When Thailand votes on August 7 to pass or reject a new constitution, voters will head to the polls knowing that the country’s two dominant political parties are opposed to the military-sponsored draft’s content and spirit. While the ruling junta is actively promoting the draft charter’s hybrid vision of a military-guided democracy, punitive bans imposed on organized opposition, public …

  BLOOMBERG Brent crude rose to a six-month high, leading a rebound in commodities and boosting the ruble and mining companies, as supply disruptions in Nigeria added to production woes. Oil extended last week’s gains as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its price forecast, saying the market had moved into a supply deficit earlier than expected. Precious metals rallied with …

  JAKARTA / Reuters The private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group plans to regularly tap Islamic debt capital markets and expects to arrange two sovereign deals later this year, its chief executive said. Regular access to Islamic financing tools such as Islamic bonds, or sukuk, is helping the Jeddah-based Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private …