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A worker fills up a motorcycle at a petrol station in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, in March. Photo: Reuters
Energy

Oil prices rally on Hormuz talks but will Asia’s energy woes ease?

Analysts say recovery ‘will take a far longer time’, with ship backlogs and damaged facilities weighing on Asia’s energy importers.

Indonesia

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

Singapore

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

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Artificial intelligence

Asia faces ‘costly paradox’ over divergent AI rules in US and EU

Regional countries are adapting either the US or EU legal framework, while Asian tech firms risk incurring a ‘regulatory fragmentation tax’.

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An AI robot looking into a crystal ball. Analysts say the compliance costs for AI rules in the US and the EU would be significant. Photo: Shutterstock
An AI robot looking into a crystal ball. Analysts say the compliance costs for AI rules in the US and the EU would be significant. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

US price-fixing probe on Singaporean tycoon signals consistent legal approach

Teo Siong Seng, CEO of a major container manufacturer, is named by the US as one of shipping executives allegedly involved in price-fixing.

South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

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Japan

Japan Airlines wants to blast human culture into space and land it on the moon

The carrier is selling payload space to preserve Earth’s heritage from climate change and war, but sceptics dismiss it as a PR stunt.

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An illustration of Japan Airlines’ lunar transportation container. Photo: Handout
An illustration of Japan Airlines’ lunar transportation container. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Failed M1-Simba merger prolongs Singapore’s cutthroat telco price war

With a major merger scuppered by an official investigation, four telcos remain locked in a costly war to win over local customers.

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United States

Trump’s overseas application for US green card rule unnerves Asian workers

Hundreds of thousands of families and individuals in the US, particularly those from India and the Philippines, could be affected.

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The Philippines

US tech supply chain hub tackling China hits Philippine sovereignty wall

Manila pushes back against reports that a US-backed AI industrial hub will come under US laws and diplomatic protections.

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Tugboats assist a container ship as it prepares to dock at the Manila International Container Terminal on April 8. Photo: AP
Singapore

Why Singapore wants to become the world’s ‘living lab’ for physical AI

These machines are set to complement humans in the workplace, but safety should be a priority for their deployment, analysts say.

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A robot demonstrates a task at the Nvidia booth during an AI conference in San Jose, California, on March 17. Photo: Reuters
A robot demonstrates a task at the Nvidia booth during an AI conference in San Jose, California, on March 17. Photo: Reuters
Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

SIA can capture more Asia-Europe traffic due to its strong oil hedging strategy and balance sheet, and the Iran war’s impact, analysts say.

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Singapore

Singapore’s AI-job cuts debate flares over ‘lower-value human capital’ remark

Economists say the challenge faced by Singapore is whether AI training can keep pace with job losses and work redesign.

Indonesia

Prabowo tightens state grip on palm oil, coal amid monopolistic fears

A state agency will handle exports of palm oil, coal and ferroalloys to stem revenue loss and under-invoicing, the president says.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech to lawmakers as Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka looks on at the parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

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Aluminium prices have surged since the start of the Iran war and is the metal most exposed to the conflict. Photo: Shutterstock
Aluminium prices have surged since the start of the Iran war and is the metal most exposed to the conflict. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesia’s rupiah sinks to record low as Prabowo shrugs off rout fears

Critics reject claims that ordinary Indonesians will not suffer, pointing to a heavy dependence on imports for daily necessities.

South Korea

South Korea weighs the cost of stepping into Samsung’s US$400,000 bonus row

Seoul is considering using a rarely used emergency power to halt a strike that could cost the economy US$67 billion.

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Artificial intelligence

Armed with Nvidia chips, UAE aims to build an AI bridge to the Global South

With its Opec era over, the Gulf state has big post-war ambitions for Africa and beyond, bolstered by elite Nvidia chip deliveries.

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The Dubai skyline featuring the Burj Khalifa. The UAE’s AI strategy is structured around deep, capital-intensive investments and the development and export of large language models to underserved markets. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Dubai skyline featuring the Burj Khalifa. The UAE’s AI strategy is structured around deep, capital-intensive investments and the development and export of large language models to underserved markets. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesia

Jakarta pushes back after Chinese chamber complains tougher rules hurt investors

A letter from the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia cited six major issues, including lower nickel ore quotas and project suspensions.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s US$5 billion Apec island is running out of time

Phu Quoc is a test case for Vietnam’s build-fast model. But with 18 months to go, the island is short of workers, diesel and hotel rooms.

The Philippines

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

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Containers at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines. Development of the Luzon Economic Corridor will involve eight more countries. Photo: AP
Britain

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

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Members of the Green Party celebrate a win in Bellingham in south London on May 9. Photo: EPA
Members of the Green Party celebrate a win in Bellingham in south London on May 9. Photo: EPA
Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

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Asean

Canada pushes to finalise Asean trade deal to cut US reliance

Ottawa is keen to sign an FTA with Asean this year, as analysts predict two-way growth in sectors ranging from mining to manufacturing.

The Philippines

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

The trend in defence is for civilian infrastructure that can be rapidly adapted for military use during contingencies, experts say.

An artist's impression of the Sangley Point International Airport project. Photo: Handout
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