Keeping a nationalist election promise made during the campaign, Anutin’s government has scrapped the 2001 agreement (which never got off the ground) for the joint exploitation of energy reserves in disputed maritime areas. This signals how tensions remain high despite the ceasefire in place since December. Cambodia is concerned about the intensification of Thai naval patrols.
The pro-democracy leader has no direct access to her family or lawyers, even after she was moved to a specially built residence. Myanmar’s opposition and human rights groups are calling it yet another sham operation by General Min Aung Hlaing to gain international legitimacy. In the new house, she reportedly met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi a few days ago during his visit to Myanmar.
To bypass the blockade of both the Gulf and conflict-ridden Afghanistan, a new land corridor is emerging, starting from the port of Karachi on the shores of the Arabian Sea and reaching as far as Tashkent via Iranian territory. A long and arduous route which, for Pakistan today, is the only way to access the Central Asian market, home to almost 80 million people.
In China's Silicon Valley, the number of cases handled in 2025 jumped considerably over the previous year, far above the national average. Court guidelines in Shenzhen stress that artificial intelligence should not replace judges, but the lack of uniform national standards could accentuate inequalities between various parts of China.
Nepal has sent diplomatic notes to India and China protesting the reopening of the Lipulekh corridor for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. It claims sovereignty over the area, whose borders date back to colonial times. The Nepali government claims it was not consulted and accuses India of unilateral actions, while China, although remaining on the sidelines, has so far effectively backed India's position.
Reviving Shinzo Abe's vision for a "free and open" ocean, the Japanese prime minister outlined a programme aimed at strengthening economic cooperation with ASEAN countries, extending the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and strengthening military assistance and security programmes. Meanwhile, she promised Vietnam US$ 5 billion in annual investments.
