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This Week in Asia /

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Protesters hold signs opposing fuel price increases in Manila, the Philippines, on Friday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

‘It’s really bad’: record fuel prices drive Filipinos off the road

With diesel in the triple digits amid the Iran war, Filipinos brace for a domino effect on rice, electricity and basic household necessities.

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India

India steps up regional energy diplomacy, supplies Bangladesh with diesel

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The Philippines

Why Philippines struggles to tap its US$1 trillion mineral wealth

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South Korea

South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze

Any deal with Iran could undermine South Korea’s alliance with the US and their US$350 billion trade deal.

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South Koreans protest against US President Donald Trump’s request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in front of the US embassy in Seoul on Monday. Photo: TNS
South Koreans protest against US President Donald Trump’s request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in front of the US embassy in Seoul on Monday. Photo: TNS
Asean

New US trade offensive threatens to test Asean ties

The trade probes may compel Southeast Asia to continue diversifying away from the US, with analysts predicting recent deals could unravel.

Artificial intelligence

Too hot to handle? Southeast Asia’s AI data centre gold rush strains power grids

Data centres crave cold. Southeast Asia is anything but. Now, the AI boom is pushing tropical engineering to the limit.

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Indonesia

Half of Indonesia is travelling for Eid as US$100 oil threatens state finances

A US$100 oil shock is ballooning fuel subsidies towards a deficit cap breach.

People carry their belongings as they arrive for a free bus trip to their hometowns organised by the Jakarta provincial government in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
People carry their belongings as they arrive for a free bus trip to their hometowns organised by the Jakarta provincial government in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Fate of US-Malaysia trade pact rests on Washington’s next move

The US$240 billion deal isn’t ‘null and void’ yet, says the trade minister, as Malaysia waits for Washington to submit updated terms.

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Japan

‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

Critics say the fee rise is designed to keep ‘poor’ foreigners out, as Japan bets on AI and robots to plug its growing staffing shortfall.

Malaysia

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

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US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pictured in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last October. Photo: AP
Asean

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

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Regional ministers pose for a group photo during the Asean Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila on Friday. Photo: EPA
Regional ministers pose for a group photo during the Asean Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila on Friday. Photo: EPA
Iran

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

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Thailand

Inside the coconut cartel: how Chinese money squeezes Thai farmers

With Chinese investors seizing the supply chain, Thai coconuts now fetch less than a piece of chewing gum, wiping out profits for growers.

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Singapore

Malaysian scammers in Singapore pivot to cash handover as online curbs tighten

The warning by Singapore police comes as government official impersonation scams continue to surge in the city state.

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A poster in Singapore’s Raffles Place warning the public of scam threats. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hand with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Paris, France, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hand with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Paris, France, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill to rise more than fourfold as Iran war drags on

The government will spend about US$812.8 million a month to maintain the price of subsidised petrol and diesel in the short term.

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Malaysia

Cable thefts at key Malaysian train lines soar amid copper’s red-hot demand

Such cases have disrupted services between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with offenders thinking of more creative ways to cut cables.

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Iran

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

Many Asean firms are tied into the global network in the Gulf, Europe and the US, facing the risk of cyberattacks linked to the war.

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A building in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain damaged by an Iranian drone attack seen on March 1. Photo: Reuters
A building in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain damaged by an Iranian drone attack seen on March 1. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

As Iran war fuels oil crisis, Southeast Asia’s small firms could be hit hardest

Observers say SMEs are typically more vulnerable as they have less capital to absorb sudden increases in operating costs.

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Energy

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

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Malaysia

Malaysia tightens borders to fight fuel smuggling amid global energy crisis

The move comes amid concern that rising fuel prices abroad could make it more profitable to smuggle subsidised fuel out of Malaysia.

Fuel pump nozzles are pictured at a petrol station in Kuching, Sarawak. Malaysia will keep subsidised petrol prices unchanged despite the global increase in crude oil costs. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thailand smashes coconut-profiteering web led by Chinese firms

These firms used Thai nominees to control the coconut sector and resell the fruit by as much as 25 times the price paid to farmers.

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Thailand’s coconuts are a major part of its agricultural sector. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand’s coconuts are a major part of its agricultural sector. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Philippines’ fuel shock exposes limits of deregulated oil market

Consumer groups say households are left to absorb rising costs as the government rolls out conservation measures and considers fuel tax relief.

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The Philippines

‘Ghost projects’ push Philippines to record US$26.5 billion budget deficit

A widening deficit and falling revenue are ‘direct, quantifiable effects’ of an investigation into the flood-control scandal, economists say.

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South Korea

South Korea pulls rare move in bid to shield residents from Iran oil shock

As a nation that imports nearly every drop of oil it consumes, South Korea is hitting the panic button to shield citizens from rising prices.

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A board shows prices as cars queue at a petrol station in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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