Australia says it canceled state deals on China’s Belt and Road over ‘national interest’
SYDNEY — Australia said a decision to cancel two deals between Victoria state and China on the Belt and Road Initiative was about ensuring consistency in foreign relations and was not aimed at any country.
Bahrain bans entry from 16 countries including Philippines
CAIRO - Bahrain civil aviation affairs said on Tuesday that entry will be banned from 16 new countries including Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Philippines,...
Indonesia attracted 5.47 million foreign visitors in 2022
JAKARTA — Indonesia saw 5.47 million foreign visitors in 2022, more than three times than in the previous year and above the government’s target...
UN chief concerned about Indian military actions in Pakistan, urges restraint
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was very concerned about Indian attacks in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, his spokesperson said on Tuesday while calling for maximum military restraint from...
US, IEA urge Asian countries to diversify energy supply chains
SYDNEY — The United States and the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Tuesday urged Asian countries to diversify their supply chains for energy and critical minerals so they are not dependent on countries such as China and Russia.
Red packets from global banks become Hong Kong collectors’ items
AS MILLIONS of Hong Kongers prepare to hand out packets stuffed with cash to mark the lunar new year, the hottest envelopes are coming from an unlikely source: global investment banks.
Taliban rule presents aid agencies with moral dilemma
WASHINGTON — As foreign governments, aid institutions and companies scramble to evacuate staff from Afghanistan, a crucial question is emerging: should they engage with the ruling Taliban or abandon years of investment in the country and 38 million Afghans?
South Korea’s economy unexpectedly speeds up
SEOUL — South Korean economic growth unexpectedly picked up in the second quarter as strong consumption on eased COVID-19 restrictions offset poor exports, supporting the case for further central bank interest rate hikes.
Global inflation to stay stubbornly high as wrecked supply chains persist
BENGALURU — The global streak of high inflation is far from over and aggressive monetary policy tightening will fall short in taming price pressures...
China’s worsening floods highlight extreme weather threat
Weeks of torrential rain in southern China have left millions of people without homes and caused billions of yuan in economic losses, with environmental groups warning the extreme floods are likely to become more common.
Arab ministers demand Trump rescind Jerusalem decision
CAIRO -- Arab foreign ministers on Saturday called on the United States to rescind its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and for the...
Japan weighs state of quasi-emergency for Tokyo, environs — broadcaster
TOKYO — Japan’s government is discussing whether to impose a quasi-state of emergency in the capital, Tokyo, and surrounding areas this week to contain a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, broadcaster FNN said on Monday.