Features
South Korea bets on cluster model to compete in the new space economy
As the commercial race to dominate cislunar space accelerates, South Korea is emerging as a late but determined entrant, betting on a government-led industrial cluster strategy to position itself in the rapidly evolving new space economy.
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery strengthens but remains incomplete
Sri Lanka’s economy has shown solid signs of recovery in 2025, but the rebound remains partial, with output still below pre-crisis levels and poverty rates significantly elevated, according to the World Bank’s latest Sri Lanka Development Update.
Will Trump’s Central Asia summit in Washington help break the Chinese chokehold on rare earths?
“Rare earths”. As Donald Trump on November 6 hosts Central Asia’s five presidents in Washington, DC, observers can forgive themselves if they quickly lose count of the number of times these buzzwords are uttered.
INTERVIEW: Population growth makes Central Asia a “hot” region for investors, says Roca executive
Global bathroom products manufacturer Roca Group plans to invest €70mn in an industrial complex in Kyzylorda, as it eyes growing demand across Central Asia.
Ukraine gets a B grade from EU: good, but more work needed
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected a two-tier solution proposed by Brussels to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession bid, after the European Commission (EC) released a progress report on November 4.
Indonesia faces fiscal dilemma over $7.27bn high-speed rail debt
The operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia - China, now faces mounting pressure to service both principal and interest payments.
Kazakhstan defies global FDI downturn as investors target new sectors
Renewables, agribusiness, data centres and advanced manufacturing among new magnets for investment sitting alongside oil, gas and mining.
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Is Venezuela's resource wealth Trump's real target?
As US military forces mass in the Caribbean, Venezuela's oil and mineral wealth emerges as a potential prize in a looming confrontation that will likely result in the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.
The US now sees China as an equal - it is time for Western media to wake up and do the same
China was long filed under “too foreign, too dangerous, too different” in many Western newsrooms. Not anymore. Beijing is now impossible to ignore as American leaders have realised. Western media outlets need to wake up to this reality too.
COMMENT: China’s latest economic conquest – Central Asia
For the five Central Asian republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - China has in recent years emerged not only as a dominant trading partner, but increasingly as the only partner nearby that can actually deliver.
Slovenian consumers take energy giant GEN-I to court over price hikes
The Slovene Consumers’ Association accused GEN-I of unlawfully raising household prices at the height of the recent energy crisis.
Indonesia's $12bn stimulus play
The coordination between the Finance Ministry and the presidency signals tighter executive cohesion under President Prabowo’s leadership, contrasting with the cautious fiscal stance of prior administrations.
COMMENT: For Asia, dealing with Europe isn’t about achieving success; it’s about concealing failure
To be taken seriously in Asia, Europe must rediscover the courage to deliver, not merely declare. Asia has moved on to execution. Europe is still editing its initial policy draft.
Washington has a new focus on a Caspian energy play
For most of the last three decades since winning independence, Central Asia has been a bit of a backwater. Not any more. The Trump administration is becoming more focused on Turkmenistan's vast gas reserves and can smell money and power there.
BOTAŞ and Turkey’s hub ambition: from “30-year dream” to cross-border reality
For Ankara, the symbolism is as important as the molecules: Turkey’s energy map is shifting from end-market to hub.
Indian bank deposits to grow steadily in FY26 amid liquidity boost
Deposit growth at Indian banks is projected to remain adequate in FY2025-26, supported by an improved liquidity environment and regulatory measures that are expected to sustain credit expansion of 11–12%
What Central Asia wants out of the upcoming Washington summit
Clarity on critical minerals and a lot else.
Global leaders gather in Gyeongju to shape APEC cooperation
Global leaders are arriving in Gyeongju, the cultural hub of North Gyeongsang Province, as South Korea hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Delegates from 21 member economies are expected to discuss trade, technology and security.
Project Matador marks new South Korea-US nuclear collaboration
Fermi America, a private energy developer in the United States, is moving ahead with what could become one of the most significant privately financed clean energy projects globally.