Tag: Asia & Pacific

UN Facilitated Transport of Burma Junta Officials to Bangladesh, Leaked Email Reveals

A leaked email obtained by the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP) has revealed that United Nations boats have been used to transport Burmese military junta officials to Bangladesh, with U.N. markings removed from the boats beforehand. The leaked email, which was seen by The Epoch Times, was sent by U.N. resident coordinator in Burma (also known…


Xi-Putin Meeting Cementing China-Russia ‘Axis of Evil’: Rep. Mike Waltz

Congressman Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) says Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s latest meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a sign the two leaders are bringing their countries together into an axis of authoritarian nations. Putin greeted Xi at a meeting in Moscow on Monday. Xi’s Russia visit, which is set to run through to Thursday,…


Japan Plans $75 Billion Investment Across Indo-Pacific to Counter China

TOKYO/NEW DELHI—Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced a new plan to promote an open and free Indo-Pacific, promising billions of dollars in investment to help economies across the region in everything from industry to disaster prevention. The plan he announced in New Delhi is seen as Tokyo’s bid to forge stronger ties with…


US Response to China Invading Taiwan Would Be ‘Very Similar’ to Ukraine War Response: US General

The U.S. response to China invading Taiwan would be “very similar” to how the United States and its allies have responded to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to a U.S. general. “I hope that China is paying close attention and I assume that they are,” said Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces and Air Component Commander,…


IMF Approves Nearly $3 Billion Bailout for Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday said its executive board approved a nearly $3 billion bailout for Sri Lanka, and the country’s presidency said the program will enable it to access up to $7 billion in overall funding. The decision will allow an immediate disbursement of about $333 million, the IMF said, and will spur financial…


Biden Signs Bill to Declassify COVID Origins Intelligence on Wuhan Lab

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden on March 20 signed into law a bill mandating declassification of COVID origin-related intelligence, saying that he shares “Congress’s goal of releasing as much information as possible” on the issue. “We need to get to the bottom of COVID-19’s origins to help ensure we can better prevent future pandemics,” Biden said in…


China’s Xi Providing ‘Diplomatic Cover’ for Russia With Moscow Meeting: Blinken

WASHINGTON—By visiting Moscow to boost ties with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is demonstrating to the world his disregard for the “atrocities committed in Ukraine” and providing the isolated Russian leader with “diplomatic cover,” according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken made the remarks at a press conference on March 20 as…


Radioactive Material Found in Thailand Smelter During Search for Missing Cylinder

Authorities in Thailand have found traces of radioactive Caesium-137 at a smelting plant in Prachin Buri province, which were linked to a metal cylinder that went missing from a power plant earlier this month. The cylinder containing the radioactive material Caesium-137 measured 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) long and was reported missing from a steam power…


Vietnam Seizes 7 Tonnes Ivory in Largest Wildlife Smuggling Case in Years

HANOI—Vietnamese authorities on Monday seized seven tonnes of ivory smuggled from Angola, the largest seizure of wildlife products in years, the government said. Trade in ivory is illegal in Vietnam but wildlife trafficking remains widespread. Other items often found smuggled into the country include pangolin scales, rhino horns, and tiger carcasses. Customs authorities in Haiphong…


China Reports First Case of Duel Infection by 2 Omicron Subvariants

The Chinese communist regime officially reported on March 17 that it has for the first time detected a duel infection of COVID-19 Omicron BA.5.2.48 and BF.7.14 subtypes. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s said in a notice on its official website that the case of duel infection was detected in samples collected and submitted…