International

US President Donald Trump defended earning over $1 billion from cryptocurrency ventures in 2025. He dismissed conflict-of-interest concerns, claiming his finances are managed by blind trusts and that his wealth growth reflects broader market success during his presidency.

Middle East conflicts highlight South-east Asia's reliance on imported fossil fuels. This vulnerability accelerates the push toward nuclear energy, seen as a secure, low-carbon baseload power source for regional energy independence and stability.

Once highly secretive, Turkmenistan is showing signs of opening up. E-commerce and social media are growing rapidly in society. Meanwhile, the government signals a modest thaw by seeking to diversify its economy and improve diplomatic ties.

Police charged a man with stabbing two Jewish men in London amid rising attacks. Authorities declared the incident a terrorist event. PM Starmer vowed to boost security for the community, acknowledging that the UK faces a "pandemic of antisemitism."

The WHO assessed Ebola risk as high in Central Africa due to the complex DRC outbreak, but low globally. While declared an international emergency, experts stressed that global surveillance and early detection capabilities must be significantly strengthened.

Putin hosts Asean leaders for a summit focused on energy and food security. Amid global instability, Asean nations increasingly view Russia as a vital partner, boosting Moscow's regional influence and challenging Western isolation efforts.

Thailand appointed German and South African experts for a UN arbitration process regarding its maritime dispute with Cambodia. The conciliation addresses the valuable Overlapping Claims Area in the Gulf of Thailand, initiated under UNCLOS.

In a decisive vote, Switzerland rejected capping its population at 10 million. Voters prioritized economic stability and maintaining EU ties over immigration worries. Business groups welcomed the result, fearing trade damage otherwise.

Switzerland voters will decide on capping its population at 10 million by 2050. Supporters cite limited space, but opponents warn this limit would severely curb economic growth, restrict skilled labor access, and threaten vital EU trade agreements.

US security officials stated that the World Cup matches will be "very secure." However, Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin expressed concern over potential lone wolf attacks in public areas. Local law enforcement will increase efforts to ensure overall crowd safety during the tournament.

The Thai government approved a 9.8 million baht budget for the Joint Information Coordination Centre (JIC). This funding aims to improve communication about the Thai-Cambodian border situation, allowing international media access and better data management.

Singapore Customs charged three men and companies for allegedly exporting Chinese-made mattresses to the US. The scheme involved falsely declaring goods worth over S$23 million as Singapore-origin products to evade US import duties.