Thai Actress Panadda Battles Misinformation in Border Dispute
8.8.25
Thai actress Panadda Wongphudee has been appointed as Thailand's ad-hoc spokesman to counter misinformation released by Cambodia amid a fragile peace deal. She was chosen by Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit, who believes she has an advantage over Lt Gen Maly Socheata of Cambodia's National Defence Ministry due to her beauty. Panadda, a former Miss Thailand 2000 and actress, is willing to provide accurate information about the border situation and counter false news spread by Cambodia, which has been accused of spreading misinformation to tarnish Thailand's reputation during recent clashes with Cambodia.
Thai Deputy Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit met with Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Seiha to discuss the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur on August 7, 2025.
World shares are mixed as Tokyo's Nikkei jumps nearly 2% on tariff news, with currency traders working near screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at a foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul, South Korea.
Senator Rubio claims President Trump has credited himself with truces in various conflicts, including Cambodia and Thailand, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, where a 30-year war resulted in 7 million deaths. Trump will host leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House to sign a peace deal, following similar agreements in other regions.
Trump Hosts Azerbaijan and Armenia Leaders at White House
8.8.25
US President Donald Trump is set to meet with leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia at the White House, marking a significant development in the long-standing conflict between the two former Soviet South Caucasus countries. The meeting comes as both nations distance themselves from Russia's influence, signaling a shift towards cooperation with the US. This move could also underscore Trump's efforts to assert American leadership in resolving global conflicts, particularly on the day he set a deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump's new global tariffs, which range from 15% to 41%, came into effect on Thursday, affecting dozens of countries including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. The tariffs are part of Trump's efforts to revive domestic manufacturing and punish countries he deems unfair in trade practices. India will face a 50% duty, while Syria, Myanmar, and Laos will be hit with 40-41% tariffs. Switzerland has expressed commitment to talks aimed at lowering levies, despite being subject to a 39% tariff. The move is expected to hurt smaller American businesses, but some exemptions have been granted for certain sectors.
US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed India's status as a key strategic partner amid the ongoing tariff war between the two countries. The US has expressed its commitment to maintaining a strong relationship with India, despite the trade tensions. This comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Trump in June, where they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and resolve trade disputes.
The Simla Agreement of 1972 between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani leadership established bilateral negotiations as the sole method for resolving conflicts between the two countries. However, Pakistan repeatedly violated this agreement, prompting India to reiterate its stance against US mediation in the Kashmir issue. President Trump's claims of mediating the conflict created distrust among the US leadership towards India, with Pakistan using this opportunity to lobby against India. The US-India relationship became complicated due to trade deal roadblocks and negative statements from Trump, including a 50% tariff announcement that described the Indian economy as 'dead'.
Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Foreign Semiconductors
8.8.25
President Donald Trump is threatening to impose a 100% tariff on foreign semiconductors as early as next week, in an effort to encourage more manufacturing and build out the US domestic supply chain for crucial chips used in various products. The move comes after months of investigation and is part of Trump's push to incentivize companies to produce goods in America. However, a key exemption may exempt most major semiconductor producers from the tariff, potentially limiting its impact.