Business
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The Rise of Cheap, Chinese Humanoid Robots
The world of humanoid robotics is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once confined to sci-fi stories and elite research labs, robots are now becoming affordable, mass-produced tools thanks to China’s rapid innovation. Powered by a “good enough, fast, and accessible” mindset, Chinese companies are challenging costly Western prototypes and opening new…
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Neo-Colonialism and the Entrenchment of Palm Oil Exploitation in Indonesia
In July 2025, Indonesia transferred 400,000 hectares of seized plantation land to a state-owned palm oil company. Just weeks earlier, President Prabowo Subianto urged the country to expand palm oil production without worrying about deforestation. At first glance, this may seem like a routine economic decision to support a key…
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Persian Gulf’s AI-ization: Playing Both Sides in a Bipolar Tech World
Guest Article by Mostafa Bushehri Caught between Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, the Gulf is betting its oil fortune on becoming the world’s next AI super-node. “We are in the age of a huge industrial revolution that will change the rules of politics, economics, and societies,” declared Arab League Secretary-General Ahmad…
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Singapore’s Crypto Clampdown: Can Regulation Build the Next Fintech Hub?
As global regulators scramble to restore trust in digital finance, Singapore is charting a path that few others dare to follow. While much of the crypto world eyes a rebound driven by new capital, token launches, and looser rules, Singapore is moving in the opposite direction—tightening consumer protections, raising compliance…
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How Indonesia Became a Hotbed for Conglomerates – And What It Means for the Future of the Country
Indonesia is home to a large concentration of powerful and wealthy families which essentially dominate the business landscape over multiple sectors and industries. This concentration of wealth potentially undermines the country’s potential, as well as the wellbeing of its citizens. How Indonesia got to this point – and the lessons…
Sino-Southeast Initiative 