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Myanmar's military junta is trying to stop East Timor from joining ASEAN, sending a clear message to the region and beyond: don’t engage with Myanmar’s opposition groups. The junta reportedly told Malaysia—ASEAN’s current chair—that it won’t support East Timor’s bid, turning the small nation’s hopeful entry into a geopolitical battleground.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about East Timor—it’s Myanmar’s junta flexing its influence to isolate dissent. If ASEAN lets one member veto new entrants, it could stall the bloc’s unity and embolden authoritarian regimes to weaponize membership rules. For East Timor, the dream of joining Southeast Asia’s premier alliance just got a lot messier.

The US is holding off on some planned tariff hikes but rolling out new ones for certain countries—a mixed move that keeps trade tensions simmering. President Trump framed it as a strategic pause tied to "Liberation Day," but businesses and affected nations are still bracing for impact.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a full-scale trade war escalation, but it’s not a truce either. The back-and-forth on tariffs keeps markets guessing and adds uncertainty for companies trying to navigate shifting costs. For consumers, it could mean pricier imports down the line—or not, depending on how other countries respond. Either way, the global trade chess game continues.

Hong Kong’s Metropol Restaurant, a beloved spot famous for its old-school dim sum trolleys, is shutting its doors in September after 35 years in business. No reason was given for the closure, but it’s part of a worrying trend of local eateries disappearing in the city.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another restaurant closing—it’s the end of an era for a place that kept Hong Kong’s dim sum traditions alive. The trolleys, the hustle, the nostalgia—they’re all fading as the city’s dining scene changes. For regulars, it’s a bittersweet goodbye; for everyone else, it’s a reminder of how quickly the city’s cultural fabric is shifting.

President Trump announced that the U.S. will restart sending defensive weapons to Ukraine, citing intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv as the reason. The move signals renewed support for Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Moscow.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about military aid—it’s a geopolitical chess move. By resuming weapons shipments, the U.S. is reinforcing its stance against Russian aggression while navigating a delicate balance in global diplomacy. For Ukraine, it’s a lifeline; for Russia, a clear message. The decision could either de-escalate the conflict by deterring further strikes or risk inflaming tensions even more. Either way, it’s a story with real stakes for international security.

The US has decided to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian group with past ties to al Qaeda, from its list of foreign terrorist organizations. This comes just a week after the US ended long-standing sanctions on Syria. HTS, which played a key role in toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime last year, is currently led by Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Editor’s Note: This move signals a shift in US policy toward Syria, possibly reflecting a pragmatic approach to dealing with the country’s new leadership. While HTS has a controversial history, delisting them could be an attempt to stabilize relations—or it might stir debate over legitimizing a group with extremist roots. Either way, it’s a big step in Syria’s complicated political landscape.