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This Week in Asia /

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Oil tanker trucks stand parked near an oil storage terminal in Karachi on Thursday as global energy markets face disruptions amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Photo: AFP
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

Singapore

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

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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
India

India’s 30-day Russian oil waiver comes with a steep US price tag

Washington has granted New Delhi a brief waiver for stranded Russian crude – but expects it to ramp up American oil purchases in return.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) meets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, India, on December 5, 2025. Photo: Sputnik/Reuters
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) meets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, India, on December 5, 2025. Photo: Sputnik/Reuters
Malaysia

1 holy month, 1 year’s income: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaar boom

Rents have doubled, ingredient costs keep climbing, yet for the stallholders at Malaysia’s bazaars, no other month comes close.

Singapore

‘It’s inevitable’: Singapore’s workers brace for AI disruption

The city state wants 100,000 workers to become ‘AI bilingual’. But with entry-level roles already vanishing, time may not be on its side.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s US trade deal faces a sovereignty reckoning at home

Nearly 80 civil groups and 65 academics have signed a petition urging parliament to block ratification of the ‘shameful’ deal.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (left) and US President Donald Trump at a summit in Egypt last year. Photo: AFP
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (left) and US President Donald Trump at a summit in Egypt last year. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore real estate giants feel the heat amid China’s property woes

Analysts say Singaporean companies are still likely to bet on China’s massive market, but could now adopt a more selective investment approach.

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Qatar

Qatar’s LNG halt exposes Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts say the turmoil underscores Asia’s need to shift to renewable energy, as nations scramble for alternatives amid the disruption.

Indonesia

Is Indonesia’s fuel subsidy sustainable as Iran war continues?

Higher oil prices would mean bigger fuel subsidies, piling on the pressure on a budget that is already under investor scrutiny.

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A motorist rides past a Pertamina petrol station displaying prices of fuel in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Thailand

Thailand’s PTT to freeze pump prices as Iran attacks spur panic buying in region

The energy firm will maintain prices for 15 days, even as Thailand says it will still export oil to Laos.

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Rubble from a police station in Tehran, damaged in airstrikes on Tuesday. The US and Israel have continued their joint attack on Iran that began on Saturday. Photo: TNS
Rubble from a police station in Tehran, damaged in airstrikes on Tuesday. The US and Israel have continued their joint attack on Iran that began on Saturday. Photo: TNS
India

India’s 100GW nuclear push was missing one thing. Canada just provided it

India needs to triple its uranium supply to meet its nuclear targets. Canada, with mines already in the pipeline, is well placed to deliver.

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Middle East

Asia’s travel sector rattled by Iran attacks, fears of ‘domino effect’ slowdown

Airlines are bracing for higher oil prices, continuous flight disruptions and plunging traveller confidence.

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Middle East

Asia’s main oil artery is all but blocked. What happens now?

Oil has surged by the most in four years. Tankers are fleeing the Gulf and up to 10 million barrels a day may be stripped from global supply.

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A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran. An estimated 20 million barrels of oil per day pass through the chokepoint. Photo: Reuters
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