korean Worker’s Party and imprison him.
It isn’t improper to ingest in North Korea. Beer has a solid cultural presence. It is used on official events to honor ceremonies, ease grief during burial, and remember the birthdays of leaders.
The nation has actually promoted its adult products on postage stamps in recent years. The government issued a mark in 2022 showcasing three Taedonggang beer varieties, which have been produced since 2002 at a state-owned local brewery. The beverage is named after the Taedong valley, which runs through Pyongyang.
The next year, a mark depicting Pyongyang Soju was issued. Since 2009, this grain and corn-based beverage has been produced at a state-owned shop. With an alcohol content of 25 %, North Korea’s soju has a higher alcohol content than South Korea’s best-selling version, Jinro Chamisul Original ( 20.1 % ABV ).
Pyongyang Soju was named the nation’s beverage in June 2015, underscoring that both drinking and modern society have a significant place in North Korea’s cultural heritage.
That’s not to say that North Koreans are heavy drinking when compared to their southern neighbors, who, according to pre-Covidstatistics, consume about twice as many alcohol. A gallon of beer costs roughly the same as a pound of corn in North Korea, which might explain this.
vices in politics and morality
But excessive eating is regarded, as Kim stated, as a political and moral evil. Beer and another medication taking, such as meth use, is bound up with mental illness as a mark of depravity.
Drinking, smoking, and using marijuana frequently serve as coping mechanisms for people living in North Korea because the quality of mental health care that is essentially nonexistent ( mental health conditions are correlated with ideological issues ).
In recent years, North Korea has cracked down more firmly on what is seen as the “ideological and social poison” of culture. For instance, it has been reported that people have been given lengthy prison sentences or even death sentences for consuming and/or disseminating foreign press, using international slang term, or sporting unusual clothing and hairstyles.
Those caught selling hot dogs and divorcing people have apparently been the most recent instances of people engaging in anti-state behavior and serving time in prison. The communist theory of communism, which places team needs before personal desires, is opposed by division.
Thus, the government’s criticism of excessive alcohol consumption can be seen as yet another example of North Korea’s crackdown on personal behavior that is perceived as incompatible with the ideals of how people in this communist society should act.
At the University of Central Lancashire, David Hall is a PhD participant in Asian research.
The Conversation has republished this post under a Creative Commons license. Read the original content.