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Asia

This Week in Asia

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.

3 hours ago

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

4 hours agovideocam

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

5 hours agovideocam

Politics

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.

5 hours agovideocam

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP

East Asia

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Citizens of China and Southeast Asian nations who have previously visited the country can apply for multiple-entry visas of up to 10 years.

25 Feb 2026 - 3:47PM

Politics

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

25 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

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People

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.

25 Feb 2026 - 2:38PMvideocam

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

25 Feb 2026 - 2:50PM

Economics

Why Brics can’t do away with US dollar even as currency cooperation rises

Brazil says there has been no proposal or talks within Brics to create a common currency across the bloc.

6 hours agovideocam

People

‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy

He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.

25 Feb 2026 - 12:15PM

Malaysians protest outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 last year against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams as ambassador to the country. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

The videos targeting Lawrence Wong spread false narratives about his leadership being under threat and political infighting in Singapore.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes part in the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025. Photo: dpa

Southeast Asia

Malaysian resort owners face huge fines, jail over ‘exotic’ pangolin menu

An official said the establishment’s action tarnished Sabah’s image as a responsible, sustainable nature tourism destination.

25 Feb 2026 - 7:30AM

East Asia

Japan’s Takaichi defends US$190 election gifts to ruling party lawmakers

The revelation that 315 MPs were asked to pick items from a gift catalogue evokes a slush-fund scandal that engulfed the party in 2023.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:40PMvideocam

Economics

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:57PM

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a press conference after a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

Thailand’s captive tiger industry faces backlash after 72 big cats die

‘By the time we realised they were sick, it was too late,’ said an official, as welfare groups decry a life of misery and confinement.

5 hours agovideocam

A tiger chained to be photographed by tourists is seen at a tiger park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP

Politics

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM

Lifestyle & Culture

Future of Japan’s ‘naked festival’ in doubt after 3 men left unconscious

Organisers said they would review safety rules after six men collapsed during the annual scramble for good-luck talismans.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

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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.

14 Feb 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

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.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:54PM

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.

31 Jan 2026 - 8:08AM

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?

24 Jan 2026 - 8:00AM

Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

3 hours ago

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

4 hours agovideocam

Officials inspecting a mosque’s speakers in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Politics

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

5 hours agovideocam

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP

Politics

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

25 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

Screenshots from an AI-generated video posted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung showing young versions of himself and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva embracing as well as the two of them hugging in real life during Lula’s state visit to Seoul. Photo: X / Jaemyung_Lee

People

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

25 Feb 2026 - 2:38PMvideocam

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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20 Feb 2026 - 5:20PM

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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

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