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Asia

This Week in Asia

A Malaysian soldier salutes from an armoured vehicle during a National Day parade in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2018. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Malaysia will not intervene militarily in Middle East, Anwar says

Saudi Arabia is among the ‘many major nations’ that have asked for Malaysia’s help, the prime minister reveals.

3 hours ago

Why Philippines’ Jollibee is Southeast Asia’s lone global food chain

2 hours ago

Malaysia’s government accused of using law to silence critics

1 hour ago

East Asia

More than 2,000 Marines leave Japan for Middle East as Iran war intensifies

Trump has ordered the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Tripoli assault ship to be redeployed to the Persian Gulf.

14 Mar 2026 - 12:52PMvideocam

US Marines take part in amphibious assault training as part of the Cobra Gold joint military exercise in Thailand on February 26. Photo: EPA

Economics

Asean trade strategy: diversifying beyond US and Chinese markets

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

4 hours agovideocam

Politics

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.

6 hours agovideocam

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Lifestyle & Culture

Top of the world: why Indonesian workers are happiest in Asia-Pacific

While a survey shows that 82 per cent of Indonesian workers are happy, it also flags increasing burnout among them.

15 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

Indonesians walk on a pedestrian bridge in Jakarta. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Inside the coconut cartel: how Chinese money squeezes Thai farmers

With Chinese investors seizing the supply chain, Thai coconuts now fetch less than a piece of chewing gum, wiping out profits for growers.

15 Mar 2026 - 10:30AM

Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:30AM

People

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

15 Mar 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Detained scam centre workers are seen after a raid on a compound in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township last year. Photo: AFP

People

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A worker assesses the damage after a drone strike on a building in Dubai’s Creek Harbour neighbourhood on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Economics

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

14 Mar 2026 - 8:01AM

Economics

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Economics

Malaysian scammers in Singapore pivot to cash handover as online curbs tighten

The warning by Singapore police comes as government official impersonation scams continue to surge in the city state.

14 Mar 2026 - 3:17PMvideocam

A poster in Singapore’s Raffles Place warning the public of scam threats. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

‘Death is a release’: Indian parents win right to grant son a dignified death

Harish Rana was comatose and bedridden for over a decade. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that his ‘endless misery’ can finally end.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:23PM

Harish Rana, an engineering student, has been in a vegetative state for the last 13 years after falling from the fourth floor of his hostel. Photo: Handout

Politics

Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war

Analysts say the defensive deployment reflects Canberra’s attempt to balance alliance pressure with fears of deeper involvement in the conflict.

13 Mar 2026 - 4:43PMvideocam

Economics

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill to rise more than fourfold as Iran war drags on

The government will spend about US$812.8 million a month to maintain the price of subsidised petrol and diesel in the short term.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

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Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:30AM

Illustration: Huy Truong

People

‘It’s inevitable’: Singapore’s workers brace for AI disruption

The city state wants 100,000 workers to become ‘AI bilingual’. But with entry-level roles already vanishing, time may not be on its side.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:24PMvideocam

Politics

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

1 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM

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

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

14 Mar 2026 - 10:30AM

Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Malaysia’s government accused of using law to silence critics

1 hour ago

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks in parliament in October last year. Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information/AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Why Philippines’ Jollibee is Southeast Asia’s lone global food chain

2 hours ago

A Jollibee fast-food restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee

Politics

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

6 hours agovideocam

A naval vessel sails in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

People

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A worker assesses the damage after a drone strike on a building in Dubai’s Creek Harbour neighbourhood on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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Barbora Valockova

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

Barbora Valockova

15 Mar 2026 - 12:00PM

Ram Manikkalingam

Opinion | US attack on IRIS Dena shows that wars know no borders

Ram Manikkalingam

15 Mar 2026 - 8:20AM

Opinion | Myanmar’s junta staged an election. It couldn’t stage legitimacy

14 Mar 2026 - 12:00PM

Brian Y. S. Wong

Opinion | Hong Kong can play vital part in boosting crucial China-India relations

Brian Y. S. Wong

4 hours ago

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Andrew Sheng

13 Mar 2026 - 8:30PM

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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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TRENDING TOPICS

The Philippines

South China Sea

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