ASEAN News

China unveiled a full slate of fresh stimulus policies this week meant to boost its faltering economy. The second biggest economy in the world has had increasing difficulties over the past three years: a lengthy property sector crisis, slow consumer spending, and COVID-19 aftermath effects. Responding to these hitherto unheard-of economic challenges, the Chinese government and central bank have acted …

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is preparing for a pivotal leadership vote on Friday while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gets ready to resign. Given the LDP’s strong hold on parliament, this election will decide not only the party’s future head but also Japan’s next prime minister. The result should determine the political direction of the nation at a period …

With a historic decision, Thailand is the first country in Southeast Asia officially endorsing marital equality. When King Maha Vajiralongkorn royal assented to a ground-breaking law allowing same-sex marriage Tuesday, he made a significant step forward in LGBTQ rights in the region. Approved by parliament in June, the law will take effect 120 days from now; first legal same-sex marriages …

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a major declaration on September 21, 2024, aiming at increasing medical aid to people impacted by the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki, especially those who were exposed outside the previously defined state-supported territory. Emphasizing the need of justice and equality in the treatment of all atomic bomb survivors, or hibakusha, Kishida said in a statement …

Trying to serve North Koreans, foreign relief workers and missionaries have encountered major obstacles over the past seven years. For individuals employed by Christian nonprofits or humanitarian organizations, the circumstances have become more challenging. The United States has restricted its people since 2017, forbade travel to North Korea without certain authorization. These steps have practically stopped US-based activities in the …

Still one of the most disastrous natural disasters striking numerous countries all around is flooding. Often driven by combining topographical, climatic, and infrastructure components, it causes significant damage, relocation, and death. Some countries have continuous issues because of their low-lying coastal areas, proximity to rivers, or frequency of heavy monsoons. Others battle the effects of insufficient infrastructure that accentuates flood …

Recently unearthed information on North Korea’s nuclear bomb manufacturing has heightened world worries over Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un‘s possible positioning of the nation to provide nuclear materials to other countries engaged in illegal weapon development. The timing of these disclosures, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) started its annual general assembly in Vienna, lends more urgency to the …

Chinese government media has boldly aired a documentary series depicting what a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by China may look like, therefore highlighting military capability. Published by China Central Television, the sixth episode of the series Quenching fuses current technologies with traditional military tactics to provide a complete simulation of an attack on Taiwan’s defenses. Emphasizing drone-assisted operations, missile training, …

Chu Kai-pong, a 27-year-old male, pleaded guilty to charges of sedition in Hong Kong on Monday, therefore subjecting himself to a long jail sentence. His transgression was Wearing a protest T-shirt, which cops claim goes against the recently strengthened national security rule of the city. Chu’s case emphasizes the more severe policies Hong Kong‘s government is enforcing as it keeps …

China, in an attempt to address the urgent problem of a declining population and an aging workforce, will increase its retirement age starting next year, currently among the lowest among major world nations. Last Friday the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved the long-awaited policy modification after years of discussion. Made earlier in the week, this abrupt declaration …