Reuters Asia Top

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia, the United States and Britain have removed significant barriers on defence trade between the AUKUS partners and opened the way for faster approvals for highly sensitive technologies, Australian officials said. The move is seen as a significant step for Australia to acquire U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarines and jointly …

Australia, Britain, US drop defence trade barriers to propel AUKUS Read More »

By Ariba Shahid KARACHI (Reuters) – Pakistan’s economy could lose up to $300 million due to internet disruptions caused by imposition of a national firewall, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) said in a press release on Thursday. Islamabad is implementing an internet firewall to monitor and regulate content and social media platforms, according local …

Pakistan’s internet firewall could cost economy $300 million, association says Read More »

By Devjyot Ghoshal BANGKOK (Reuters) – On the campaign trail in rural Thailand last year, Paetongtarn Shinawatra reminded voters of her influential billionaire family’s legacy of populism in what was her electoral debut. The 37-year-old, who spent weeks at the hustings while visibly pregnant, delivered mixed results. Her Pheu Thai party came only in second …

Family affair: Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra vies for PM Read More »

By Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan marked the anniversary on Thursday of its defeat in World War Two with visits by at least three cabinet ministers to the controversial Yasukuni shrine that other Asian nations see as a symbol of the country’s wartime aggression. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Yoshitaka …

Japan ministers visit controversial war shrine on World War Two anniversary Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, will make an official visit to China from Sunday until August 20, Vietnamese government and Chinese state media said, cementing close ties between the Communist-run neighbours. On his first foreign trip since his appointment this month as general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Lam is expected …

Vietnam’s top leader to visit China from Sunday Read More »

By Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lanka’s election panel gave approval on Thursday for President Ranil Wickremesinghe to contest a presidential poll set for Sept. 21 in the Indian Ocean nation, grappling with the fallout of its worst financial crisis in decades. Wickremesinghe was among 39 candidates to submit nominations for the vote, key to …

Sri Lanka election panel approves incumbent Wickremesinghe for presidential race Read More »

(Reuters) – China has promised technical support and aid to military-run Myanmar for conducting a census, followed by an election, state media said on Thursday, signalling Beijing’s backing to a junta cornered by an armed rebellion and steadily losing ground. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday during a …

China promises aid for elections in Myanmar, junta-run media says Read More »