Lebanon – DiploLab

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

By Colin Smith | March 17, 2026 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Australian trade in jeopardy as Middle East ‘war risk’ costs surge ABC News (Australia) Australian exporters are struggling to get products into the Gulf and further into Europe as the war in the Middle East continues. They are facing increased costs due to emergency freight surcharges. Economists say surging shipping costs will be passed onto consumers, pushing inflation further and raising the risk of higher interest rates. Cambodia: Cambodia protests Thailand’s ‘illegal’ constructions…

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

By Colin Smith | March 3, 2026 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Cambodia: Hun Manet bats for calm amid border dispute with Thailand Khmer Times (Cambodia) In his third interview with an international news agency during his mission abroad, Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored Cambodia and its people’s desire for de-escalation of the border conflict with Thailand while reiterating his government’s support for peaceful settlement of differences between the estranged neighbors. China: US to keep China trade tariffs steady ahead of key…

2026 SHU World Review

Monday, February 9, 2026

By Colin Smith | February 9, 2026 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Bushfire warning downgraded for blaze in Darlington, Helena Valley in Perth’s eastern suburbs ABC (Australia) Authorities have downgraded a bushfire in Perth’s hills from emergency level to watch and act, with firefighters saying the blaze was stationary. Multiple aerial water bombers were sent to battle the bushfire on Friday afternoon after it had put lives and homes under threat. Cambodia: Police arrest more than 400 in major human trafficking…

2025 SHU World Review

Monday, December 8, 2025

By Colin Smith | December 9, 2025 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Cambodia: CMAC clears 25 cluster bombs in Oddar Meanchey, warns risks remain Khmer Times (Cambodia) The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has uncovered and cleared 25 M46 cluster munitions in Oddar Meanchey province, prompting renewed warnings for residents of border communities to remain vigilant as fresh remnants of the July armed clashes with Thailand continue to surface. The explosives, fired from a 155mm artillery system were found on December 1–2…

2025 SHU World Review

Sunday, November 23, 2025

By Colin Smith | November 23, 2025 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Cambodia: Cambodia, Rwanda sign deals on bilateral consultations, enhance exchanges Khmer Times (Cambodia) Cambodia and Rwanda have signed two deals establishing bilateral consultations and granting visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and official or service passports, said a press release from Cambodia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday. Indonesia: Indonesia’s Semeru volcano erupts, alert level raised to highest Al Jazeera (Qatar) Indonesia’s Semeru volcano has erupted, unleashing fast-moving pyroclastic flows as the country’s volcanology agency increased…

2025 SHU World Review

Saturday, November 15, 2025

By Colin Smith | November 15, 2025 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Liberal Party formally abandons net zero by 2050 climate target ABC (Australia) The Liberal Party has agreed to formally abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, a day after the majority of members came out in support of scrapping the climate target. A meeting of Liberal shadow ministers on Thursday also decided to repeal Labor’s 2030 emissions reduction legislation but determined to remain in the Paris Agreement…

2025 SHU World Review

Monday, October 20, 2025

By Colin Smith | October 20, 2025 by Colin Smith

East Asia & the Pacific Australia: Treasurer announces rework of stalled superannuation tax increase plan ABC News (Australia) Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed several concessions to the government’s “contentious” superannuation tax proposal have been made. The proposed new threshold at which tax on earnings would be doubled will now be indexed to inflation, and the measure will not apply to unrealized capital gains. Cambodia: Cambodia, South Korea Strengthen Cooperation in Tackling Online Scams Khmer Times…