Field Notes

Field Notes from Kuala Lumpur

Same road, different rules: How Malaysia’s fuel crisis exposed its leaders’ double standards

Protesters with a banner calling for diesel subsidies and cheaper petrol prices in Kuala Lumpur on April 5.

Field Notes from Chongqing

Is Pursuit of Jade’s Zhang Linghe too pretty? Here’s what Chinese authorities think

Some netizens called actor Zhang Linghe a “foundation general”, scoffing that he would need to wake up at 4am to put on make-up for a 6am battle.

Field Notes from Jakarta

Energy crisis caused by Iran war reveals a tale of two Indonesias

Energy prices make up roughly a third of Indonesia’s inflation basket and therefore, sustained increases could push up business costs and threaten jobs.

Field notes from New Delhi

Iran energy shocks give rise to urban-to-rural migration in India

This photograph taken on February 14, 2026 shows wage-labourers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) waiting for their turn at a road-construction site at Balapur Dolkarpada village in Maharashtra's Palghar district. India's economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the last quarter of 2025 driven by solid consumer spending, data showed on February 27, using a new framework that calculates economic output more accurately.

Field Notes from Beijing

Fuel shock bites in China, but no panic yet

Motorists queue to fill their tanks ahead of a petrol price adjustment expected on March 23, at a petrol station in Suzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on March 22, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP) / China OUT

Impact of Iran war contained, but S’poreans starting to feel pinch

PM Lawrence Wong said some support measures will be brought forward, to provide earlier relief.

Field Notes from Manila

Growing energy crisis sparked by Iran war could further shake Filipinos’ trust in Marcos

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos speaks during a press conference at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on March 25, 2026. Marcos earlier declared a state of "national energy emergency" on March 24, citing risks to the domestic fuel supply and energy stability created by the Middle East war. (Photo by Ezra Acayan / POOL / AFP)

Field Notes from Beijing

Can the star power of Jay Chou and Shu Qi help Chinese brands escape price war trap?

Field Notes from Beijing

Cliffside Chinese village draws visitors with cable car. Can this be replicated?

mzrural - An aerial photo of Gulu village in Sichuan province, China. The village is located on a cliff along the Dadu river canyon.

CREDIT: ZHENG WANGCHUN

Field Notes from Hong Kong

Beijing’s message to HK: Get your act together

The charred towers of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.