Justified compliments about Mr. Moore's speech have been spread extensively and appropriately in the pages of many newspapers, but I would like to remark on precisely what I think was missing in the speech. Missing, not necessarily because it's something Mr. Moore does not know, but probably missing because Mr. Moore's job and duty is to reveal not even one percent of what he knows. The author is not important. The content is.

Mr. Richard Moore's public appearance and detailed speech is not only a commendable masterpiece in itself, but every word in his speech is worth studying, digesting, analysing, and greatly appreciating, for the depth and importance of the content itself. However compliments are dangerous because they lead to complacency and overconfidence, and I believe that constructive criticism, even when unpleasant to the ears, is the practical expression of sincere caring.  

So here we are:

Mr. Moore praised the help and cooperation that MI6 is receiving from MI5. One does get the impression that these two British security bodies work with each other more fully and effectively than similar organisations in other countries, where competition, egos and conflicts of interest interfere with the cooperation that is so vital between each country's international and internal intelligence agencies. So yes, that's good.

But Mr. Moore emphasises in his speech the special importance of this collaboration in the technological age.

And this is not what I expect to hear from someone whose job it is to think ahead, with an eagle-eye view, paying particular attention to what is outside the box.


1. MI5 and MI6 unification

In my opinion, what is missing in Mr. Moore's speech is a call to unite the two classic intelligence bodies, as the sum would be greater than the parts.

The classic separation between the roles, tasks, and legal framework separating MI5 and MI6 is outdated, and is now much more harmful than beneficial. Let me explain.

Our current era is characterised by universal technology that represents more power and wealth than is held by even the largest states, and by population mass driven by mass immigration (from the Third World, EU workers and oligarchs). Territorial borders and nationalities have been rendered  meaningless, as all-powerful and all-pervasive technology facilitates the free movement of millions of people (and capital, and ideas). In the words of Thomas Friedman, "The world is flat".

It is an era where there is a complete blurring of the differences between the world of individual or organised crime, managed locally or remotely,  and the world of defensive and offensive state-intelligence. The differences are now also blurred between crime carried out by an individual, organised crime run by a mafia, and a cyber attack carried out under the auspices of adversarial or even "friendly" states.

It is an era where the electronic shutdown of critical infrastructures like electricity, or a chemical or biological attack against food or water infrastructures by a domestic criminal/terrorists/hacker, can do much more damage than ballistic missiles from foreign terrorists or countries. The new reality is that the potential damage of a single threat from inside is greater than that of an attack from an enemy or hostile state from outside.

The motivation behind an attack no longer has to be political but could just be poverty, religious, ideological or simply the extreme frustration of a lonely and talented bitter person. The boundaries between terrorism, crime and war are no longer what they used to be.

Likewise the difference in the definitions of hostile countries, friendly countries or countries that are only seemingly friendly, has become completely blurred. Defining China, Russia and Iran as the biggest threats to the UK while ignoring the conflicts of interests with the EU - as a whole and also with its parts - is not something that should be uttered by the head of MI6, or by anybody else who knows history.
The '"friendly" EU has interests which give it - and its constituent parts - reason to interfere with the UK's democracy, no less than has Russia or Iran. And the UK is not now at any level that will trouble the interests of China. Not anymore.

This is an era where offensive and defensive intelligence, external and internal, should be one. When the world is truly flat, there's no difference between looking out and looking in.

This is an era where the separation between the two intelligence bodies divides their ability to face the challenges, rather than doubling their efficacy. This is an era where the strategy of dividing the intelligence agencies does not strengthen the ability of the "system" to better control them, but just weakens their ability to operate effectively.

The good reasons to keep the two powerful and important organisations separate should be addressed differently, according to the new world, and not by dividing their intelligence capabilities and resources.

This is an age where budget, resources, knowledge, and talent need to be aggregated rather than dispersed. The chances of one team scoring two goals to win a match are greater than the chances of two separate teams scoring one goal each.

This is an age where information is no longer like wine but like milk.  Intelligence information no longer improves over time like wine, but becomes useless in a short time, like milk.The new name of the game is not quantity (that's the name of the new problem), but real-time understanding and actions.

This is an age when the name of the game is not just the fruitful sharing of information openly between intelligence organisations, but an age when intelligence collaboration is effective only when the information is fully synchronized, combined and analysed in real time. Thus, we need the internal and external arms to be working together, as one.

The huge difference between classical intelligence and intelligence in the technological age is that the challenge has long been not how to gather as much information from as many sources as possible, but how not to drown in the stormy waters of the vast ocean of information that is being collected. It accumulates in quantities far beyond the capability of computing power to be analysed effectively, and way above the capacity of decision-makers to understand meaningfully.

The challenge of the modern age is thus no longer the gathering of information, but the understanding of it. The challenge is to analyse the information, translate it into understandable form (not by AI only), and take immediate action steps (not retroactively when action is already too late).

The modern world is no longer an era in which an intelligence organisation has to guess the intentions and plans of its adversaries, but rather to shape them, influence them, and harness them, consciously and unconsciously, through Engineering Consciousness and Thoughtless Awareness.


2. Underpaid intelligence services employees


The world has changed. The outdated worldview of classic intelligence services has indeed taken a few technological steps forward, but the technological advance is nullified when it is pushing against powerful headwinds.

A dedicated, decent and talented employee in the intelligence services should no longer be considered inferior, suspicious or corrupt just because he too naturally wants to enjoy the abundance, luxuries and pleasures that the new capitalist world has bestowed upon the intelligence targets he's pursuing.

Exposure to the luxuries and pleasures of life is no longer the domain of a secret closed club. Intelligence service workers also have children, spouses, and are exposed to Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Mega-Malls. They are bombarded daily with news about uneducated children who have become millionaires and billionaires thanks to investing in cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or just by speculating in the stock market.

Intelligence service workers are also exposed daily to secrets which the law enforcement system itself does not expose.

They are exposed to governmental corruption, which is blocked from being investigated and exposed by the law enforcement system. Corruption that has long become the norm in public service and the political systems of the developed world. Corruption that no one really bothers to hide too much, but on a scale that can no longer be hidden from government intelligence agencies.

The UK's intelligence services are also partners in seemingly commercial technology and financial ventures, led by - more or less - friendly intelligence services. These ventures, which are supposed to look like completely commercial businesses, have greatly enriched the many thousands of junior and senior employees of these semi-commercial-companies, employees who are in fact civil servants. But they are civil servants who are enjoying a life of luxury, abundance and unprecedented wealth.

All this creates a natural, human desire in every employee in the intelligence services, as for any humble person with worthy values, to provide for themselves and their families the highest standard of living possible. And they can see what is possible from the extravagant lifestyles of their lucky "commercial" colleagues, and of the corrupt public servants whose offences are covered up and granted immunity by the law enforcement system.

The modern intelligence services employee deserves and is entitled to enjoy the luxuries that are available not only to a small, exclusive, secret elite as in the old days, but nowadays also to the masses. The intelligence service employee does not deserve to be excluded from the luxuries and comforts that have long been the norm for the new middle class.

To want to enjoy the pleasures of life like any normal person does not disqualify a person from serving his country, and to do so is not in conflict with the dignity, integrity and loyalty expected of members of the intelligence community.

It is dangerous to ignore this new reality of modern market conditions, and foolish to shy away from refreshing the business model under which intelligence workers are employed. Without the incentive and stimulation of a technology-era business model,  the most talented workers - and also the middle-talented - will look elsewhere for better remuneration and job satisfaction. At best they will look to America, but most likely to Asia. And from there it's an extremely short road to serving China's interests through a Chinese-controlled company.


3. The case of Hong Kong, and Taiwan


What i am going to say here might sound controversial, but not to honest people and independent thinkers.

The words that bothered me the most in the speech were Mr. Moore's remarks about Hong Kong.

It is true that the role of the intelligence chief is to lie, but it should be done in such a way that the audience doesn't get the impression that they're regarded as stupid.

Contrary to cheap propaganda and the UK's national weakness of describing whatever it doesn't like by its own double standards, Hong Kong was never a democracy. Not when Britain ruled it too. Never.

In fact, since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was freed from British occupation and returned to the ownership of its motherland, China has allowed it to have even more independence and autonomy than it had when it was ruled by the un-elected, external, foreign British Governor.

Since Hong Kong was freed from British rule, it has become richer, more modern, much more developed, and with far fewer colonial rules and regulations. Numbers are not like spies. They do not lie.

China never over-interfered with Hong Kong's independence until masses of brainwashed schoolchildren violently attacked the fabric, infrastructure and authorities of Hong Kong. For one whole year, they committed shocking acts of terrorism, explosions, arson, sabotage, wounding and killing innocent people along the way, with the support and encouragement - that's an understatement - of Britain and its partners.

The British and their allies continue to support the revolt, demanding that China be forced to withdraw from the territory, and allow Hong Kong total independence and democracy.  This British push for Hong Kong to secede from China, its original homeland, is of course contrary to the agreement signed with Britain for the 1997 handover.

What did China do in Hong Kong before - or even after - the rebels initiated daily terror attacks that the UK does not do every day in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland? What are the exact freedoms that Britain allows it's occupied territories that were missing in Hong Kong?

What would have happened if China had encouraged murderous acts of terror that lasted an entire year in London, demanding that Britain be forced to allow Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to become absolutely independent, full democracies? Not forgetting the Falklands, the BVI and the other Overseas Territories in the "Commonwealth" (an interesting coagulation where the White British Wealth is not so common).  

I have no problem with propaganda and lies emanating from intelligence people. Misinformation and disinformation are a vital part of the intelligence community's toolbox, and have been since biblical times. But I have concerns when high-level intelligence officers appear to believe in the nonsense they feed the masses.

This self-delusion leads to intelligence disasters of the kind that led to Britain waging a massively destructive war in Iraq based on fake reports, and then to Britain staying twenty years too long in Afghanistan for no discernible benefit.

Hong Kong is part of China. And Taiwan is as well. Just as Florida, Texas, California and New York are all integral and indivisible parts of the United States of America, despite however many voices might seek to disengage their home neighbourhoods from their Homeland.

When the Southern States of America sought to break away from the Northern States a terrible civil war broke out, until the common interest of being united finally prevailed, to the benefit of both sides. Any lingering dissatisfaction, distrust and discrimination belong to the rich and complex history of the United States, but they do not alter the the reality that America is one single, indivisible Union.

I have no idea if China will take over Taiwan in a military operation and I hope not. I believe that China will succeed in achieving reunification peacefully, through patience, a successful economy and through sophisticated intelligence.

But, if I was in the shoes of a Western intelligence chief, instead of wasting my energies and resources to convince the Chinese population of Taiwan that they are not Chinese, I would first take care of Western interests in Taiwan.  And it would be better to do so now,  before it's too late.

Taiwan is the largest chip-maker in the world. The entire world economy depends on their sophisticated chips. Western intelligence must concentrate its efforts on transferring knowledge and production to safer, stronger and more independent countries, such as Thailand or Vietnam, Serbia or Israel, or the Gulf states. Or better still, to cover their bets by building expertise and capacity in all of these countries combined.

Presumably, without the chips, the Chinese interest in uniting with Taiwan will also become less urgent.

The Taiwanese will no doubt feel offended that they've been cast adrift by the West. Instead they should reflect on how lucky they are that the West abandoned them before and not after they became like Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.


4. China, Russia, Iran and the old-fashioned way of thinking


Mr. Moore's unique personal background gives him a priceless perspective to appreciate the history, culture and qualities of Russia and Iran, and not only as adversaries.

However, the part of the speech condemning China for becoming a surveillance country is very embarrassing when it is delivered in London, the surveillance capital of the world. The UK has more surveillance cameras per capita and per square meter than China or any other totalitarian country worldwide.

As to the part in the speech condemning China and Russia for persecuting journalists, exposers of corruption, and political opponents, I would recommend he include an official public apology for the misuse of the UK intelligence services and the corruption of the UK justice system to persecute journalists and exposers of Western corruption such as Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, and for the operation of secret jails without trials in Third World countries. Let us make sure we are not pointing our own very dirty fingers at the wrongdoings of others.

Moreover, the rampant success of China or Russia doesn’t mean this success is at Britain's expense. Quite the opposite.

It is time to realise that technology has generated advances far beyond the consumption capacity of all mankind. That today many more people die from obesity rather than hunger. And that today's advanced production capacity allows many countries to get rich while enriching other countries - without stealing anything from them, but instead inspiring and advancing them.

It is certainly true that, at the beginning of the economic miracle, China stole technologies from the West, before it attained a much higher technological capability that the West can now only dream of.

But it is worth noting that this is only the beginning of the second chapter. The first chapter was when the West, with Britain in the lead, got very rich by robbing China and India and making them the poorest countries in the world.  And when the Western colonial powers used imported slave labour, often from the Third World, to build their empires (slave labour for which they still have not paid).

This is not to say that Britain's sins are any greater or smaller than those of the countries it criticises.  But it is to say that we should stop the hypocritical blame game of high-lighting the past sins of others as if Britain and America do not have much darker pasts of genocide, robbery, rape, racism, opium-trading, slavery, exploitation and extortion. It’s time to move on and put the dark past of all where it belongs: in the past. There is much in British history not to be proud of, just as there is much in the histories of China, Russia and Iran, which is severely under-appreciated.

It is patently obvious that we cannot claim anymore that we are "better", or that their wrongdoing is "worse". It’s not.

It’s time to move forward into a world where we unite and combines forces to deal with the common challenges facing all countries. Existentialist challenges such as climate change, epidemics and viruses, managing space exploration, and, one day soon, dealing with aliens.

Challenges that will never be solved without the  full and absolute cooperation of the whole world as one.


5. The failure by MI5 and MI6 to protect the most strategic asset the UK had: ARM


Its name may not be as famous as Qualcomm, Intel, Apple or Samsung, but what used to be the British micro-chip company ARM is actually the primary driver of chip design in the world. ARM provides the core design for the powerful chips we see on smartphones, surveillance cameras and many other smart devices today.

Allowing the industry-leading technology player ARM to fall into Chinese ownership was a serious strategic failure by MI5 and MI6 put together. It was a far worse failure than losing nuclear-bomb technology in Iran or inadvertently "mis-placing" it in Afghanistan.  

The disastrous outcome is not only proof that the current mode of collaboration is ineffective, but that what is missing is the understanding that "the world is flat" and adapting the modus operandi of the intelligence services to take account of it. To understand that they must defend the national interest, whether it's about the flogging off of yet another bust football club to adversaries with dubious sources of wealth, or to prevent the fire-sale of structural, viable, flagship brands such as Jaguar or Mini.  To recognise that the flat world of the global economy means that any sufficiently-funded third party can at any time buy the UK and all its assets (and everyone of its greedy leaders, for much less then the Chinese paid to buy Hunter Biden and his connections).

Letting ARM, the UK's only real tech-champion, pass into foreign hands - friendly of not - was an abject failure to defend local/national strategic interests, because of outdated, blunt intelligence practices in the sharp new world of global capitalism and economic (belt and road) occupation.

There is no need to go into more detail, or cite more examples. The global economy has created challenges that blur the internal and external strategic intelligence approaches, tasks and needs. They must be brought back into clear focus, and Mr Moore and his MI5 peers have to be the visionaries who oversee that.


6. "Protect me from my friends, I can take care of my enemies"


Another missing elephant  in the room is the danger of "friendly" countries or corporate entities undermining the UK's economy and its political independence.

Germany, France and USA are important allies,  but they are also a greater danger to the UK’s independence and economy than China, Russia and Iran combined.

Every speech emanating from the EU sounds increasingly like the Supremacist Dictator Adam Sutler speech in the the movie "V For Vendetta".

Though no one cares to admit it - least of all the security services - the U.S. tech giants control the UK's democracy, or whatever the UK describes as democracy. Likewise the UK population and economy is controlled by superpowers such as Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Intel and a few other lesser-known but no less dangerous companies.  None of these superpowers - most of them much larger than medium-sized national economies -  are British, and all of them are "friendly within limits", and with transparency of operations that is selective and conditional on their own commercial interests, political agendas and foreign intelligence controls.

While the intelligence services are fully focused on protecting the UK from its acknowledged adversaries (enemies that the UK created, not its natural adversaries), no one is protecting the UK's democracy and economy from its much more dangerous friends.


7. Iran's nuclear programme.


Politically, economically and militarily, the West is doing everything conceivable to justify Iran's need to have nuclear weapons. Like most rational people, I agree that Iran should never have nuclear weapons, just as the US and the UK  - and the rest - should not hold doomsday arsenals of  "prohibited" mass destruction weapons. Weapons of mass destruction are dangerous, whether in their hands or ours or in any others'.

The way to dissuade Iran from its path towards nuclear capability is by paving the way to convince the Iranians that the West is not trying to rip them off. That we are not trying to manipulate them into changing their political system, to steal their oil, and to subjugate them under the West's other oft-deployed larcenous behaviours (sorry, that should read "trade agreements").  

But it is difficult to convince Iranians to give up their nuclear programme, as they recall what happened to Gaddafi when he folded under Western pressure and peacefully gave up his missile programme. His miscalculation in following pressure from the West to emasculate his military power cost him his life and condemned his country to a blighted future. An ignominious death for him, and a humanitarian disaster for his devastated country. Likewise, it is difficult to persuade Iran to refrain from developing weapons that Saddam Hussein refrained from developing. Because they can see that Iraq is another country that became much more miserable after the West destroyed it ... in order to bestow upon it the blessed enlightenment of "democracy".
 

8. Afghanistan.

Mr. Moore describes the fact the Britain and its allies lost the war in Afghanistan as a "moral win" for the bad guys in Afghanistan, and encouragement for all the other bad guys around.

No.There is much wisdom in the words of Friedrich Nietzsche: “Those who have a 'why' to live for, can bear with almost any 'how'.”

What happened here is yet one more proof that people fighting for their values and principles in their homeland will beat a better-equipped army fighting without  justification to be in a territory that the UK had nothing to do with from the beginning. It is a lesson to learn from (though the British seem not to have learnt much from their previous three Afghanistan lessons). Don’t ever start a war without an exit plan, and don't start a war until it's the very, very last option.  Don’t resort to the default of crying "Wolf! Wolf!"  and threatening military intervention every time that China, Russia or Iran does something independent from the West’s "instructions".

Put into other words, the message for Britain, its Parliament, and its well-regarded MI6 is: mind your own business. Make Britain great again. Not by trespassing on others’ territory,  but by better education, healthcare, innovation, production, justice, equality and climate responsibility in your own.

The first priority is to take good care of your own problems. By trying to fix those of others you may protect Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine and Palestine at the expense of saving your own country, economy, society and democracy from its inevitable, internal collapse.


9. Lead, for a change, by example


The ninth issue is the hope that one day you, and when I say you, I mean Britain and the whole of the Western world, will finally wake up and decide to Lead by example, for a change.

Blaming the messenger by saying that your adversaries are "undermining the trust in your political systems  and institutions" sounds so pathetic… it would be much more beneficial for the UK to start fixing what is so obviously wrong in your own un-trusted political systems, in your crumbling institutions, in your fake news on mainstream media, in your corrupted justice systems and in your collapsed democracy ("democracy"? hah hah).

We live in an era when the only head of states that deserve the title “Leaders” are not Western: China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's president Vladimir Putin, and the UAE's Bin Zayed family.

Like them or not, agree with them or condemn them, but they are real leaders who have revolutionized their countries, uplifted their people and stood up for something. Whatever they promise, they deliver.  In contrast, the vaunted leadership of the West is just a joke. Whether it's Boris Johnson, Biden, Trump or Macron - they are just un-trusted and untrustworty, low-level, two-bit politicians with nothing to be proud of. And it’s not about political opinion, as their competitors in opposition are no better and in some cases even worse. Simply put, the West has no leaders, only low -level politicians.

So no, Mister Moore. Your adversaries do not undermine the trust in your democracy and institutions, they just amplify the wrongdoing when you try to hide the filthy laundry at home by pointing your dirty fingers at others.

It sounds all very worthy when you condemn the persecution and arrest of  journalists, whistle-blowers and political opponents in Belarus, Russia and China. But think for a moment of what is going on back at the ranch, with your esteemed UK politicians and dignified dignitaries.

How about the scandals from your Right Honourable MPs Raab, Hancock, Williamson and CummingsHow about the Peppa Pig Prime Minister pantomime, and the cocaine-sniffer dogs in the Mother of Parliaments? The Middle East Bazaar for Royal Honours? The malicious targeting of the BVI with a laughably fake and corrupt Commission of Inquiry? While we’re off-shore, what about the billions of pounds of Royal and Parliamentarian assets squirreled away in Panama Paper accounts? And not forgetting Britain’s own long-running saga of shame, the 11-year hounding of  the journalist and publisher who heroically  exposed war crimes, Julian Assange? A scandal not yet running for quite as long as the Dreyfus Affair, but destined to have a similar ignominious outcome for all those lined up with the forces of darkness.

So Mr Moore, why should you care about Britain’s external enemies? Why not close MI6 down for a month, and open up a cleaning company? 

Then hose out the Whitehall stables, sanitise the Westminster dirty laundry, boot the Pharisees out of the City, hoover up the Number 10 coke, and shine a little light disinfectant on the Assange Affair.


10. Why there is no British - or European - Facebook, Google or Apple?

The development bug is in the old-fashioned colonial mindset, and that’s why British tech companies are way behind the market, and have never produced a mega-success.

Technology companies in the UK are limited and amateurish compared to those in the United States. Britain, like other Western European countries,  runs on the principle of maximising taxation on the working classes, first to finance the pleasures of the lazy elite, and second to finance the parasitic bureaucracy that serves the interests of the elite. These under-performing "First World" (hah, hah) countries then compound their folly by  implementing a ridiculous degree of over-regulation and taxation that stifles most innovation at birth and keeps those start-ups that do make it past infancy in a state of permanent oxygen deficiency.

The British tradition is to protect the status quo, while the American tech giants never stop disrupting it.

The British remain a society with a colonial-mindset, where their capitalism is premised on the false belief that one man's profit must be another man's loss.

American capitalism, on the other hand, is based on a win-win formula, whereby the rich get filthily richer by significantly uplifting the earnings of the working class and the middle class.

No one would claim that American Capitalism is perfect. And no one should decry the value of the  British systems of Education, Healthcare and Social Benefits. But no one could claim that in Britain culture and innovation go hand-in-hand. They simply don’t fit together. Not anymore.

The UK today is a destructively divided society, with the fault-lines driven deep by the twin evils of over-taxation and over-regulation. (And by the way, those two societal viruses are particularly British, not at all Chinese.)

The time is over for deflecting blame by deploying the traditional British technique of pointing fingers at others instead of admitting the nation's own faults.  China is taking over the world not because they're actively targeting Britain, but because they're pushing themselves forward while Britain is busy blaming others while taking no responsibility for its own future.

In truth, Britain is not an attractive place for start-ups, innovators, talented immigrants, or even for the new and the next generation. Conversely - or stupidly, you might say - it attracts too many poor and unqualified immigrants that have no better choice in life (often because Britain and its allies destroyed their homelands). Importing these poor people is the first step in manufacturing state poverty, which has ended up dividing and poisoning the UK from within. This dreadful outcome is far from the British government's deluded dream of "startups, technology and innovation".

There is a yawning chasm between the awesome dream and the awful reality, and the British people are culpably complacent in not recognising it. This failure of the British public to see the blinding obvious cannot be excused or explained by their successive governments putting an impossibly rich gloss on the techno-hype, or by their much-lauded (now derided) mass media talking up "tech success stories" which would not get a column inch in Chengdu. Even when you are being mis-led and mis-informed, or especially when that's happening, it's necessary to fully understand where you really stand.

Likewise, while Mr. Richard Moore brilliantly defines the problem, he seems not to recognise that the major enemy confronting his wonderful ideas lies within. And that the enemy within is much more dangerous than China, Russia or any other external factor.

The only way to fight terror effectively is simply to stop creating enemies.

The only way to enrich society - while keeping the fat, lazy elite doing nothing productive - is to give innovators in Britain their head and give their start-ups every encouragement to take off. This means without interference from the obtuse regulators protecting the status quo, and without the malignant tax system killing off seed money before any good ideas can fly.

The first task of the CIA is to protect the US Dollar; the second task is to protect the US economy.

What is MI6 doing to protect the Pound, and to enrich the mass population of the UK?

Britain's leaders must stop selling the past. The British people must stop believing in it. (It has as much shame as pride in it anyway.) Britain must start building the future. Its people must step up to the brave new world. With confidence, and courage and alacrity. From scratch. To enable startups framework, without the lawyers, without the accountants: they're the parasites that suck the blood from the host. Without the taxes: they suck the oxygen from the lungs.  Without the takers: they sap the drive from the doers. Startups are like cows that give much more milk then meat. Nine out of ten will fail and that’s absolutely acceptable. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is the stepping stone to success. What should be locked down in UK is not the people but the miserable Mea Culpa culture,  which stands in the way of  innovation, enlightenment and progress. Stop punishing, fining and killing startups for their failures; no baby ever walked a first step before falling many times first

I am not saying that you should copy the US system where the Big Tech behemoths are absolutely above the law and use the US Constitution as toilet paper. However, in order to unleash the great British potential, you must adopt the "loving-mother" state of mind and forgive startups for pushing the boundaries and being naughty, because that’s exactly how you get to make the great leaps forward, by “moving fast and breaking things”.

The new reality is that you are not able to keep buying your enemies with money. They are richer than you. You can not seduce them with beautiful girls, because their girls are prettier. And you are not able to threaten them with sanctions, because your financial, regulatory and enforcement systems are effective only against your own poor people, and against your own economy.  They are not effective against those who have acquired the loyalty of your gatekeepers and watch-dogs, or have paid them for their blindness.

Mr Moore, your speech addressed many key issues forthrightly and with unprecedented clarity, and was rightly credited by all listeners in the room. But in it you neglected a number of elephants that were trumpeting for your attention. It’s time to reboot your system to be able to hear them clearly. 

The big issue is not about being more transparent in order to be able to better function in secret (but it’s a brilliant quote!).  It is about updating the role of intelligence and the way it should be functioning in the new flat world of technology, economy and political systems. 

A world where the US is no longer the Big Daddy, the UK is no longer the Big Brother, and the EU is no longer the Beloved Mother. 

A world where English will no longer be the dominant language.

A world where the white man will no longer be in power, and even further from being in the majority. A #Me3 style world where the new colorful legislators will force the white people to pay compensation for the sins of their grandparents ...

A world where TikTok has much more influence than the BBC, and where RT and Al Jazeera have much more credibility and balance then the Western mainstream media.

A world where formal schools and university education are obstacles to success, not pathways to it.

A cancel culture world where the truth and beauty of human nature is a sin; a world where justice can be bought,  just as politicians are for sale. 

A world where intelligence services' reports, assessments and recommendations no longer enjoy blind credibility, just as - unfortunately - health service recommendations for vaccines come with suspicion of conflicts of interest. 

This is the future, whether we like it or not. Avoiding open discussion of these current and future challenges, as if they do not exist, will not diminish them but rather the opposite.

The question is whether MI6 (and 5) can lose your preconceptions and traditions and re-invent yourselves to meet the new world challenges. Not only by more ramming in more technology, data or budget, but simply by reinventing the critical roles of intelligence, government and state. 

A world where cooperation between adversaries is much more important then trying (and failing) to divide and control them. (They are far too large for you to swallow anyway.)

The main job requirement is no longer to sit in your Vauxhall eyrie and tune the network in to whatever mischief they're cooking up in Dongchangan Avenue or Lubyanka Square. (And that it's no longer to have conspiratorial drinks in cozy pubs and and  discreet dinners  with dangerous women in fancy restaurants.)

The intelligence job specification has changed, much before the pandemic, to working from home, with a delivery pizza. 

Not to gather information instead of the GCHQ, but to leverage what the GCHQ gathers to actions that affect processes, leaders and decision makers far more than one-on-one meetings in pubs and restaurants. To influence more people, in less time and resources, while figuring out how they (and their domestic equivalents) are manipulating your democracy, economy, public opinions, and social stability, while they are already inside your country, inside your government, inside your home, and inside the cell phone - camera, audio and video - of everyone around you. 

Not a world that deals with guessing the future intentions of your enemies, but a world where you engineer their future intentions according to your interests.

To be part of the new world, or not to be. That is the question.







=========== PERSONAL NOTE ========================


*  Although no criticism is pleasing to the ear, the opinions above should not detract from the tremendous importance and great service that the organisations discussed provide not only for the UK but for the security and the stability of the whole world.  

I do not claim to be an intelligence expert in general or about the UK in particular. But even a broken watch is right twice a day. So maybe there are a few useful points above that are not so obvious, being hidden right under one's nose. Those smart, decent and professional people who look after our security are often so busy with urgent issues they do not have the time to look under their noses, or the luxury to think calmly outside the box.

It's much easier to criticise from a safe vantage point while living the comfortable life that these dedicated professionals allow to me and all readers than to do things in practice. So this critique should be taken in the way it was written and not as it sounds: out of admiration and appreciation, and not out of disrespect or ingratitude.

Defence minister affirms sovereign decision‑making as Talisman Sabre exercises begin with Chinese surveillance expected
Australia’s Defence Industry Minister confirmed that the government will not pre‑commit military forces to any future conflict, stating decisions will be made by the government in office at the time.

The statement responded to reporting that the US Department of Defence has sought clarity from Australia and Japan on their potential roles in a Taiwan–China conflict, as part of Washington’s broader deterrence strategy.

In remarks to national media, the minister emphasised that Australia’s participation in any conflict remains subject to sovereign decision‑making.

The comments coincided with a diplomatic visit by the Prime Minister to China, during which Australia reaffirmed support for the status quo regarding Taiwan and expressed concern over regional military developments and potential Chinese bases in the Pacific.

Australia has deployed approximately 40,000 troops from 19 countries for Exercise Talisman Sabre, beginning on 13 July.

The biennial exercise, the largest in the southern hemisphere, will run until 4 August across multiple domains including land, sea, air and cyber.

Nations participating include the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, France and South Korea, with Papua New Guinea taking part for the first time.

Acting defence officials said the exercise aims to enhance coalition readiness and interoperability.

Officials noted the possibility of Chinese surveillance vessels monitoring activities, as seen in previous iterations.

Further, the US military is expanding its rotational presence in Australia, with Virginia‑class submarines expected to be stationed in Western Australia from 2027 under the AUKUS agreement.

The Australian government has accelerated defence spending, bringing forward funding for guided‑weapons production and submarine infrastructure deployment.
KNLA attacks on Kayin State base trigger border crossing and intensified Thai patrols
More than six hundred individuals, including civilians and Myanmar soldiers, crossed into Thailand on Saturday following an attack by the Karen National Liberation Army on a military base in Kayin State, according to Thai military reports.

The assault began around 3:00 p.m. local time on 12 July, targeting a Myanmar army installation near the border.

Thai authorities confirmed that approximately four hundred sixty-seven civilians and one hundred soldiers sought refuge across the border in Tak province.

Thai military and police personnel disarmed the arrivals and provided medical care and humanitarian aid.

Additional border patrols have been deployed in western Tak province amid concerns over potential incursions by armed forces.

The Karen National Liberation Army, aligned with the Karen National Union, has intensified its operations following the Myanmar coup in 2021.

In recent months, the group has used drones, sniper fire, rocket launchers, and artillery in multiple attacks on junta positions in border regions.

In early July, allied Karen forces used drone-borne explosives in an offensive near the Thai border, prompting the displacement of over two hundred civilians into Thailand.

Thai authorities extended security alerts along affected border areas and set up temporary shelters for the arrivals.

Thailand’s response includes stepped-up patrols and humanitarian preparation amid a broader refugee influx resulting from Myanmar’s protracted civil conflict.

The ongoing fighting has led to periodic cross-border movements and added pressure on the border communities and officials in northern Thailand.
Rubio and Wang agree to deepen communication and cooperation while managing differences ahead of possible Trump–Xi meeting
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first in-person meeting since Rubio took office in January, convening on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ conference in Kuala Lumpur.

The two officials described the discussion as "positive, pragmatic and constructive," agreeing to "strengthen diplomatic channels and communication and dialogue at all levels across various fields," and to "explore expanding areas of cooperation while managing differences," according to statements issued following the encounter .

Wang urged Washington to treat Beijing “in an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial manner” and to “find a correct way for China and the US to get along in the new era,” reflecting China’s call for a recalibrated bilateral relationship .

Rubio characterised the meeting as “constructive” and “positive,” noting that despite ongoing tensions—especially over trade, Taiwan and global security—there were clear opportunities for cooperation .

He also indicated the chances of a future summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping were “high,” saying both sides appear to support such a meeting later this year .

The meeting took place amid growing regional anxiety over U.S. tariff threats affecting ASEAN members.

Rubio reiterated Washington’s commitment to the region, while Wang criticised tariffs as destabilising supply chains and pledged Beijing’s support for Southeast Asian economic stability .

In parallel consultations, Rubio also met with Russia’s foreign minister, while Wang engaged with ASEAN counterparts to promote deeper integration between China and Southeast Asian nations and reinforce regional cooperation frameworks .

Rubio’s visit marked his first to Asia during this term, part of a broader diplomatic tour aimed at reaffirming U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific amid competing pressures including domestic trade policy and geopolitical realignments .
Finance Secretary announces potential for online gaming tax legislation to curb gambling issues as part of fiscal consolidation efforts.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government is considering implementing a tax on online gaming, according to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.

The proposal has gained traction among lawmakers who are advocating for measures to address rising gambling addiction within the nation.

Recto indicated that Congress may pass legislation imposing taxes on online games as early as this year.

The Department of Finance (DOF) is collaborating with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to evaluate potential revenue from such a tax.

“This will give us clearer visibility soon,” Recto stated regarding the ongoing discussions with Pagcor.

The proposed taxation on online gambling is expected to support the fiscal consolidation plans of the Marcos administration, which is facing a budget deficit projected to reach PHP 1.6 trillion (approximately USD 28.5 billion) this year, equivalent to 5.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Public opposition to new taxes has historically posed challenges in reducing the budget deficit, leading to increased borrowing.

Recently, economic managers adjusted the state’s revenue target for 2025 down to PHP 4.5 trillion from an earlier estimate of PHP 4.6 trillion.

Support for the proposed tax on e-gambling may stem from various legislative efforts that have emerged in the 20th Congress, which either seek a total ban on e-gambling or aim to restrict public access by prohibiting the use of e-wallets for betting.

Additionally, the Catholic Church has expressed concerns regarding insufficient government measures to prevent minors from accessing online gambling platforms, as well as the promotion of online casinos by celebrities.

Malacañang has indicated that President Marcos would not oppose the DOF’s plan for taxing online gaming operators, provided that the proposal is thoroughly examined.

According to data from Pagcor, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) from the e-games and e-bingo sector reached PHP 51.39 billion in the first quarter of the year, representing 49.36 percent of the total GGR of PHP 104.12 billion for the Philippine gaming industry during that period, surpassing traditional brick-and-mortar casinos as the leading driver of growth.

Alejandro Tengco, Pagcor Chair and CEO, noted that the shift towards digital gaming is attributed to changing consumer preferences, as punters increasingly favor “digital, on-demand gaming experiences” facilitated by enhanced access to mobile technology.

Tengco projects that total gambling-related revenues could rise by 15 percent in 2025, potentially reaching between PHP 450 billion and PHP 480 billion, up from the record GGR of PHP 410.5 billion in 2024.
Author of Murderbot Diaries argues current AI lacks sentience and warns against corporate framing
Martha Wells, author of the acclaimed Murderbot Diaries, has stated that today’s large language models do not constitute true machine intelligence and are “years and years and years” away from achieving sentience.

Wells clarified that current systems, widely marketed as artificial intelligence, are in fact sophisticated pattern‑matching algorithms and not autonomous, conscious entities .

She contrasted these with her fictional character Murderbot—a sentient, self‑aware security unit that gains autonomy—highlighting the gulf between literary machine intelligences and present‑day AI.

During an interview, Wells expressed reservations about the rapid proliferation of language models in daily life.

She acknowledged their utility but criticised their misuse, stating that corporations leverage them primarily for profit and job displacement .

In her fiction, Wells explores themes of autonomy, corporate exploitation and personhood.

In the Murderbot universe, artificial intelligences inhabit starships and robotic units controlled by profit‑driven megacorporations.

The series also features ART, a spaceship AI characterised by cooperation rather than rigid control—a contrast to Murderbot’s human‑derived neurotic consciousness .

Wells has also confirmed that neurodiversity played an unconscious role in the creation of Murderbot, revealing that aspects of the character’s social anxiety and thought patterns mirror her own neurodivergent experiences .

As the Murderbot Diaries are being adapted into a television series, Wells has said the books continue to explore questions of identity, freedom and emotional development amid corporate and technological landscapes .
AI chipmaker reaches historic valuation, surpassing Apple and Microsoft as global markets rally
Nvidia closed Thursday with a market capitalisation of just over four trillion dollars, becoming the first publicly traded company in history to reach that milestone .

The stock closed at approximately one hundred sixty‑four dollars per share, following an intraday high above that figure .

The surge in Nvidia’s stock price reflects mounting investor confidence in its dominance of the artificial intelligence sector.

The company’s share price has increased roughly eightfold since late two thousand twenty‑two, shortly after the release of ChatGPT .

Analysts attribute the rise to Nvidia's near monopoly in supplying high‑performance chips for data centres and AI workloads, bolstered by major contracts in markets such as the Middle East .

This week’s milestone was part of a steady climb: Nvidia attained a two‑trillion‑dollar valuation in early two thousand twenty‑four and reached three trillion by mid‑year .

Despite ongoing restrictions on chip exports to China, the firm reported substantial gains, including a seventy‑percent year‑on‑year revenue increase in its latest quarter .

Nvidia’s market cap now exceeds that of Apple and Microsoft, shifting the rankings of the world’s most valuable companies .

Its weighting on the S&P 500 has risen above seven per cent, making it the index's largest single component .

The valuation milestone coincided with broader equity gains: Nvidia's rise contributed to record closing levels for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq .

Under CEO Jensen Huang, Nvidia has spent heavily on AI infrastructure, including new data centres and software development, reinforcing its position at the forefront of AI innovation .

Projections from investment analysts indicate revenues could approach two hundred billion dollars this year, with net income projected at around one hundred billion .

Meanwhile, CEO Huang reportedly met with the U.S. president at the White House on the day of the milestone, drawing attention to the geopolitical implications of Nvidia’s growth and its role in the AI chip race .

The rapid ascent of Nvidia has drawn attention across global markets, with comparisons noting that a further five‑percent increase in its share price would put its valuation ahead of India’s entire gross domestic product .
Reports of injuries, withheld wages and forced labour prompt international and legal challenges
An Indonesian migrant fisherman reported severe finger injuries after a heavy door hit his hand aboard a Taiwanese fishing vessel in the Pacific, triggering months of self‑treatment before being hospitalised in Taiwan.

According to his account, the vessel captain refused to return to port citing low catch volume, and the worker later lost two fingers and was dismissed without compensation.

Taiwan operates the world’s second‑largest distant‑water fishing fleet, employing more than twenty‑thousand Indonesian and Filipino migrant workers supplying global markets including the US and EU.

Since 2020, the US Department of Labor has listed the sector for signs of forced labour, citing deceptive recruitment practices, withheld pay, physical abuse and excessive working hours.

Non‑profit investigations, including a Greenpeace report, documented numerous cases of forced labour and illegal fishing across Taiwanese vessels.

A survey of sixty‑two ships found 24 per cent reported physical abuse and 92 per cent experienced withheld wages.

In one incident, crew members were beaten, confined to freezers and shocked with stun guns.

Legal actions have followed.

In April 2022, nine Taiwanese crew members were indicted over alleged abuse—including beatings and twenty‑hour workdays—of migrant fishermen on a vessel in the Pacific.

In March 2025, four Indonesian fishermen filed a lawsuit in the US alleging forced labour and human trafficking on vessels supplying tuna to a US seafood firm.

The complaint describes violence, unpaid wages and medical neglect, and names the company under the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Advocates highlight regulatory gaps: distant‑water fishermen are exempt from Taiwan’s Labour Standards Act and often endure recruitment-related debts.

Cases include fishermen paying agency fees exceeding two thousand US dollars and being trapped at sea without Wi‑Fi or external contact.

In response, Taiwanese authorities say they implemented reforms since 2022, including higher minimum wages, boat‑based CCTV and increased inspections.

However, campaigners argue these measures have yet to address systemic abuses.

The continuing allegations have drawn international attention to labour practices on fishing vessels supplying global markets.
European Commission extends suspension of €21 billion in countermeasures as Trump proposes 30% tariffs on EU goods
The European Union has extended its suspension of retaliatory tariffs on United States exports, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Sunday.

The countermeasures, which had been scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, were originally planned in response to import duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on steel and aluminium.

The EU's retaliation package, targeting approximately twenty-one billion euros worth of U.S. goods, was first suspended in March and has now been delayed until early August.

Von der Leyen stated that the extension was intended to provide space for further negotiations while ensuring the EU remains prepared to act.

"The United States has sent us a letter with measures that would come into effect unless there is a negotiated solution," von der Leyen said at a press conference.

"We will therefore also extend the suspension of our countermeasures until early August.

At the same time, we will continue to prepare for the countermeasures so we're fully prepared."

The announcement comes after President Trump communicated his intent to impose thirty percent tariffs on European imports starting from 1 August.

In a letter to von der Leyen, the U.S. president warned that any retaliatory action by the EU would result in even higher tariffs.

In a pre-recorded interview broadcast on Saturday, Trump defended his tariff policy, stating that it had resulted in significant revenue inflows and that "some countries were very upset now."

EU trade ministers are scheduled to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the bloc’s response.

European leaders have reiterated their preference for a negotiated settlement.

Von der Leyen said, "The EU has always been very clear that we prefer a negotiated solution.

This remains the case, and we will use the time that we have now till August 1."

Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that "serious and solution-oriented negotiations" with the United States were still needed but noted that the EU would implement "decisive countermeasures" if talks failed.

"Our hand remains outstretched but we won't accept just anything," Klingbeil said in an interview with a German daily newspaper.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Commission to "resolutely defend European interests." The Commission is responsible for negotiating trade policy on behalf of the twenty-seven EU member states.

The announcement follows a broader U.S. trade strategy in which the administration has proposed tariff conditions on twenty-four countries and the EU.

On 12 April, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro outlined a plan to conclude ninety trade deals in ninety days.

President Trump has so far announced preliminary agreements with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, while discussions with other partners continue.
‘Food Delivery’ awarded Tides of Change prize after screening proceeded despite Chinese appeals to cancel
“Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” a documentary examining the lives of Filipino fishermen, naval cooks and coastguard personnel in disputed maritime territories, secured the Tides of Change prize at the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland on July 3.

Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, the eighty‑five‑minute film had initially been withdrawn from a Philippine festival in March due to unspecified external factors.

A formal request from the Chinese Consulate in Auckland sought cancellation of its New Zealand screenings, alleging the film contained disinformation and served as a political tool.

Festival organisers declined the request, publicly releasing the consulate’s letter in the interests of transparency.

Villarama described the award as recognition of “honest storytelling,” noting the film offers a “gentle yet powerful” reframing of maritime tension.

Festival organisers reaffirmed their independence and curatorial freedom.

The documentary chronicles day‑to‑day operations in the West Philippine Sea, including rotation missions undertaken by the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to contested areas, alongside the precarious lives of fishing communities.

Its portrayal juxtaposes personal narratives against broader geopolitical claims.

Villarama, whose previous work includes a documentary about Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong, returned to the Philippines on July 7 following the New Zealand win.

She noted in interviews that the film was intended to convey empathy and a human perspective, rather than serve as political messaging.

As an Academy Awards qualifier, Doc Edge’s recognition makes the film eligible for Oscar consideration.

Additional screenings are scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch later this month, with an online showing set from July 28 to August 24.
Full tournament structure now available
The official match schedule has been released for both the men’s and women’s water polo tournaments at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, detailing the full group fixtures set for July 11‑23 for women and July 12‑24 for men.
Hosts make historic tournament entry
Singapore made its first ever appearance in the men’s water polo tournament at the World Aquatics Championships, debuting in Group C against Brazil as they hosted the high-profile competition at the newly opened OCBC Aquatic Centre.
New textbooks may whitewash Suharto and Prabowo era
The Indonesian government’s plan to release a new 10‑volume series of history books aimed at “reinventing the national identity” has sparked significant concern among historians, who warn that chapters on the 1965‑66 anti‑communist massacres and the 1998 activists’ kidnappings could be downplayed or omitted entirely to favor portrayals of President Prabowo Subianto and former dictator Suharto.
Teens curate personas to project effortless ‘cool’ online
Aura farming describes a rising social media practice among tweens who carefully curate their style, captions, filters and friendships to project an effortlessly cool persona, balancing the need to look natural while striving for attention and social acceptance, and often relying on irony to mask the stress of constant performance.
Destination Thailand Visa gains popularity among global professionals
Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), a five‑year multiple‑entry remote‑work visa allowing 180‑day stays per entry, has rapidly become one of the world’s most attractive digital nomad programs, drawing remote professionals, freelancers and entrepreneurs with its flexibility, affordable living and thriving expat infrastructure.
Hotels, airports and entertainment hubs gain 24‑hour sales rights
Thailand has relaxed its alcohol sales regulations to allow round‑the‑clock sales at international airports, licensed entertainment venues and registered hotels, while maintaining the nationwide sale window of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight elsewhere, aiming to support the tourism industry and promote responsible travel.
Anwar calls for ASEAN unity ahead of looming U.S. tariffs
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned that the escalating global trade war, particularly new U.S. tariffs set to take effect August 1, represents a systemic shift rather than a temporary disruption, urging ASEAN nations to intensify intra‑regional trade, reduce dependency on external powers, and forge a united economic front.
Rise in conservative Islamic policies among Malay youth
A significant surge in support for conservative Islamic policies is reshaping Malaysia’s political landscape, with polls showing that as many as 86 percent of Muslim Malaysians favor making Sharia the official law, and Islamic‑oriented parties gaining influence among younger and more religious Malay voters.
Unregulated extraction pollutes river systems downstream.
A rapid rush for rare earth minerals in Myanmar’s Kachin and Shan states is triggering a regional environmental crisis, with unregulated extraction and chemical leaching contaminating rivers and forests, and causing ecological damage that is now impacting communities downstream in Thailand.
Attack targets shelter amid ongoing military campaign.
An airstrike on a Buddhist monastery in Sagaing region’s Lin Ta Lu village killed at least 23 civilians, including four children, and injured around 30 others who were sheltering from the conflict, as the military intensifies operations against resistance forces ahead of an election.
Industry benefits from high global demand and improved production
Vietnam’s coffee exports are on track to reach a historic $7.5 billion in 2025, driven by sustained global demand and continued improvements in cultivation and processing.

Officials credit investment in quality control, sustainable farming practices, and market diversification for boosting competitiveness.

As the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, Vietnam sees the milestone as validation of its strategy to enhance value-added production and maintain a leading role in the global coffee trade.
Ceremonies celebrate evolving partnership from former adversaries to close allies
Vietnam and the United States are commemorating 30 years of normalized diplomatic relations with ceremonies in Hanoi and other cities, highlighting a remarkable journey from war-time foes to comprehensive strategic partners.

Officials from both countries praised decades of growing economic ties, security cooperation, and cultural exchange, while reaffirming commitments to deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people links.

Observers say the anniversary reflects Vietnam’s importance as a key partner for the United States in Southeast Asia.
Court sentences officials and business figures over major graft scandal
A Vietnamese court has sentenced 30 individuals to prison terms for their roles in a $45 million corruption scheme, underscoring the government’s ongoing anti-graft drive.

The defendants, including officials and business leaders, were found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of power in a series of fraudulent contracts and financial transactions.

Authorities say the case highlights their commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring public trust in government institutions.
New policy aims to encourage contributions from skilled professionals and investors
Vietnam has announced reforms to make it easier for highly skilled professionals, investors, and individuals with significant contributions to national development to acquire citizenship.

The new rules are designed to attract international talent, strengthen the country's workforce, and support its economic modernization goals.

Officials say the move aligns with Vietnam’s broader strategy to compete in the global economy by fostering innovation and welcoming expertise from around the world.
Government urges American businesses to support a fairer deal
Vietnamese officials are lobbying American business leaders to back efforts for a more favorable tariff arrangement as trade negotiations with the United States intensify.

Concerns have risen in Hanoi over recent tariff proposals seen as steep and potentially damaging to key export sectors.

By engaging with the US-ASEAN Business Council and corporate representatives, Vietnam hopes to secure a detailed, predictable agreement that preserves competitiveness and supports mutual economic growth.
Government cites stabilization measures amid economic pressures
Inflation in Laos eased to 10.9 percent in the first half of 2025, reflecting a modest improvement after months of soaring prices that have strained household budgets.

Officials credit tighter monetary policies and targeted subsidies for helping to stabilize the cost of essentials.

However, authorities acknowledge continued challenges in containing living costs and supporting vulnerable communities as the country navigates broader regional and global economic uncertainties.
Holidaymaker recounts near-fatal experience after consuming contaminated drinks
A British traveller has spoken out about a harrowing ordeal in Laos that left one friend dead and others critically ill after suspected alcohol poisoning from contaminated local spirits.

The survivor is urging tourists to exercise extreme caution when drinking in unfamiliar venues and to avoid unregulated alcohol, which can contain lethal additives.

The warning highlights ongoing safety challenges in parts of Southeast Asia’s tourism industry where quality controls can be lax.
B&K Asian Kitchen owners seek buyers for beloved local institution
B&K Asian Kitchen, a well-known Fresno eatery celebrated for its authentic Lao-Thai cuisine, is now on the market as its owners look to sell the business.

The restaurant has built a devoted customer base with its vibrant flavors and traditional dishes, becoming a staple in the city’s diverse food scene.

The sale offers an opportunity for new owners to continue its culinary legacy while meeting strong local demand for Southeast Asian cuisine.
Regional bloc warns of economic fallout and urges coordinated response
Leaders from ASEAN nations have voiced concern over escalating US tariff hikes during high-level trade talks, warning of potential disruptions to regional supply chains and calling for a unified strategy in response.

Member states stressed the need for deeper economic integration and collective bargaining power to mitigate the impact of protectionist measures.

The discussions underscored ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining open trade while navigating a challenging global environment.
Bilateral agreement aims to boost remittances and strengthen ties
Laos is expanding its seasonal worker dispatch program with South Korea under a new agreement designed to offer employment opportunities abroad while boosting remittance flows back home.

The initiative allows more Laotian workers to take up temporary roles in South Korea’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Officials say the move will strengthen bilateral ties, help reduce domestic unemployment, and deliver vital income for rural families reliant on overseas earnings.
Residents warned of rising water levels and potential evacuation needs
Authorities in Laos have issued an urgent alert to communities along riverbanks, warning of potential flooding amid persistent heavy rains.

Residents are being advised to closely monitor local conditions, prepare for possible evacuations, and follow safety guidance from emergency services.

The government is coordinating with provincial officials to ensure resources are in place to respond quickly to any severe flooding, aiming to minimize damage and protect vulnerable populations.
Former education and budget officials in the Philippines under scrutiny
The Philippine Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones, ex-Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, and others over a controversial $2.4 billion laptop procurement deal.

Investigators allege that overpriced units and irregularities marked the transaction, which was intended to supply computers to schools.

The charges come as part of a broader anti-corruption drive aiming to ensure accountability in government spending and restore public trust.
Breakthrough offers hope for conservation of elusive saola species
A team of international scientists has successfully mapped the genome of the saola, a critically endangered mammal often called the 'Asian unicorn' due to its rarity and distinctive horns.

Found only in remote parts of Vietnam and Laos, the species faces severe threats from habitat loss and poaching.

The genomic data will help conservationists develop more targeted breeding and protection programs, offering renewed hope for saving one of the world's most elusive large mammals.
Government plans investment incentives and supply chain improvements
The government of Laos has announced plans to increase local production and improve export performance through targeted investment incentives and supply chain upgrades.

Authorities aim to reduce import dependency and expand the country's manufacturing base by supporting domestic producers and streamlining logistics.

The strategy is part of a broader effort to strengthen economic resilience and diversify export markets in the face of shifting global trade dynamics.
Beijing calls for dialogue amid simmering border tensions
China has called on Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their ongoing border disputes through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.

Chinese officials say they support regional stability and hope both countries will prioritize diplomatic solutions to maintain security and cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Conservation efforts ensure preservation of iconic heritage site
Cambodian authorities have reported significant progress on the restoration of the Bakan Tower corner at Angkor Wat, the country’s most famous temple complex.

Conservation teams say the work is essential to preserving the structural integrity and cultural significance of the UNESCO World Heritage site for future generations.
Government says measure will strengthen national security and patriotism
Cambodia’s National Assembly has passed a constitutional amendment enabling the government to strip citizenship from individuals deemed to threaten national interests.

Supporters say the measure will help preserve patriotism and uphold security, while critics have raised concerns about potential misuse against political opponents.
Designation honors victims and promotes justice and peace
Cambodia’s Prime Minister has described the UNESCO inscription of genocide memorial sites as a powerful symbol of national reconciliation, justice, and peace.

He emphasized that remembering past atrocities is vital to ensuring they are never repeated and fostering unity among all Cambodians.
Victory keeps Philippines' gold-medal hopes alive
The Alas Pilipinas men's volleyball team secured a dramatic five-set victory over Cambodia in the Southeast Asian V.League, maintaining their hopes for a gold medal.

Players and coaches praised the team’s resilience and determination, saying the hard-fought win was critical in their quest for regional supremacy.
Health authorities warn public to remain vigilant
Cambodia’s health ministry has reported more than 7,000 dengue fever cases and 15 deaths in the first six months of 2025.

Officials are urging communities to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and seek early treatment for symptoms, as the country faces the peak season for the mosquito-borne disease.
Recognition aims to honor victims and promote education about atrocities
Cambodia’s government has announced that three sites associated with Khmer Rouge-era executions and torture have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Officials say the designation recognizes the nation's dark history, honors the memory of genocide victims, and will serve as an important educational resource to promote reconciliation and peace.
Dozens of Cambodian migrants arrested for illegal re-entry
Authorities have arrested over 100 Cambodian migrants for illegally re-entering from Thailand, underscoring ongoing tensions along the shared border.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue as both nations aim to address migration challenges, improve worker protections, and maintain peaceful bilateral relations.
Meeting to focus on regional cooperation and legislative priorities
The Secretary-General of ASEAN will participate in the 16th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Caucus hosted in Cambodia, where lawmakers will discuss shared challenges, legislative priorities, and regional cooperation.

Organizers say the event underscores ASEAN’s commitment to dialogue and unity among its member states.
Massive infrastructure project to enhance global connectivity
The Philippines is moving forward with the strategic development of the New Manila International Airport, positioning it as a key driver of long-term economic growth and global connectivity.

Authorities say the project will reduce congestion, boost tourism, and support the country's role as a regional transport hub.
New collaboration aims to enhance conservation efforts
The Philippines has joined the Ocean Centres initiative, a collaborative effort to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable resource management.

Officials say the partnership will strengthen the country's conservation capabilities and support its commitment to safeguarding vital ocean ecosystems.
Increased reliance on imported fuel adds pressure to costs
Consumers in the Philippines are bracing for higher electricity rates as the country's dependence on imported liquefied natural gas grows.

Energy officials warn that global price volatility and increased import volumes are contributing to the cost pressures faced by local power providers.
Government reaffirms legal victory despite ongoing tensions with China
The Philippines is marking the ninth anniversary of the landmark South China Sea arbitral tribunal ruling, reaffirming its commitment to the decision that invalidated China's sweeping maritime claims.

Officials emphasized the country's rights under international law, while Beijing continues to reject the ruling as a farce.
Military move signals commitment to regional security
The United States has deployed F-35 fighter jets to the Philippines for the first time, a significant demonstration of military cooperation amid escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea.

Officials say the deployment is intended to enhance joint readiness and deter aggressive maritime actions.
Victory keeps gold-medal hopes alive in SEA V.League
The Alas Pilipinas men's volleyball team kept their gold-medal hopes alive with a dramatic five-set win over Cambodia at the Southeast Asian Men's V.League.

The intense match showcased the team's resilience and determination as they continue their quest for regional glory.
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Over 600 Myanmar Civilians and Soldiers Flee to Thailand Amid Karen Insurgent Assault
US and China Restart High-Level Dialogue During ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur
Philippines Proposes Tax on Online Gambling Amid Growing Support
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Administration Targets Chinese Influence in Agriculture
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
U.S. Implements Comprehensive Travel Ban on Citizens from 12 Countries
United States Expands Visa Waiver Program to Select Asian Nations in 2025
Asian AI Boom: Goldman Sachs Repositions Asian Equity Strategy Amid AI Growth
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Hong Kong Denies Entry to Over 12,000 Visitors in Early 2025
US Administration Plans to Restrict AI Chip Shipments to Malaysia and Thailand
Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Celebrates 50 Years of Brilliance with a Dazzling New Era
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
US Eases Chip Software Sales Restrictions to China
Trump Announces New Trade Agreement Between U.S. and Vietnam
South Korea Signals It May Miss Trump Trade Deal Deadline
Toyota Industries Faces Backlash Over $33 Billion Buyout Plan
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Chinese Astronauts Successfully Return from Tiangong Space Station
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Singapore Police Empowered to Seize Bank Accounts to Combat Scams
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
BIGXSHOW LALA Co., Ltd. Partners with Japanese Firms to Advance Influencer Marketing in Asia
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
AI Management Experiment Shows Promise Despite Failures
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Asia News Roundup: Key Developments Across the Region
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
UK Scientists Launch Synthetic Human Genome Project with £10 Million Funding
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Thai Prime Minister Discusses Bilateral Relations and Regional Issues with French President Emmanuel Macron
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Intervenes as Hong Kong Dollar Reaches Weak Trading Threshold
China Pledges Greater Openness Amid Global Trade Tensions
China and Taiwan Engage in Historical Dispute as Beijing Declares Territory Status