China accuses UK of harbouring Hong Kong fugitives
The UK had criticised Hong Kong for placing bounties on eight pro-democracy activists based overseas.
2023-07-04 19:19
Thailand chooses a House speaker as the Move Forward Party tries to secure the prime minister job
Thailand's new government took a step closer to forming with the speaker of the House of Representative chosen Tuesday in what has been an arduous task before the next prime minister is named. The House vote for prime minister is the next major move, expected next week. The leader of the surprise election winner Move Forward Party, 42-year-old businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, has faced strong opposition from conservative lawmakers in his bid to take the job. A successful candidate must have the backing of a combined majority of the elected lawmakers in the Lower House and the military-appointed Senate, which represents the country’s traditional ruling class. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the Prachachat Party's veteran leader who is better known as Wan Noor, was the sole nomination for the speakership and was automatically chosen with no house vote required. “I will perform my duty with political neutrality,” Wan Noor gave a speech after the nomination. “I will perform my duty with transparency, honesty, and I will fully comply with the constitution and the rules of the parliament.” The House Speaker position was highly sought after as it could influence the passage of legislation. Move Forward said it needed the post to ensure their progressive policies, often blocked by conservative lawmakers, will pass through. But many members of the populist Phue Thai Party insisted that their party should take the crucial post as it was the second winner of the election. Weeks of tensions between the two parties over the speaker’s post had raised concerns over the unity of their coalition and added to the anxiety Move Forward is facing in forming a government, but the proposals Tuesday went according to a compromise the two parties made the day before. Move Forward and Pheu Thai, the two biggest parties in the coalition, each got a candidate endorsed for the two deputy speaker posts. Several Move Forward supporters expressed their disappointment in the speaker deal, fearing it would be seen as the party backing down, which could undermine their reform agendas. Party leader Pita wrote Tuesday on Facebook that the decision was reached in order to “preserve the unity of the work among parties of the coalition government” and that he fully trusts Wan Noor will serve the post with integrity and for the right causes. The general election in May saw Move Forward and Pheu Thai score a major win over parties in the army-backed ruling government. The victory alarmed the country’s conservative ruling establishment — especially with Move Forward, which they regard as radical and a threat to the monarchy because of modest reforms it had proposed during the election campaign. The election results reflected a public weary of nine years under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who as army commander seized power in a 2014 coup. He was returned as prime minister after the 2019 election. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide
2023-07-04 19:17
Yellen, China's ambassador held 'frank and productive' discussion - US
(This July 3 story has been corrected to fix the name of China's ambassador to Feng, not Fang, in paragraph
2023-07-04 18:25
IAEA Says Plan to Discharge Fukushima Wastewater Is Safe
Japan’s plan to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site is in line with global safety
2023-07-04 18:20
Lazard Fires Senior Banker for Inappropriate Behavior at Party
Lazard Ltd. fired a senior dealmaker following allegations of inappropriate behavior during a weekend party, according to people
2023-07-04 17:58
Tesla’s June Deliveries in China Soar as Global Sales Hit Record
Tesla Inc.’s deliveries from China in June increased almost 20% from a year earlier, after repeated price cuts
2023-07-04 17:45
Ernie Hudson reveals that filming is done on Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel
Ernie Hudson has confirmed that filming on the 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' sequel is finished but the ongoing Hollywood strikes mean the release of the movie could be delayed.
2023-07-04 17:27
Adam Lambert once got hit by female fan's sex toy onstage
Adam Lambert once got hit in the leg by a fan's sex toy.
2023-07-04 17:19
Fukushima nuclear disaster: UN watchdog approves plan for water release
Japan's plan to drain radioactive water into the Pacific has been opposed by China and South Korea.
2023-07-04 16:51
HSBC Returns to Private Banking in India to Tap Growing Wealth
HSBC Holdings Plc said it began private banking operations in India, marking a return to the market as
2023-07-04 16:46
Australia Opts for ‘Hawkish Hold,’ Keeps Door Ajar to More Hikes
Australia’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged as the board assesses the impact of its more
2023-07-04 14:53
Thai Parliament Picks Pro-Democracy Speaker as PM Vote Nears
Thailand’s newly-elected lawmakers endorsed the appointment of a veteran politician as the parliament speaker, marking another important milestone
2023-07-04 13:52