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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace in Jakarta, in June. Prabowo is aiming for 8 per cent annual economic growth by 2029. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s 3% deficit cap: guardrail or growth barrier?

As lawmakers weigh lifting the statutory deficit ceiling, economists warn of downgrades and higher borrowing costs.

The Philippines

After EU-Philippines trade breakthrough, is Asean-wide deal next?

Thailand

Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly

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Indonesia

Indonesian coal deal fuels doubts over production quota approvals

The sale of a stake in Bayan came as the coal miner was facing a delay in getting approval for three subsidiaries’ production quotas.

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A tugboat carrying coal barges at a port in Palembang, South Sumatra province, Indonesia. Photo: Antara Foto/Reuters
A tug boat pushes a barge carrying coal on Mahakam river in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Photo: AP
Singapore

From Suzhou to AI: Singapore, China eye new playbook for economic ties

Both countries should explore cooperation in new areas such as AI and the green economy, says Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

India

What can Asia, Global South learn from India’s new digital payment fee?

The roll-out is a good test of whether the system can generate enough revenue to pay for its own maintenance and expansion, experts say.

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Thailand

Thailand’s solar scheme faces hurdles as low power users turned off by high cost

Even with a subsidy, the upfront installation cost still may not make up for future savings and income in poorer households.

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The sun sets on floating solar panels for the Sirindhorn Dam hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani in February 2022. Photo: AFP
The sun sets on floating solar panels for the Sirindhorn Dam hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani in February 2022. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s entry-level job market shrinks despite salary growth, data shows

Aon data published last month shows a 3.2 per cent drop in entry-level headcount in the city state, amid a rise in AI use in the workplace.

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

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The Philippines

Philippines races to realise Pax Silica dreams as political changes loom

Philippines’ Marcos is due to leave office in 2028 while Trump faces US midterm elections next year that could change control of Congress.

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Representatives from Pax Silica signatory countries attend its first summit in Washington in December 2025. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

Indonesia to continue buying Russian oil despite ‘real risk’ of US penalties

Analysts say Jakarta made the ‘right decision’ for the country’s energy security but urge dialogue with Washington to maintain transparency.

Tankers and cargo ships at the oil depot and container terminal of Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, in March. Photo: AFP
Tankers and cargo ships at the oil depot and container terminal of Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, in March. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Upgraded but underperforming: Philippines’ growth lags behind

High living costs and delayed public works drag growth projections down far behind regional front runners.

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Singapore

Why AI giants are choosing Singapore to turn models into real-world tools

The city state is emerging as a regional hub for turning frontier AI models into practical applications.

South Korea

South Korea wants free ‘AI for All’. Is society ready?

Seoul’s roll-out of free, unlimited AI is set to shake up classrooms, careers and crime – for better or worse.

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Illustration: Dennis Yip
US, Israel war on Iran

Saudi oil pipeline closure puts Asia’s economic resilience to the test

Experts say the loss will hit Asian refiners first before feeding through to inflation, currencies and economic growth across the region.

A satellite image shows a closer view of the damage at the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, located across the Arabian Peninsula, after a strike that hit it on September 11. Photo: Vantor/Handout via Reuters
A satellite image shows a closer view of the damage at the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline, located across the Arabian Peninsula, after a strike that hit it on September 11. Photo: Vantor/Handout via Reuters
Singapore

Squeezed out: why Singapore’s big-box gyms are losing to niche studios

Traditional gyms are struggling to compete with 24-hour budget chains on price and specialised boutique studios on community experience.

Malaysia

Bail out or downsize? Malaysia’s stark choice as AirAsia losses mount

Rival carriers lack commercial incentive to take over unprofitable routes, which could force the government into a subsidy dilemma, analysts say.

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Singapore

US firm Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028

Trained specialists will drive Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and help Waymo adapt its technology to Singapore’s road layouts and other conditions.

Attendees look at a Jaguar I-Pace equipped with a Waymo autonomous driving system at a consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
Attendees look at a Jaguar I-Pace equipped with a Waymo autonomous driving system at a consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas in January 2025. Photo: Reuters
India

India and Vietnam aim to turn ‘China plus one’ rivalry into trade gains

New Delhi and Hanoi are looking to join market scale with manufacturing capacity to build new trade links, analysts say.

Indonesia

How wildfires are threatening Indonesia’s economy and carbon market

Total economic and health costs from January to August as a result of the haze could reach US$6.9 billion, analysts warn.

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Indonesia

Who will shoulder the debts behind Indonesia’s China-backed Whoosh railway?

Jakarta plans to transfer the US$56.5 million annual debt into state accounts as critics warn taxpayers will subsidise the losses.

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The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, known as Whoosh, during a public trial in Bandung, West Java, in September 2023. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints third finance minister in under 2 years

Suahasil Nazara takes over amid growing pressure on the budget, with analysts expecting a more cautious approach to fiscal management.

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Newly-appointed Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara speaks to journalists after his inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Newly-appointed Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara speaks to journalists after his inauguration at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Southeast Asia weighs energy transition amid LNG supply crunch

At Gastech 2026, policymakers implore pragmatism over net-zero targets and closer cooperation to ensure affordable LNG supplies.

The Philippines

US-led Luzon corridor in Philippines faces growing scrutiny over real local benefits

Filipinos, especially Gen Z, are concerned that the corridor and other US-led projects are ‘more exploitative than beneficial’, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Who will look after ageing Asia when its carers grow old?

Asia’s care economy is booming, but its biggest supplier nations are ageing too, raising fears of a coming carer shortfall.

Filipino nurses, many of whom were bound for work abroad as carers, take an oath in Manila in 2009. Filipino carers have become an expensive “gold standard”, according to a recent white paper. Photo: AFP
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