Politics

Bloomberg Thailand is set to extend its state of emergency for a third time to help manage the reopening of schools as well as high-risk businesses, such as nightclubs, following a decline in novel coronavirus infections. The National Security Council will recommend an extension to the end of July, its Secretary-General Somsak Rungsita told reporters on Thursday in Bangkok. The ...

Bloomberg Plans to revive negotiations between two longtime Balkan foes hurtled off the rails before the next round of talks could even start. Faint hopes for a breakthrough between Serbia and Kosovo — and the chances of a diplomatic win for the US — evaporated when the Kosovo’s leader was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity as he ...

Bloomberg President Vladimir Putin put Russia’s military strength on display on Wednesday in a parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the World War II defeat of Nazi Germany, braving the coronavirus pandemic ahead of a referendum that may allow him to rule until 2036. The spread of the virus forced Putin to delay his annual May 9 Victory Day ...

Bloomberg The European Union may decide to keep the door shut to Americans when officials convene on Wednesday to discuss whom to let in as the bloc eases controls on its external borders. Diplomats from the 27-nation EU in Brussels are scheduled to discuss the criteria for lifting a curb on non-essential travel to the bloc as of July 1. ...

Bloomberg Kim Jong-un ordered the suspension of military actions against South Korea, a move that could ease tensions after North Korea blew up a liaison office built by Seoul and warned of further provocations. Kim “took stock of the prevailing situation and suspended the military action plans against the south” during a military commission meeting for his ruling Worker’s Party ...

Bloomberg President Donald Trump was expected to meet Polish President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday in his first encounter with a foreign leader since the coronavirus pandemic prompted global lockdowns in March, in a visit both leaders hope provides a political boost for looming elections. The Polish president is travelling to Washington just days before he seeks re-election in the hope ...

Bloomberg China’s defense ministry urged India to work with Beijing to ease tensions along their disputed border, while recounting its version of the events that lead to the deadly clashes between troops high in the Himalayas last week. Indian soldiers crossed the border on May 6 to construct barriers that blocked Chinese troops, which led to an escalation of tensions, ...

Bloomberg India is pushing Russia to speed up the delivery of a missile defense system as ties with China deteriorate following the worst military clash between the Asian nations in four decades. The request comes as China and India’s foreign ministers met on Tuesday in their first face-to-face interaction since a fight along their disputed Himalayan border killed 20 Indian ...

Bloomberg Six Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his plan to cut the number of US troops in Germany, arguing that the move would harm national security and weaken the deterrent to Russia and China. In a letter to the president, the lawmakers said Russian troops invaded Ukraine and annexed the Crimean ...

Bloomberg Singapore will hold an election on July 10 as PM Lee Hsien Loong seeks a renewed mandate to govern amid the coronavirus pandemic that has pummeled the country’s economy. Lee said on Tuesday that he advised President Halimah Yacob to dissolve parliament and issue the writ of election, setting the stage for the upcoming polls. Candidate nominations will take ...