Record tourism numbers for Japan in 2025 amidst rising geopolitical tensions affecting critical minerals supplies Japan's critical minerals security is a topic that often features in Japanese mainstream media outlets. From inking strategic critical minerals pacts with foreign allies to rare earths discoveries in deep water mining, this has been an issue that first came to the forefront in a dramatic fashion more than a decade ago. In 2010, a diplomatic crisis erupted between

Helium is no longer just child's play to create that squeaky voice by inhaling it from balloons. ( and if you are interested, this happens because sound travels faster through a lighter gas than a heavier one. The speed of sound in helium is almost three times faster than in air and this changes the resonant frequency of your throat so that high frequencies sound louder than low ones ). Today, in the context of helium supply disruption due to recent attacks on Qatar's gas com

Prices of tungsten has climbed sharply in recent weeks, hitting a record high of over $3,000 late last week, marking a surge of well over 50% for the month and more than tripling in price since late December. With over 80% of production concentrated in China, the Iran war is squeezing a global commodities market already pressured by China’s export controls and stockpiling efforts. The surge indicates how ripple effects from the Middle East conflict could end up restricting pr

Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Waterfront showcasing its tourism and financial hub status Singapore is known for many things globally. From the iconic Gardens by the Bay and Jewel at Changi Airport to its global financial hub status and global economic competitiveness, Singapore has consistently risen above the constraints of its limited geographical size on the global stage. It is a known fact that Singapore is not blessed with natural mineral resources unlike its neighbours