Laos targets 5% annual economic growth for 2026-2030
THE Lao government has set a target of achieving an annual economic growth of at least five per cent from 2026 to 2030, as the economy shows signs of recovery…
US labour unions fight to contain AI disruption
AS artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to disrupt various sectors, American labour unions are striving to protect workers and demand corporate transparency. Aaron Novik from Amazon’s ALU union highlights the existential…
Lee Jae-myung sworn in as S Korea’s new president
LEE Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s new president on Wednesday after formally beginning his single five-year term earlier in the day. The country’s 21st president took the oath…
Iran ready to consider proposal to create enrichment consortium
IRAN is ready to consider a proposal to create a regional uranium enrichment consortium within the framework of the nuclear deal with the United States, but only if it is…
Trade war cuts global economic growth outlook: OECD
THE OECD slashed its annual global growth forecast on Tuesday, warning that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs blitz would stifle the world economy — hitting the United States especially hard.…
South Korea’s centre-left Lee poised to win presidency
SOUTH Korea’s centre-left presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung hailed voters’ “great decision” as he was poised early Wednesday to win a snap election by a wide margin, capping months of political…
UN chief calls for probe into deaths near Gaza aid site
UN chief Antonio Guterres called Monday for an independent investigation into the killing of dozens of Palestinians near a US-backed aid centre in Gaza after rescuers blamed the deaths on…
China’s port cargo throughput sees solid growth in Jan-Apr
CARGO throughput at ports in China rose steadily during the first four months of 2025, signalling continued resilience in the world’s second-largest economy despite external uncertainties. The country ’s cargo…
Indonesia’s trade surplus plunges to US$160 mln in Apr
INDONESIA recorded a trade surplus of US$160 million in April, a sharp decline compared to US$2.72 billion in the same month last year, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday. “This…
Sicily requires hospitals to hire doctors who perform abortions
Sicily has passed a law requiring public hospitals to hire doctors who do not object to performing abortions, amid difficulties across Italy in accessing terminations. The measure was adopted by…