ASEAN should rethink consensus rule – Thai FM

27 Sept 08:12 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow urged ASEAN to re-evaluate its consensus rule and strengthen its institutions to effectively counter intensifying strategic competition among major global powers.
He outlined three guiding principles for the bloc: regionalism, emphasizing interconnected national and regional interests; resilience, advocating for a review of the decision-making process to prevent delays; and relevance, pushing ASEAN to set its own agenda and build stronger ties with middle powers.
Sihasak proposed concrete reforms, including adapting the non-interference principle, strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat, and implementing a 'troika' system of past, present, and future chairs to ensure policy continuity.
The Minister underscored the urgency of addressing critical regional challenges such as energy supply disruptions, climate change, and online scam networks, calling for immediate joint action to enhance ASEAN's strategic autonomy.

Filipinos lose US$1.9 billion to scams in 2025

Today 08:54 Key points summarised by AI

Filipino consumers lost an estimated US$1.9 billion (121.8 billion pesos) to scams in the past year, with 84% encountering fraudulent schemes and 34% suffering financial losses, averaging 10,427 pesos per victim.
Scams, predominantly shopping, investment, and employment fraud, are proliferating on platforms like Facebook and Gmail, posing a major threat to economic stability and personal well-being, with victims often left to identify schemes independently.