TOKYO -- A smear campaign scandal involving Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her election team continues to deepen, raising fresh concerns not only about political ethics in Japan but also about the broader direction of the country's domestic and foreign policies.
A series of revelations by Japanese media outlets suggest that one of Takaichi's close secretaries allegedly instructed private individuals to produce and disseminate malicious smear videos targeting political rivals during both last year's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race and the February lower house election. (Japan-Takaichi)
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HONG KONG -- The Judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced on Thursday its plan to establish the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes.
The HKICC complements Hong Kong's existing dispute resolution framework. Together with arbitration and mediation, the HKICC will provide parties engaged in international and cross-border commerce with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options, said the Judiciary. (Hong Kong-Commercial Court)
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MANILA -- Five people were killed and 22 others injured after a six-wheeler truck carrying 39 passengers overturned on a mountain road in Kabayan town in Benguet province, northern Philippines, on Thursday morning, said local authorities.
The Kabayan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said it received a report at around 10 a.m. local time, and that the accident was due to a mechanical failure. (Philippines-Truck Overturn)
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BANGKOK -- Thailand and Vietnam agreed to promote bilateral trade and deepen cooperation in security, economy, and technology as Vietnamese President To Lam wrapped up his official visit here on Thursday.
During their meeting, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and To Lam, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, set a target of pushing two-way trade to 25 billion U.S. dollars a year "as soon as possible" and endorsed a "Three Connects" strategy linking future-industry supply chains, local economies, and green-growth policies, with energy security a parallel priority. (Thailand-Vietnam-Ties) ■
