Australia holds firm with aid dollars to Southeast Asia Development aid flowing to Southeast Asia has plunged to a 10-year low, according to a fresh report, but Australia's contributions to the region remain stable. AAP · 1h ago
China turns former CIA airfield in Laos into military training hub China has opened a new military outpost at a former CIA-operated airfield in northwestern Laos, adding to Beijing’s defence cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation. The facility, which began operations on September 29, is located around 40 miles north of the capital Vientiane and 25 miles from the nearest border… The Times of India · Oct 9
Saudi, UAE join Japan-led push to bolster Asian oil buffers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are joining Japan's efforts to strengthen oil supply security in Southeast Asia. This collaboration comes in response to supply disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Japan has committed $10 billion to assist Southeast Asian nations in coping with rising crude… The Economic Times · Oct 8
Malaysia hosts Myanmar junta leader as criticism grows over repatriation of refugees Min Aung Hlaing is making his fifth trip to an Asean country since shedding his military uniform and settling in the civilian role of president in April The Independent UK · Oct 7
F1 fashion goes local as Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes celebrate Singapore Puma and adidas have launched special-edition Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes collections inspired by Singapore and the wider Southeast Asian region Motorsport · Oct 6
Lewis Hamilton expands fashion empire with Plus44 Singapore launch Lewis Hamilton’s Plus44 lifestyle brand has opened its first Southeast Asia pop-up at Marina Bay Sands Motorsport · Oct 6
Attack jets, military vehicles spotted at new China-Laos air base: Report China is expanding its military presence in Southeast Asia, with satellite imagery showing light attack aircraft and military vehicles at a newly established China-Laos joint training facility near Vientiane, according to reports. The Times of India · Oct 6
Attack aircraft, military vehicles visible at new China-Laos base, satellite images show China has moved light attack aircraft and military vehicles into a newly announced joint training facility in Laos, according to satellite images reviewed by Reuters. Analysts say the Ban Keun site could eventually become China’s most significant military foothold in Southeast Asia if it develops beyond training into a base… The Economic Times · Oct 6
Air India Express winter schedule brings 40+ new routes, more Gulf and Southeast Asia flights Air India Express is really ramping up its winter schedule starting October 25. They're adding over 40 new routes for both domestic and international flights, which means Indian travelers will have a lot more options to fly to the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and various destinations all over the country. The Economic Times · Oct 6
Rising electricity demand deepens Southeast Asia's energy security concerns, IEA reports says A report by the International Energy Agency says risks to Southeast Asia’s energy security are multiplying faster than regional governments can find solutions for meeting rising demand The Independent UK · Oct 6
As the planet warms, cities like Bangkok could be increasingly inundated by deadly floods In the humid tropics of Southeast Asia, afternoon thunderstorms roll through almost every day. The Conversation · Oct 6
China’s loss could be India’s gain as Japan Inc sours on China Japanese companies are reducing their presence in China due to rising competition and geopolitical tensions. They are now considering investment opportunities in India, which offers a large domestic market. Japanese financial institutions are also expanding their operations in India and viewing it as a promising destination. While Japan is diversifying… The Economic Times · Oct 5
Why ‘China plus one’ is paying off less than Southeast Asia hoped “China plus one” sent billions of dollars of investment into Southeast Asian factories. Yet the region isn’t capturing enough value. Fortune · Oct 5
A truck driver leaves his job, sells house to tour the world with wife and daughters; he still earns £1,000 a week After the pandemic, former HGV driver Lee Bodell made a life-changing decision to travel globally with his family. Moving from a career-focused routine to embracing remote work and family adventures, they sold their house for £330,000. With an online business funding their travels, they've explored several European countries and aim… The Economic Times · Oct 4
The Economic Times · Oct 2 ET Alpha Wealth Summit 2.0: Decoding the new investment landscape and shift in smart money Transformations in the global economy are reshaping how investors allocate capital and devise strategies. Geopolitical conflicts and tech rivalries are challenging conventional wisdom, leading to heightened interest in markets such as India, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf states. Strategic investments in infrastructure and commodities have gained importance. The upcoming ET…
Fortune · Sep 30 ‘No way’ the yuan challenges the U.S. dollar—though it might gain ground against the pound or yen, says Standard Chartered’s China CEO “There is no way—at least in my career—for the RMB to challenge the USD,” Jean Lu said during a media roundtable in Singapore.
Times Life · Sep 30 Project Tiger at Fifty: How India's Reserve Model Saved the Predator and Erased the Forest Dweller The Count That Changed EverythingIn 1973, the All-India Tiger Census recorded fewer than 1,800 tigers across the country. The number was a shock, not because it was surprising to people who lived near forests, but because it was now official. Project Tiger launched that year under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,…
Fortune · Sep 29 The U.S. should be ‘more confident’ and less worried about losing ground to China, says Peking University expert As U.S.-China relations thaw, Peking University’s Yu Tiejun argues that Washington's fears of losing the tech race are misplaced.
The Economic Times · Sep 29 Meta taps Australia's Firmus for AI computing capacity in Southeast Asia Australia's Firmus said on Tuesday it had signed AI infrastructure agreements with Facebook parent Meta Platforms for graphics processing unit compute capacity at its data centre facilities in Southeast Asia.
Times Life · Sep 29 Domestication Genetics: Why Every Tamed Animal Shares the Same Traits and Behaviour The Fox Experiment That Changed EverythingIn 1959, Soviet geneticist Dmitry Belyaev began selectively breeding silver foxes in Siberia for one trait alone: tolerance of humans. Within ten generations, something unexpected happened. The foxes didn't just become calmer. They developed floppy ears, curled tails, piebald colouring, and shorter snouts. Nobody bred…
Times Life · Sep 29 Oman From India: The Wadis, Desert Camps and What Muscat Costs on a Four-Day Trip Why Oman Works as a Four-Day Trip From IndiaFlight time from Mumbai or Delhi to Muscat runs between three and a half to four hours. IndiGo, Air India, and Air Arabia all fly the route, with return fares regularly sitting between ₹18,000 and ₹28,000 if you book three to four…
The Independent UK · Sep 26 China has kept its promise to stop funding overseas coal, but loopholes are helping coal expand It has been five years since China promised the United Nations to stop funding overseas coal projects
The Times of India · Sep 25 Singapore welcomes Southeast Asia’s first okapi calf: Why this rare ‘forest giraffe’ is so unusual A rare okapi calf has been born at Rainforest Wild Adventure in Singapore, marking the first recorded birth of an okapi in Southeast Asia. The male calf was born on July 27 to first-time parents Kisala, 7, and Xandor, 4, at Mandai Wildlife Group’s wildlife park.
The Independent UK · Sep 25 Malaysia cancels marathon and weighs new law as haze continues to blanket Southeast Asia The Kuching Marathon, scheduled for 27 September in Malaysia's Sarawak state, was cancelled due to the haze affecting the city
The Independent UK · Sep 24 New firefighting fund launches but funding gap remains as wildfires worsen worldwide A new $100 million philanthropic fund for wildfire prevention in South America, home to the Amazon rainforest, is being launched during New York Climate Week, as fires race across the Amazon