A baby in Seoul. South Korean policymakers have for years been seeking measures to spur more births. (File photo by Reuters)
Society

Singapore and South Korea fertility rates fall to record lows

Heavy government spending to encourage more births fails to reverse trend

28 February 2024
The U.S. Federal Reserve has signaled rate cuts in the coming months as inflation worries decrease, easing the cost of borrowing. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Finance

ASEAN banks' fat interest margins wane as Fed rate cuts loom

Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia anticipate rocky road in loan earnings

28 February 2024
People in Singapore lost nearly $485 million to scams last year.
Crime

Singapore and Malaysia sign pact to target telecom scammers

Last year saw city-state's highest number of victims who lost nearly $485m

26 February 2024
A logo of Grab is seen at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Companies

Singapore's Grab debuts share buyback of up to $500m but will be 'cautious'

Nasdaq-listed tech stock slides as 2024 revenue forecast misses expectations

23 February 2024
Taiwan's Starlux Airlines has placed an order with Airbus for five A350 freighters and three A330neo wide-body passenger jets, which will be delivered across 2025 and 2026.
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Airbus, Boeing win fresh deals with Asian carriers despite supply woes

Taiwan's Starlux orders first freighters, Thai Airways inks nation's largest order

21 February 2024
Philippine military officials, center, talk to a Japanese Ministry of Defense representative, left, at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 20. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Japan's defense ministry takes part in Singapore Airshow for first time

Public-private initiative targets deals with China-wary Southeast Asian countries

21 February 2024
Exhibitors at the Singapore Airshow include aircraft makers Boeing, Airbus, and China's COMAC, engine makers Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, and other aviation-related businesses. (Photo by Taro Yokozawa)
Aerospace & Defense Industries

Singapore Airshow back to full scale as industry sees clear skies

COMAC chairman says 'working hard' to acquire foreign certificates in international debut

20 February 2024
The Indonesian Air Force's aerobatics display team takes to the skies during the Singapore Airshow in 2022.
Your Week in Asia

Singapore Airshow, Japan-Ukraine conference, Cambodia Senate election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

18 February 2024
Food prices at Singapore's popular hawker centers climbed 15% between 2019 and 2023. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Economy

Singapore, Thailand and more hand out cash to ease inflation pain

SE Asia governments focus on public support while critics warn of fiscal strain

17 February 2024
Singaporean Finance Minister Lawrence Wong says the city-state's government will boost spending over the next decade. (Singapore Press via AP Images)
Economy

Singapore eyes corporate tax rise, AI investment in 2024 budget

Finance minister and next PM Wong pledges higher spending amid 'mixed' outlook

16 February 2024
Daryl Kho's "Mist-Bound" was inspired by the experience of losing his father after a double stroke and vascular dementia. (Nikkei montage/Source photos courtesy of the author)
Arts

Malaysian fantasy novel portrays battle against dementia

Award-winning author's saga widely translated across Asia

16 February 2024
Singapore announced its revised GDP just before it unveils the budget for 2024, which is widely expected to help citizens cope with rising living costs.
Economy

Singapore trims 2023 GDP growth to 1.1% amid shaky exports

City-state keeps forecast of 1% to 3% expansion in 2024 ahead of budget speech

15 February 2024
CapitaLand Investment said investors' interest in serviced residences and co-living spaces has risen due to the segment's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property

Singapore's CapitaLand sets up lodging fund with $600m target

Real estate investor to acquire assets in city-state and Tokyo first

14 February 2024
The International Energy Agency plans to open a regional office outside its Paris headquarters for the first time.
Energy

IEA taps Singapore for first local office, building Southeast Asia hub

Energy organization looks to boost engagement with high-demand region

14 February 2024
Singapore will expand its automated customs lanes to all arrivals from the second half of 2024.
Travel & Leisure

Singapore to allow all foreigners to enter via automated lanes

City-state steps up use of biometrics from second half as travel returns

13 February 2024
Facing space constraints, Singapore will increase its renewable energy capacity through regional investments and importing power from neighboring nations.
Opinion

Singapore's carbon tax hike will drive innovation

Companies to feel pressure to improve sustainability and use renewable energy

13 February 2024
SPACs have largely failed so far to deliver to investors the high returns they have sought. (Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka) 
Market Spotlight

Singapore, Hong Kong SPAC failures highlight thwarted ambitions

Lack of new listings and stalled mergers dim prospects for 'blank-check companies'

12 February 2024
A woman walks under high-tension power lines near a coal-fired power plant in New Delhi.
Energy

IEA and India to start membership talks as Asian energy use rises

Agency also plans first regional base in Singapore amid push for green transition

11 February 2024
Jeanette Aw launched her patisserie brand Once Upon A Time in Singapore in 2021 after studying culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Tokyo and Bangkok. (Photo by Kazumi Saito)
Food & Beverage

Singaporean actor Jeanette Aw brings her patisserie brand to Japan

Popup shops in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya target Valentine's Day shoppers

11 February 2024
Posters of the presidential election are seen in Jakarta on Feb. 8: Indonesians will choose their next leader on Feb. 14. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

Indonesia election, Japan H3 rocket launch, Kakao earnings

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

11 February 2024
Family offices in Asia have a shorter history than those in the West.
Wealth Management

Asia's wealthy families invest to 'maintain lifestyle' and 'stay rich'

Lombard Odier family office service chief says Asians prefer 'agility and efficiency'

11 February 2024
A 40-meter dragon sculpture hangs from the roof of a shopping mall in Singapore on Feb. 7. "Many Chinese families consider a child born in the Year of the Dragon to be especially auspicious," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.
Politics

Singapore PM Lee urges couples to have babies in Year of the Dragon

Leader suggests adding 'a little dragon' amid record-low fertility rate

9 February 2024
Chairman Ho Kwon Ping says a corporate reshuffle is necessary to unlock the Banyan Group's value. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Property

Singapore's Banyan eager to split hotel, property units, chairman says

Hospitality group puts 'high priority' on restructuring as shares underperform

8 February 2024
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton exposed his ignorance with his recent grilling of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. (Pool via Reuters) 
Opinion

TikTok CEO has questions to answer. His race is not one

Senate grilling of Singaporean executive undermines U.S. credibility

8 February 2024
Despite digital banking glitches, Singapore's largest bank racked up stellar profits in 2023 amid a high interest rate environment.
Finance

Singapore's DBS slashes CEO's 2023 pay by $3m

Digital banking outages result in lender cutting senior management compensation

7 February 2024