TOP NEWS Bangladesh delays letter of credit, creating uncertainty over electricity export to NepalNew Lao-Thai friendship bridge nears completion, set to boost regional tradeMalaysia’s expanded Sales and Service Tax comes into effect July 1MORE HEADLINES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Philippine Daily InquirerOpenAI bans Philippine users behind pro-government drive The Japan NewsJapan newspaper group calls on AI companies to get permission to use news content DawnSaudi Arabia using AI and real-time translation to open Haj to the world The Korea HeraldSouth Korea is global No.2 in paid ChatGPT users, OpenAI says. But does that mean anything? China DailySeveral Chinese provinces to adopt AI surveillance to ensure safe, fair national college entrance exams The Japan NewsJapan’s House of Councillors passes AI promotion bill The Phnom Penh PostNavigating automation in Cambodia: Will robots take jobs or create them? China DailyArtificial intelligence usage on student theses debated in Chinese universities The Japan NewsAI system eyed to eliminate Japan’s ‘transportation blank areas,’ improve bus, taxi coverage The Korea HeraldHow TikTok is fighting deepfakes of K-pop idols The Korea HeraldSeoul’s new AI ‘flags, requests removal of sexually abusive content in 6 minutes’ The Straits TimesAI system for faster detection of coronary artery disease to be trialled at 3 Singapore hospitals The Korea HeraldIn South Korea, AI-generated images depicting prostitution circulate online The Straits TimesSingapore’s homegrown LLM Sea-Lion to offer new features as more SE Asian firms use it The Jakarta PostAI adoption for work safety faces challenges in Indonesia The Japan NewsJapan’s health ministry to start testing AI in safety checks on meatVIEW ALL COMBATING INFLATION The Japan NewsHigher food cost in Japan causes price increases in cafeterias, affecting university students Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippine market tagged best in Southeast Asia on slowing inflation DawnCattle prices soar as sacrifice meets inflation in Karachi’s mandis ahead of Eidul Azha The Japan NewsJapanese government to consider buying back high-bid stockpiled rice The Jakarta PostIndonesia’s inflation slows in May as food prices fall Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines to restore pork price caps, says agriculture secretary The StarMalaysians have highest grocery bill in South-East Asia The StarBudget-conscious beauty: With rising cost of living, many Malaysians now more thrifty, even for their looks The Korea HeraldSouth Korean won hits 7-month high, paving way for Bank of Korea rate cut The Jakarta PostIndonesian government evaluates airline ticket pricing formula amid rising costs The NationElectricity prices surge in Laos amid rising demand and weakened kip The StarMalaysia’s April inflation remains steady The Japan NewsSkyrocketing rice prices in Japan to cause sake price tags to rise too Philippine Daily InquirerFilipinos still spending less in small neighbourhood stores–study Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines scraps maximum suggested retail price for pork The StarMalaysian consumers switch to budget-friendly alternativesVIEW ALL TECHNOLOGY VIEW MORE A professor and a startup leader in the AI field warns that second place in subscriptions alone doesn’t equal a mature or influential AI market. BUSINESS, Technology, Technology RightSmart tech turns China’s pet industry into gold mine ... Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Home Page, Technology, Technology Right, TOP NEWS, Top NewsJack Ma-backed Ant touts AI breakthrough built on Chinese chips ... Around Asia, Artificial Intelligece, BUSINESS, Home Page, National Affair Right, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, Technology, Technology RightVietnam accelerates AI adoption in public sector with strategic policy push ...ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE The 1,350-metre bridge will enable easy travel between Borikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand and spur trade with other countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion. In a statement on Monday, June 9, the Finance Ministry said this measure is to strengthen the country's fiscal position by increasing revenue and broadening the tax base.CORPORATE BUZZ VIEW MORE Applications had flooded in for lottery pre-orders on the official online Nintendo store and other sites. There are currently no plans to sell the Switch 2 in physical stores and only lottery winners received the console at major mass retailers. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology urged automakers to focus on innovations in technology and management to reduce costs, improve product quality and services, fulfill social responsibilities, and cultivate strong brand reputation. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINESAfter debates, Philippine Senate President Escudero takes oath to lead VP Sara Duterte trial ...Israeli forces board aid boat bound for Gaza, Freedom Flotilla Coalition says ...Philippine government targeted rights lawyers from 2016-2023: study ...Jakarta Police under fire for criminalising student paramedics ...Laos eyes more Malaysian investments ...UN reaffirms support for Bangladesh’s reform and transition process ...CHINA AND ASEAN The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China planning sixth military drills The Straits TimesSingapore, Shanghai ink record 15 MOUs as bilateral trade grows The Japan NewsU.S., Australia to counter China’s ‘destabilizing military activities’ China DailyAsean-Plus defence ministers agree to improve defence collaboration The Jakarta PostChina and Asean join hands to bring the ‘Asian moment’ in global governance China DailyRCEP shows strength and resilience of regional trade liberalization The NationThailand and China ink 5 agreements to boost trade, regional security The Jakarta PostIndonesia, China to resume joint-military training exercises, strengthen military cooperation China DailyXi, Widodo vow to take ties to new level The Jakarta PostIndonesia-China ink $2.6 billion crude palm oil, fishery trade deals The Straits TimesOutcome of China’s application to join CPTPP trade pact not yet known: S’pore PM The Phnom Penh PostCambodia, China sign $1.6 billion deal for second expressway The Jakarta PostAs Xi visit draws near, delays haunt Jakarta-Bandung rail project The Jakarta PostWhat does the 20th CCP National Congress mean for Indonesia? Viet Nam NewsVietnamese, Chinese Party leaders stress peace at sea, resumption of flights in talks Viet Nam NewsVietnam, China sign 13 cooperation documents in Party leader’s visitVIEW ALL BIG PICTURE VIEW MORE Social housing is crucial to the country’s social and economic infrastructure, making collaboration between the State, market mechanisms, and relevant stakeholders essential. K-beauty’s success formula, rooted in the global K-content wave and lab-based innovation, has worked its magic worldwide, but it’s the affordability and e-commerce factors that have propelled K-beauty onto mainstream American shelves.POLICY MATTERSVIEW MORE Overtourism and overdevelopment have become serious issues in Bali as tourism returns to the island following the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports of rowdy tourists violating local customs and unlicensed businesses competing unfairly with locals have become increasingly common in recent years. During the meeting, durian growers urged the government to support both Thai and foreign traders to maintain a stable export base and avoid price suppression as fruit production is expected to increase in the coming years.MORE HEADLINESNepal’s federalism on a bumpy road ...40 litterbugs caught in Brunei ...Indonesia should be more active in foreign policy, former ministers say President Moon meets BTS, officially appoints them as special diplomatic envoy Russia’s Putin, PM Imran discuss Afghanistan, bilateral ties in 2nd call in a month Asean is China’s largest trading partner with US$685b trade CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT The Jakarta PostAir quality worsens in Greater Jakarta as government yet to curb pollution KuenselBhutan infrastructure and transport ministry details strategies amid rising risks of monsoons, road hazards The Straits TimesWhile Singapore corals thrive in murky waters, mud from land can threaten their survival: Study The StarMalaysians advised to prepare for hotter days The Kathmandu PostAs temperatures in Nepal rise, highly venomous snakes start adapting to higher altitudes The StatesmanLet Jaipur breathe: A plea and a movement The StatesmanNortheast India continues to face flood crisis; Assam, Arunachal worst affected The Phnom Penh PostImpact of plastic waste key theme for Cambodia’s upcoming Environment Day The StarCool ideas for hot days: Malaysians get creative in handling the heat and staying well The StatesmanFlood fury in Northeast India: 36 dead, over 550,000 affected as PM Modi pledges full support The NationNo damage found at 11 dams after 4.5 magnitude quake hit Thailand’s Chiang Mai The Daily StarLow-lying areas flooded in Bangladesh’s Sylhet; waterlogging, landslides in Chattogram, Bandarban The Jakarta PostBali to ban production of bottled water under 1 litre The StatesmanMercury set to rise in south Bengal, heavy rains likely in north The Daily StarConfluence of two rivers in Bangladesh under siege from cement company The Daily StarDepression in the Bay of Bengal: Rain, tidal surge flood coastal areasVIEW ALL AGRICULTUREVIEW MORE The aim of PM Ishiba’s envisaged council appears to being one of changing the government’s rice farming policy by, for example, reexamining the policy of rice production control that is still in effect today. As paddy planting begins, farmers across Lumbini province struggle to secure essential fertilisers, turning to expensive and less effective Indian alternatives amid government supply delays and mismanagement.TRANSPORTATIONVIEW MORE Speaking at the International Air Transport Association’s 81st Annual General Meeting, PM Modi asserted that “today, India is emerging as a leading force in the Global Space-Aviation convergence. Still, airlines are expected to turn in higher profits despite the headwinds.ENERGYVIEW MORE Nepal Electricity Authority says export scheduled to begin next week despite delay in LC and pending payment. The lagging progress has also prompted the government to slash its target on renewable energy contributions to the national energy mix from initially 23 percent by the end of 2025 to between 17 and 19 percent in the same period.MORE HEADLINESJapan to establish ¥500 billion fund to reinforce economic security ...China to include sex education in primary school text books ...Indonesian migrant worker’s ‘7 conditions’ for job search sparks debate ...Livelihoods hinge on green recovery ...Energy minister tells petroleum dealers ‘legitimate’ demands will be met, urges them to reconsider strike ...Japan cultural agency to earmark ¥6.5 billion to preserve local festivals ...Marijuana legal in Thailand from Dec 9, but ‘doobies’ still not allowed ...Covid-19 shots alone don’t ensure 100 percent safety, continued caution needed, experts say ...SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA China DailyLeafing through a tasteful Chinese tradition The Straits TimesMum of six who juggles three jobs starts free breakfast club for children in Singapore neighbourhood The Korea HeraldKorean cinema’s political dramas China DailyExhibition showcases relics that highlight and celebrate the sounds of ancient Chinese civilisations The Japan NewsJapanese craftsman demonstrates traditional method of fiberising cotton in Aichi museum The Jakarta PostNot just a fix: Indonesia’s coffee chains are brewing a cultural movement The StarCool ideas for hot days: Malaysians get creative in handling the heat and staying well The Straits TimesTaiwan is hiring more foreigners to care for its elderly. Does that clash with filial piety? DawnThis Pakistani organisation is launching a course to educate young girls on menstrual health DawnHaj volunteers are ‘unseen anchors’ working behind the scenes China DailyChina exhibition spotlights paper art as a way to stay positive and connect with the world The Straits TimesFading out: What it takes to save Singapore’s wet markets The Phnom Penh PostShattering sandbags: First Cambodian women UN commander in Lebanon The Japan News‘Study manga’ makes easy reading out of Japanese educational content The Phnom Penh PostRemembering the forgotten, unknown victims of the Khmer Rouge regime The StarTradition comes before rising costs: Malaysian dumpling maker will “never” compromise tasteVIEW ALL GO DEEPER WITH ANNComing SoonANN NewsletterSign up hereFollow us: