Politics

Singapore's finance minister and likely next prime minister, Lawrence Wong, speaks at a U.S. think tank in Washington on April 18. (Photo provided by Singapore's Ministry of Finance)
Politics

Singapore's PM heir apparent Wong takes global stage on U.S. trip

PM-in-waiting tests clout on first tour abroad since announcement as next leader

26 April 2022
China and India were the main drivers for the growth in Asia's defense spending, SIPRI said. (Source photo by Reuters and Getty Images)
Indo-Pacific

'Geopolitical powder keg' Asia jacks up global military spending

SIPRI report shows Japan and Singapore raised defense budgets over 7% in 2021

25 April 2022
Container vessels are seen docked at the Pasir Panjang terminal port in Singapore on January 17. Singapore is one of several Asian countries that has seen a fall in exports to Russia. (Source photos by Reuters and AFP/Jiji)
Ukraine war

Asia's exports to Russia plunge amid Ukraine war

But some countries see rise in imports from Russia on higher energy prices

20 April 2022
The Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant in China, which leads Asia on nuclear power, will begin operation this year. Sanctions on Russian fossil fuel and looming decarbonization deadlines are causing many Asian governments to reconsider their stances on nuclear energy. 
The Big Story

Asia's nuclear power dilemma: Ukraine war drives energy turnarounds

From Japan to Singapore, Russia sanctions and carbon-zero targets push states to reconsider nuclear energy

20 April 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appears at Wellington International Airport on April 13, after the country's borders reopened to Australian tourists at 11:59 pm on April 12. 
International relations

New Zealand PM eyes economy reboot with Japan, Singapore visits

As approval ratings dip, Ardern seeks political boost with tourism, trade

18 April 2022
Lawrence Wong hopes to connect with the people of Singapore by emphasizing his humbler origins.
Politics

Singapore's PM-in-waiting Lawrence Wong puts teamwork front and center

While light on experience, Finance Minister offers common touch

16 April 2022
Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has emerged as the likely successor to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Nikkei montage/AFP/Jiji/Akira Kodaka)
Politics

Singapore's new PM-in-waiting: Who is Lawrence Wong?

49-year-old finance minister from 'ordinary family' raised profile in COVID fight

15 April 2022
Singaporean Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been chosen as the leader of the city-state's next-generation politicians, and by extension, its likely next prime minister.
Politics

Singapore Finance Minister Lawrence Wong picked as PM heir apparent

Prime Minister Lee says new leader of '4G' politicians won 'overwhelming support'

14 April 2022
Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, left, and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong are both using TikTok to connect with the public. (Screenshots from TikTok accounts) 
Politics

Singapore PM hopefuls take to TikTok as clock ticks on decision

Finance, health ministers jump on video app ahead of key ruling party vote

13 April 2022
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is pitching a new Indo-Pacific economic framework that includes labor and environmental protections.
Trade

Singapore welcomes U.S. 'high-ambition' trade engagement in Asia

But USTR Katherine Tai says framework needs to 'defend' American interests

5 April 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, greets U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House.
International relations

Biden, Singapore's Lee urge North Korea's return to nuclear talks

At White House summit, president reaffirms U.S. commitment to Indo-Pacific

30 March 2022
A containership off Singapore: Europe accounts for 9% of ASEAN exports, according to Maybank.
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces 'collateral damage' from Ukraine war's Europe impact

From Singapore to Thailand, spillover threatens COVID-hit economies anew

27 March 2022
A construction site for a high-speed railway in Indonesia: Infrastructure spending is one factor seen driving growth in emerging Asia this year.
Ukraine war

Emerging Asia to grow 5.8% in 2022 but Ukraine deepens risks: OECD

China, India and ASEAN face inflation, supply disruptions, weaker confidence

22 March 2022
Cryptocurrency players in Singapore are keen to show they are abiding by the city-state's financial sanctions on Russia. (Source photos by AP) 
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore's Russia sanctions pile pressure on crypto players

Digital asset platforms scour transactions as Ukraine war enters third week

10 March 2022
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has led Singapore for 17 years. The next leader faces the task of steering the city-state to steady growth in an unstable world.
Asia Insight

Singapore's succession: COVID and war raise stakes in PM search

City-state seeks a new economic path, and its next leader, amid global crises

8 March 2022
Singapore has announced details of its sanctions on Russia -- aligning itself with many other countries.
Ukraine war

Singapore sanctions 4 Russian banks, blocks crypto loophole

Asia financial hub calls Ukraine invasion 'clear violation of international law'

5 March 2022
A wheat field near Kyiv. Ukraine and Russia are both major producers of grains and vegetable oil.
Ukraine war

Southeast Asian companies brace for impact from Ukraine invasion

From Phuket tourism to food prices, Russian sanctions expected to hit hard

5 March 2022
The area near the regional administration building, which city officials said was hit by a missile attack, in central Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Mar. 1: ASEAN cannot afford to remain silent.
Opinion

ASEAN needs to uphold principles, not neutrality, in Ukraine war

Singapore has shown bold action can advance a country's national interests

2 March 2022
Supporters of Ukraine protest outside the Russian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 28. Malaysia has had a muted response to the war so far.
Ukraine war

Sanctions vs. caution: How the Ukraine war has divided Asia

Japan, Singapore take firm stands as most of ASEAN, India avoid slamming Moscow

1 March 2022
ASEAN is caught between Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Opinions within the block vary, but the conflict's effects will be felt by all. (Source photos by AP)
Ukraine war

ASEAN faces fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine

Conflict to increase food prices, experts warn; responses from bloc members vary

25 February 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine could have serious consequences for companies and consumers across Asia. (Source photos by Reuters)
Ukraine war

How Russia's Ukraine attack affects Asian business: 5 things to know

From energy to airlines to IT, companies feel impact amid COVID recovery

25 February 2022
Singaporeans will have to pay more when they shop, with the GST set to rise to 8% next year and 9% in 2024.
Economy

Singapore commits to raising GST in 2023 amid inflation

Income tax also headed higher as aging population, COVID hit public finances

18 February 2022
Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at the city-state's Changi Airport.
Coronavirus

Grim Singapore tourism stats underscore ASEAN's omicron hurdles

City-state reports record-low 330,000 arrivals amid halting regional revival

25 January 2022
Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district: The government is looking to raise the 7% goods and services tax.
Economy

Singapore eyes tax hike as nations aim to refill COVID-hit coffers

Expert says 2022 is 'last window' for government to raise GST before elections

11 January 2022
Xi Jinping on screen at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, pictured on Nov. 12: the future price China's 1.4 billion people will pay for Xi's myth-building campaign rose exponentially in 2021.
Opinion

Asia's 2021 bull market in emperor-has-no-clothes moments

Xi Jinping happier than most to see this year stagger to a close

22 December 2021