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This Week in Asia
A warning sign is seen on Wellington’s South Coast on Monday after millions of litres of untreated sewage were discharged into the ocean. Photo: AFP

Australasia

Wellington mayor dives into sewage row in New Zealand waters

Millions of litres of raw sewage have flowed into the waters off Wellington’s beaches since a treatment plant broke down on February 4.

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

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

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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.

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
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

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.

Southeast Asia

Bali ‘suitcase murder’ convict leaves Indonesia to face US court

Tommy Schaefer, convicted of killing girlfriend Heather Mack’s mother in 2014, apologised to the victim’s family after his early release.

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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.

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US President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other leaders at the Board of Peace’s first meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other leaders at the Board of Peace’s first meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

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.

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.

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Southeast Asia

Sabah quake strongest to hit Malaysia in 11 years: Met Department

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sabah on Monday is stronger than the one that killed 18 people in Ranau in 2015.

An aerial view of a beach in Kudat, Sabah, Monday’s quake occured about 49km west of Kudat. Photo: Shutterstock

Southeast Asia

Pritam Singh seeks clarity on Singapore’s public spending as surplus widens

The Workers’ Party chief said ‘public cynicism’ can grow when Singaporeans do not see a clear accounting of how these funds are used.

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh. Photo: AFP
Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

‘K-wave’ scams exploiting Brazil’s superfans trigger police pact

South Korea and Brazil are taking action to protect fans from fraudsters cashing in with phantom merchandise and exploitative ‘oppa’ tours.

Politics

Malaysia’s biggest state wants its energy wealth back – and it’s going to court

Sarawak state is challenging oil giant Petronas’ dominance in the highest court, in a test for the prime minister’s unity coalition.

Lifestyle & Culture

Sharing the luck: inside Southeast Asia’s embrace of Lunar New Year

Malay and Indian households are increasingly embracing the festivities, tossing ‘yusheng’ and giving hongbao to show ‘unity in diversity’.

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The Lourdes family take part in the traditional “yusheng” toss on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Photo: Alyssa Ann Lourdes

Politics

Why South Korea is risking a rare rift with US to slash joint military drills

Washington is reportedly pushing back on Seoul’s request for smaller drills, forcing the postponement of a major joint military briefing.

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US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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

Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate

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A same-sex couple joins “Metro Manila Pride”, the longest-running pride march in Southeast Asia, in 2016. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

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

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Brics leaders meet at their 2025 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: AFP

Politics

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

5
US President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other leaders at the Board of Peace’s first meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

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

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

Economics

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

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
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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

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