Asia

This Week in Asia

Controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee has released his latest Lunar New Year song, “Type C Malaysia”. Photo: YouTube/Namewee

People

Malaysian rapper Namewee defies scandals to release Lunar New Year single

Namewee is still helping police in an investigation over the death of a Taiwanese influencer and faces a drug possession charge.

46 minutes agovideocam

The Maduro effect: regime change fears grip Asia’s autocrats after US raid

37 minutes agovideocam

India’s home-grown stealth fighter dream: can Rolls-Royce make it a reality?

7 Jan 2026 - 8:11AM

Lifestyle & Culture

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

Lau says he is speaking out ‘for the sake of future artistes’ after the venue layout affected his interactions with fans.

6 Jan 2026 - 11:06PM

Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau performing at the Singland Festival at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Aaron Chang

East Asia

‘Keep it secret’: report reveals details of ex-Japan governor’s sex scandal

Former Fukui governor Tatsuji Sugimoto sent messages such as ‘I want to kiss you’ to at least four female staff members.

4 hours ago

Southeast Asia

‘Pasta tasted like grass’: Singapore school battles backlash over meal quality

Hwa Chong Institution defended its hybrid canteen model and promised improvements amid criticism over food standards.

2 hours ago

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Politics

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

6 Jan 2026 - 9:02PM

People walk along a sidewalk in Jakarta’s main business district. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday. Photo: EPA

South Asia

‘Buyers are indefinitely gone’: Indian exporters lay bare pain from tariffs

The slow-moving trade talks and steep levies are hurting major sectors, forcing firms to seek new markets and offer deep discounts.

6 hours agovideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s fix for a shrinking workforce? Corporate dating apps

Companies like Toyota are playing cupid, betting that matching staff with partners from supportive firms will prevent burnout and resignations.

6 Jan 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

People

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Mahathir, 100, fell when he was walking from the balcony to his living room in his home in Kuala Lumpur.

6 Jan 2026 - 5:50PM

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad leaves a protest event against Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur last July. Photo: AFP

People

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Police say there is enough preliminary evidence to investigate Richard Lee for possible violations under health and consumer laws.

6 Jan 2026 - 6:59PM

Doctor Richard Lee (left) and Samira Farahnaz, known online as Dokter Detektif or Doktif (right). Photos: Instagram/dr.richard_lee/ dokterdetektifreal

People

How a photo reignited debate on neutrality of Singapore’s NMP scheme

Haresh Singaraju, a newly nominated member of parliament, was spotted in a shirt with the logo of the ruling PAP at an activity in 2023.

6 Jan 2026 - 5:48PMvideocam

People

Malaysians mock military base ‘parties’ with nuggets, fries memes amid probe

An inquiry has been launched after social media clips purport to show women drinking and socialising with personnel inside military camps.

6 Jan 2026 - 5:05PM

Politics

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:57PMvideocam

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in handcuffs after landing at a helipad in New York, escorted by US federal agents on Monday. Photo: TNS

Politics

‘Rule of law’: Philippine military lauds ex-general’s sedition arrest

Romeo Poquiz’s limited influence means his arrest is unlikely to spark a ‘chilling effect’ among former officials, observers say.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:01AM

Romeo Poquiz was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after returning from a Bangkok holiday on Monday. Photo: Handout

Southeast Asia

New ‘command economy’? Indonesia seizes land the size of Switzerland

Prabowo Subianto’s government has taken over 4 million hectares of plantations and mines since last January.

5 Jan 2026 - 9:23AMvideocam

Politics

Reform gamble: Anwar to limit Malaysia PM term amid support crisis

The move could ‘excite core supporters’ and help project the image that the ruling coalition remains committed to reform, analysts say.

5 Jan 2026 - 9:23PM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

3 Jan 2026 - 10:47AM

A woman shops at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is bracing itself for a surge in shipments of American poultry. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM

Economics

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

15 Dec 2025 - 3:32PMvideocam

Health & Environment

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

6 Dec 2025 - 8:17AMvideocam

Satellite imagery shows Super Typhoon Fung-wong as it approaches the Philippines on November 9. Photo: NOAA/EPA

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

People

Malaysian rapper Namewee defies scandals to release Lunar New Year single

46 minutes agovideocam

Controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee has released his latest Lunar New Year song, “Type C Malaysia”. Photo: YouTube/Namewee

Politics

The Maduro effect: regime change fears grip Asia’s autocrats after US raid

37 minutes agovideocam

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro is led into custody by US Drug Enforcement Administration officers at an airbase in New York on Saturday. Photo: Handout/Reuters

Politics

India’s home-grown stealth fighter dream: can Rolls-Royce make it a reality?

7 Jan 2026 - 8:11AM

Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, at an air show in Bengaluru, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

6 Jan 2026 - 11:06PM

Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau performing at the Singland Festival at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Aaron Chang

People

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

6 Jan 2026 - 6:59PM

Doctor Richard Lee (left) and Samira Farahnaz, known online as Dokter Detektif or Doktif (right). Photos: Instagram/dr.richard_lee/ dokterdetektifreal

MORE IN This Week in Asia

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Opinion | Why coastguards, not warships, are shaping future of South China Sea

Robin Hu

7 Jan 2026 - 9:30AM

Asian Angle | How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy

Xu Peng

4 Jan 2026 - 1:00PM

As I see it | Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope

Alex Lo

31 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Genevieve Donnellon-May

Opinion | Australia is losing its ability to engage Asia on its own terms

31 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Peter T. C. Chang

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

Peter T. C. Chang

30 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Advertisement

Advertisement

TRENDING TOPICS

The Philippines

South China Sea

Advertisement

Advertisement