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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect a newly completed music shop in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

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.

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

Why Indonesia’s president wants clay roofs on all homes

Politics

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

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US President Donald Trump raises the gavel during the “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA
US President Donald Trump raises the gavel during the “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA

People

Malaysian police arrested over crypto extortion of Chinese nationals

Officers allegedly stormed a Selangor bungalow, seized laptops and forced a Chinese national to fork over US$51,000 in digital assets.

Politics

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

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Politics

Why plan by US and Japan to relocate Okinawa airbase is hitting turbulence

The US does not intend to vacate the current airbase for now due to disagreement over runway length at a replacement site, a report says.

Residential buildings are seen near US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: AFP
Residential buildings are seen near US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: AFP

People

No proof of any Singaporean fighting for Israel in Gaza, government says

Two Singapore passport holders were among the close to 200 Southeast Asians who fought for Israel, according to two media reports.

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Politics

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Is Singapore’s plan to regulate blind boxes ‘paternalistic’ or ‘harm reduction’?

The mystery surrounding the purchase of blind boxes has prompted concerns of gambling-style risks faced by consumers, especially minors.

Blind boxes sold in a store in Tampines 1 mall, Singapore. Photo: Kolette Lim

Economics

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is seen as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

A container terminal at Mundra Port in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Photo: Reuters
A container terminal at Mundra Port in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Photo: Reuters

People

South Korea’s ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison for insurrection

Yoon Suk-yeol is the first democratically elected South Korean leader to be convicted of the crime.

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People

‘Rude and ignorant’: OnlyFans model slammed for Bali bikini theft

Gemma Doyle, 26, says she stole the US$21 swimsuit ‘for fun’, but has now paid more than US$1,100 to avoid a stint in Indonesian prison.

Politics

Wall and words: Thailand and Cambodia fight for the world’s ear over border row

While Cambodia takes its border grievances to Trump’s Board of Peace, Thailand rejects its ‘false’ claims and threatens a border wall.

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Thailand’s national flag flutters on a hillside in northeastern Sisaket province, as viewed from Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province on February 12. Photo: Reuters

People

‘Enormous failure’: naked man exposes gaps in Japan’s royal security

Princess Kako reportedly witnessed the chaos firsthand as a shrieking intruder stripped off and scaled a barrier below the royal balcony.

(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP

Politics

India, France elevate defence ties in push for strategic autonomy

The deal reflects India’s shift from ‘transactional defence buying’ amid expanding security engagement with Europe, analysts say.

Politics

Is Rafizi Ramli now the conscience of Malaysia’s Reformasi movement?

Anwar dismisses the rift as a distraction, but his former lieutenant insists he is being targeted for questioning the government’s integrity.

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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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LATEST Asia NEWS

Politics

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

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect a newly completed music shop in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

Explained

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

Garment workers tailor clothes in a factory in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka. Photo: AFP

People

Malaysian police arrested over crypto extortion of Chinese nationals

Malaysian police parade at National Day celebrations in Putrajaya on August 31, 2024. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Woman jailed for slapping Singapore taxi driver after refusing to pay fare

A woman was jailed for slapping a taxi driver over unpaid fare in Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

A shopper visits a supermarket in Tokyo last month. Japan currently applies an 8 per cent consumption tax to most food and drink purchases. Photo: Kyodo
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Ivan Franceschini,Charlotte Setijadi,Ling Li

Opinion | Cambodia’s scam factory survivors find no escape in freedom

Ivan Franceschini
Charlotte Setijadi
Ling Li
Sharon Seah

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Sharon Seah
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Ian Storey

Opinion | Vietnam’s renewed nuclear power push faces formidable hurdles

Ian Storey
Treethep Srisa-nga

Asian Angle | Thailand’s election will pass verdict on the architecture of elite control

Treethep Srisa-nga
Julian Ryall

Opinion | Honking for votes: inside Japan’s tradition of election sound trucks

Julian Ryall
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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
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