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New capacity in China is expected to make up more than half of that growth, according to the International Energy Agency. Reuters GraphicsIn 2023, WoodMac sees China's output growth creating a local surplus of 4.24 million metric tons of ethylene and an even bigger oversupply of propylene at 8.69 million metric tons. Reuters GraphicsMARKET SHARE BATTLENewly launched refinery complexes by state giant PetroChina's (601857.SS) Guangdong Petrochemical and privately-run Jiangsu Shenghong Petrochemical have added to surging petrochemical supply from mega refiners Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp and Hengli Petrochemical (600346.SS) that has come online in recent years. Rongsheng Petrochemical (002493.SZ) and Hengyi Petrochemical (000703.SZ) swung to net losses in the first quarter. While Chinese demand from some sectors such as inexpensive clothing and daily essentials is robust, other sectors such as automative have yet to recover in line with expectations, said Salmon Lee, global head of polyesters at consultancy WoodMac.

Persons: Chen, refiners, China's, Wood Mackenzie, WoodMac, Ganesh Gopalakrishnan, TotalEnergies's, Salmon Lee, Lee, Mohi Narayan, Andrew Hayley, Matthew Chye, Florence Tan, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, International Energy Agency, Reuters Graphics, Guangdong Petrochemical, Jiangsu Shenghong Petrochemical, Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp, Hengli Petrochemical, Sinopec, Rongsheng Petrochemical, Hengyi Petrochemical, Thomson Locations: Dalian, Liaoning province, China, Asia, Europe, U.S, Guangdong, Jiangsu, China's, New Delhi, Beijing

Change is afoot in the conservative city state with a softening of attitudes and growing tolerance of gay issues, which some members of the LGBT community and academics attribute to the November lifting of a ban on sex between men. But the historic lifting of the ban was not all welcomed by LGBT people. The repeal of the gay sex ban was not universally welcomed. LGBT issues are appearing in the typically conservative domestic media, known for toeing the government line. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore this month advised teachers to "address socio-religious issues, including LGBT issues, with wisdom, kindness, compassion and mercy".

Persons: Yeo Sam Jo, Yeo, JoJo Sam Clair, Laavanya Kathiravelu, Carol, Dot, Nishanthiy Balasamy, Corinna Lim, Lim, Cally Chia, Ching Chia, Ching, Clement Tan, Pink Dot, We're, Tan, Xinghui Kok, Chen Lin, Robert Birsel, William Mallard Organizations: Nanyang Technological University, Institute of Policy, Islamic, Council of, Pink, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore, Council of Singapore, Instagram

☆ Elon Musk wants to bring Starlink to the Indian market — but he'll have to get around India's richest tycoon first
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Elon Musk said he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to India. SpaceX is lobbying the government to assign licenses for satellite services, but Reliance is calling for a public auction. Elon Musk is eyeing the massive Indian market, saying he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service into the country after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week. Musk told reporters on Tuesday he was keen to launch Starlink in India as the service "can be incredibly helpful" in remote villages, per India's ANI agency. Reliance Jio vs. StarlinkThe two companies have different stances on how the Indian government's satellite broadband spectrum should be distributed, Reuters reported.

Persons: Elon Musk, He's, Mukesh Ambani, Narendra Modi, Musk, Ambani, Tesla, China, Modi —, — Organizations: Asia's, Reliance, SpaceX, Morning, Reliance Industries, He's, Bloomberg, Ambani's Reliance, Reuters, Ambani's, US International Trade Administration, ITA Locations: India, India's, China, Indian

☆ Russia gas flows through Ukraine could stop next year - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The chances of Kyiv and Moscow agreeing to a renewal of the five-year transit contract first signed in 2019 were slim, even though the route through Ukraine accounts for almost 5% of Europe's total gas imports, the newspaper reported. Russian gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM) warned in April that Europe's ability to maintain ample gas stocks in the 2023/2024 winter hinges on Asia's demand given "critically low" supplies from Russia. European gas prices rose last year on Gazprom's threat to cut flows to Moldova, as the supply route, which goes through Ukraine, is the last functioning Russian gas corridor to Europe. The European Union last year invested heavily in LNG imports and adopted regulation to boost storage to fend off any shortage after Russian gas supplies to Europe shrank following Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine. Reporting by Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Galushchenko, Baranjot Kaur, Christopher Cushing, Sonali Paul Organizations: Gazprom PAO, Gazprom, Financial Times, German, European Union, Thomson Locations: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, Kyiv, Moscow, Moldova, Bengaluru

India's top solar power producing state Rajasthan has been getting "early warnings" of technical challenges that could arise as the use of renewables increases, a federal power ministry official said. "If proper tariff structures incentivising flexible thermal generation are not introduced, it could result in slower renewable energy adoption," he said. Reuters GraphicsSOLAR, PLUS COALGreen energy capacity in Asia grew 12% in 2022, the fastest rate among major regions, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. However, authorities in India's sun-drenched Rajasthan state are finding it increasingly difficult to control voltage fluctuations due to the inconsistent nature of solar power output. "Many of these renewable plants are not actually able to comply with such requirements," the official said.

Persons: Rystad, Wood Mackenzie, Lauri Myllyvirta, Pablo Hevia, Koch, Hevia, Florence Tan, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Fransiska, Gopal Sharma, Mei Mei Chu, Joyce Lee, Tony Munroe, Jamie Freed Organizations: Engie, Centre for Research, Clean Energy, Air, Reuters, International Renewable Energy Agency, International Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: China, India, Asia, Wood Mackenzie SINGAPORE, Rajasthan, Pacific, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, Khanh Vu, Hanoi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul

[1/2] The Starlink logo is seen in front of the Indian flag in this illustration taken, June 21, 2023. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, OneWeb and Starlink parent SpaceX, did not respond. Deloitte says India's satellite broadband service market will grow 36% a year to reach $1.9 billion by 2030. Starlink is waiting for clarity on India's spectrum allocation before firming up its commercial strategy, another source said. "I'd expect Starlink to make high-profile free offers elsewhere in order to try and demonstrate what India could be missing out on," he said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Starlink, India's Ambani, Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Narendra Modi, Musk, Ambani, OneWeb, Tim Farrar, Aditya Kalra, Munsif Vengattil, Aditi Shah, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, DELHI, Reliance, Indian, Ambani's, Telecom Regulatory Authority of, SpaceX, Reuters, Deloitte, Foreign, TMF Associates, Thomson Locations: India, U.S, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

LAUNCESTON, Australia, June 22 (Reuters) - Commodities had a mixed reaction to the latest stimulus measures aimed at boosting the Chinese economy's stuttering post-pandemic recovery. Still, iron ore imports have remained fairly steady in recent months. Commodity analysts Kpler estimated that arrivals in June would be in the order of 98.73 million metric tons, which would be slightly higher than the official customs figure for May of 96.17 million tons. OIL GAINSIn contrast to iron ore's lacklustre response to China's latest stimulus measures, crude oil and copper performed better. Asia's crude oil imports are expected to remain robust in June.

Persons: Lim Boon Heng, LPR, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Commodities, Xinhua, Brent, U.S, . Federal, Refinitiv Oil Research, Shanghai, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Singapore, Beijing, China, May's, India, South Korea

☆ Singapore's Grab plans biggest round of job cuts since pandemic - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE, June 20 (Reuters) - Singapore-based Grab Holdings (GRAB.O) is preparing its biggest round of job cuts since the pandemic, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing and food delivery app had in February forecast upbeat 2023 revenue and pulled forward its profitability timeline. In September it said it had no plans to undertake mass layoffs despite the weak market. There were 11,934 staff at Grab as of end 2022, according to its latest annual report. Reporting by Lavanya Ahire in Bengaluru, Chen Lin in Singapore; Editing by Varun H K, Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: payrises, Lavanya, Chen Lin, Varun H, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Bengaluru

LAUNCESTON, Australia, June 20 (Reuters) - Seaborne thermal coal prices in Asia have slumped to the lowest in two years as weakening demand in Europe and falling liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices outweigh strong demand in the top-importing region. Thermal coal imports for Asia, Europe vs Newcastle Index priceEUROPEAN INFLUENCEEurope is also having an impact on Asian seaborne thermal coal prices as demand in Europe drops, which in turn sees regional swing suppliers such as South Africa pivot back to Asia. However, Asia is on track to import nearly 4 million metric tons from South Africa in June, up from the 2.28 million that arrived in December. Asia's total imports of seaborne thermal coal are expected by Kpler to be 76.49 million metric tons in June, down from May's 80.01 million. It's clear that lack of demand isn't driving down Asian coal prices, rather it's cheaper spot LNG prices and the diversion of coal from Europe that are the main factors.

Persons: globalCOAL, It's, Kpler, Sonali Paul Organizations: Indonesia, LNG, Argus, Japan, Newcastle, Atlantic, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Europe, China, India, Russian, Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, South Africa, U.S, May's

☆ Singapore's Grab informs staff of 1,000 layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE, June 20 (Reuters) - Singapore-based Grab Holdings (GRAB.O), Southeast Asia's leading ride-hailing and food delivery app, is cutting 1,000 jobs, or 11% of its workforce, its CEO said on Tuesday, citing the need to manage costs and ensure more affordable services long-term. In a letter sent to employees late on Tuesday and seen by Reuters, chief executive Anthony Tan said the cuts, the biggest since the start of the pandemic, were not "a shortcut to profitability" but a strategic reorganisation to adapt to a fast-changing business environment. Reporting by Xinghui Kok; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anthony Tan, Xinghui Kok, Martin Petty Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore

☆ Japan signed a critical minerals deal with the U.S. — but it's still losing the global EV race
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Audrey Wan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Tokyo in March signed the U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement, securing both countries' commitment to strengthen supply chains and promote EV battery technologies. Notably, the deal allows minerals from Japan to meet sourcing requirements for U.S. electric vehicle tax credits, unlocking up to $7,500 per vehicle. The critical minerals agreement was "negotiated in warp-speed time" when similar deals "usually take years," David Boling, Eurasia Group director for Japan and Asian trade, told CNBC. Hybrid EVs still account for 96.8% of new EV sales in the country, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association. EV supply chain strainJapan depends on China for critical minerals essential to the production of EV components.

Persons: Yasuhide Mizuno, Kiyoshi Ota, David Boling, Boling, Eurasia's, BEV, China's, Kristin Vekasi Organizations: Sony Honda Mobility, Sony, Bloomberg, Getty, Japan, U.S, U.S ., EV, Eurasia Group, CNBC, U.S . Trade, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Japan Automobile Dealers Association, International Energy Agency, Argonne National Laboratory, IEA, University of Maine, Hitachi Metals, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, China, Nikkei Asia

☆ Australians say they would support Taiwan if China attacked, with limits, poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A Taiwan flag can be seen at Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan, July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File PhotoSYDNEY, June 20 (Reuters) - Australians would support responding to a Chinese attack on Taiwan with economic sanctions, arms supplies or using the navy to prevent a blockade, but don't support sending troops, an opinion poll to be released Wednesday finds. Ryan Neelam, director of public opinion at the foreign policy think tank, said the poll showed Australians are "cautious about conflict", but willing to support Taiwan without becoming a ground combatant. Eighty percent support accepting Taiwanese refugees, 76% support "imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions on China", 64% support "Australia sending arms and military supplies to the Taiwanese government", and 61% support "using the Australian Navy to help prevent China from imposing a blockade around Taiwan". Only 42% supported sending "Australian military personnel to Taiwan to help defend it from China".

Persons: Ann Wang, Anthony Albanese, Asia's, Ryan Neelam, Michael Fullilove, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Liberty, REUTERS, Lowy Institute, U.S, Australian Navy, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Canberra, United States, Beijing, Australia, China, Asia, U.S, Sydney

SYDNEY/SINGAPORE, June 20 (Reuters) - Asia's dealmakers are counting on a pause in rate hikes globally and an economic rebound in China to rekindle activity in the region's equity capital markets, after volumes in the first half of the year sank to their lowest in four years. First-half Asia Pacific equity capital markets volumes dropped 16% to $117.2 billion from the same period in 2022, including a 34% drop in initial public offerings (IPOs) to $34.3 billion, Refinitiv data showed. "For investor sentiment to return for IPOs we need to see a more stable interest rate environment in the U.S., more economic stimulus from China and an improving geopolitical backdrop," said Cathy Zhang, head of Asia Pacific equity capital markets at Morgan Stanley. "We are hoping to see more IPO activity in the second half and starting to see some green shoots in the U.S. and Europe," said Udhay Furtado, Citigroup's co-head of Asia equity capital markets. As bankers scan their pipeline of IPO candidates for the second half, larger transactions in the region are being favoured to help kick-start activity.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Cathy Zhang, Morgan Stanley, Udhay Furtado, Citigroup's, Sunil Dhupelia, JPMorgan's, China's JD.com, Hulu Energi's, Edmund Leong, Scott Murdoch, Yantoultra, Vineet, Sonali Paul Organizations: Asia, Morgan, IPOs, STAR, Shenzhen's, Reuters, JD Industrial, JD, Alibaba, HK, Bankers, Group Investment Banking, UOB, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, SINGAPORE, China, Asia Pacific, U.S, York, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Europe, Asia, Japan, IPOS, Southeast Asia, Amman, Sydney, Singapore, Bangalore

China became Germany's single biggest trade partner in 2016 and is a core market for top German companies including Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), BASF (BASFn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE). "They know German companies will run up direct channels to the chancellery," said Andrew Small, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund's Asia program. The talks come after Antony Blinken on Sunday became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit China in five years, stressing the importance of keeping open lines of communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation. The Chinese delegation will meet with some of those CEOs on Monday, according to people familiar with the plans. The Chinese delegation will head to Paris for an official visit and to attend a financial conference on June 22 to 23.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Fabrizio Bensch, China Scholz, Scholz, Li Qiang, Li, Wang Yiwei, Andrew Small, Marshall, Mikko Huotari, Antony Blinken, Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Laurie Chen, John Geddie, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Volkswagen, BASF, BMW, Centre, European Studies, Renmin University of China, Greens and Free Democrats, Social Democrats, Analysts, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, China, Beijing, Munich BERLIN, Europe, European Union, Asia, Munich, Bavaria, Paris

☆ Pentagon chief expresses optimism over eventual China talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism on Friday that he would eventually hold talks with his Chinese counterpart after being snubbed by Beijing during an event in Singapore earlier this month. Relations between the United States and China are increasingly acrimonious, with friction over issues from Taiwan and China's military activity in the South China Sea to U.S. efforts to hold back China's semiconductor industry. Austin said he has not reached out since China declined to hold formal talks with him at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top security summit, in Singapore. And we will continue to work to make sure that we have open lines of communication," Austin said. Reporting by Andrew Gray, Sabine Siebold and Phil Stewart Editing by Alistair BellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, we're, Austin, Austin's, Antony Blinken, Biden, Jake Sullivan, China's, ramping, I've, Andrew Gray, Sabine Siebold, Phil Stewart, Alistair Bell Organizations: . Defense, NATO, U.S, House, Tokyo . Relations, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Beijing, Singapore, Brussels, China, Tokyo, United States, Taiwan, South, U.S

☆ Asia inflation has peaked, region's growth to overtake U.S. and Europe, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Citing reasons for his optimism, he said Asia is expected to deliver healthier growth rates while the West lags behind. Asia inflation 'not as intense'"We're definitely expecting growth in these two economies to be constrained by the fact that they have had this significant inflation problem," Ahya said in reference to the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. inflation rate has been holding well above the Fed's 2% annual target. Chetan Ahya Chief Asia Economist at Morgan StanleyChina's consumption 'on track'Another driver of Asia's growth is China's projected recovery in the second half of the year. "We're expecting China's recovery to broaden out in second half of this year," Ahya said.

Persons: Kazuhiro Nogi, Morgan Stanley, Chetan Ahya, Ahya, We're Organizations: Mount Fuji, Afp, Getty, Federal Reserve, Asia, Nurphoto, People's Bank of China Locations: U.S, Europe, Asia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Central, China, Jakarta

[1/2] Uday Kotak, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank poses for a picture at the company's corporate office in Mumbai January 15, 2015. Kotak General Insurance, which is fully-owned by Indian banking giant Kotak Mahindra Bank (KTKM.NS), did not respond to Reuters queries. While the Kotak insurance unit's interest in selling a stake has been reported earlier, its talks with Zurich, the potential deal size and valuation are being reported for the first time. More than 30 companies operate in India's general insurance market, where annual premium collections grew 11% to reach $26.7 billion in 2021-22, helped by rising financial literacy and income levels, CareEdge Ratings said in a report. Already, foreign companies such as Germany's Allianz and South Africa's Lombard have general insurance partnerships with Indian banking or financial groups.

Persons: Uday Kotak, Kotak, South Africa's Lombard, Ergo, Sriram, Tom Sims, Victoria Farr, Aditya Kalra, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Mahindra Bank, REUTERS, Danish, Zurich Insurance, Kotak, Zurich eyeing, Insurance, Asia's, Germany's Allianz, South, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Zurich, MUMBAI, South Africa's, Europe, China, Frankfurt

"This would be the nail in the coffin for Huawei in Europe," said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at PP Foresight. China has asked for Huawei to be one of the main points on the agenda, one of the sources familiar with the matter said. Germany's China hawks expressed outrage in March when a Reuters story revealed that German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn was using Huawei gear to digitalise its operations. Berlin in 2021 passed a law setting high hurdles for makers of telecommunications equipment for the "critical components" of 5G networks. It is estimated it would cost billions of euros to rip out and replace Huawei equipment in European countries, potentially burdening telecom companies already sitting on huge debts.

Persons: Paolo Pescatore, Andrew Small, Mikko Huotari, Sweden's, Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Supantha Mukherjee, Foo Yun Chee, Sergio Goncalves, Mark Potter Organizations: European, Huawei, Deutsche Telekom, Foresight, Deutsche Bahn, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Telecom, Nokia, Sweden's Ericsson, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, STOCKHOLM, Germany, Brussels, Berlin, Beijing, Europe, China, China's, Denmark, Portugal, West, U.S, Stockholm, Lisbon

☆ Japan optimism has been fueled by 'game-changing' reforms and Warren Buffett: Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The Tokyo Exchange Group recently finalized its market restructuring rules. Warren Buffett's bullish calls on Japanese equities has also helped boost confidence among foreign investors. It could in turn lead to a domino effect among other Japanese companies once the big players start to make changes. Corporate governance is the "third arrow" of the three core tenets of Abenomics — monetary easing and fiscal stimulus are the other two. Buffett's May disclosures helped spur 10 straight weeks of net foreign purchases of Japanese equities.

Persons: Richard A, Brooks, Oliver Lee, Warren Buffett's bullish, —, Yunosuke Ikeda, Nomura's Ikeda, Shinzo Abe, Warren, Berkshire, Asli, Shuntaro Takeuchi, Matthews Asia, Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, that's, Matthews Asia's Takeuchi, We're, Oliver Lee Eastspring, Eastspring's Lee Organizations: Afp, Getty, Nikkei, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Tokyo Exchange Group, CNBC, Tokyo bourse, Berkshire Hathaway, Kyoto, Investing, Buffett, Foreigners, Japan Ministry of Finance, Kyoto University's Graduate School of Management, Graduate School of Economics, Mitsui & Co, Hitachi Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Singapore, Abenomics, San Francisco

☆ The scarcity of water is emerging as a global economic threat. With China and India looking the most at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ghosh warned that water scarcity must not be viewed as a sectoral issue, but one that "transcends the entire economy." Asian economies "must understand that it is a regional common good and it is in their own interest to mitigate the risks that come their way in order to prevent the economic shocks that severe water scarcity will impose," he said. India, now the world's most populous nation, will be the hardest hit from water scarcity. "Water scarcity is not particularly problematic to these industries because a lot of the water can be recycled. The Gezhouba dam water conservancy project of the Yangtze River after heavy rain in Yichang, Hubei Province, China.

Persons: Ritesh Shukla, Arunabha Ghosh, It's, Ghosh, Shanshan Wang, Wang, Wayne Middleton, Arup Organizations: Getty, Council, Energy, CNBC, World Bank, Lowy Institute, Arup, Visual China, Getty Images, Water, Future Publishing Locations: Peth, India, China, Asia, Philippines, Singapore, Kunming, Yunnan Province, Getty Images India, Taiwan, Yichang, Hubei Province

☆ Singapore bank DBS deepens focus on booming family office business
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE, June 12 (Reuters) - Singapore lender DBS Group (DBSM.SI) is stepping up its focus on the business of family offices, where its assets have surged in the last two years. Southeast Asia's largest bank by assets is introducing a new investment platform tailored towards the needs of family offices, which are one-stop firms that manage the portfolios of the wealthy. DBS said in a statement it is currently in talks with more than 20 clients and prospective clients across Asia to provide the new investment solution. "It is also an attractive option for some families who are not looking to immediately relocate to Singapore, but would like to consolidate their assets here," said Lee Woon Shiu, DBS' Group Head of Wealth Planning, Family Office and Insurance Solutions. DBS provides banking services to more than one-third of the 700 single family offices established in Singapore, and its family office assets under management (AUM) has more than doubled in the last two years, it added.

Persons: Lee Woon Shiu, Yantoultra Ngui, Muralikumar Organizations: DBS, Wealth, Family, Insurance Solutions, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore, Asia's, Asia

Pita, the 42-year-old leader of the progressive Move Forward party whose election victory stunned Thailand's military-backed establishment, has faced multiple complaints from rivals, three of which the poll body has dismissed for late submission, while four others against the party have been thrown out. Pita has downplayed the issue, arguing the shares in the firm, ITV, have since been transferred and the company was not an active media organisation. "There is sufficient information to suspect that the candidate is unfit or prohibited from seeking public office, according to electoral regulations, to further investigate Pita," election commission chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong told Reuters in a text message. "The election commission may take action against Pita in the future," he told a press conference. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pita Limjareonrat, Pita, Thailand's, Ittiporn Boonprakong, Tulathon, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chayut Setboonsarng, Martin Petty Organizations: ITV, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's, Bangkok

Any optimism could be punctured, however, by inflation data from China. April's CPI report showed inflation virtually evaporated, highlighting Beijing's challenge to stimulate enough economic activity and growth to kill the threat of deflation. The weak jobless claims figures torpedoed the dollar more broadly, sank Treasury yields, and cooled Fed rate hike expectations. Remarkably, the main measure of U.S. stock market volatility is at a pre-pandemic low, and implied global FX volatility is its lowest in over a year too. Here are three key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Friday:- China CPI inflation (May)- China PPI inflation (May)- South Korea current account (April)By Jamie McGeever; editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jamie McGeever, Deepa Babington Organizations: Nasdaq, Treasury, Wall, China PPI, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Asia, China, Japan, South Korea

Electricity generation from hydro power sources has fallen in Asia, Europe and North America over the opening months of 2023 from the same period in 2022, crimping a key source of clean power generation for electricity providers. China, the top global hydro power, alone has 30% of global capacity, but in the opening months of 2023 has seen hydro generation fall 7.2% from the same period in 2022 due to reduced precipitation and hot, dry conditions in key hydro hubs in the Yunnan province. In contrast, hydro output in Japan has increased by nearly 16% from year-before levels, Ember data shows. EUROPE'S MIXED BAGEurope has around 22% of global hydro generation capacity, and has had a mixed hydro output record so far in 2023. In contrast, hydro output in Latin America is trending above year-ago levels, with Brazil, the third largest hydro producer globally, seeing production run around 3.4% above 2022's levels, and Colombia experiencing a roughly 10% increase.

Persons: crimping, EUROPE'S, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Hydro, Europe, SOUTH AMERICA, Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Nova, Ukraine, Asia, Europe, North America, Russia, China, U.S, India, Vietnam, Turkey, Yunnan, Asia's, Japan, Norway, Sweden, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, SOUTH AMERICA Canada, North, Washington , Arizona , Nevada, Colorado, America, Brazil, Colombia

☆ Indonesia's delayed China-funded rail project beset by fresh problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] An electric Multiple Unit high-speed train is seen during Hot Sliding Test in Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, May 19, 2023, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. China-backed consortium PT KCIC, Mott MacDonald, Umbra, CDB and China's embassy in Jakarta did not respond immediately to requests for comment. PT KCIC was awarded the project in 2015 after lodging a cheaper proposal than a Japanese rival, with completion expected in 2019. The planned 45-minute train ride between Jakarta and Bandung compares with a car journey of two to three hours or the current three-hour rail trip. Locating the stations in central Jakarta and Bandung would have been too costly, ministry official Seto said.

Persons: Antara, Al Farisi, Joko Widodo, Teuku Rezasyah, Mott MacDonald, Mahendra Vijaya, Hario, PwC, Sutanto Soehodho, Seto, Stefanno Sulaiman, Devjyot Ghoshal, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Initiative, Padjadjaran University, Reuters, PT, China Development Bank, CDB, PT KCIC, KCIC, University of Indonesia, Thomson Locations: Tegalluar, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, REUTERS JAKARTA, China, Jakarta, Indonesian, Southeast Asia's, Independence, PwC, CDB, China's

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