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The border crossing connecting Singapore to the Malaysian southern city of Johor Bahru. The state of Johor supplies untreated water to Singapore daily. Photo: AFP
Singapore

‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

The two countries have disagreed over water supply for decades, such as the perceived low prices charged by Malaysia’s Johor.

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India

Cyber scams threaten confidence in India’s outsourcing industry

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Singapore

Saudi adviser lauds parallels with Singapore in modernisation efforts

India

India’s strong economic growth impresses amid doubts on ‘overstated’ data

Questions about India’s latest 8.2 per cent GDP quarterly growth have been raised by ANZ Bank and analysts.

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Workers scan packages ahead of dispatch from the Flipkart fulfillment centre in Haryana. Domestic consumer demand is a key pillar of India’s economy. Photo: AFP
Workers scan packages ahead of dispatch from the Flipkart fulfillment centre in Haryana. Domestic consumer demand is a key pillar of India’s economy. Photo: AFP
India

India’s looming BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia challenges US-China binary

New Delhi is emerging as a serious alternative security partner for Southeast Asia, offering hi-tech arms without ‘hegemonic baggage’.

Malaysia

Malaysia promises millions of gig workers a safety net, but critics see holes

A new law would mandate written contracts and dispute resolution, but labour groups argue it still leaves workers at the mercy of algorithms.

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Japan

Hotels hit back as Tokyo plans to hike lodging tax with percentage-based system

The plan would replace the current flat-rate hotel tax with a 3 per cent levy that hoteliers say would unfairly burden certain travellers.

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People walk through Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, a major nightlife and shopping area popular with visitors. Photo: Shutterstock
People walk through Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, a major nightlife and shopping area popular with visitors. Photo: Shutterstock
India

‘It’s time for us to rise’: India races to rebuild its lost maritime muscle

India is eyeing a future as a leading shipping and shipbuilding nation, backed by big investments – and expertise from South Korea and Japan.

Indonesia

Indonesian durian sellers smell big opportunity in China, world’s largest market

In 2024, Indonesia exported US$1.8 million worth of the fruit to Thailand and Hong Kong, and began shipping fresh durians to China this year.

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Malaysia

From Singapore to Malaysia, tech firms double down on AI despite bubble fears

Bubble bursting? Not here. Meet the regional founders who see a potential global AI crash as a ‘healthy’ correction.

An electronic chip board used for AI processing. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesia blindsided by ruling against Nusantara’s 190-year land right law

The ruling has compounded the challenges in completing the planned new capital, including lukewarm interest from investors.

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A view of the presidential palace in Nusantara, the planned new capital of Indonesia in East Kalimantan. Photo: AFP
A view of the presidential palace in Nusantara, the planned new capital of Indonesia in East Kalimantan. Photo: AFP
Russia

As Asia’s oil markets eye Ukraine-Russia peace deal, will prices fall further?

Oil prices have been falling in recent trading sessions on expectations of an imminent deal to end the war in Ukraine.

India

Economics above politics? India and Canada to resume trade agreement talks

While their ties plunged in 2023 over the death of a Sikh separatist, they are keen to restart trade talks due to US tariffs, analysts say.

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Saudi Arabia

The China factor behind Trump’s decision to upgrade Saudi air power

The deal swaps F-35 jets for ‘guardrails’ on Chinese tech in the Gulf, analysts say – with Israel assured its military edge is safe.

Two F-35B fighter jets of the US Marine Corps fly in formation over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
India

India still behind as China-made submarines boost Pakistan’s naval power

The Indian Navy’s self-reliance drive is being undercut by chronic ‘sluggishness’ in procurement, analysts say.

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The INS Mahe is one of a new class of small corvettes specifically designed to operate in coastal and littoral zones. Photo: Handout
The INS Mahe is one of a new class of small corvettes specifically designed to operate in coastal and littoral zones. Photo: Handout
China-India relations

India, China align on climate at Cop30 as ties thaw

Analysts say pairing China’s cleantech prowess with India’s energy needs has the potential to redefine Asia’s decarbonisation trajectory.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s poorest state prepares a poll shock for the prime minister

Decades of neglect and withheld resource revenue have left short-changed Sabah seething and primed for a political fight.

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Asean

Widodo hails Southeast Asia’s rise as ‘global force’ in entrepreneurship

Former Indonesian leader says the next unicorn could emerge from Southeast Asia and urges the region to prepare for an ‘intelligent economy’.

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Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s former president, has urged Southeast Asian countries to prepare for an “intelligent economy”. Photo: dpa
Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s former president, has urged Southeast Asian countries to prepare for an “intelligent economy”. Photo: dpa
The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos orders arrest of Zaldy Co, 17 others in flood control scandal

‘The wheels of justice are turning,’ the Philippine president said when announcing that an arrest warrant has gone out against Co and others.

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

Malaysia

Can Malaysia gain foothold in Africa against entrenched competition?

While Africa may offer ‘long-term opportunities’, analysts say Malaysia can only gain traction by focusing on areas with clear strengths.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, where both countries agreed to boost cooperation in several areas. Photo: AP
India

India’s debt-backed stablecoin challenge to US dollar dominance explained

Advocates argue the ARC token will lower India’s borrowing costs, strengthen the rupee and stem outflows to dollar-backed cryptocurrencies.

US dollar banknotes. Analysts say India’s stablecoin move “asserts the trend towards de-dollarisation”. Photo: dpa
US dollar banknotes. Analysts say India’s stablecoin move “asserts the trend towards de-dollarisation”. Photo: dpa
Japan

Japan considers fines for men who buy sex in major policy shift

Lawmakers are pushing to penalise the demand for sex work after warnings that Japan is gaining a reputation as a sex tourism hotspot.

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Thailand

Why Trump won’t let Thailand keep tariff, border talks separate

The US president views the Thai-Cambodia ceasefire deal as a ‘diplomatic trophy’ and will use trade leverage to protect it, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Data centres in Malaysia’s Johor told to wait for water ‘until mid-2027’

With limited resources and surging demand, Johor tells data centres to hold off water-based cooling expansions for at least 18 months.

A tanker distributes water to residents of a neighbourhood in Johor amid a prolonged water supply cut due to pollution in 2019. Photo: Shutterstock
Open Questions series

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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