All signs are pointing toward a record-breaking El Nino this year, which experts say raises the risk of droughts across Asia that may drive food prices higher across the globe
Freight used to be almost incidental to the economics of the barrel, but now it can determine whether the trade happens at all
Prime ministers of Australia and Iceland discuss effects on their countries even as some shy away in face of war and inflation World political leaders are descending on New York for the UN general assembly and some of them are putting the climate crisis on the agenda as they spoke on Monday at the start of the city’s annual Climate Week. This year’s Climate Week – which runs alongside UNGA – comes after months of extreme heat in large parts of the world including Europe and the US, wildfires in Africa, flash flooding in Asia and a record-breaking El Niño . Continue reading...
The Guardian•Sara Sneath in New York and Oliver Milman21 Sept
They're all in Europe, Asia and South America. Find them all now!
Country: World Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs New York, USA Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Your Excellency Mr. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this timely event. Non-State Armed Groups are a widespread challenge to States in every geographic region. More than 200 million people are estimated to live in areas they control or contest. In many contexts, armed groups can exert significant influence over security, governance, and economic opportunity. Their presence can threaten communities, fuel crime, prolong conflict, and challenge state institutions. In some settings, multiple armed groups can operate simultaneously. New, inexpensive, and readily available technologies allow even small groups to cause disproportionate harm. For example, drone use has expanded rapidly, and over 80 percent of armed groups are estimated to have access to drone technology. Meanwhile, social media enables groups to spread misinformation and expand their reach and influence. Understanding how to address the challenges posed by these entities -- while upholding international law, state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national ownership -- is an essential component of conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding. State responses require comprehensive whole-of-government approaches and the coordination of political, security, legal, and administrative efforts. International support can be crucial where national capacity or resources are limited. Effective cooperation with sub-national authorities is especially important. They are often closest to affected communities, particularly where state presence is limited. At the international level, cooperation between States is essential, particularly where armed groups operate across borders, launch cross-border attacks, or disrupt trade routes. Few regions have experienced these challenges as directly as the Middle East, where non-state armed groups such as the Houthis and Hezbollah are undermining the authority of internationally recognized governments and contributing to wider risks to regional and international peace and security. More broadly, efforts to prevent and resolve regional and intra-state tensions can reduce external support that enables armed groups to sustain conflict. As part of these efforts, analyzing the interests of armed groups is necessary, even when they appear irreconcilable with those of governments and other stakeholders. This can help identify practical steps to reduce violence, facilitate humanitarian access, restore services, and advance sustainable political and legal outcomes. This is particularly crucial where armed groups are capable of sustaining prolonged asymmetrical violence, causing grievous human suffering and destruction, undermining territorial integrity and state authority, and contributing to broader regional and international instability. Engagement with Non-State Armed Groups will rarely be straightforward. Yet, we cannot be daunted by the challenges. We need comprehensive strategies with coherent objectives: to reduce violence and other harmful impacts in the short term, while creating pathways to long-term solutions. Such efforts are most effective when they are nationally owned and focused on sustainable peace, even if progress is incremental. National efforts can be reinforced if we approach this challenge collectively, through international cooperation and coordinated action. This allows us to draw on the complementary strengths of States, regional organizations, the United Nations and local actors. Regional and sub-regional organizations, like the Gulf Cooperation Council, have an important role to play: coordinating diplomatic efforts, supporting technical assistance to national institutions that serve and protect all communities, and investing in the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants and the recovery of conflict-affected communities. The United Nations stands ready to support Member State initiatives to address challenges posed by non-state armed groups, including efforts to strengthen effective and inclusive state institutions, reinforce legitimate state authority and advance solutions that contribute to sustainable peace and stability. Thank you.
ReliefWeb•UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs21 Sept
A network targeting workers in Africa, Asia and Belarus relies on Western tech and platforms to recruit people for Russia's war effort, according to a new investigation.
The senior roles cover Apple’s consumer payment products and Google Cloud’s institutional blockchain business in Asia.
Ivan Kanapathy, a longtime China hawk, is a top Asia adviser at the National Security Council at a time when the Trump administration has been particularly conciliatory with Beijing.
The shutdown of Saudi's key East-West pipeline stands to squeeze crude supply for Asian importers, with South Korea appearing the most directly exposed.
Talks between officials in New York come ahead of summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later in the week Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy. Stock markets in Asia have risen led by technology shares, lifted by optimism around talks between the US and China on trade and artificial intelligence, while oil prices declined. 2030 is not going to be the end of the world. There is 0% chance that’s going to be the end of the world. Scaring people is unnecessary. It is irresponsible. Scott Bessent and Chinese vice premier He Lifeng have already laid the groundwork [for the Trump-Xi meeting] in New York, with trade, investment and artificial intelligence on the table, but this is not a market waiting for a grand bargain. It is waiting to see whether both sides can keep the next trade grenade in the drawer. 9.30am BST: UK S&P Global Consumer sentiment index 1.30pm BST: US Chicago Fed National Activity Index for August 2.10pm BST: IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at the IMF Legal Department 80th anniversary conference in Washington Continue reading...
The Guardian•Julia Kollewe21 Sept
Hong Kong jailed ex-CCB Asia manager Lam Chun-yin for four years over $470,000 in USDT bribes tied to false $1.6B bank instruments.
Liquefied natural gas prices on the spot market are moving higher as demand picks up seasonally and Asian importers are souring on the fuel. European buyers are stepping up purchases, however, despite the price. They have no choice. Asian demand for liquefied gas is set to decline this month—and over the year—according to analysts. September flows of LNG into Asian countries are estimated at 20.09 million tons by Kpler, which would be down from 22.27 million tons a year ago, and 22.25 million tons a month ago, Reuters’ Clyde Russell…
A former CCB Asia manager was sentenced to four years in prison after accepting more than $470,000 in Tether bribes. The bribes were linked to false letters of credit and collateral documents with a combined stated value exceeding $1.6 billion A former China Construction Bank (Asia) relationship manager has been
TheNewsCrypto•Sarala19 Sept
After a transpacific flight in Starlux first class, I tried the airline's short intra-Asia first class from Taipei to Tokyo. Here's how the two compared.
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig19 Sept
New research on ancient human remains suggests the habitual usage of betel nuts, a plant seed with mind-affecting properties that is popular in parts of Asia despite the health risks it presents.
NPR•Pien Huang19 Sept
SBI Group is backing Singapore-based Dtcpay as the regulated payments company expands its stablecoin merchant network and product suite. The investment extends Dtcpay’s Series A to $25 million and deepens SBI’s digital asset push across Asia. SBI Extends Dtcpay’s Series A to $25 Million Regulated stablecoin payment access is set to expand across Asia after […]
Bitcoin.com News•Kevin Helms19 Sept
EXCLUSIVE: Cult Japanese video game Lollipop Chainsaw is heading to the big screen. Deadline can reveal that a live action feature version is in the works as the game’s creators look to establish “a new model for building globally recognized entertainment franchises from Asia.” The latest Lollipop Chainsaw video game launches soon alongside an animated […]
Deadline•Max Goldbart19 Sept
Crypto rallied through the Asia and Europe sessions and extended at the U.S. open, and 111 of the 125 largest non-stablecoin tokens are higher. Bitcoin is up 5.8% at $80,829 after touching $81,000, its best level since Sept. 4. NEAR Protocol added 32%, Starknet 27% and Arbitrum 26%, a day after the
The Defiant•The Defiant Team18 Sept
Xeneta: Asia-US spot rates are nearing pandemic records after surging more than 320% since late February.
FreightWaves•Stuart Chirls18 Sept