Singapore Again Blocks Australian Academic Website East Asia Forum

On March 12, 2025, global markets experienced a rollercoaster ride due to shifting narratives around tariff measures and deteriorating trade relations, highlighted by President Trump's threat to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. This led to a market selloff, with US indices sliding and European markets reflecting unease. Despite this, Chinese markets rose as investors bet on Beijing's ability to cushion the impact. Additionally, a significant development was the US government's bold step into...

Parents facing limited parental leave and work responsibilities often turn to group childcare for their newborns, with a recent study by Tohoku University in Japan revealing that kids in center-based childcare show advanced overall development compared to those raised at home. The researchers utilized data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study to analyze the impact of early childcare enrollment on children between six months and three years, finding that toddlers in daycare exhibited improvements...

The Dalai Lama declared that his successor would be born in the "free world" outside China, prompting Beijing to assert control over the selection process in Tibetan Buddhism. China's occupation of Tibet since 1950 has led to tension and resistance, with the Dalai Lama fleeing to India in 1959. Despite China's claims, the Dalai Lama vows that any successor chosen by China will not be respected and continues to advocate for Tibetan rights amid accusations...

Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and flown to The Hague at the request of the International Criminal Court for his deadly “war on drugs” campaign. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed Duterte's transfer to face charges of crimes against humanity related to the drug war, marking a significant milestone for the ICC as the first Asian leader to be tried, demonstrating its commitment to pursuing justice globally. The...

President Trump expressed support for labeling protesters as domestic terrorists and praised Elon Musk for doubling Tesla's vehicle output in the US within two years. Musk announced plans to produce self-driving "cyber-cab" vehicles in Texas next year. Trump declared on Truth Social that he would buy a Tesla to show support for Musk, calling him a "truly great American," despite Musk's unpopularity among ordinary Americans. Full Article

On Tuesday, markets were volatile as investors grappled with President Trump's tariff commitments, resulting in stocks initially dropping before recovering later in the day. The S&P 500 index fell 1.5 percent before ending 0.8 percent lower, nearing correction territory. Concerns over escalating tariffs against Canada caused market fluctuations, with tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index also closing lower. Analysts anticipate continued market volatility due to uncertainty surrounding trade policies and economic growth, as fears of a global...