British aerospace engine maker Rolls-Royce wants India to be more than just a buyer of its engines, proposing to treat the country as a “home market” by building, designing and developing aircraft engines locally rather than simply selling them from abroad. Analysts said such a shift could provide a significant lift to New Delhi’s effort to build a fifth-generation stealth fighter under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, while forcing rival engine makers to offer deeper...

Singapore and Beijing have emerged among the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers, according to Savills’ inaugural Matcha Index, which ranks locations by buzz and by the spaces where these employees can work, connect and spark ideas over a hot – or cold – matcha drink. The index, released on Tuesday, pointed out how cafe culture has become a vital part of the social infrastructure that supports the tech ecosystem, and that matcha lattes have taken over as the “go-to” drink for young...

A Singapore-based event organiser has come under criticism after Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau warned fellow performers against using the venue where he appeared, following complaints from concertgoers that their views were blocked by pillars. Lau made the remarks during his set at the Singland Festival at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre on Saturday, saying he was speaking out “for the sake of future artistes” after struggling to connect with fans in the audience. “There’s a big...

Thailand’s government is planning to further rein in thousands of cannabis dispensaries that have sprung up in the wake of decriminalisation by limiting sales of the plant mostly to licensed medical facilities. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, but has since tightened its regulation in a series of policy changes. According to a draft of an amended Health Ministry regulation on “controlled herbs”, sales of cannabis will only be allowed at medical...

Indonesian beauty doctor and social media influencer Richard Lee has been named a suspect in a criminal case following a complaint by a fellow content creator, as their long-running feud moved from online platforms into a police station. Jakarta police confirmed on Tuesday that Lee was designated a suspect in a case involving alleged violations of health regulations and consumer protection laws, stemming from a report lodged by Samira Farahnaz – known online as “Dokter Detektif” or Doktif – in...

Indonesia’s long-delayed overhaul of its criminal justice system took effect last week, with the government hailing the “historic” change that would usher in a “more humane” era of law enforcement, even as rights groups warn they could further narrow space for dissent and private life. The new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday, ending decades of debate over how to replace Dutch-era statutes that officials said no longer reflected Indonesian society. It...

India’s competition watchdog has found market leaders Tata Steel, JSW Steel, state-run SAIL and 25 other firms breached antitrust law by colluding on steel selling prices, ‍a confidential document shows, putting the companies and their executives at risk of hefty fines. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also held 56 top executives, including JSW’s billionaire Managing Director Sajjan Jindal, Tata Steel CEO T.V. Narendran and four former SAIL chairpersons, liable for price collusion...