Asia Pacific

SBI Leasing Services in Japan has collaborated with BNP Paribas to arrange a leasing deal for the Athos LNG carrier with the TMS Group. The vessel, built in South Korea, is chartered to Osaka Gas and features eco-friendly propulsion systems to reduce emissions. The financing structure is a JOLCO, attracting both foreign and domestic financial institutions, contributing to the Japanese economy and offering ESG investment opportunities. Full Article

Autonomous transportation is revolutionizing industries and daily life, with self-driving cars, drones, and autonomous ships becoming integral to the future of transportation. However, the vulnerability of these systems to cyberattacks poses a significant threat to public safety and operational integrity. Common challenges such as software vulnerabilities, GPS spoofing, sensor tampering, and communication network attacks must be addressed to ensure the secure and efficient operation of autonomous technologies across land, air, and sea. Full Article

Singapore, known for its strict "Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act" (POFMA), is facing backlash for its defense against what it deems as malicious reporting. The country has been involved in high-profile disputes, including with international news agencies. Despite staunchly implementing POFMA, Singapore is encountering challenges in maintaining its reputation amidst growing criticism. Full Article

After fleeing Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, indie-pop star Linnith now resides in Maryland, working as an Uber driver and creating music independently. Despite facing challenges in the aftermath of the coup, underground and ethnic artists are gaining popularity, with a focus on political themes and new music styles like rap and grime. The music industry in Myanmar has shifted outside the country due to political persecution and economic downturn, leading to a rise in underground music production and a revival of revolutionary music, reflecting the changing landscape for artists. Full Article

South Korean prosecutors indicted impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for being the "ringleader of an insurrection" following his failed attempt to declare martial law, leading to his detention. Yoon's bid to suspend civilian rule on Dec 3 caused political chaos, resulting in his impeachment and subsequent arrest, making him the first sitting South Korean head of state to be arrested. Prosecutors cited a risk of evidence destruction to justify his detention, with Yoon's lawyers denying the insurrection allegation and vowing to challenge it in court. Full Article

South Korea's impeached and arrested president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was formally indicted on insurrection charges after briefly imposing martial law, with his trial expected to begin soon. Several former defense ministers and military personnel also face criminal charges for aiding Yoon. His impeachment was the first in South Korean history, stemming from his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, which led to a political crisis. Despite public support for his impeachment, Yoon's supporters consider it a "fraud," leading to unrest and vandalism in Seoul. Full Article

Indonesia is navigating a delicate balance between strengthening ties with Beijing and maintaining its non-aligned stance, as evidenced by increased military cooperation with China while emphasizing independence. High-level meetings between Chinese and Indonesian defence officials led to promises of deeper collaboration, despite Jakarta's recent rejection of China's claims in the South China Sea. Experts caution that such agreements could create confusion and stress the importance of avoiding disputed areas to prevent ambiguity. Full Article

Ralph, an entertainment-focused creative agency, appointed Gareth Jones as its global chief growth officer and acting managing director of its New York office. Jones, previously with VML and WundermanThompson, aims to reintroduce longer-form, emotionally connecting content into Ralph's strategy amidst the changing landscape of user preferences and agency practices. With a focus on human instinct and emotional impact, Ralph seeks to create meaningful connections with its audience through unique brand collaborations like the Mrs. Davis interactive activation and the Squid Game Experience promotion. Full Article

The sad reality of living an environmentally sensitive life is that it can be just as damaging as being a frequent driver of a large gas-guzzling truck. Author Vince Beiser highlights this in a foreword to a troubling book, acknowledging the environmental impact of seemingly eco-friendly choices like electric cars and renewable energy. Despite good intentions, our daily choices may still contribute to environmental destruction. Full Article

The education sector faces intense competition, with institutions spending billions on student acquisition. With a high customer acquisition cost of US$2000 per student, digital advertising investments are vulnerable to fraud, expected to cost US$100 billion by 2023. Marketers struggle to meet enrollment targets amidst declining numbers and fierce competition, with costly CPC rates and fraudulent clicks eating into budgets and limiting reach to new candidates. Full Article