While calling to mind a broken record, the constant extolling of the ASEAN economic framework by external parties is warranted. The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 has opened up numerous business opportunities for the regional community with its vision of ASEAN as a single market and production hub characterised by the free flow of goods, services, and investments, as well as a more liberal movement of capital and skills.

Last year, three of the world’s largest meat companies – JBS, Cargill, and Tyson Foods – emitted more greenhouse gases than France, and nearly as much as some big oil companies. And yet, while energy giants like Exxon and Shell have drawn fire for their role in fueling climate change, the corporate meat and dairy industries have largely avoided scrutiny.

Xiaomi Corp., the Chinese smartphone maker that was once the most valuable startup in the world, is in talks with investment banks about a possible initial public offering and seeking a valuation of at least $50 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.The Beijing-based company is considering an offering as soon as next year with banks suggesting Hong Kong as the most likely destination, said the people, requesting not to be named because the matter is private.

Glamorous Manhattan was once a swampy pit that was traded for a tiny island in the vast Banda Sea of Indonesia.350 years ago, the Banda Islands were once at the heart of the world’s biggest trade – spices. Historically known as the Spice Islands, they comprise of 10 smaller specks and have a population of just 15,000 people.During this time in history, the Banda Islands had a monopoly of the prized nutmeg that was valued more than gold where they saw an increase of 32,000% in price.

In the battle against the car, space-starved Singapore has deployed road tolls, massive spending on public transport, and a licence fee that bumps the cost of an average vehicle to over 80,000 dollars.But urban planners looking for solutions to gridlock may find the draconian measures hard to replicate in other less-compliant cities.Singapore has gone further than any other major city to avoid the monster jams that have blighted Asian metropolises such as Jakarta or Manila.The tough approach

Singapore seafood hawkers have been competing for decades in the city-state’s notoriously cutthroat culinary scene. Now they’re vying for the favor of stock market investors.No Signboard Holdings Ltd., known for its signature white pepper crab dish, started taking orders this week for an initial public offering that could value the company at as much as 95 million dollars.

Just as the term suggests, Virtual Reality (VR) technology combines both "reality" and "virtual" experiences using a three-dimensional, computer generated environment which can be explored by a user. The user becomes part of this virtual world or is immersed within this environment and whilst there, is able to manipulate objects or perform a series of actions. While some may be unfamiliar with this technology, VR has in fact been around for decades.