Politics

Bank Negara Malaysia and The Bank of Thailand have launched a cross-border QR payment system, allowing shoppers and traders in both countries to make instant digital payments. The initiative, initiated in June 2020, connects real-time retail payment platforms RPP/DuitNow and PromptPay, facilitating seamless financial transactions.

President Trump reversed his previous resistance to masks, telling Americans to wear face coverings when social distancing isn't possible. "We're asking everybody... wear a mask," he stated at a White House briefing, emphasizing masks' effectiveness in containing COVID-19 transmission.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a nearly $1 trillion stimulus package worth 108 trillion yen, double the relief measures from the 2008 financial crisis. The unprecedented economic package aims to protect the economy from the severe damages caused by the coronavirus pandemic, representing approximately 20% of Japan's GDP.

Vietnamese products are experiencing surging demand in the United States, with imports reaching $67 billion in 2019 - a 36% increase. As American companies diversify supply chains away from China, Vietnam has become a crucial export partner across agricultural, electronic, clothing, and furniture sectors.

During the coronavirus pandemic, AliExpress struggled with massive global demand for personal protective equipment. System failures and workforce absences led to widespread order cancellations, impacting suppliers and buyers seeking critical medical supplies across international markets.

Global officials point fingers at China for the coronavirus pandemic, with the US accusing Beijing of cover-up and misinformation about the novel virus's early stages and impact.

The Australian Government announced an $11.4 billion stimulus package to mitigate the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison emphasized the plan's focus on job preservation and economic recovery, providing cash payments to small and medium businesses.

Three top administrators of a Philippine-based church face federal charges for illegally obtaining visas, restricting worker movements, and forcing members to solicit donations through a fake charity targeting impoverished Filipino children.

Maesaiah Thabane, Lesotho's first lady, has surrendered to face murder charges related to the 2017 killing of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane's estranged wife Lipolelo. She was wanted after fleeing arrest and hiding in South Africa, with the murder occurring just days before the prime minister's second-term inauguration.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration officially declared China's actions illegal, highlighting interference with Philippine fishing rights, unauthorized island construction, and failure to control Chinese maritime activities in disputed waters.