Past Issues

Daily Digest

South China Morning Post – In a contest of ‘unequals’, China pitches to build a multipolar world

As G7 leaders met in Japan, China’s president used the timing to court like-minded Central Asian countries. It was part of Beijing’s drive to offer developing economies practical support instead of ‘acrimony’ and ‘ideological confrontations’, analysts say.

Nikkei Asia – Japan court: ‘Unconstitutional’ not to allow same-sex marriage

A Japanese court on Tuesday ruled it is “unconstitutional” for the nation not to legally recognize same-sex unions, a mark of progress for LGBTQ rights in the only Group of Seven country without legal protections for sexual minorities.

Asia Times – Deflation risk stalking China’s economic recovery

China is still on ‘borderline’ of deflation but once the declining price trend takes hold history shows it’s difficult to contain and reverse.

The Diplomat – How Thailand’s Move Forward Party Painted Bangkok Orange

The party’s capture of 32 of the capital’s 33 parliamentary constituencies may serve as a crucial bulwark against conservative interference.

The Straits Times – Prolonged, intense heat expected from June to October, raising risk of haze, fires in south Asean

More prolonged and intense heat and dry weather are expected from June to October in the southern Asean region – which includes Singapore – with a higher risk of transboundary haze and fires, said the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).

Nikkei Asia – Philippines, U.S., Japan coast guards to hold first joint drills

The coast guards of the Philippines, U.S. and Japan will hold their first-ever joint maritime drills later this week, as the security partners step up cooperation in the face of Beijing’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea.