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An illustration of Japan Airlines’ lunar transportation container. Photo: Handout
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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Singapore

Failed M1-Simba merger prolongs Singapore’s cutthroat telco price war

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United States

Trump’s overseas application for US green card rule unnerves Asian workers

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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
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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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.

Office workers at the Raffles Place financial business district. Singapore has unveiled various measures to help workers cope with AI disruption. Photo: AFP
Office workers at the Raffles Place financial business district. Singapore has unveiled various measures to help workers cope with AI disruption. Photo: AFP
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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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.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech in front of stacks of cash representing the fines paid by companies breaking forestry laws last month. Photo: Reuters
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
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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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.

A staff member sweeps the grounds of a resort on Phu Quoc island, which is set to host world leaders for the November 2027 Apec summit. Photo: AFP
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
Containers at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines. Development of the Luzon Economic Corridor will involve eight more countries. Photo: AP
Britain

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

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Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

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Asean

Canada pushes to finalise Asean trade deal to cut US reliance

Ottawa is keen to sign an FTA with Asean this year, as analysts predict two-way growth in sectors ranging from mining to manufacturing.

Asean leaders pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the bloc’s summit in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: Reuters
Asean leaders pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the bloc’s summit in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

The trend in defence is for civilian infrastructure that can be rapidly adapted for military use during contingencies, experts say.

South Korea

Samsung union’s strike threat fuels fears of South Korea’s economic slowdown

The AI boom and SK Hynix’s profit-sharing arrangement with its workers have reportedly galvanised Samsung’s biggest union to take action.

Iran

Iran war pushes Asia’s Gulf migrants to use stablecoins for remittances

The risk of sanctions has fuelled concerns that monetary transfers from migrant workers via banks or other operators could be disrupted.

Foreign workers look at a tall plume of black smoke after an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone in the UAE in March amid the Iran war. Photo: AFP
Japan

Oil crunch drains colour from 1 of Japan’s favourite snacks

Calbee says it is using monochrome designs for some of its products, as the Iran war has caused a shortage of naphtha used in packaging.

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Calbee, a major Japanese snack food maker, says the switch to monochrome packaging for some of its products would not affect quality. Photo: Shutterstock
Calbee, a major Japanese snack food maker, says the switch to monochrome packaging for some of its products would not affect quality. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy headache leaves Anwar ‘scrambling for solution’

The government will review fuel subsidies for higher-income Malaysians but has yet to decide how the cut-off should be applied, Anwar says.

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Malaysia

‘Spare us’: Malaysians sneer at ex-Proton CEO’s self-reliance sermon

The man who once presided over one of Malaysia’s most heavily protected companies has told Malays to stop relying on the state.

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Singapore

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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