Capital
Asia-Pacific isn’t catching up to the global economy anymore — it’s writing the rules. Track the markets, trade shifts, and investment plays reshaping where Western money goes next.
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May- 2026 -22 May
Oil shock fractures Southeast Asia, hitting Philippines and Thailand hardest
A Middle East-driven oil price surge, with Brent crude between USD 88 and USD 94 per barrel since late April 2026, is fracturing Southeast Asia. Commodity exporters like Indonesia and…
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22 May
Iran War Drives Asia Currencies to Extreme Bear Scenarios, Forcing Rate Hikes
The Iran war, now in its fourth month, has pushed crude oil prices up 40%, driving extreme bear scenarios for the currencies and bonds of India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.…
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21 May
Thailand becomes key Russian gateway to Southeast Asia, raising sanctions circumvention risk
Russian businesses are systematically repositioning Thailand as a logistics and financial gateway into Southeast Asian markets, with Russia–ASEAN bilateral trade rising from C$19.8 billion in 2020 to C$25.4 billion in…
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Apr- 2026 -23 April
Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee cut by 50% until 2027
Bhutan continues to offer a 50% reduction on its Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), setting it at USD 100 per person per night. This reduced rate is effective until August 31,…
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23 April
Europe faces six-week jet fuel shortage, threatening UK summer flights to Spain and Portugal
Europe has approximately six weeks of jet fuel supply remaining before shortages force flight cancellations, per warnings from the International Energy Agency, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed due…
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23 April
UK airlines seek to suspend compensation rules as jet fuel crisis threatens summer flights
UK airlines have formally requested the Civil Aviation Authority suspend compensation rules for flight cancellations up to 14 days before departure, citing jet fuel shortages stemming from the seven-week closure…
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22 April
Asia-Pacific airlines cancel 1,100 flights, add $200 surcharges as jet fuel hits $200
Airlines across Asia-Pacific are implementing emergency flight cancellations and fuel surcharges as jet fuel prices approach US$200 per barrel — nearly triple the cost from earlier this year. Air New…
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22 April
Lufthansa grounds 27 aircraft due to fuel crisis, cutting short-haul flights through 2026
Lufthansa is removing 27 aircraft from its CityLine subsidiary's service due to soaring fuel prices linked to the Iran war, with short-haul passengers at Frankfurt and Munich hubs facing immediate…
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22 April
Canadians can visit China visa-free until December 2026
Canadian passport holders can now enter China visa-free for stays up to 30 days, a policy effective from February 17 to December 31, 2026. This waiver applies to tourism, business,…
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22 April
Lufthansa cuts 100 weekly domestic German flights from 2026, impacting 20-30% of regional options
Lufthansa plans to cut up to 100 weekly domestic flights in Germany starting summer 2026, consolidating low-yield routes from Frankfurt and Munich to regional airports including Münster, Dresden, and Bremen.…
