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Business

Thailand scraps 25-year-old agreement with Cambodia on joint energy exploration

Cambodia ‌will now initiate a compulsory conciliation ‌mechanism under the ⁠UN Convention on the ‌Law of the ‌Sea “Cancelling the deal is not related to the border conflict with Cambodia, but ‌part of my policy. It has been 25 years and there has been no progress,” Anutin told reporters, adding that Cambodia would be informed of the decision. Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed ‌regret over the termination and said Phnom Penh “has no option” but to settle the boundary issue under processes outlined ⁠in the United Nations Convention ⁠on the Law of the Sea, or Unclos. “Cambodia’s decision to pursue compulsory conciliation under Unclos reaffirms its commitment to resolving maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance ‌with international law,” he said in a statement.

May 6, 2026

Business

Japan army unit’s gun-toting AI-generated elephant logo gets trampled by critics

Officers created the logo using ChatGPT based on the ‘elephant’, ‘cool’, ‘blue flame’, and ‘mammoth’ keywords, a media report says A Japanese infantry unit has withdrawn a new patch designed by artificial intelligence after it was criticised for being immature, “aggressive” and out of step with the public image of the country’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF). The 1st Infantry Regiment’s patch was unveiled on April 29 and features an elephant in a helmet and other combat gear, holding a machine gun across its chest. The elephant has chains across its shoulders and a human skull apparently attached to its chest, with blue flames emerging from one eye. Elephants have featured in previous logos for the regiment, which was raised in January 1962 and is based at Camp Nerima in Tokyo. The design was meant to be used on unit T-shirts, badges and other items to “boost team morale and elevate the sense of belonging”, the unit said in a now-deleted social media post. The public backlash was so fierce, however, that the military announced a few days later that it had withdrawn the design.

May 6, 2026

Business

More than 240 Wang Fuk Court homeowners petition administrator to hold meeting

More than 12 per cent of households sign petition and say they will take legal action if Hop On Management fails to hold meeting within 45 days More than 240 owners representing over 12 per cent of households at Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court petitioned the government-appointed administrator in late April to hold an extraordinary general meeting, saying they might seek legal action if the request was ignored. The owners said in a statement on Tuesday that they would consider applying to the Lands Tribunal if Hop On Management Company failed to hold the meeting within 45 days in accordance with the Building Management Ordinance. “We request the administrator to convene a meeting, with government representatives invited and media coverage allowed, at a venue with a capacity of over 1,000 on a Saturday or Sunday,” it said. “The petition has listed owners’ information and signatures as required by the law and is legally valid. It involves 247 owners, accounting for 12.45 per cent of all units in the estate, which far exceeds the legal threshold of at least five per cent.

May 6, 2026

Business

Takaichi signs Australia deals to boost Japan’s energy security

Japan and Australia agreed to step up collaboration in areas including critical minerals, defence and energy security, tackling China’s dominance of rare earths and fuel-supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. “Australia and Japan are taking action to protect our economies from future economic shocks and uncertainty,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement after meeting his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, in Canberra. “By working together, we will achieve more...

May 6, 2026

Business

Hong Kong posts strongest quarterly economic growth in almost 5 years at 5.9%

Robust exports and resilient domestic consumer spending drive growth despite Middle East tensions and rising energy costs Hong Kong has recorded its fastest economic growth in nearly five years in the first quarter, at 5.9 per cent, driven by strong exports and private consumption despite ongoing unrest in the Middle East. The first-quarter growth exceeded the year-on-year increase of 4 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of last year, according to advance estimates released by the Census and Statistics Department on Tuesday. The 5.9 per cent rise was also the strongest since the 7.6 per cent growth seen in the second quarter of 2021. A government spokesman said the economic outlook remained positive, supported by strong global demand for artificial intelligence-related electronics, sustained growth in visitor arrivals and robust cross-boundary financial activity. “Relatively solid business and consumer sentiment is expected to continue supporting domestic demand,” he said.

May 6, 2026

Business

Hong Kong researchers develop ‘world-first’ nasal spray for rapid stroke aid

Treatment intended for initial use by paramedics, before being rolled out to high-risk groups in care facilities and eventually the general public through pharmacies Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) say they have developed a world-first nasal spray that delivers neurotherapeutic powder directly to the brain as first aid for ischemic stroke patients, with clinical trials expected by 2030. The treatment is intended for initial use by paramedics, before being rolled out to high-risk groups in care facilities and eventually the general public through pharmacies. It was developed by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at HKU and the university’s Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre. The medicine, known as NanoPowder, is designed to reduce brain damage by more than 80 per cent and improve stroke survival rates. The innovation won the Special Grand Prize and a gold medal at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva this year. “We use ‘nano-in-micron’ technology to bypass the blood-brain barrier, a natural shield that typically blocks most drugs from entering the brain,” said Aviva Chow Shing-fung, a professor with the department of pharmacology and pharmacy, who led the research team.

May 6, 2026

Economy

Japan’s startup ambitions collide with harassment concerns

Survey finds 32% of entrepreneurs have suffered some form of harassment An event for female entrepreneurs in Tokyo. Far more women running startups report sexual harassment than men. TOKYO -- About 32% of entrepreneurs at Japanese startups have experienced some form of harassment, with women far more likely than men to report sexual harassment, according to a recent academic survey.

May 6, 2026

Economy

Moody’s readies stablecoin ratings as Asian market takes shape

Credit agency aims to assess risk of different currency-pegged crypto offerings The digital economy team at Moody's is trying to adapt its ratings and services to emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) TOKYO -- Moody's Ratings is preparing to issue credit evaluations for stablecoins using its own methodology, aiming to meet rising investor demand as digital assets gain traction in Asia and beyond.

May 6, 2026

Economy

CK Hutchison to sell VodafoneThree stake for $5.8bn

Hong Kong conglomerate boosts cash reserves to pursue acquisitions CK Hutchison Group Telecom's announcement that it is exiting from VodafoneThree comes three months after its parent said it has agreed to sell its entire stake in UK Power Networks. (CK Hutchison website) HONG KONG -- A unit of the CK Hutchison group said Tuesday it will sell its entire stake in U.K. phone operator VodafoneThree for 4.3 billion pounds ($5.8 billion) as the Hong Kong conglomerate builds its cash reserves.

May 6, 2026

Business

Malaysia warns of health risks from heatwave, 2 related deaths recorded this year

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered cloud-seeding operations to be carried out in the worst-affected states The death of the 41-year-old, the island’s first-ever confirmed heatstroke fatality linked to a sporting event, comes as temperatures in Malaysia soar to the mid-30s degrees Celsius. The man from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, completed the 30km (18 miles) course on April 25, then collapsed from heatstroke. He was rushed to a hospital but died a day later, according to Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Zen. The event’s organisers had all the relevant approvals, including provision of medical teams for emergencies and water stations along the running route, he added. “We advise the public taking part in sports to remain aware of their health levels, stay hydrated, and avoid pushing themselves beyond their physical limits,” he said at a press conference in Penang on Monday. On Tuesday, the Malaysian health ministry said 56 cases of heat-related illnesses nationwide had been recorded since January 1, including two deaths – the runner and a two-year-old boy left in a vehicle in Kelantan.

May 6, 2026

Business

Hong Kong corruption watchdog arrests 7 over rigged maintenance project tender

Syndicate suspected of targeting large maintenance project involving undisclosed conflicts of interest and contractor who doubled as consultant Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has arrested seven people linked to a syndicate that allegedly targeted large maintenance projects with undisclosed conflicts of interest and a contractor who served in a dual role as consultant. The watchdog said it had launched its investigation after receiving a complaint alleging possible corruption in the tendering exercise for a grand maintenance project of a single block in Mong Kok. It found that the project contractor’s owner allegedly controlled the project consultancy firm through his associates, secured the consultancy contract for the grand maintenance project at a low price, and concealed his dual roles as project contractor and consultant with intent to induce the incorporated owners to choose his company for the project. The watchdog found that the consultancy firm had failed to declare its conflict of interest, while the chairman of the incorporated owners’ committee was also suspected to have known about the issue and concealed it.

May 6, 2026

Business

Hong Kong boy, 12, arrested for allegedly making explosives, posting process online

Police set to reveal details of the case later in the afternoon A 12-year-old boy in Hong Kong has been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing explosives and posting about the process online, the South China Morning Post has learned. Police said they were expected to reveal details of the case on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who makes or knowingly possesses an explosive substance is liable to a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. However, under the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance, children aged between 10 and 13 cannot be sentenced to imprisonment.

May 6, 2026