Asia

Malaysia and the U.S. have sealed a 17-point trade pact that grants preferential access for U.S. industrial goods while securing for Malaysia tariff exemptions on 1.711 lines

Bhutan Fashion Week starting in Paro celebrates the fusion of innovation and heritage, with 20 Bhutanese designers showcasing work that blends sustainable contemporary fashion with traditional fabrics; The runaway is set in the historic center of the town

Danantara, Indonesia’s new state-backed fund, aims to turn the nation from a raw-material exporter into a high-tech producer by consolidating state assets and investing in innovation to build world competitive firms and cut reliance on foreign technology

Punjab’s government faces backlash for allegedly manipulating air quality data by shutting down monitors during peak smog hours in Lahore; Officials cite “technical issues,” but experts say it’s an attempt to mask severe pollution levels

The National Archives of Qatar is taking part in the International Council on Archives Congress in Barcelona, Spain: institutions, specialists and experts from around the world will discuss the future of document preservation and digital archiving

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army TNLA signed a China-brokered ceasefire with Myanmar’s military regime, agreeing to return control of Mogoke and Mongmit; In exchange, the junta pledged to halt offensive operations in other TNLA-controlled areas

The Seha Virtual Hospital, through its Digital Clinical Research Center, has successfully conducted a pioneering clinical study to verify the accuracy of the AI-powered digital platform iSelfie.ai in the early detection of heart disease and conditions

Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn attended a signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur of a peace agreement with Thailand; The event was witnessed by US President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

An agreement in principle on a new defense-logistics pact ACSA has been reached with Japan; it encompasses exchange of logistical support during joint exercises and common peacekeeping operations, solidifying the Japan-Philippines axis

K-Food Ingredient Trade Mission was held in Vientiane; organized by KOTRA, it promotes Korean food ingredients and linking Korean suppliers with Lao buyers through B2B meetings and a public K-Food festival, marking 30 years of Korea-Laos ties