Politics

Pedestrians in Seoul: Governments across Asia are scrambling to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus

Asia turns on the fiscal taps to cushion coronavirus impact

As crisis drags on, governments face pressure to offer even more aid

23 March 2020
While the pandemic poses an immediate threat, Sino-U.S. tensions, ineffective global institutions and domestic demographics will all pose challenges for Singapore's "fourth generation" leaders.
Politics

For Singapore's next leaders, coronavirus is only half the battle

5 years after Lee Kuan Yew's death, election nears as headwinds hit economy

23 March 2020
A freeway sits almost empty in downtown Los Angeles, after California's Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an unprecedented statewide "stay at home order" directing the state's 40 million residents to hunker down in their homes for the foreseeable future during the global outbreak of coronavirus disease, in California, U.S., on March 20, 2020.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Mar. 15 to Mar. 21, New York orders millions to stay indoors

Mainland China reports zero new local cases for 3rd day; worldwide total surges

21 March 2020
The TraceTogether app works by exchanging bluetooth signals between mobile phones in close proximity. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Coronavirus

Singapore urges citizens to sign up for COVID-19 tracking app

Bluetooth-activated TraceTogether app logs close encounters for 21 days

20 March 2020
Commuters wait for transport from Malaysia to Singapore on March 17 before the lockdown. 
Coronavirus

Malaysia lockdown complicates business and life in Singapore

City-state offers temporary housing aid for thousands of cross-border commuters

18 March 2020
Protesters in Hong Kong hold an anti-government demonstration on Jan. 1. A Hong Kong spokesman on Tuesday acknowledged that "local social unrest" might have affected the city's ranking in the Heritage study.
Economy

Hong Kong loses Heritage 'economic freedom' crown to Singapore

Months of anti-government protests undermine rating of investment environment

17 March 2020
Trump has ramped up the global blame game.
Opinion

Three reasons Asia should fear Trump's coronavirus fiasco

His incompetence and vitriol will have economic consequences for China and region

16 March 2020
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, pictured with his wife Ho Ching, has told the city-state that the coronavirus outbreak could last a year or longer.
Politics

Singapore lurches toward poll as coronavirus limits rallies' size

Report published on city-state's electoral borders signals elections are near

13 March 2020
The Nikkei stock index fell 5% to close at 19,698.76 yen on March 9. (Photo by Kento Awashima) 
Markets

Asian stocks plunge, as yen and bonds surge after oil plummets

Saudi Arabia poised to pump more crude even as coronavirus spooks global economy

9 March 2020
Singapore's aggressive response to the new coronavirus has paid off so far.
Coronavirus

What Singapore's coronavirus tactics can and can't teach world

Strict, 'whole society' effort wins praise but appears difficult to replicate

8 March 2020
WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.  The U.S. blocked a Chinese candidate from heading the intellectual property organization.
International relations

US blocks China from helm of intellectual property agency

Singaporean receives nod as WIPO director general after heavy lobbying

5 March 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the White House South Lawn on Tuesday.
Coronavirus

Trump weighs adding Japan to coronavirus travel restrictions

India, Thailand and cities in China announce measures to limit travelers

4 March 2020
A street sign for Wall Street is seen outside the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan, New York.
29 February 2020
AI is creating unfamiliar possibilities.
Opinion

It is time for G-20 to give way to tech-driven AI-20

Multilateral body based on harnessing artificial intelligence is way forward

28 February 2020
Britain plans to establish a new presence in Asia, where it used to have significant influence, following its exit from the European Union.
Comment

ASEAN in position to make strategic gains from Brexit

UK looks to Indo-Pacific region in redrawing of its foreign policy agenda

23 February 2020
People wait at a crosswalk along the Dongseong-ro shopping street in Daegu, South Korea. The country reported 142 new coronavirus cases on Saturday.
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Feb. 16 to Feb. 22, South Korea cases soar again, to 433

US confirms 34 additional infections and expects more from cruise ship

22 February 2020
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for trade and travel between China and ASEAN to return to normal as soon as possible. (Photo by Yohei Muramatsu)
Coronavirus

ASEAN members pressed by China to lift travel curbs

Foreign ministers agree to cooperate on virus but show mixed feelings for Beijing

21 February 2020
BlueSG electric car-sharing vehicles are parked at a charging station during their launch in Singapore.
Environment

Singapore vows to be first in Southeast Asia to ditch petrol cars

City-state sets ambitious plan to fully switch to green vehicles by 2040

19 February 2020
Shoppers wear masks at a market in Hong Kong. The city is disclosing where coronavirus patients live and what public transport they have taken.
Coronavirus

Asia authorities track patient whereabouts to arrest spread

South Korea, Singapore and Philippines identify thousands of cases of contact

19 February 2020
The Singapore tourism agency said last week it expects a 25% to 30% decline in visitor arrivals this year. (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 
Coronavirus

Singapore forecasts -0.5 to 1.5% GDP growth in 2020 on coronavirus

Economy could shrink for first time in 19 years as disease disrupts tourism and supply chains

17 February 2020
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Chantilly, France, July 17, 2019.
Your Week in Asia

G-20 finance ministers, Nissan shareholders and a China-ASEAN meeting

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

17 February 2020
Some political experts say it is too early to gauge the public's overall sentiments towards the way the Singapore government has tackled the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus

Coronavirus raises uncertainty over timing of Singapore election

Observers believe polls may be held later than previously tipped

15 February 2020
A staff member wearing a face mask stands in front of a restaurant on Valentine's Day in Beijing.
15 February 2020
Vietnamese citizens repatriated from the Chinese city of Wuhan arrive at Van Don airport in Vietnam on Feb. 10.
Coronavirus

China and ASEAN set emergency meeting on coronavirus

Foreign ministers look to forge regional response in Laos next week

12 February 2020
A model of a satellite on display at the 2020 Global Space and Technology trade show in Singapore (Photo by Dylan Loh).
11 February 2020