Malaysia will not reintroduce goods and services tax: PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has no plans to reintroduce a goods and services tax (GST) or any other broad-based consumption tax, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday (Feb 14). The government will instead look to reduce subsidies enjoyed by the wealthy, Anwar, who is also finance minister, told parliament. Anwar,Continue Reading
China’s US agriculture investments ring new alarm
Military radar failed to detect China’s spy balloon but Chinese investment in US agriculture has become a big blip on politicians’ radar screens. In Washington and state capitals, legislators seem eager to shoot this bogey down. Some of the bills they’re proposing would subject Chinese ag investment to greater scrutiny. Others would ban it outright. […]Continue Reading
Russia making money with mercenaries in Africa
Mercenaries have been a fixture in Africa since the second half of the 20th century. They have been used to protect incumbent leaders or install new ones in conflict zones. Their offering – guns for hire – has remained essentially the same for decades. However, they’ve recently undergone an evolution that forces countries to look […]Continue Reading
‘Union Spirit’ key to winning Myanmar’s war
As we pass the second anniversary of Myanmar’s coup, the international community has yet to develop an effective response to the crisis. The delayed reaction may be due to the ambiguities generated by the parallel governments competing for control of Myanmar: the ruling military (the junta) and the opposition National Unity Government (NUG). The two […]Continue Reading
China fires back bigger with US spy balloon claim
The United States’s high-altitude balloons have flown over China’s airspace without permission more than 10 times since the beginning of last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has claimed. “It is not rare that US balloons illegally enter other countries’ airspaces,” Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, said in a regular media briefing on […]Continue Reading
Pheu Thai blasts EC plan to redraw poll boundaries
The Pheu Thai Party has slammed the Election Commission’s plan to redraw electoral constituency boundaries ahead of the next elections, calling it confusing and potentially against existing laws on elections.Continue Reading
Australian boy, 8, dies of suspected electrocution at Fiji resort
Police say Cairo Winitana was found “motionless” in a garden and believe he died of electrocution.Continue Reading
Airports brace for ICAO test
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to coordinate with related agencies to correct any flaws in the country’s airport system before an inspection by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).Continue Reading
US delegation to visit Pakistan as two sides seek to repair ties
WASHINGTON: US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet will lead a delegation to Pakistan this week as Washington and Islamabad seek to repair ties strained under former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The US delegation will visit Bangladesh and Pakistan from Feb 14 to 18 to meet with senior government officials, civilContinue Reading
Chiang Rai, Phuket push for air link resumption
The Chambers of Commerce in Phuket and Chiang Rai are working together to attract more tourists by pushing to restore direct flight links between the two provinces.Continue Reading