Philippine digitalisation push exceeds payment targets, expands rural outreach

The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology said it had deployed 2,655 free public Wi-Fi sites across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (i.e. nationwide) under its Broadband ng Masa programme. The scheme targets geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Singapore cyberattack on critical infrastructure attributed to China-linked hackers

3 min read K Shanmugam, Cyber Security Agency, UNC3886, Fortinet, VMware, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Volt Typhoon, APT, Singtel, Japan, The US, Cybersecurity Act, cybersecurity, ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, the UN

What makes UNC3886 particularly dangerous is its ability to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. These are software flaws unknown to its vendor and for which no patch yet exists, making them especially valuable and dangerous for attackers.

ASEAN responds to Trump tariffs in wake of Rubio visit

2 min read ASEAN, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, SEA, Marco Rubio, Anwar Ibrahim, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Indonesia, Indonesian Palm Oil Association, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Phan Thi Thang

Southeast Asia (SEA) governments are seeking clarification and concessions after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first official visit to the region, which followed the Trump administration’s decision to issue new tariff notices to nearly all ASEAN countries.

EU, Indonesia strike trade deal

2 min read Indonesia, European Commission, Prabowo Subianto, CEPA, Schengen, Ursula von der Leyen, tariffs, SEA, ASEAN, EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Valdis Dombrovskis, China, Palm oil, sustainable development, digital trade

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described the deal as a win for economic sovereignty. “We agreed to deepen the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA to open up greater opportunities for sustainable trade and investment in the country,” Subianto wrote on Facebook.