Headlines

Kyrgyzstan’s UN upset signals Eurasia’s quiet rise

On Wednesday (June 3), Kyrgyzstan secured an upset victory over the Philippines to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. After taking a surprising 105-85 lead in the first ballot, the Central Asian nation went on to win decisively, 142-49, in

Asia

Africa CDC urges protection for Ebola aid workers

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (www.AfricaCDC.org) is concerned about the recent attack and destruction of a treatment facility serving communities affected by the Bundibugyo Virus Disease, in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We

Indonesia’s rupiah rout is not just about the dollar

The wave of currency depreciation that battered Indonesia’s foreign exchange market throughout April and May 2026 has pushed the rupiah to record lows, dangerously close to a new psychological threshold of 18,000 against the US dollar. When the currency broke past 17,000 in

Asia

Israel, Lebanon agree to conditional ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington. The two sides, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, also

Taiwan presses China to confront Tiananmen past

TAIPEI/BEIJING, June 4 - Taiwan has pressed China to recognise the deadly crackdown on protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square 37 years ago, in commemorating the anniversary on Thursday of an event that remains taboo for Beijing.

Asia