Philippines
Philippines approves 13 renewable energy projects
The Philippines’ Department of Energy has welcomed the certification of 13 renewable energy projects valued at PHP344.62bn ($5.7bn) under the government’s Green Lane initiative in the first five months of 2026.
Malaysia's ringgit under pressure as Fed outlook, Middle East diplomacy unsettle markets
This local depreciation is not an isolated event, as the Malaysian currency has traded lower against a comprehensive basket of major global and regional peers.
Asia welcomes Iran-US breakthrough, but caution remains
The tentative peace agreement between the United States and Iran has been greeted with a mixture of relief and caution across much of East and Southeast Asia, a region that has borne more than its fair share of the economic fallout of late.
BSP rate rise expected as economists in Philippines differ on magnitude
Most economists surveyed expect the BSP to extend its tightening cycle to contain inflationary pressures. Four forecast a 50-basis-point increase, while five expect a smaller 25-basis-point move.
Acwa Power Philippines advances 500-MW PV project
Under the lease, Acwa Power Philippines will develop an integrated solar and battery storage facility with an eventual capacity of up to 500MW.
Philippines quake leaves at least 15 dead and 129 injured
Several countries across the region, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan, issued tsunami warnings following the quake, although most have since been lifted.
M7.8 Philippines earthquake triggers tsunami warning across Asia
The tremor struck at 7:37 am at a depth of 33 km, with its epicentre located 32 km south of Maasim.
South China Sea tensions drive a quiet realignment against Beijing
The Philippines is not alone as other countries bordering the South China Sea are also starting to push back. Surprisingly given shared Communist ideals is Vietnam, which has become one of the region's most active challengers of Chinese claims.
Asia’s EV race speeds up as China’s champions challenge Tesla
As of mid-2026, China remains the centre of gravity in the EV world.
Philippine rooftop solar boom makes country China’s second-largest export market in 2026
The Philippines has emerged as China’s second-largest export market for solar panels so far in 2026, driven by a rapid expansion of rooftop installations as households and businesses seek relief from some of the highest electricity prices in Asia.
Hegseth praises US-China stability but warns over Beijing’s military build-up
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said relations between Washington and Beijing are “better than they have been in many years” under President Donald Trump, but warned of China’s rapid military expansion.
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Gulf War III squeezes tourism-dependent economies across Southeast Asia
War-driven fuel costs and ceasefire uncertainty are squeezing tourism across Southeast Asia, with Thailand's Middle Eastern arrivals down 57% and airlines raising surcharges sharply.
Asia’s coal comeback complicates energy transition across region
Taiwan has struggled to secure LNG supplies through May and finalised contracts covering roughly half of June demand, but additional procurement costs are expected to reach into the billions of US dollars to complete.
Philippines construction disaster leaves four dead, 17 missing
Emergency teams discovered two workers alive beneath the wreckage after the structure gave way and struck an adjacent hotel, killing a Malaysian guest. However, both trapped labourers later died despite intensive rescue efforts.
The baby bust: how a global demographic crisis crept up on everyone
Just a decade ago, the dominant demographic narrative was of "dying Russia" — a population hollowed out by the chaos that followed the Soviet collapse, shrinking through a combination of low birth rates, high mortality and mass emigration.
Fuel prices cast a dark shadow over Asia travel season
There will be no real winners in traditional tourism this summer – only airlines, tourist destinations and central banks left counting the cost.
Malaysia shifts from Singapore overflow hub to regional AI data centre powerhouse
The Malaysian data centre landscape is in the middle of a transformation, in which the country tries to evolve from a secondary destination for Singapore’s overflow demand into a regional leader in high-value Artificial Intelligence infrastructure.
ASEAN’s power gamble will shape the region’s economic future
Electricity demand across the wider ASEAN region is rising rapidly. Manufacturing expansion, electric vehicle adoption and the construction of energy-intensive data centres are driving consumption higher and higher every day.
Indonesia, Philippines form nickel alliance to dominate global supply
Indonesia and the Philippines have formalised a strategic alliance to unify the regional nickel industry, effectively creating a nickel cartel that controls nearly three-quarters of the world’s mining output.