Johor deploys 200 officers to crack down on sale of subsidised RON95 fuel to foreign vehicles during Chinese New Year

We have proof that the woman was able to replenish herself with about one liter of gasoline before being stopped. She therefore refueled with RON97, which is the Malaysian government’s designated fuel for foreign-registered cars, Lilis was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times, adding that the vehicle’s proprietor had previously made the payment using a debit card. &nbsp,

Lilis even praised the petrol station workers, who stopped the girl, for ensuring that subsidised petrol items designated for visitors were no misappropriated, Bernama reported. &nbsp,

Since 2010, the Control of Products Act of 1961 has made the sale of subsidized gasoline to foreign-registered cars illegal. If found guilty of breaking the law, petrol kiosk users who sold it could face fines of up to RM1 million ( US$ 282, 425 ) for the first offense, as well as RM3 million or a three-year prison term, or both, for subsequent offenses. &nbsp,

But, on January 15, next year, Armizan Mohd Ali, the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, announced that gas station operators who were found guilty for the first time may face fines exceeding the RM1 million cap, adding to the pressure on the sector. &nbsp,

When asked about ideas for foreign-registered cars to use money instead of credit or debit cards to prevent similar using RON95 gasoline, Lilis responded that there was no order at the time. &nbsp,

” The main responsibility lies with petrol station users, they may take action to ensure no foreign-registered cars refuel with RON95, including assigning personnel to avoid such incidents, especially during the festive time”, she said on Saturday. &nbsp,

Petrol facilities in Malaysia are generally self-service. Patrons can use their own jets to fill their personal cars and use their credit accounts at the kiosks. &nbsp,

Now, there is no law saying that sanctions may be imposed on accidental motorists.

The Johor section of the Home Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s Johor section mobilized 187 police officers across the state in June of last year to help with the precise diesel subsidy implementation. &nbsp,

Amir Hamzah Azizan, the next finance minister, had previously stated that the financial gasoline price for all Peninsular Malaysian gas stations may be set at RM3.35 per gallon, the market rate being determined using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism method.

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Hong Kong’s rich potential as a crypto art trading hub – Asia Times

Hong Kong, a global hub for arts and banking, is at the vanguard of a trend where art meets bitcoin systems. The rise of NFTs ( Non-Fungible Tokens ) and RWA ( Real World Asset ) tokenization is redefining the art market, expanding its reach and lowering entry barriers.

These improvements are expected to dominate the forthcoming World Expo in Hong Kong, demonstrating how bitcoin can improve price, clarity, and cash in the arts world.

In recent years, Hong Kong’s art industry has experienced impressive growth. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the state’s industry in art, items, and artifacts reached HKD105.465 billion in 2023, a boom of over 80 % from 2019.

However, China’s craft market, for US$ 12.2 billion in 2022, overtook the UK as the country’s second-largest, reflecting the state’s rising supremacy.

As Asia’s leading craft hub, Hong Kong is home to many collectors and purchase firms, with some exceeding US$ 50 million in art investments. This jobs the area as a normal incubation for blockchain-driven art improvements.

RWA-Tokenization: Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds of Craft

RWA verification transforms real art assets into modern tokens, enabling partial ownership, lowering access barriers, and unlocking cash for high-value artworks. The Hong Kong government has opened up space for such advancements thanks to its strategic position on blockchain rules and plan support.

Yau Yo, the president of Greater Bay Area Innovation Design Alliance, an earlier NFT director who worked on projects for Asia’s actor Jay Chou, observed the transformational power of NFTs:” Jay’s NFT items sold out in time, generating hundreds of millions.

NFTs introduce online lack, enabling global achieve while disrupting traditional institutions. Artists can override intermediaries, keep more profits, and receive royalties on extra sales. But, volatility and guesswork remain challenges, requiring careful evaluation from both makers and investors”.

The power of NFTs, in my opinion, goes beyond modern art. In the conventional market, they address integrity and copyright issues by recording provenance and transaction history and acting as modern certificates for bodily artworks. Trust is bolstered by this transparency among buyers and buyers.

Anson Chan, president of Bonds Group and a dominant artwork collector, highlighted a crucial challenge:” Standard collectors prefer real artworks. For RWA-tokenization to achieve, useful solutions for keeping, managing, and insuring natural resources are essential”.

Jims, head of the RWA arts program NCollector, says artwork is ideal for RWA tokenization according to three key aspects:

  1. Standard art lovers typically face liquidity boundaries. Verification unlocks cash, fulfilling a crucial want.
  2. Art combines theoretical value with investment. RWA bridges the gap between traditional art areas and bitcoin, introducing bitcoin people to craft opportunities.
  3. Tokenization enables cross-border trading, boosting social change and global market development.”

I concur with Jim’s comments and believe that RWA has a great chance of boosting Chinese treasures ‘ international flow.

Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong’s Imperial Seal ( Made of Pure Gold ).

Art RWA Tokenization Status and Challenges

Despite its promises, craft RWA-tokenization remains in its infancy in Hong Kong. Blockchain services that offer these companies are emerging, but the general market length is also constrained. Tokenization allows high-value paintings to be divided into marketable digital currencies, solving cash problems.

For instance, a 100 million euro Rubens painting could be tokenized into 10, 000 smart contracts, priced in ETH and sold in increments. Each token would have royalty rights, guaranteeing that the original owners would receive a set profit from upcoming transactions.

From the buyer’s perspective, tokens gain value through secondary premiums or ETH price increases, with smart contracts ensuring the NFTs retain inherent value.

This contrasts with many NFTs in 2022, which were based on virtual goods and experienced a 90 % market decline in 2023. RWA-based NFTs, tied to real-world assets, offer more stability and transparency, making them a more reliable investment.

Peter Paul Rubens’ The Feast of Venus

The Art Market in Hong Kong: Current Landscape and Future Prospects

Hong Kong is Asia’s leading art trading center, with 2023 auction volumes surpassing HKD12 billion —60 % of the region’s market. The city’s strategic location, free trade policies, and robust legal and financial systems bolster its appeal to global investors. Key advantages include:

  1. Tax Incentives: Unlike Europe and the US, Hong Kong imposes no transaction taxes or VAT on art sales, attracting international buyers.
  2. Legal Framework: The city’s Common Law system and intellectual property protections ensure transparency and security in art transactions.
  3. Banking and Free Capital Flow: Hong Kong’s financial market facilitates seamless cross-border payments, supported by world-class banking services.
  4. Infrastructure: Renowned auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s operate in Hong Kong, complemented by advanced logistics and insurance services.

However, the city faces challenges in art storage. To compete with facilities like Switzerland’s Freeport, Hong Kong must develop specialized storage solutions for high-value artworks.

Jeffrey Sze, CEO of Habsburg Asia

With the HKMA and SFC enacting crypto asset regulations in 2023, Hong Kong is well-positioned to take the helm of the RWA-tokenization revolution. Blockchain technology will transform the art market by enabling fractional ownership of real-world assets, increasing investor flexibility and accessibility.

As CEO of Habsburg Asia, I oversee high-end art transactions and RWA-T operations, including works like Peter Paul Rubens ‘ Venus Fest and Picasso’s Buste de Femme Souriante. These instances demonstrate how blockchain can bridge the use of digital technology and traditional art.

With its tax advantages, legal stability, and financial innovation, Hong Kong is primed to become a global leader in art and digital asset markets, drawing increased international investment and solidifying its status as a premier art hub.

Jeffrey Sze is the GP of both the Asia Empower LFP and the Habsburg Asia ( which is partially owned by the Habsburg Family ). He specializes in high-end art transactions and RWA-T operations. In 2017, he secured a cryptocurrency exchange license in Switzerland.

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Remember Einstein? Meet the ‘bald ang moh guy’ who taught Singapore millennials how to draw on TV

One option, however, wasn’t simple. &nbsp,

In 2008, while still living in Singapore, Einstein created an animated series called That’s Imagination for Norway Television. The success of the hit show saw the development of various options for his manufacturing business, and it eventually marked the end of his two years of living abroad. &nbsp,

He said,” It was quite an emotional decision to return to Norway in 2010 to expand my business while attempting to look after my engagement with the entire of Asia.”

I was missing my home, and that was the bigdeciding factor. I just saw my home for three days a year after going away for years.

Obtaining A UNIQUE STYLE

These days, Einstein also dons many caps as an investor, artist and illustrator, TV broadcaster and manufacturer, and art tutor to both adults and kids. But with societal press, his videos today reach thousands more.

He just created a TikTok stream and updates his current Box Yourself YouTube channel, which has over 750, 000 clients. The network has small arts and crafts projects for kids, using paper, toilet rolls and any biodegradable papers. It’s his way of introducing conservation through creativity. &nbsp,

Of course, his peculiar images remain, bright colors and exaggerated information everywhere. It’s a true memories trip.

” I’m really happy that I’ve always kept my main goal in mind, which is to teach individuals how to draw,” she said. All my shows have been about learning how to pick, color, would arts, or all of it”, he said. &nbsp,

” I consider myself a tutor – not so much a Television star – with a very, very large school”.

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Minister to board US navy vessel off Chon Buri

Phumtham Wechayachai
Phumtham Wechayachai

Defence MinisterPhumtham Wechayachaiwill lead a delegation to visit US navy officials onboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on Sunday for talks on boosting security and collaboration across Southeast Asia.

Ministry official Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsang said Mr Phumtham, who doubles as deputy prime minister, and his group will board the vehicle, located in the Gulf of Thailand in the Chon Buri region, at 1pm via helicopter.

USS Carl Vinson is the US military’s next Nimitz-class supercarrier and you have a maximum of 6, 000 team people.

The fleet was launched in 1980, and it has participated in numerous ancient engagements, including the first Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War.

It also participated in numerous humanitarian procedures, such as the rescue of victims of the Haiti disaster.

US military Rear Admiral Michael S Wosje, chief of Carrier Strike Group ONE, and Captain Matthew C Thomas, the USS Carl Vinson captain, may direct a US representative on the attend.

The visit will show the ship’s architecture and numerous procedures, such as airplane launches, by the US military.

From Monday through Friday, the ship will dock there for a switch visit while it is anchored at Chon Buri’s Laem Chabang Port. Due to the fact that this is regarded as a rest time for the staff of the vessel, no squad changes will be made.

” The ministry hopes the visit will tighten the diplomatic relationship between Thailand and the US while]fostering ] knowledge exchange regarding advanced military technologies”, said Maj Gen Thanathip.

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Gold glitters at end of the world as we know it – Asia Times

Shareholders have been betting tremendously on an AI-driven coming over the past two decades, as tech stocks have led the S&amp, P 500 to a 60 % get. But they also bought the “barbarous artifact” of a financial era that preceded the economy’s identity, pushing the price of silver up by almost as much. Importantly, gold outperformed other hedges by a sizable percentage against the buck.

Why wall against severe distress amid effervescent tech-driven optimism? The answer is a bit could get wrong—catastrophically wrong, in reality. The dollar-based global economic system’s core asset is then tech stocks. The United States has sold US$ 24 trillion more of its property to immigrants than Americans have sold to immigrants.

Graphic: Asia Times

That” net international investment position” of$ 24 trillion, up from$ 18 trillion at the end of Donald Trump’s first term in office, paid for America’s cumulative trade deficit over the past 30 years. For the past 10 years, immigrants have been buying stocks rather than US Treasury bonds, as in the history.

US federal loan is now lower than it was five years ago, thanks to international central banks. If the technology bubble turns out to be a balloon, so will the US dollar. The death of the money may depend on the competition for market share for AI. If, for example, China’s open-source DeepSeek beats ChatGPT and the other British large language concepts, tech shares was tank and, with them, the money.

Graphic: Asia Times

There are many different ways to protect against the money. Some of them are interesting. An American budget deficit of 6 % to 7 % without a war or recession, as incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Congress last week, is without precedent. But the currency’s position as a reserve money means that America has first rights on the nation’s capital.

The inflation-indexed US Treasury yields surge, partially fueled by hopes for a higher US gap under Trump, propelled the dollar higher against all major currencies. If US prices increases, so does US interest charges, and the economy’s transfer rate will rise against other currencies, even while the money loses value.

Graphic: Asia Times

But even while all currencies sank against the dollar in response to rising “real” ( inflation-indexed ) Treasury yields, gold rose, breaking a pattern that prevailed from 2007 through 2022.

Graphic: Asia Times

The US and its supporters seized Russian resources in March 2022, breaking the long-term connection between TIPS and metal. China, Saudi Arabia, India, and other central banks slowly shifted resources away from Treasuries into silver. On paper, TIPS and silver offer similar payments: If the money tanks and US prices increase, both assets may gain value.

The distinction is that the Treasury cannot acquire central bank vault gold in the same way it is acquire central banks holdings of its own obligations. Up to 80 basis points ( 0.8 % ) of the rise in TIPS yields during the past six months, I showed in a January 10 analysis, can be attributed to foreign central banks ‘ sales of US Treasury securities.

The hedge fund group has turned northern banks into gold. The price of real gold and the option price on the gold price are both affected by a shift in the relationship. Implied volatility is a standardized measure of the cost of metal choices, and under normal conditions, it falls as the gold rate rises.

That’s because silver mining companies have been the biggest consumers of golden choices, when the gold rate falls, they buy alternatives to lock in their revenue, and vice versa. But in 2024, something fresh happened: The cost of gold possibilities rose along with the golden value.

The gold implied volatility against price forms a” V” in the scatter chart below. That indicates that hedge funds placed wagers on a rise in silver prices.

Graphic: Asia Times

Gold is a standout in the complex of options on macro variables ( stocks, currencies, bonds, and commodities ). While other markets are softer in terms of risk and the price of gold options ( implied volatility ) is trading at a two-year high.

Graphic: Asia Times

Gold’s virtue is that it has a government decree-free value; it is the only form of currency that can be accepted if all else fails. It is the economic resource of last resort. With some exceptions, the bill of nearly all of the major markets has increased alarmingly in relation to economic output over the past ten years.

President Trump is walking a rope, trying to stimulate financial growth through tax breaks while juggling a document non-war, non-recession budget gap. The dangerous nature of this is heightened by Gold’s outperformance.

Observe David P Goldman on X at @davidpgoldman

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While Trump dithers, US lawmakers push 100% tariff on China – Asia Times

A bill that would revoke China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations ( PNTR ), previously known as the Most Favoured Nation ( MFN) trade status, and impose a 100 % tariff on a wide range of Chinese goods has been proposed by bipartisan US lawmakers. &nbsp,

Republican John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, next November introduced the&nbsp, Restoring Trade Fairness Act, which, if enacted, would withdraw China’s PNTR. &nbsp,

He announced on January 23 that Democrat parliamentarian Tom Suozzi may contribute to its promotion by forming a bipartisan bill to the proposed Act. &nbsp,

The newly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 that directed the US Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate congressional ideas regarding China’s PNTR.

Trump had promised to establish a 60 % tax on all Chinese products on the campaign trail, but he has veered away from doing so since taking office on January 20.

The bipartisan compromise that both parties must acknowledge the need to restart our financial ties with China is a big success for both the Select Committee and our country, according to Moolenaar.

The Restoring Trade Fairness Act takes decisive action in line with President Trump’s authority, building on the tax measures passed by three successive governments.

According to the proposed Act, a wide range of Chinese goods will experience a 100 % price. They include pesticides, drugs, nuclear reactor and parts, gas turbine and parts, agricultural and construction equipment, industrial robots, motors and engines, unmanned aircraft, consumer electronic products and weapons. Other products may encounter a 35 % price.

Price increases may be entirely implemented in five times if the Act is passed and enacted. Two decades after the passage, 25 % of the complete work increase may apply. Four decades after the passage, 50 % of the complete duty increase may use. &nbsp,

Some Chinese analysts predicted that the removal of China’s Import standing would result in a 60 % price on all US imports from China in November.

Some Chinese experts predicted that China will be able to address these issues by diversifying its export to other nations. They claimed that China could retaliate against the US by depreciating the Taiwanese money, slashing American make payments, and stifling imports of market metal to the US.

But, Tu Xinquan, professor of the China Institute for WTO Studies, University of International Business and Economics, says in a new article that China should never overlook the negative effects of losing MFN position. &nbsp,

Rejecting Nafta standing results in the US no more granting China the same level of tariff protection, Tu claims. ” The US can then choose which taxes to impose on Chinese goods.”

” Revoking China’s Import reputation will also impact trade in services, intellectual property rights, diplomatic opportunities, engineering controls and officers markets between China and the US”, he says. ” China’s impact on losing the MFN status is much greater than tariff increases.”

Trump stated on January 21 that he is considering imposing a 10 % tariff on imports of all Chinese-made goods as soon as February 1. While it will take time for the US Congress to discuss the 100 % tariff. He defended his action in light of the claim that China is preventing the entry of its fentanyl precursors into North America. &nbsp,

The US president also has the option of imposing a 25 % tariff on Mexico and Canada beginning in February, citing the two neighbors ‘ failure to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs.

AmCham concerns&nbsp,

In addition, according to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce ( AmCham ) in China, three out of ten US companies are considering moving manufacturing or sourcing to a different country as a result of rising geopolitical concerns.

The China Business Climate Survey, which covers both the week of October 21 through November 15, 2024, before and after the most recent US presidential election on November 5, was conducted. It has a total sample size of 368 member companies. &nbsp,

Only 23 % of the surveyed companies said they were considering leaving China or had already begun, according to the survey conducted in late 2023. &nbsp,

According to the survey conducted in 2024, only 14 % of the responding companies think that the bilateral US-China relationship is expected to improve. However, 51 % of the responding companies said they think the relationship may continue to deteriorate in 2025. &nbsp,

In the 2023 survey, only 24 % of companies think the Sino-US relationship will deteriorate while 30 % believe that the relationship will improve. &nbsp,

The top five issues US businesses are facing in China, according to AmCham China:

  • rising tensions in US-China relations
  • competition from state-owned and/or privately-owned Chinese companies
  • regulatory compliance
  • inconsistent legislative interpretation, ambiguous laws, and strict laws
  • rising labor costs

Understanding our members ‘ viewpoints has never been more crucial, according to Alvin Liu, chair of AmCham China,” US-China relations remain the most consequential bilateral dynamic in the world today.” A stable and constructive relationship that is based on economic and trade ties is essential for both our two countries ‘ prosperity and the stability of the world economy.

According to AmCham’s surveys, about 48 % of the responding companies listed China as one of their top three global investment destinations in 2024, up from 61 % in 2020. Additionally, from 10 % in 2020, the percentage of businesses that no longer listed China as a preferred investment destination increased to 21 % last year.

49 % of AmCham members surveyed last year said foreign companies were treated unfairly compared to domestic companies in the technology and R&amp, D sectors. The figure was 42 % in the 2023 survey.

In 2024, 46 % of respondents claimed their China businesses were profitable, and 18 % claimed to have lost money. In 2021, 59 % of responding members said they were profitable while 13 % saw a loss. &nbsp,

Commenting on American firms ‘ concerns about deteriorating US-China relations, Mao Ning, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said this actually reflects how important it is to pursue a steady, sound and sustainable China-US relationship.

” China always views and develops China-US ties in line with the three principles put forth by President Xi Jinping, namely mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation”, Mao said. We also anticipate that the US will cooperate with China to put China-US relations back on track for sound and steady development.

He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, stated that the government will continue to support foreign businesses, improve the economic environment, and reduce the negative list in 2025.

Yong Jian contributes to the Asia Times. He is a Chinese journalist who specializes in Chinese technology, economy and politics. &nbsp,

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Trump already faltering in approach to Putin – Asia Times

President Donald Trump, on&nbsp, Truth Social&nbsp, and in interviews, is pushing the idea that Russia needs to hurry up and make a bargain on Ukraine before Trump, taking advantage of Russia’s financial problems, imposes higher taxes and additional sanctions on Russia.

To emphasize his own thinking about the absurdity of the Ukraine conflict, Trump says that Russia&nbsp, has suffered over a million casualties&nbsp, and Ukraine 800, 000.

Trump’s figures on deaths exceed also Ukraine’s wild projections of Russian deficits. The “official” range pushed by Ukraine’s Zelensky is Russia has suffered 812, 670 deaths to day, while&nbsp, Ukraine has lost 43, 000 dying, &nbsp, according to Zelensky.

It is commonly accepted that&nbsp, the ratio of maimed to dead&nbsp, in the Ukraine war is running 3 to 1, but following Zelensky’s range, Ukraine has lost 129, 000 in full.

On June 14 in the Donetsk community Storozheve, a Russian soldier’s figure was visible close to a Russian tank that had been destroyed. —RFE

Don’t think Zelensky’s figures, as Ukrainian deaths are higher than he says.

Obviously, both parties present losses in their own words. The Ukrainians greatly exaggerate Russian loss, reassure their personal populace and their NATO supporters, while the Russians do not provide any numbers at all.

The best knowledge about Russian deaths comes from a group called Mediazona. Mediazona is a Russian separate media outlet that the Russian state has tried to shut down.

It is strongly anti-Putin. &nbsp, Mediazona’s report&nbsp, on Soviet” confirmed killed” between February 24, 2022, and January 18, 2025, is 88, 726. Using the 3 to 1 amount, that may provide complete Russian deaths to 266, 178, or about one-fourth of what Trump has said.

Trump’s assessment of the Russian economy good echoes what US knowledge has told him. He appears to believe that Russia’s economy is about to decline, which prompts him to urge Putin to act quickly and negotiate a bargain or suffer the consequences.

The American media has been complete of reports that all have the same theme. Russia’s economy is in free drop and in a big issue. Following on from these” themes,” there are rumors that Putin is having domestic issues, has been angry with his financial advisors, and wants some sort of solution.

Anyone planning a costly war in a country where the value of the national currency has fallen abruptly, where interest rates are outrageously high, and where inflation is practically out of control, would normally be worried and alarmed. However, that does not imply that Putin or his ministers are in a state of panic or that the Russian state is about to fall.

The majority of these articles that appear in Eastern media reports lacking sources. Yet where they exist, they are direct. For instance, the pro-Ukraine&nbsp, Daily Mail&nbsp, reports that Oleg Vyugin, a former deputy president of the Central Bank of Russia says that” Russia, of course, is commercially engaged in negotiating a diplomatic end to the conflict”.

Zelensky’s Speech at the 2024 Borys Paton National Prize of Ukraine Award Ceremony on December 10, 2024. ( Volodymyr Zelenskyy/ Standard site )

So far the best non-government review coming out of Russia was published in&nbsp, Foreign Affairs&nbsp, by Alexandra Propenenko. She is a colleague at Berlin’s Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. She worked at Russia’s central banks until early 2022. Putin’s claim that” Putin is not yet hungry” and that Ukraine’s economic suffering won’t reverse the course is persuasive.

She writes:” The concern for the West is timing. Democratic leaders want the conflict to stop right away. Some experts have even suggested that Putin will need to find an off-ramp in the coming weeks to stabilize the economy and keep his hold on power.

” But European aspirations sleep on a false notion. Russia’s financial difficulties are not yet so severe that they will have a significant impact on the conflict in the near future. The Kremlin should be able to prevent a full-blown problems from arising from its overheated business for at least the following year. Putin will most likely still have the resources to carry out his terrible campaign in Ukraine, as well as the motivation to hold off the West.

Russia correctly now has a labour shortage and entire career. Usually, an economy in trouble is characterized by persons out of work, small pay or no wages, and provide shortages, particularly consumer goods. Although imported goods and some local goods ( butter and eggs, for example ), are expensive but not in short supply, Russia has consumer goods.

Sanctions have opened the door for China, and Chinese goods, like cars, are less expensive than those from European countries. There is no denying that the conflict has caused the labor shortage, but it is difficult to determine how many. Wages are large and increasing.

Russia, in contrast to Europe, has no control over gasoline prices at home and is energy independent. In fact, the European markets are in worse shape than Russia in terms of employment, energy shortages, and fees due to the restrictions being imposed on Russia and the not-so-secret destruction of Soviet pipes ( as well as the arbitrary decision to not renew transit contracts for refineries through Ukraine ).

Germany is already in a crisis, but Russia is not. Some think that the German dollar, the Euro, is&nbsp, living on borrowed period. The value of the Euro may be affected by additional financial decline in Germany and France.

If Russia decides to stop providing gas, oil, and LNG, Putin could significantly worsen the energy issue in Europe than Trump or with new taxes or other financial measures.

The torrent of information about Putin’s problems and Russia’s economy is a part of a circumstance promoted by Biden and his heavy state allies because they mistakenly believe that the US could force regime change in Russia. Trump appears to be supporting that strategy. However, it is contradictory because it only strengthens Russia’s resolve to win the Ukraine war.

Worse still, it harms Trump’s trust with Moscow in getting a bargain to end the war. Trump largely exempt from any connection to the Biden heavy state plan when he took business. He appeared to understand that his attempt to overthrow Putin and Moscow was ignorant and counterproductive. His method gave him an edge, coming into business without any Trump foreign policy bag, which he is now in danger of losing.

Trump and Putin’s anticipated telephone conversation has not taken place, and the White House and NSC have never made any plans to strike up a conversation with them. The reason why is clear.

Stephen Bryen is a former US assistant secretary of defense for plan and a unique journalist for Asia Times. This article, which originally appeared on his Substack newsletter&nbsp, Weapons and Strategy, is republished with permission.

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Singapore blocks access to East Asia Forum for second time over POFMA order

Singapore’s Internet service providers have been given a warning over what they claim is incompatible with the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act ( POFMA ) Office’s ( POFMA ) correction order.

The Ministry of Digital Development and Information ( MDDI) and Prime Minister’s Office ( PMO ) announced this on Friday ( Jan 24 ), two days after the POFMA order was issued.

Wednesday’s get refers to an essay on Jan 14, titled” Singapore’s new prime minister entangled in ancient politicians”. The PMO said&nbsp, it contained misleading claims about the government’s leadership.

Singapore has previously blocked exposure to the East Asia Forum twice because of a POFMA buy, the first of which was in September 2023.

According to MDDI and PMO on Friday,” the adjustment way issued to East Asia Forum on January 22, 2025, required the information to be displayed along with the lies to enable end-users in Singapore to learn both types and create their own judgments.”

East Asia Forum has no followed the instructions that were sent to it, despite three messages to follow the correction’s instructions.

When the program adheres with the “full requirements of the modification direction,” they added, access blocking orders may be canceled.

East Asia Forum is required to issue revision notices for the Jan 14 content, as well as for the social media platforms where the content was reposted, in accordance with the law. It must also offer a link to the president’s explanation.

CNA uncovered a report made at noon on Friday that East Asia Forum had posted a adjustment see claiming the content contained falsehoods at the bottom of the article. The notice also contained a connection to the president’s Factually post stating the government’s explanation. &nbsp,

A response stating East Asia Forum’s position on the matter and why it disagreed with the POFMA attempt was included in the correction see. &nbsp,

East Asia Forum was required to post a correction realize at the top of the content and the website’s main page in response to the 2023 adjustment way.

On Friday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah even instructed the POFMA office to challenge targeted adjustment way finds to Meta Platforms, Linked In, and X.

” This follows East Asia Forum’s failure to carry the correction notice in its Facebook, Linked In, and X posts linking to the same article”, said MDDI and PMO.

” Meta Platforms, Linked In, and X will be required to communicate a correction notice to all end-users in Singapore who had accessed, or will access, the content”.

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PM Paetongtarn presses investment agenda at Davos

New technologies to strengthen ability in agribusiness, soft power activities and lasting advanced industries

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gives a media interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo: Royal Thai Government)
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gives a press discussion. ( Photo: Royal Thai Government )

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been highlighting Thailand’s willingness to welcome foreign investment in the digital economy, agriculture, soft power and sustainable industries at the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) this week in Davos, Switzerland.

At the” Country Strategy Dialogue on Thailand” forum, which is an annual meeting of world leaders and businesspeople, the prime minister on Thursday gave an overview of the president’s vision and plans to top executives from different companies.

Ms. Paetongtarn spoke at length about Thailand’s ability as a possible economic hub, including its proper location, and its position as the second-largest financial hub in Southeast Asia with world-class system and commercial holdings.

She stated that the nation is moving forward with the use of modern technology and new technology to increase its potential in three main areas: agriculture, soft power activities, and lasting advanced industries.

Thailand has been encouraging the use of AI and robots in the agricultural sector to increase the precision and effectiveness of farming practices and manufacturing.

This may help preserve the country’s power as a “kitchen of the world”, she said, according to a conclusion released by her company.

The state also gives great value to the innovative sector, which includes hospitality, and is glad to rank among the world’s most popular hospitality destinations, she added.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, Thailand has position itself as” a place for pleasure” where visitors from all over the world can create lasting memories and recharge their batteries before moving home.

She stated that Thailand is also trying to be a hotspot for the medical and health sectors, which are anticipated to quickly become a significant contributor to the nation’s ongoing economic development.

Green plan

Thailand also supports the natural world plan by encouraging bio-based companies and adopting the bio-circular-green (BCG) financial model, which includes green technology and investment.

She noted that the development of an intensive ecosystem for electric vehicles was also underway as she turned to innovative industries that may shape the country’s future. Additionally, Ms. Paetongtarn noted that the development and operation of new data centers is helping to advance the modern business.

Thailand also aims to raise its capacity of using renewable energy, especially solar, wind and biomass, to generate electricity by at least 50 % by 2040, she added.

The top said that in developing its online economy, Thailand now focuses on two key elements: modern facilities and human resources.

She said the state works to attract more foreign investors to invest in advanced industries like cloud services, data centers, and semiconductor production in Thailand while encouraging the development of economic technology to give local businesses more opportunities to compete at the international level.

The prime minister also cited the advantages of multilateral efforts to promote free trade and investment, adding that Thailand now intends to start negotiations with other nations and territories, including the European Union ( EU) and South Korea.

She also emphasized the value of all countries collaborating to create harmony while pursuing growth and success.

Thailand is your partner who is determined to make investments for a better potential, according to the PM.

On Saturday, Ms. Paetongtarn will make her return to Thailand.

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