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This Week in Asia
“Dubai-style” chewy chocolate cookies have taken off in Seoul, South Korea, drawing long lines. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

FOMO and long lines: South Korea goes nuts for ‘dujjonku’ cookie

South Korea’s highly interconnected culture has fuelled a series of viral food crazes, causing items to sell out fast and prices to skyrocket.

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Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

Indonesia’s Prabowo pitches stability at Davos amid rising global tensions

Southeast Asia

Philippines’ Marcos says ‘rumours of my death are highly exaggerated’

The president, who was diagnosed with diverticulitis, assured the public that it is not a life-threatening condition.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: EPA
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: EPA

People

Malaysian badminton player threatened with knife attack online over performance

Several shuttlers in Malaysia have faced online abuse after their early exits in major tournaments.

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People

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

Rohingya are often undocumented as Myanmar’s authorities refuse to recognise them as a legitimate community.

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Economics

India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

A trade pact with the EU would offer an ‘alternative market’ for Indian goods amid a fraught global environment, analysts say.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

1MDB convict and ex-Goldman banker Leissner seeks pardon from Trump

The German citizen is scheduled to begin serving his two-year jail term at a facility in Southern California early next month.

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Politics

Unrest in Iran complicates India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

India views the current Iranian government as a ‘predictable counterweight’ against Pakistan’s influence, an analyst says.

East Asia

Japan halts world’s largest nuclear plant hours after restart

TEPCO halted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart after a monitoring alarm sounded, but confirmed the reactor is stable with no radioactive impact.

Tepco’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex. Photo: Kyodo

Australasia

Manhunt under way after deadly shooting in Australia leaves 3 dead

Shooting comes on a National Day of Mourning as Australia remembers 15 people shot dead in Sydney at a Hanukkah celebration on December 14.

Emergency services were called to a Lake Cargelligo address, a town of about 1,500, after reports of a shooting, police said. Photo: ABC News Australia
Emergency services were called to a Lake Cargelligo address, a town of about 1,500, after reports of a shooting, police said. Photo: ABC News Australia

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh nominated for worst actress Razzie

Three years after her historic Oscar win, Michelle Yeoh faces competition from Natalie Portman and Ariana DeBose for the dubious honour.

People

South Korean court’s harsh jail term for Han sets stage for Yoon’s verdict

The ex-prime minister was jailed for 23 years for his role in Yoon’s martial law decree, deemed an ‘insurrection from above’ by the court.

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People

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

Prosecutors say ‘proceeds from unlawful activity’ were banked into accounts of Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife from 2024 to 2025.

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Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan is escorted to court on Thursday. Photo: EPA

People

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure is striking and a reminder that women are not the only targets of molestation on public transport.

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Commuters travel on a train in Tokyo. Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure for male victims of groping – as revealed in a recent survey – is particularly striking. Photo: AFP
Commuters travel on a train in Tokyo. Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure for male victims of groping – as revealed in a recent survey – is particularly striking. Photo: AFP

East Asia

South Korea banned dog meat. Now what happens to 500,000 animals?

As South Korea moves to end dog meat consumption by 2027, the government lacks a clear survival plan for nearly half a million caged dogs.

Economics

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP

Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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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.

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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

FOMO and long lines: South Korea goes nuts for ‘dujjonku’ cookie

videocam
“Dubai-style” chewy chocolate cookies have taken off in Seoul, South Korea, drawing long lines. Photo: AFP

Economics

Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

The Malampaya East-1 reservoir in Palawan province, Philippines. Photo: AP

Economics

Indonesia’s Prabowo pitches stability at Davos amid rising global tensions

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Economics

India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

People

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

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A wooden boat carrying suspected Rohingya migrants is detained in waters off the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2020. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP
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