Japan PM Ishiba condemns Israeli ground operation in Gaza
The Japanese government has postponed recognizing a Palestinian state for the time being, in part to consider its relationship with the United States, but it is considering the…
Policy Matters
US to seal Southeast Asia trade deals in coming months
Tariff rates have been set at 19 percent and 20 percent for most of the region. Laos and Myanmar have been hit with a 40 percent rate, while Singapore has a 10 percent tariff.
H-1B visas to cut immigrant work authorisations by 5,500 per month, India to be impacted most: JPMorgan
Per data, computer-related roles comprise nearly two-thirds of H-1B approvals in FY24, with half of the petitions tied to professional, scientific, and technical services.…
China visit by US lawmakers expands dialogue
The trip, led by US Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, is the first delegation of House lawmakers to visit China since 2019.
Worker health benefits in Malaysia under the knife as insurance premiums surge
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the employers are resorting to basic policies, co-payment schemes and cutting dental, optical and…
Thai PM Anutin unveils policy draft on 4 key areas, eyes House dissolution in Jan 2026
The four key areas are: economic issues, security, disaster management, and social issues.
Digital tools reshape public administration in Vietnam
Local governments across Viet Nam are embracing online platforms, QR codes and AI assistants to modernise public administration, aiming to make services faster, more transparent…
Roads dug, traffic delayed: Jakartans fume over never-ending utility works
Compounding the everyday chronic traffic congestion, widespread utility works across Jakarta have triggered frustration among residents, with experts blaming poor planning and…
Japan’s Aichi passes ordinance to cap daily smartphone use at 2 hours
The regulation is the country’s first that sets a time limit for all residents on the use of smartphones and tablets, according to the city. It is drawing attention as a measure…
Thai PM Anutin cancels UNGA trip, prioritises policy statement to parliament next week
The prime minister added that he had also consulted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the timing and responsibilities. He emphasised that the government had no plans…