US Secretary of State Rubio to attend AMM in Kuala Lumpur

11 Sept 01:16 Key points summarised by AI

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend key ASEAN-related meetings in Kuala Lumpur from July 9-11, marking his first visit to Southeast Asia since his appointment.
The meetings will address regional and international issues, including recent U.S. tariff hikes, as ASEAN leaders seek to assess U.S. commitment and reliability in the region.
Despite a U.S. focus on bilateral trade and past disengagement, ASEAN will pursue diplomacy and adhere to WTO rules, while significant USAID program cuts under Rubio's oversight have impacted over $860 million in funding across Southeast Asia.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Today 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.