Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos admits talking to a Chinese military attaché on ways to reduce maritime tensions, but insists he has ‘not compromised’ the country’s territorial integrity.
The phasing out of diesel subsidies is expected to save Malaysia hundreds of millions of US dollars annually.
‘Foreign interference’ narrative, a bid to deflect France’s responsibility for the crisis and insult to the Kanak people’s long struggle for independence, analysts note.
The Chinese coastguard earlier said it would detain any foreign nationals for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea.
In a televised interview, Guo revealed that she was an abandoned child of a man who was a Chinese citizen and a domestic helper.
Tehran has stressed political continuity, even as analysts caution that a ‘harsh struggle’ is expected in the race to become Iran’s next president.
Analysts say Beijing’s claims about an alleged deal on the South China Sea are likely a form of psychological manipulation aimed at breaking the Philippines’ resolve.
While Raisi’s death is unlikely to affect foreign policy, Iran lacks charismatic candidates to succeed him and eventually Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, experts say.
Talks on a deal have been ongoing since 2022 but appear to have stalled amid a succession of UK prime ministers and the ruling Conservative Party’s electoral malaise.
Southeast Asia welcomes India’s presence ‘with open arms’, New Delhi-based observers say – though there’s always a risk such military posturing could provoke an aggressive Chinese response.
Philippine lawmakers and officials are protesting against a new policy allowing China’s coastguard to detain suspects from next month.
Seoul should pay to refurbish some of the US’ old ‘regime killer’ nuclear bombs, a US defence analyst says – as confidence wavers in Washington’s commitment to defend South Korea.
Critics say the Philippine president’s new rights ‘super body’ is superfluous – and an attempt to ‘deodorise his administration’s odious human rights record’.
Such a scenario is unlikely, observers say, noting it could be a gambit by new PM Lawrence Wong to make voters go for the safe option of returning the PAP to power.
Weavers in Varanasi say the rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric has so far caused no bad blood since the sari business thrives on interdependency.
The US, Australia and India are among Israel’s long-time allies that have objected to the mounting casualties and escalation in the Gaza war.
India’s PM denies his ruling Hindu-nationalist party wants a two-thirds parliamentary majority to strip the word ‘secular’ from the constitution. The opposition aren’t so sure.
A civil society group is urging Marcos Jnr to start a social media regulatory board but analysts fear the move could be targeted at silencing critics.
The US$370 million project is key to New Delhi’s plans to ramp up trade with Central Asia and promote it as a counterweight to Beijing’s growing economic presence in the region.
A trip to Tokyo by Taipei’s mayor, who is tipped as a future presidential candidate, is the latest indication of the growing closeness of Japan and Taiwan.
The project will see the construction of military barracks and other infrastructure aimed at countering China’s activities in the disputed waters.