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A pile of minerals extracted in a rare-earth mine. Photo: Shutterstock
India

As India rises in critical minerals race, can it dent China’s dominance?

While India could become a valuable part of an alternative supply chain, analysts say it is unlikely to replace China any time soon.

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Thailand

‘Lowest point’: Thai shrimp industry reels from Malaysia import ban

Malaysia

Malaysia taps Hong Kong battery firm to power ambitions for electricity grid

Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

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Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. Photo: Reuters
Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. 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

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

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Singapore

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

Analysts say the economic gains could come with trade-offs, such as increasing income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

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The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock
The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock
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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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.

Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
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.

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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
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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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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Members of Samsung Electronics’ largest labour union chant slogans during a protest against the company’s compensation levels in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, last month. Photo: Reuters
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
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