An American diplomat was found dead in Myanmar’s largest city, the US State Department said, and members of the diplomatic community in Yangon say a Thai woman has been detained by police in connection with the investigation.
American officials in Thailand and the US embassy in Myanmar referred questions on the case to the State Department, which confirmed the “death of a US government employee” assigned to the embassy in Yangon but gave no other details.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the…
Malaysia drops probe into ex-anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, says ‘no further action’
Malaysia’s prosecutors have closed a criminal intimidation investigation involving former anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, saying a complaint by businessman Albert Tei did not “meet the legal threshold” for further action.
The decision comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government facing pressure over prosecutorial independence. Anwar had campaigned on a reformist, anti-corruption platform that has since been tested by high-profile dropped cases and delayed…
Ireland prepares to introduce ‘savings and investment accounts’
The Irish government is preparing to introduce tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts (SIAs), which are designed to channel some of the deposits of Irish savers into capital markets and indirectly into the EU economy.
As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?
A summit between Russia and Asean next week promises to ease Southeast Asia’s energy crisis and Moscow’s diplomatic isolation – but not all of the bloc’s leaders are expected to show up.
Analysts are also divided on whether Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, the current Asean chair, will travel to Kazan for the meeting, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 17–18.
The summit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations…
Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line
Southeast Asia’s extensive supply chains could be disrupted if it faces planned US tariffs over Washington’s accusations of forced labour in 60 economies, as analysts say the proposal is just a way for President Donald Trump to resurrect his trade levy agenda.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are among the economies flagged by the US for purportedly failing to prevent goods made with forced labour from reaching its market.
Washington said the…
HOKA shoes ruling can help brand owners avoid running into trouble
A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in England and Wales can help brand owners understand how to impose contractual restrictions on retailers over the distribution of their products without falling foul of UK competition rules, experts in competition law have said.
Singapore eyes Asean connectivity amid new US-China dynamic: Lawrence Wong
Singapore will push for connectivity in Asean in its role as bloc chair next year amid a challenging global environment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said, as he warned about the United States and China navigating a new dynamic.
At the Singapore Press Club Eminent Speaker Series on Monday, Wong noted that keeping communication lines open between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump was important to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation, but…
Malaysia tackles illegal foreign-owned firms, as regional crackdown widens
Malaysia ordered a crackdown on Monday against illegal businesses run by foreigners, joining a growing list of Southeast Asian nations rocked by similar operations amid simmering local resentment.
In recent years, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia introduced visa-free entry for foreign visitors following the Covid-19 pandemic in a bid to revive their flagging tourism, property and investment sectors.
But last month, Thailand removed the 60-day visa-free entry for 93 countries and…
Pakistan’s mediators in Iran as US downs drones, Lebanon looks for peace
Pakistan’s interior minister was in Tehran on Sunday in a fresh bid to restart negotiations between Iran and the US, as the American military said it shot down two more Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz that threatened international maritime traffic.
The latest action came as the Washington presses for Iran to make a deal to end the war in the Middle East, which has strained the global economy and threatened a hunger crisis in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries.
The heaviest…
Slumping rupiah makes Indonesia irresistible for Malaysian tourists, shoppers
Indonesia has always been a favourite travel destination for Malaysians and visitor numbers are expected to increase with the neighbouring country’s currency hitting a record low.
Melaka Tourism Association president Madelina Quah said the low rupiah presents an advantage for Malaysians travelling and shopping in Indonesia.
“This will translate to cheaper holidays, shopping for weddings and buying of raw materials for imports against exports’ competitiveness,” she said.
“Younger Malaysians…