South East Asia & Oceania
ASEAN Leaders Meet in Laos to Discuss Worsening Civil War in Myanmar
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit began on Wednesday Oct. 9 in Vientiane, Laos with a major focus placed on tackling a critical issue within the region: the worsening civil war in Myanmar.
Australia Provides Assistance to Help Its Citizens Leave Lebanon
Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, has recently urged Australian citizens in Lebanon to leave while they still can. An estimated 15,000 Australians remain in Lebanon after Israel initiated a ground operation in Hezbollah.
Thailand Is the First in Southeast Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
On Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024, Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, making the nation the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Indonesia’s Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate by 0.25%
On Sept. 18, Indonesia’s Central Bank (Bank Indonesia) announced a decrease in their interest rate from 25 basis points (0.25%) to 6%, in a move that came as a surprise to most experts.
New Zealand Walks Back Historic Smoking Ban Legislation
In 2022, New Zealand was lauded for passing the world's first generational smoking ban. In a surprising turn of events, New Zealand has backtracked its course on the ban, announcing a disappointing reversal that has drawn criticism from public health officials.
Philippine and Chinese Vessels Collide in South China Sea, Tensions Rise
A Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine boat on a resupply mission on Oct. 22, 2023, this past Sunday morning. Following the collision, both sides have swapped accusations of blame, heightening tensions in the already-disputed South China Sea.
Malaysia and Indonesia Express Strong Support for Palestine
In the midst of the worldwide polarization over the Israel-Palestine conflict, Southeast Asia has not been immune to its impact. Malaysia and Indonesia, two predominantly Muslim nations, have voiced strong support of the Palestinian cause. In contrast, several other countries in the region have maintained relatively vague or pro-Israel stances on the issue.
Indonesia Launches First High-Speed Railway with Chinese Funding
This past Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the country’s first high-speed railway in Jakarta, Indonesia, marking a new phase in the region’s transportation system.
The Quest to End Rupert Murdoch's Australian Media Empire
Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister of Australia, is leading the charge to curb Rupert Murdoch’s monopoly of influence.
A Moment of Reckoning for ASEAN Tech:The Changing Economic Landscape Signaling the End of an Era
In their March report, the Indonesian super-app provider, GoTo, said that its 2022 net loss widened by 56% to 40.4 trillion rupiah ($2.6 billion) as the company continues to struggle to turn a profit.
Singapore’s Growing Role as a Production Hub in the Chip Industry Supply Chain
Big Western chipmakers are increasingly turning towards Singapore as a production hub, both to meet growing demands and to diversify their supply chain risks.
The Philippines Commemorates 37th Anniversary of People's Power Revolution
On Feb. 25 last week, the Philippines marked the 37th anniversary of the People’s Power Revolution.
The Central Bank’s Balancing Act in Australia: Managing Inflation without Crashing the Housing Market
In early December, The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted interest rates for the eighth consecutive month, taking its benchmark to 3.1%.
The Losing US Strategy in Southeast Asia and How to Fix It
Amidst the ongoing political tug of war between the US and China, Biden has to establish what ASEAN centrality means.
US-ASEAN Tops Agenda as ASEAN Leaders Prepare to Meet
President Joe Biden met with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders on Nov. 12, marking the 45th year of U.S.-ASEAN cooperation and raising issues of U.S. support in the region amidst increasing intervention from China.
Rising Labor Scams in Southeast Asia
These are but some of the common ways scammers operate. Protected by the anonymity of the internet, there has been a significant rise in individuals falling for these scams all across Asia.
The Battle to Monopolize Southeast Asia’s Embedded Finance Ecosystem
Japanese megabank Sumitomo Mitsui and U.S. tech giant Microsoft are teaming up to provide financial services to digital platforms in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia’s Problem With Capital Relocation a Warning to the Rest of the World
The Indonesian capital of Jakarta is sinking and it is sinking fast. Parts of the megacity could be entirely submerged by 2050, with 95% of North Jakarta estimated to sink. In addition to this, Jakarta has been continuously plagued by traffic congestion, air pollution and land subsidence – all of which contribute to increasingly damaging floods in the region.
Race to the Top: How F1 in Singapore has Increased its International Prestige
Singapore is known for many things: the filming location for Crazy Rich Asians, the country where selling chewing gum is illegal, and the place with the world’s best airport. But Formula 1 (F1) fans may know it for a different reason: with humid temperatures, sharp turns, and narrow roads, the Marina Bay City Circuit has captured the hearts of F1 fans. Just two weeks ago, on Oct. 2, a rainy race caused six drivers to crash out, and fan favorite Max Verstappen to narrowly miss the championship title.
Indonesia Bans Palm Oil Exports as World Faces Food Insecurity Crisis
On Friday, Indonesia announced an export ban on palm oil to combat spiking global food prices. In a letter sent to government leaders Monday, the nation’s agriculture ministry clarified that the ban would exclude crude palm oil, but include refined, bleached and deodorized palm olein.