Advertisement
Advertisement
-

Asia

Australasia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
This Week in Asia
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

videocam

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

videocam

Economics

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP

East Asia

Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours

Operator apologises after ‘elevator malfunction’ at famous Tokyo landmark traps visitors until 2am.

videocam

East Asia

South Korea protests Russian embassy ‘Victory’ banner as key war date looms

South Korea formally protests display in the heart of its capital as the Ukraine-Russia war enters its fifth year.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lifestyle & Culture

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

The average hours put in by Japanese workers are lower than those of their American and Italian counterparts.

videocam
People cross a road in Tokyo, Japan. Government reforms over the past two decades had helped reduce average working hours. Photo: AFP
People cross a road in Tokyo, Japan. Government reforms over the past two decades had helped reduce average working hours. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Bus plunges off Nepal mountain highway: 19 dead, including Chinese national

Dozens were on board the Kathmandu-bound bus when it veered off a highway after midnight.

Lifestyle & Culture

Ancient Chinese astrology gets a Gen Z rebrand in Southeast Asia

Forget rituals and superstitions, today’s young professionals are using ‘bazi’ 10-year luck forecasts to plan their next career pivot.

videocam

Economics

Thailand ‘buzzing’ with travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves

The country’s heavy investment in wooing Chinese visitors appears to have paid off as it overcomes safety fears to secure holiday growth.

videocam
4
A tourist interacts with a lion dance performer in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s tuberculosis cases rise to above 3,000, health ministry flags risks

Higher social interaction during the month of Ramadan may increase exposure risks, the ministry says.

A doctor points to a lung X-ray in a hospital. A total of 596 new tuberculosis cases were reported across Malaysia over a week, the health ministry says on Saturday. Photo: dpa
A doctor points to a lung X-ray in a hospital. A total of 596 new tuberculosis cases were reported across Malaysia over a week, the health ministry says on Saturday. Photo: dpa

Politics

Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress

With Kim Jong-un set to outline his end-of-decade vision, the notable absence of his teenage daughter raises fresh succession questions.

Health & Environment

‘Just ask for it’: Malaysia’s vape crackdown fails to break the habit

An estimated 1.4 million Malaysian adults vape, despite existing curbs. Many say new laws will simply push them back to cigarettes.

Politics

Will Thailand’s election be voided? Bar code blunder sparks ballot secrecy fears

With counting errors forcing revotes this Sunday, the reformist opposition is seizing on irregularities to demand a fresh election.

An election worker counts ballots at a counting station in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal

Economics

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

7

Lifestyle & Culture

Why Indonesia’s president wants clay roofs on all homes

The president says tourists are put off by Indonesia’s ‘rusty zinc’ roofs, and its image would improve with wider use of clay tiles.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economics

Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line

The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.

videocam
Image: Kevin Wong
Image: Kevin Wong

Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

5

Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

6
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

videocam
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

An expanded screenshot of the mermaid sales stunt that circulated on Malaysian social media. Photo: X/dahfollowbelum

Lifestyle & Culture

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

videocam
Members of the Philippine Navy take part in a collaborative colouring activity during the launch of the nationwide mural contest on February 10. Photo: Raissa Robles

Economics

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

videocam
People cross a road in Tokyo, Japan. Government reforms over the past two decades had helped reduce average working hours. Photo: AFP
MORE IN This Week in Asia
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Nicholas Spiro

The View | Why AI disruption isn’t a major threat to India’s booming office market

Nicholas Spiro
Alex Capri

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Alex Capri
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

Anthony Rowley
David Dodwell

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

David Dodwell
Futao Huang

Opinion | Universities in Japan and China are becoming tools of national strategy

Futao Huang
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
04:27
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement