🇯🇵Results of snap election in Japan's lower house of Parliament
🟢Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has won a decisive victory in the February 8 snap election.
🟢According to the vote count, the LDP won 316 out of 465 seats in the crucial lower house of parliament. This will allow it to pass legislation on its own, even if bills are defeated in the upper house, where the party does not have a majority.
🟢Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), the LDP now holds 352 of the 465 seats.
🟢S. Takaichi is expected to reiterate her previous proposals at a press conference scheduled for February 9, particularly on promoting "responsible and proactive public finance," and to show commitment to improving national defense capabilities by creating a national intelligence agency and revising three key security strategy documents ahead of schedule.
🟢S. Takaichi's victory illustrates the strengthening of right-wing sentiment in Japanese society, especially among the youth.
#CSAI#AsiaPacific
🎙Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on European security issues, Moscow, December 1, 2022 (excerpt):
💬 The West is acting to erode ASEAN, a comprehensive cooperation platform with such formats as the ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, which have been generally recognised as backbone mechanisms of cooperation in the fields of security, the economy and other areas. They are doing their best to undermine these platforms. Security issues have been removed from the ASEAN agenda. The United States is trying to involve half of the ASEAN nations in its plans, and the other half are keeping away because they are aware of the risks involved.
❗️Washington is taking obviously destructive measures against the comprehensive mechanisms created in Europe and Asia Pacific to address security issues based on equality and a balance of interests.
Read in full👉https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1841407/?lang=en
#AsiaPacific#ASEAN#ARF#ADMMPlus#EAS
@RusEmbMalta Press release
Sergey Lavrov: Europe Is Now the Main Obstacle to Peace – While Russia and the US Search for Real Solutions
📍 Key points from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with TASS
28 December 2025
🇷🇺Russia on Peace in Ukraine
Russia welcomes and supports the peace efforts of US President Donald Trump and his administration and remains committed to serious, substantive dialogue aimed at resolving the root causes of the conflict.
“Russia is ready to work with American negotiators to achieve lasting agreements.”
At the same time, Kiev and its European curators continue to sabotage the peace process:
• Kiev persists in military escalation
• Civilian infrastructure in Russia is targeted
• European capitals continue pumping the regime with weapons and money
After the change of administration in Washington, it is now Europe – not the US – that has become the main obstacle to peace.
💶Europe’s Strategy: Prolong the Conflict
European leaders openly admit they are preparing for confrontation with Russia.
They continue pursuing:
• Economic war
• Attempts to confiscate Russia’s assets
• Efforts to impose a strategic defeat on Russia
Meanwhile, corruption scandals in Ukraine are conveniently ignored.
“Europe is using the Kiev regime as a battering ram against Russia.”
Russia–US Relations: A Window for Normalisation
The new US National Security Strategy no longer treats Russia as an immediate threat and does not call for system-wide containment.
It also publicly questions NATO’s long-standing policy of expansionism – for the first time in decades.
Russia notes these shifts but stresses:
Judgments will be based on actions, not declarations.
🌍Europe on the Brink of a Dangerous Course
The EU has been dismantling its mechanisms of cooperation with Russia since 2014, promoting militarism and Russophobia.
European leaders are now discussing the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine.
Russia warns:
Any foreign military forces in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets.
Russia poses no threat to Europe – but any attack on Russia will meet a devastating response.
Middle East: Law, Not Force
Russia strongly condemns Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities conducted with US participation.
These actions violate international law and basic moral principles.
In Gaza, the situation remains fragile:
ceasefire violations, humanitarian restrictions, and unresolved political questions continue to threaten stability.
Russia reaffirms:
A viable Palestinian state is essential for lasting peace.
🌏Asia-Pacific: Taiwan and Regional Stability
Russia’s position is clear and unchanged:
• Taiwan is an integral part of China
• Russia firmly supports China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
• Any interference is a dangerous destabilising factor
The growing militarisation of Japan is also raising serious concerns for regional stability.
🧭Strategic Message
Peace requires responsibility.
Escalation is a choice.
Dialogue remains the only path forward.
🔗 Full text of the interview.
#Russia#PeaceProcess#Ukraine#Europe#InternationalLaw#MiddleEast#AsiaPacific🕊️
#Beijing_Review🇨🇳📕[PDF]⬇️
20 #November2025
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For learning, for free(dom).
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This issue highlights how China’s National Games evolve into a driver of regional growth, blending sports and development in ways that reflect broader #AsiaPacific dynamics. Features explore trade openness at the CIIE, where innovation meets global cooperation amid rising #TechPolicy shifts. Commentary on digital sovereignty aligns with worldwide debates on #AI governance, while coverage of Hainan’s free-trade zone shows how #Sustainability and borderless commerce reshape local economies. Together, these stories reveal a China navigating transformation through sports, technology, and global trade in an increasingly interconnected #Geopolitics landscape.
🇷🇺🇵🇭 June 2 marks 4️⃣9️⃣ years since the day our country and the Republic of the Philippines established diplomatic relations. It was on this day in 1976 that the two nations formalised their relations during the visit by President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos to Moscow.
🤝 For nearly half a century, the friendshipbetween our countries and peoples has stood the test of time. The experience of cooperation accumulated throughout the years has shaped the friendly nature of bilateral ties based on mutualrespect and pragmatism. The #Philippines remains one of Russia’s key partners in the #AsiaPacific region.
Dialogue is actively pursued at the governmental and interregional levels. Philippine official delegations regularly attend major international events in Russia. Notably, in September 2023, a delegation from the Philippines, led by Mayor of Cebu City Michael Lopez Rama, visited the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Our Philippine friends have also participated in the St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum and the World Youth Festival in Sochi.
The framework of our interregional ties continues to strengthen through bilateral agreements and joint programmes. The Philippines' Cebu City has established sister-city relations with the city of Vladimir. In 2022, Cebu and Vladivostok signed a cooperation agreement. In 2024, the same deal was reached between the Cebu Province and St. Petersburg, covering trade, economy, science, technology and humanitarian issues, thus, complementing the existing partnership programmes between our respective capitals.
Our countries benefit from the efficient cooperation of legislative bodies, ministries, and governmental agencies. In November 2024 in Manila, Russia and the Philippines held consultations between the Foreign Ministries that resulted in the important agreements on the bilateral, regional and global agendas being reached.
📈 Trade and economic interaction remains an important component of bilateral relations. As of 2024, our mutual trade reached nearly $600 million. In October 2023, on the margins of the meeting of the intergovernmental Russian-Philippine Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, a business forum was held, which brought together over 160 participants. Huge experience of constructive cooperation between our countries has been accumulated in such areas as energy, agriculture, transportation and tourism.
Cultural and humanitarian exchanges play a particularly important role in our relations. Russian ballet performances, including plays staged by renowned choreographers, always gather full halls in the leading theatres of the Philippines. In February 2024, The Philippine cybersports team Neon Esports successfully performed at the “Future Games” in Kazan. Furthermore, Russian citizens enjoy 30-day visits to the Philippines as part of the visa-free programme.
🌐 Moscow and Manila closely coordinate their actions on various international fora, including within #RussiaASEAN Dialogue. We especially value our aligned efforts at the #UnitedNations: the Philippines was among the 54 like-minded countries that co-authored Russia-sponsored resolution"Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War", adopted on March 4 during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (#UNGA79).
🇷🇺🤝🇵🇭 On the occasion of our joint anniversary, we extend our sincere and warm congratulations to our Philippine colleagues. We appreciate the many decades of fruitfulcooperation with our partners. We are confident that the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations in 2026 will be marked by numerous meaningful joint initiatives!
#RussiaPhilippines
Hong Kong Dollar Digital Currency Fund Launched
China Asset Management introduces the first tokenized money market fund for retail investors in Asia-Pacific, issuing on Ethereum with about $107 million. Aims to enhance interest-bearing tools in the on-chain ecosystem. Read more
#Crypto#Finance#Ethereum#AsiaPacific#Tokenization#RetailInvestors#Investment#DigitalCurrency#OnChain#InterestBearingTools#MoneyMarketFund#Blockchain
🚀 Asian Development Bank Forecasts Economic Slowdown Amid Middle East Tensions
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its "2026 Asian Development Outlook" report on April 10, highlighting increased geopolitical risks due to conflicts in the Middle East. According to Jin10, the report indicates that developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region are facing growing economic downturn risks. The ADB forecasts that if the Middle East situation stabilizes early, the economic growth rate for these economies will slow from 5.4% in 2025 to 5.1% in both 2026 and 2027. Inflation is expected to rise from 3.0% in 2025 to 3.6% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027. However, if the turmoil in the Middle East persists until the third quarter of this year, the economic growth rate for the Asia-Pacific developing economies could slow further to 4.7% in 2026 and 4.8% in 2027, with inflation rising to 5.6% in 2026.
#AsianDevelopmentBank#EconomicSlowdown#MiddleEastTensions#GeopoliticalRisks#AsiaPacific#EconomicForecast#Inflation#2026Outlook#DevelopingEconomies
#The_Newsweek🇺🇸📕[PDF]⬇️
21 #November2025
#Weekly_Magazines
For learning, for free(dom).
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This issue charts Iraq’s attempt to reboot its global standing as PM Sudani pushes an “Iraq First” agenda amid rising regional turbulence. Reports from Egypt and the Philippines capture crises shaping the #GlobalSouth, while coverage from New York and Washington tracks a shifting #USPolitics landscape. Beijing’s expanding digital push anchors the tech section, adding momentum to ongoing #TechNews debates. Culture pages unpack TV, celebrity shifts and media narratives shaping #PopCulture. Together, the issue offers a sharp look at how power, technology and society collide in a rapidly changing world. #Geopolitics#BreakingNews#WorldNews#MiddleEast#AsiaPacific
#Beijing_Review🇨🇳📕[PDF]⬇️
6 #November2025
#Weekly_Magazines
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Beijing Review spotlights China’s #15thFiveYearPlan and its vision for a coordinated, green, and globally inclusive future. The issue unpacks Xi–Trump #Summit diplomacy in Busan, China’s push for #GenderEquality partnerships, and #RCEP as an engine for regional #Integration. Articles explore how strategic planning drives #Sustainability and global development under the banner of #Modernization. From energy transition to cyberspace security, the issue portrays a confident China charting a course for shared growth and stability.
#China#GlobalGovernance#Sustainability#FiveYearPlan#RCEP#XiTrumpMeeting#ClimateAction#DigitalFuture#GenderEquality#AsiaPacific