China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iran's Foreign Minister Aragchi, calling for immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This is Iran's first visit to Beijing since the war began.
United Overseas Bank (UOB) has launched its $500 million technology hub in Singapore's Punggol Digital District, marking the first major financial institution to establish operations in the new tech zone.
Chinese exporters are raising prices to offset rising costs. The Iran war's impact on logistics and energy makes price increases unavoidable. Global consumers will soon see higher prices on Chinese products.
Oil prices surge as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent crude trading above $114 per barrel amid shipping concerns.
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and delivery giant Grab beat first-quarter earnings forecasts. Demand for rides and food delivery remained resilient despite sluggish regional growth. The company's results underscore user stickiness in emerging markets.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election in West Bengal, long considered an opposition stronghold. This victory consolidates Modi's BJP's political dominance and reshapes India's political landscape.
Singapore's manufacturing sector shows expansion despite cost pressures and supply chain disruptions caused by the Iran war. While PMI data indicates rising production activity, input costs and delivery times remain at concerning levels.
The International Criminal Court has confirmed that ex-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial on crimes against humanity charges. Duterte presided over a deadly "war on drugs" that resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.
Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) declined 0.4% as investors grew concerned about the Iran war and global inflation risks. Market sentiment remains fragile due to Middle East tensions and their impact on energy costs and regional supply chains.
The Strait of Hormuz closure and Chinese restrictions have disrupted Asia's fertilizer supplies. As planting season begins, fertilizer shortages threaten agricultural production across Asia, risking higher food prices and rural income losses.
Myanmar's military administration announced that Nobel Prize-winning ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest. This move reflects ongoing regional instability and the lack of transparency about Myanmar's political situation since the 2021 coup.
South Korea's April exports rose 48% year-over-year. Semiconductor and computer-related exports surged significantly.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest after being detained since the 2021 military coup. Myanmar's military announced the move. The decision marks a critical development for the democracy movement.
Singapore stocks climbed 1.1% as DBS Group posted first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. The banking sector was buoyed by tighter credit margins and strong loan growth, offsetting some weakness from broader regional equities amid Middle East war concerns. The Straits Times Index remains down 1.7% for the truncated trading week.
Samsung's Q1 semiconductor profit surged nearly 50-fold, driven by soaring demand for AI server memory from major hyperscalers. The company forecasts robust server memory demand will persist through 2026, with potential for supply shortages to deepen in 2027.
Indonesia's prominent agritech startup eFishery's founder has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for $383 million fraud. The firm was backed by major investors like Temasek but accounting fraud was uncovered. The case raises trust questions over Southeast Asia's fast-growing tech sector.
A collision between a commuter train and a long-distance train on the outskirts of Jakarta killed at least four people and injured dozens. The crash triggered a massive rescue operation. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Malaysia-based Karex, which produces over 5 billion condoms annually and supplies global brands including Durex and Trojan, is preparing price increases due to rising raw material and energy costs driven by the Iran conflict.
Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 0.6 percent as the Middle East conflict enters its third month, closing down 26.72 points at 4,860.97. Investor concerns over energy supply disruptions and economic headwinds weigh on regional equities.
Oil prices surged past $110 per barrel, with Brent crude hitting multi-month highs as the Iran war standoff continues with no resolution in sight. Southeast Asian economies, heavily dependent on oil imports, face mounting cost pressures from the spike.
Indonesia has granted legal recognition to approximately 4.2 million domestic workers, mostly women, ending a 22-year struggle for workplace rights. The move marks a milestone in labor protection, though implementation challenges remain.
Bang Si-hyuk, founder of supergroup BTS and head of BigHit Entertainment, is accused of defrauding investors ahead of his company's $7.3 billion IPO. Police allege accounting irregularities in the period leading up to the public listing.
Electricity prices in China's industrial hub Guangdong have nearly doubled. The Iran war's disruption of gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz is driving up manufacturer costs in the region. Factories in Guangdong are forced to raise product prices to offset surging energy expenses.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te cancelled his visit to Eswatini after African nations revoked flight permits at Beijing's behest. The move underscores China's ability to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and demonstrates the fragility of Taipei's remaining diplomatic ties.
A poll finds two-thirds of Singapore businesses report negative impact from the Iran-Israel war, with SMEs hit hardest. Revenue declines among smaller firms are more severe as supply-chain disruptions and fuel costs compound.
T-Mobile's largest shareholder is exploring a merger that would create the world's biggest wireless operator by market capitalization, surpassing China Mobile. The deal would reshape competition among the telecom sector's major players.
Tim Cook will serve as Apple's global ambassador after stepping down as CEO. His close relationship with Donald Trump, forged nearly a decade ago, has proven valuable for Apple in government negotiations and commercial deals. Cook's new role will strengthen Apple's position amid geopolitical challenges.
Wall Street declined as Middle East tensions persist, with the Dow Jones falling 0.59% to close at 49,149 points. Despite positive corporate earnings reports, geopolitical risks keep investors cautious.
South Korea's early trade data shows export momentum remains robust. Semiconductor exports surged 182.5%, driving overall shipment growth and confirming the technology sector's leadership.
MSCI delayed its high-stakes review of Indonesia's emerging-market status following investor panic triggered by a downgrade warning issued in late January. The postponement prolongs uncertainty for Southeast Asian fund flows and emerging market allocations.
At least 25 workers, mostly women, have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu state, southern India. The blast highlights serious safety lapses in the pyrotechnic manufacturing sector and raises questions about labor standards and factory oversight.
MAS flagged property risks as prices rose for 12th quarter.
Vietnam overtook Malaysia in semiconductor packaging.
Massive nickel complex approved in Sulawesi.
BSP cut to 5.25% as inflation eased to 2.8%.