Thailand’s military-backed parliament voted on Friday to make amendments to the constitution after request from the new king, likely delaying the election scheduled for later in the year. The draft constitution was approved in a referendum last year and has been awaiting endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who took the throne in December after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who commanded immense respect from Thais during his 70-year reign.

In a continued round of official trips by Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister met with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Phillipines. This is a continuation of a new geopolitical strategy by the Japanese leadership, in response to the incoming US administration and continuing tensions with China in the South China Sea.It is also the first head to state visit to the country under Duterte’s presidency. Alongside pledging assistance to help President Duterte with his policies on illegal drugs, five agreements have been signed within which Prime Minister Abe has promised a 1 trillion aid package.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up two days of talks on Friday, with numerous economic deals but no big breakthrough on the territorial row that has overshadowed ties since World War Two. In total the two leaders signed 68 agreements, many focusing on energy development deals.The Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a $1 billion investment fund to promote economic cooperation between the two countries.

After the death of the 78 year old President Karimov, who presided over rife human rights abuses, including the slaughter of protestors by security forces in the city of Andijan in 2005, elections have been held to coronate the new president Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Mr Mirziyoyez took home 88.6% of the vote, not far off the 90% victories Mr Karimov used to enjoy. There was no genuine opposition, and there is no free press. The incoming president, whilst a very direct heir of Mr Karimov, has made noises about reformed Uzbekistan’s economy, perhaps loosening currency controls to weaken the black market that permeates the country and enriches a few.

Thailand's newly-proclaimed King Vajiralongkorn - his name means "adorned with jewels or thunderbolts" - was born on 28 July 1952, the first son and second child of Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had succeeded to the throne unexpectedly six years previously. After decades of uncertainty over royal succession, the birth of a male heir was seen as vital for the monarchy, at a time when its primacy in Thailand's political hierarchy was uncertain. The absolute monarchy had been overthrown in 1932, followed by an abdication in 1935, and 11 years in which the country had no sitting king. Although a constitutional monarch, he will wield considerable power - for example, it is almost impossible for anyone in Thailand to reject the express wishes of the monarch.

In response to the fifth and largest nuclear test by North Korea to date, the UN Security Council has voted to further tighten sanctions. The motion was unanimously approved after months of diplomatic wrangling over how best to respond to the latest nuclear test in September and the regimes repeated defiance of international sanctions and diplomatic pressure. The new sanctions target North Korea’s hard currency reserves by placing a cap on coal exports, cutting them by at least 62%. The sanctions also ban the exports of non-ferrous metals and sanction a further 11 government officials, as well as 10 entities linked to the country’s nuclear weapons program.