Current Affairs
Supply Chain Disruption, International Trade, Economic Fissures

Long arm of China’s propaganda
In August 19, 2013, in a speech to the National Propaganda and Ideology Work Conference, Chinese authoritarian leader Xi Jinping outlined his approach to propaganda

Communist China fails to assure foreign investors
In early November, U.S. mutual fund giant Vanguard finalized its exit from the Chinese market. Vanguard is the latest foreign company to pull out of

Fears of China using central bank digital currencies for surveillance, persecution
On September 19, Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis slammed central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), as well as current U.S. leader Joe Biden

China’s Belt and Road Initiative fuels global expansionism, lays debt traps
In the third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum opening speech on October 18, Chinese authoritarian leader Xi Jinping vowed

Former Filipino president Duterte issues death threat against lawmaker
In October, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte issued a death threat against progressive lawmaker France Castro, sparking outrage in the

Advocates continue to oppose China-backed reclamation projects in Manila Bay
“Save Our Sunset, Save Manila Bay” This was the call of environmental groups that continue to oppose the reclamation projects

Ho Chi Minh city faces extensive flooding
In recent days, Ho Chi Minh City has experienced a surge in tides exceeding 1.5 meters, resulting in extensive flooding

A hell week for human rights in the Philippines

China values nationalism over economic competitiveness
September was an eventful month for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Firstly, a leading university in northwest China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, removed English tests as

The China model is unable to deliver continued prosperity
China’s economy, which once seemed unstoppable and was feted by foreign governments and business leaders eager to get on the gravy train, is now plagued

Fashion that hurts. A look at China’s fragile hearts
Emotional offenses may soon be outlawed in Communist China. In September 2023, the legislature of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suggested revisions to a law

Free press safeguards democracy, ensures prosperity
While the impact of a free press on societal progress is multifaceted, chiefs among the major benefits are safeguarding democracy, and ensuring transparent, accurate and

Yet again, Filipino military task force is accused of human rights abuses

China’s spying policies are shooting itself in the foot

A museum where connections are built

Dismal prospects for China’s unemployed youth in beleaguered economy

Haenyeo: Celebrating tenacious South Korean sea women



Having right values makes the world a better place
Is it all right for Russian president Vladimir Putin to start a full-scale war, the biggest in Europe since World War 2, on the false

Toxic leadership: Poison in the office
Toxic leadership has become an unfortunate reality in many companies and even countries. Toxic leaders impact employees’ mental well-being, impede overall productivity, and they are

85% of business leaders view social issues as urgent concerns, finds new survey
Expectations about the role of business in society are changing dramatically. The impact of business on the environment is of vital importance to many corporate

Will AI sail away with jobs of seafarers?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already transformed various industries, revolutionizing the way we work. But, can AI take over the jobs of seafarers, who have been

Global warming: A ticking time bomb
The world saw its hottest days from July 3 to 6, according to temperature readings from Climate Reanalyzer at the University of Maine, and scientists

In U.S. Coast Guard’s sexual abuse cases, transparency, accountability cannot be overstated
When there is a lack of transparency and accountability, this is what happened to the U.S. Coast Guard. Investigation by CNN revealed that sexual abuses at

Climate change: Existential challenge for Singapore
In Singapore on May 13, the temperature hit 37 degrees Celsius, the highest in four decades. According to the Meteorological Service, the island is warming up

Officials must balance between lockdowns, vaccines for future pandemics, says new study
A new study investigates whether COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines complement or substitute each other, offering insights to policymakers about optimizing public health and economic outcomes.

With great power comes great responsibility

We need to be ethical now more than ever

Would the U.S. be successful in wooing Vietnam to counter China?

G7: Worries loom over China’s militarization of East, South China Seas

Historical, economic case for why Communist China should not invade Taiwan

French president Macron’s appeasement of Communist China undermines Indo-Pacific peace

Indonesia espouses diplomacy in South China Sea, Taiwan Strait crisis

Taiwan modernizes naval defense in face of China’s threat of invasion
Amidst persistent military threats from China regarding the One China Policy, Taiwan is striving to modernize its air and naval

Marcos stands firm in meeting with Xi over South China Sea tension
For the second time this year, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a
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