Taiwan adds China’s Huawei and SMIC to export control list
Inclusion on the “strategic high-tech commodities” list means Taiwanese companies will need to obtain export permits before selling goods to the respective companies.
Policy Matters
Enforced disappearances: Bangladesh’s anti-terror law abused most to frame victims
In its second interim report submitted to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances outlined how a large number of people booked under the…
Bhutan earmarks US$368,000 for third child policy
The country grapples with concerns over low fertility rates and escalating outward migration.
Jakarta floats stricter rules on smoking in public
The governor is fully behind the draft rule, which includes two types of smoke-free zones and contains a raft of clearly defined sanctions that can go up to 50 million (US$3,000)…
Japan party leaders face off over no-confidence motion
PM Ishiba, who also serves as LDP president, and Yoshihiko Noda, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, waged a war of nerves at the final party leader debate…
BRICS Parliaments back India’s anti-terror stand; country to chair 2026 forum: RS Deputy Chairman
The Deputy Chairman highlighted that India’s approach received special recognition, with BRICS Parliaments affirming that active participation by all member nations is vital to…
New guideline stresses improved social security for China’s low-income groups
The guideline emphasises securing and improving people's livelihoods by addressing pressing issues such as education, social insurance, health care, and care services for children…
Charter experts urge Philippine Senate to proceed with VP Duterte impeachment trial
“At stake is not merely the fate of one official, but the integrity of the Constitution itself. Impeachment is the people’s mechanism to enforce Accountability of Public…
Japan needs to prepare for foreign interference in polls
Constitutional amendment being freely and openly debated on both sides is desirable. However, such lax regulations and a high possibility of intense debate on the issue leave a…
Back in power, South Korea’s liberals push prosecution reform
South Korea is the only democracy in the world where prosecutors wield both investigative and indictment powers — a structure critics say renders the institution virtually…