ASEAN Foreign Ministers Call for De-escalation
JAKARTA – The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have issued a formal joint statement expressing deep concern over the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East since June 13. The statement was released on Thursday, … Continue reading ASEAN Foreign Ministers Call for De-escalation
Thailand Presses for Tariff Relief in U.S. Trade Talks
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, confirmed on Friday that he will lead a high-level delegation to the United States next week for critical trade talks. The negotiations aim to avert the imposition of a 36% U.S. tariff on … Continue reading Thailand Presses for Tariff Relief in U.S. Trade Talks
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
FRANKFURT/BANGKOK/TOKYO – After the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in July 2014, many airlines—excluding Chinese carriers—abandoned the shorter northern routes over Russia and Ukraine. Flights between Western Europe and Asia were rerouted southward, adding three or more hours to … Continue reading Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
EU’s New Smartphone Rules Take Effect
BRUSSELS – As of 20 June , the European Union’s new Ecodesign Regulation requires smartphone and tablet manufacturers to provide a minimum of five years of operating system and security updates from the end of product’s sale period, effectively extending support to six … Continue reading EU’s New Smartphone Rules Take Effect
US presses Hanoi to reduce dependence on China
WASHINGTON/HANOI – The US is urging Vietnam to lessen its reliance on Chinese tech in devices assembled locally—such as Apple iPhones, Samsung smartphones, and Meta/Google VR headsets—exported to the American market. Hanoi is hosting meetings with domestic manufacturers to boost … Continue reading US presses Hanoi to reduce dependence on China