Vanuatu’s president has dissolved the Pacific nation’s Parliament hours before a no-confidence motion was brought against Prime Minister Bob Loughman. The latest incident continues a tumultuous few weeks for democratic institutions in the South Pacific—already susceptible to influence from Beijing. On Aug. 18, Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu signed the notice to dissolve Parliament—the next elections…
Vanuatu Parliament Dissolved as Prime Minister Tries to Avoid No-Confidence Vote
Solomon Islands Strikes Deal to Build 161 Huawei Towers With $66 Million Chinese Loan
The Solomon Islands government has agreed to a 448.9 million yuan (US$66.15 million) loan from the Chinese state-owned Export-Import Bank of China to fund the construction of 161 towers by controversial telecommunications giant Huawei. In response, defence expert Michael Shoebridge has warned that Beijing is “moving fast and in a broad way” in the South…
SoftBank CEO ‘Remorseful’ After Record $23.4 Billion Quarterly Loss
News Analysis Japanese tech investment giant SoftBank Group has decided to sell one-third of its Alibaba stake to raise $34 billion in cash, following a record $23.4 billion loss in the second quarter. Founder and CEO Masayoshi Son admitted at a press conference that he is “quite embarrassed and remorseful.” Furthermore, China’s regulatory crackdown on…
China’s Trillion-Dollar Research Funds Mostly Spent on Travel and Leisure: Chinese State Media
Chinese authorities had high hopes for China’s chip industry, expecting to see a “semiconductor miracle,” which would then affirm the “advantage of China’s whole nation system,” as well as overcome technology sanctions imposed by the United States. However, eight years into establishment of China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, also known as the “Big Fund,”…
US and Taiwan to Begin Trade Talks on Regulations, Agriculture, Labor Standards
Washington and Taipei will soon kick off formal negotiations on the “U.S. Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade” initiative announced on June 1, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said on Wednesday. Negotiations will take place under the auspices of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States and the…
South Korea’s Hyundai Mobis Aims to Separate Key Businesses Into New Units
SEOUL—South Korean auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd. said on Thursday it was considering separating its modules and key parts production businesses into new wholly owned units in an effort to enhance each segment’s expertise and maximize efficiency. Hyundai Mobis, an affiliate of automaker Hyundai Motor Co., said in a regulatory filing it aims…
New Zealand Government Unanimously Suspends Labor MP After Allegations of ‘Rampant’ Bullying
New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma was suspended from the Labour caucus for breaching trust after he alleged widespread bullying and harassment occurred throughout Parliament and that his concerns around the issues had never been investigated. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the caucus had unanimously determined that suspension was the “most appropriate response” following “repeated breaches…
Missing India Soldier’s Body Found on Glacier After 38 Years
LEH, India—The remains of an Indian army soldier have been found more than 38 years after he went missing on a glacier at the highest point along the heavily militarized contested border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, officials said Wednesday. The soldier and 17 other colleagues were occupying a ridge on Siachen Glacier, high…
China Increasing Nuclear Arsenal, With ‘Largest Military Buildup in History’: US Indo-Pacific Commander
The U.S. Indo-Pacific commander has warned that China’s growing nuclear arsenal poses a threat to the region’s stability, with Beijing pursuing “the largest military buildup in history” since World War II. Adm. John Aquilino, the U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, made the remarks following China’s opposition to the AUKUS defense pact, which will arm Australia with nuclear-powered…
Bombing, Arson Attacks Hit Several Places in Thailand’s Southern Provinces
Bombing and arson attacks hit Thailand’s southernmost provinces on Tuesday in what are believed to be coordinated attacks by insurgents that injured at least three people, according to local reports. The attacks happened at 17 locations across Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala provinces, which mostly targeted convenience stores and gas stations, military spokesperson Pramote Promin said,…
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- Mimi Nguyen LyA federal judge on Aug. 18 has temporarily blocked part of Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act,” also known as the state’s Individual Freedom Act. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in April signed the measure,… [...]
- The Associated PressCHICAGO—R. Kelly’s legal team will get its chance to question the government’s star witness on Friday after she gave what jurors could see as damning testimony against Kelly at his… [...]
- BenzingaA 55-year-old former neonatologist from Spokane, Washington, has confessed to paying $60,000 worth of Bitcoin to kidnap his estranged wife. According to federal prosecutors, Ronald Ilg intended to kidnap and inject his… [...]
- Jackson ElliottWEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—George said he thinks former president Donald Trump got what he deserved with the Mar-a-Lago raid. But he also said the raid was politically motivated and that… [...]
- Eva FuFormer Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, a key figure in a December 2020 White House meeting seeking to encourage then President Donald Trump to investigate allegations of election fraud, has filed… [...]
- ReutersU.S. oil companies are working around a century-old shipping law to supply fuel to the U.S. East Coast, according to data from Refinitiv and oil trading sources, as high demand… [...]
- The Associated PressKohl’s slashed its expectations for the year after sales slumped in the second quarter, sending shares down 9 percent at the opening bell Thursday and closing out a mixed week… [...]
- Janice HisleA battle over the cellphone data of “Juror X,” who repeatedly posted on Facebook about her involvement in a high-profile Ohio case, has intensified. In a recently released order, Judge… [...]
- Steven KovacAfter hearing from more than a dozen witnesses over seven days of testimony, federal prosecutors rested their case on Thursday against two men charged with conspiracy to kidnap Michigan Governor… [...]
- Jill McLaughlinTruckers at the Port of Los Angeles are facing some uncertainties due to new California policies including a set of clean air regulations and AB 5, the “gig worker law.”… [...]