Eight banks joined the initial rollout of KKI, while payments are made through QRIS, either by scanning a code or using QRIS Tap.

The White House wants to enable at least 1,000 launches and re-entries annually by 2030, up from 178 launches last year.

The announcement comes almost six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate, with stalled peace talks and Tehran blocking most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

The results exposed a squeeze at the heart of the low-cost model: Fuel makes up a larger share of expenses than at full-service airlines, but price-sensitive passengers leave carriers less scope to lift fares without weakening demand.

Beijing has this year increased oversight of the electric vehicle (EV) industry and introduced tougher safety requirements, as automakers, locked in a fierce price war, roll out technologies in the world's largest vehicle market.

For Randy Lianggara, president of emerging markets Asia at Sun Life, Asia’s future will be shaped not only by economic growth and technology, but by the resilience, adaptability, empathy and human potential of its people

Students gain practical knowledge and valuable experience as schools implement oil palm education into their curriculum

The US re-imposed its blockade of Iran's shipping and ports on July 13 as a deal to halt the war between them broke down in an attempt to cut off oil sales, Tehran's primary source of hard currency.

The lack of progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz added to unease on trading floors, with oil prices gradually rising over the past two weeks as the United States and Iran remain deadlocked.