Southeast Asia
Manufacturing, trade, and digital economies are shifting here faster than almost anywhere else on the planet. Ten nations, one supply chain revolution, and a tourism boom rewriting where the world travels next.
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May- 2026 -28 MayPower
Philippines ends Angeles City rescue as 16 remain missing after building collapse
A four-story commercial building under construction collapsed on May 26, 2026, in Angeles City, Pampanga, killing at least four workers and leaving 16 others officially listed as missing. Philippine authorities…
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27 MayPower
US arms failures in Taiwan and Japan spark anxiety at Asia security forum
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue facing allied anxiety over two concrete weapons delivery failures: a paused USD 14 billion arms package to Taiwan and…
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27 MayTech & AI
Southeast Asia’s fragmented AI strategy leaves countries vulnerable to tech giants
Southeast Asia has secured over USD 55 billion in AI investment commitments, yet lacks a binding regional framework for data sovereignty, tech transfer, or investment terms. The ASEAN Guide on…
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27 MayPower
China, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela build shadow internet to fight state censorship
Across China, Iran, Myanmar, and Venezuela, a permanent shadow digital infrastructure has taken shape to fight state-controlled internet censorship. Freedom House's Freedom on the Net 2025 report scores China at…
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27 MayEarth
Asia Pacific faces US$450 billion climate loss by 2030, with Western insurers exposed
A new analysis by environmental disclosure nonprofit CDP estimates that extreme weather could generate US$450.5 billion in financial losses for Asia Pacific companies over the short and longer term, with…
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27 MayPower
Laos cave rescue: divers face 23-inch tunnels in gold mine, 30 meters from 7 trapped
Seven villagers have been trapped inside a flooded gold mine in Laos' Xaisomboun province since Wednesday, May 21, 2026, after flash flooding sealed the exit to a hand-dug tunnel network…
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26 MayCompass
Singapore’s tourism revenue falls despite rising arrivals, squeezing mid-market businesses
Singapore's tourism sector recorded 16.9 million international visitor arrivals in 2025 and S$32.8 billion in tourism receipts. However, the Singapore Tourism Board projects 2026 receipts at S$31–32.5 billion, a decline…
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26 MayCompass
Thailand cuts visa-free stay to 30 days, impacting 39 nationalities and Indian tourism
Thailand's cabinet has voted to roll back its visa-free entry scheme, cutting the permitted stay from 60 days to 30 days and reducing the number of eligible nationalities from 93…
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26 MayCompass
Southeast Asian nations impose new tourist levies and caps to combat overtourism
Southeast Asia's top destinations are shifting to managed tourism with new fees, caps, and zoning rules. Bali charges a US$10 levy, Komodo National Park caps visitors after 221,000 arrivals in…
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25 MayLife & Health
Rosewood Hotels institutes 16-week parental leave as Asia grapples with crashing birth rates
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a Hong Kong-based luxury chain, introduced a 16-week fully paid parental leave policy in early 2026, applying equally to all employees regardless of gender, seniority, or…
