US$380 million and counting: Rising ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ debt in Indonesia amid greater ease of access
A recent report found that millennials and Gen Zs make up around 85 per cent of “buy now, pay later” debtors monthly in the country.
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Bangladesh: Where a US ambo can still captivate a nation
While scrolling through Facebook on a recent morning, I came across news about the potential appointment of a new US ambassador to Bangladesh. David Meale appeared poised to take over for Peter Haas, who might well go down as the most impactful US envoy in Bangladesh’s recent
Sasakawa keeping China-Japan military lines open
Chinese military personnel are visiting their Japanese counterparts this week, raising hopes of more stable bilateral relations or at least greater familiarity to manage any future crises. What it probably won’t do, however, is make any fundamental change in their East Asia
Vietnamese durian farmers face thorny issues that could threaten growing demand from China
Changing weather patterns and worsening saltwater intrusion on the Mekong River are threatening Vietnam’s rise in durian exports.
Controversy erupts over India’s electoral bonds, opposition calls it ‘world’s biggest scam’
Data that was recently made public showed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received the biggest proportion of donations from electoral bonds, sparking a backlash from opposition parties.
US opens door for China advances in the Pacific
China and the US are competing for liquid real estate, undersea resources and military advantage among the South Pacific’s isolated island nations, a superpower contest to win influence over their economies, airstrips, seaports and security forces. China is widely perceived as
Squad ditches Quad to keep US heat on China
In early April 2024, the navies of four countries —Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States — held a maritime exercise in the South China Sea. Australia’s Warramunga, Japan’s Akebono, the Philippines’ Antonio Luna, and America’s Mobile worked together in these
China tech shares hint at economic green shoots
China’s gross domestic product (GDP) data is taking a backseat to strong tech company results that some reckon signal better days ahead for Xi Jinping’s mainly underperforming economy. China’s official data readouts these days can make for sobering reading. Though headline
Japan paves way for joint child custody in divorce
The amendment by parliament is the first change to the country's parental custody law in nearly 80 years.
'We were all under water': Afghans tell BBC of devastating flooding
The BBC goes to Afghanistan's Baghlan province, where hundreds have died in devastating flooding.
More than 20 suspected Jemaah Islamiyah members arrested in Johor after attack on police station which left 2 officers dead
The attacker - who was shot dead at the scene - was a member of terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, local police say. More than 20 people believed to be members of JI, including the assailant’s family, have been arrested.
Malaysia arrests 7 people after attack on Johor police post by Jemaah Islamiyah suspect kills 2 cops
The attacker - who was shot dead at the scene - was a member of terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, local police say. Seven people, including the assailant’s family, have been arrested as local police track down over 20 suspected JI members in Johor.
Is China's bubble tea bubble about to burst?
Chinese bubble tea shares fizzle, raising questions about the industry and Hong Kong's stock market.
Modi’s India: A decade of popularity and polarisation
Indian PM Narendra Modi is eyeing a historic third term after a decade in power.
US ban on Russian uranium could backfire
US President Joe Biden has now signed into law HR 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, banning the import of uranium products from Russia The ban goes into effect 90 days after it was signed into law and prohibits any import of unirradiated low-enriched uranium
Jakarta governor election to remain high-stakes contest, despite Nusantara taking over as Indonesia’s capital
About 20 names have been touted as potential candidates for Jakarta governor in November’s local elections. The city will no longer be Indonesia’s capital, so why is the role still so prized?
Commentary: Could a US$70,000 baby bonus solve South Korea’s fertility crisis?
A proposal to pay families for having a child is worth considering, though it’s unlikely to have much of an impact, says Bloomberg Opinion’s Tyler Cowen.
China to reboot markets with SOE home purchases
China is considering a nationwide scheme to reduce inventory in the property markets by urging local governments to purchase unsold homes from distressed property developers. The State Council is seeking feedback from several provinces and government entities on a proposal that
US auto industry scam: overpriced parts, repairs
The US auto industry overcharges consumers for motor vehicle parts, while pricing vehicles outside the range of most US households. That keeps profit margins high on new vehicles. Sales of new passenger cars and trucks are stagnant, but the industry compensates by selling
US targets illegal arms transfers between Russia, North Korea, Treasury says
WASHINGTON - The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Russian individuals and three Russian companies for facilitating arms transfers between Russia and North Korea, including ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, the Treasury Department said on Thursday.
Emirates to resume Nigeria flights after nearly two years
ABUJA - Dubai's Emirates airline will resume flight schedules to Nigeria from Oct. 1, it said on Thursday, ending a close to two-year halt to flights.
Georgia's central bank spends $60 million to support lari amid political crisis
TBILISI - Georgia's central bank said on Thursday it had spent $60 million in reserves to support the lari after a surge in demand for foreign currency, its largest such intervention since May 2021.
Dit, dah, dit: Russia’s army still uses Morse code
Modern warfare is awash with cutting-edge technology – from AI to drones to hypersonic missiles – yet one technology that is more than a century old is still proving its worth: Morse code. The staccato streams of tones that would be instantly recognizable to a railroad man from
Egypt president says Israel evades Gaza ceasefire efforts
DUBAI - Israel continues to evade efforts to reach a ceasefire in its war with Hamas in Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country has mediated in the conflict, told Arab leaders at a summit in Manama on Thursday.
Jordan king says militant groups smuggling drugs, arms should be confronted
DUBAI - Jordan's King Abdullah said on Thursday that militant groups that smuggle drugs and arms should be confronted.
China floats world’s first drone aircraft carrier
China has launched the world’s first dedicated drone carrier, signaling a potential dramatic shift in its naval power projection with cost-effective unmanned aerial operations in a potential war with the United States. This month, Naval News reported that China has built the
Gazprom CEO Miller is not on Putin's trip to China, Gazprom says
MOSCOW - Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller was not on Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China because he was holding talks with the Iranian leadership, the world's biggest natural gas company said on Thursday.