The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a potential theatre of confrontation between global powers as international relations experience considerable transformations and geopolitical developments. Taiwan has strengthened its defensive capabilities after continued hostilities between the US and China over the island. The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System 2 (NASAMS 2) will be purchased from the United States, according to Taiwan’s Defense …

Megaworld, a real estate company, has planned to open its 19-storey, two-tower Grand Westside Hotel, the Philippines’ ‘biggest hotel,’ in Parañaque City by the end of the year. Grand Westside Hotel, which will become the Philippines’ ‘biggest hotel,’ is set to be located in the 31-hectare Westside City township of Parañaque’s Entertainment City. It will consist of over 1,500 rooms …

Barbie, a 2023 US fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, was banned in Vietnam, a country in Asia, over the South China Sea issue. Vietnamese authorities have said that the film features images of China’s illegal nine-dash, which violates the maritime sovereignty of Vietnam.  Why has Vietnam banned the film? What is …

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the current president of the Philippines, has accepted the resignations of 18 officials of the Philippine National Police, including three generals, for their alleged links to illegal drug activities. This came a day after the president of the Philippines called for the rise of “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines). He ended his second State of the Nation address …

The number of areas in Indonesia where a wildfire could occur has doubled due to dry weather conditions, authorities said on Monday, raising concerns over widespread disasters even before the peak dry season – expected between August to early September. The number of wildfire ‘hotspots’ recorded between July 17 and July 23 increased sharply to 12,701 from 6,082 seen a …

To support the defence and internal ministries in the event of an armed conflict or civil unrest, the Belarusian Ministry of Emergency Situations has announced the completion of military training and the arming of its staff. The choice was made amid escalating tensions in the area due to joint military drills between Belarus and Russia and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s …

The Dewan Rakyat, the lower chamber of Malaysia’s Parliament, formally informed the Election Commission (EC) on July 25, 2023, that the P161 Pulai Parliamentary seat in Johor was vacant. The vacancy developed due to Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), passing away suddenly. It is necessary to fill the vacancy in accordance with the Federal Constitution …

As the crisis in Myanmar continues, ASEAN countries are approaching the conflict with caution, while the EU remains steadfast in its implementation of hard-hitting sanctions. The complex and delicate nature of the conflict has prompted different responses from regional players, sparking debates about the most effective approach to address the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar.  The Association of Southeast Asian Nations …

Cholnan Srikaew, Pheu Thai Party leader, has said that the eight-party coalition aims to get 375 votes in the next round of the Prime Minister election. Cholnan Srikaew told Nation TV on Monday that Pheu Thai Party, the third incarnation of a Thai political party, held talks with Bhum Jai Thai Party, Palang Pracharath, United Thai Nation party, Chart Thai …

South Korea made football history on Tuesday because Casey Phair, a South Korean-born association football player who lives in the United States, became the youngest player ever to feature at a FIFA Women’s World Cup. Casey Phair is the first multiracial footballer to be named to South Korea women’s national football team. She is just 16 years old. At 16 …