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This Week in Asia
Philippines Senator Ronald Dela Rosa attends a plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines on Monday. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Philippine senator wanted by ICC flees from Senate

Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired on Wednesday night.

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

Samsung union’s strike threat fuels fears of South Korea’s economic slowdown

Politics

Mahathir ‘doesn’t care’ about ‘dictator’ label as he reflects on his legacy

In an interview, the former prime minister reveals that he and his ex-protege, Anwar Ibrahim, clashed over their views on corruption.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a picture outside his office in Putrajaya on May 5 last year. Photo: AFP
Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a picture outside his office in Putrajaya on May 5 last year. Photo: AFP

People

High stakes, low odds: why Trump pardon is unlikely for 1MDB’s Jho Low

The request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial or accepted responsibility, analysts say.

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Politics

Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

Foreign Minister Araghchi seeks the bloc’s backing against US pressure in New Delhi, but India likely to prioritise de-escalation and trade.

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Politics

A year after USAID cuts, Philippine development groups struggle as anger lingers

An investigation by several regional media outlets shows USAID was a target of misinformation after Trump froze aid from the agency.

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People protest in Washington in February last year against the administration of US President Donald Trump’s decision to virtually shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Photo: AFP
People protest in Washington in February last year against the administration of US President Donald Trump’s decision to virtually shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Gunshots fired in stand-off at Philippine Senate over ICC suspect

Chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

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Politics

Japan-South Korea ‘comfort women’ row stoked by statues abroad

The removal of wartime sex slave memorials in Germany and New Zealand has electrified certain LDP hardliners, risking a diplomatic rift.

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Southeast Asia

Malaysian minister rejects claims Chinese nationals ‘freely’ given citizenship

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said the accusations were deliberately spread to confuse the public and inflame tensions.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Photo: Facebook

Politics

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

The missiles are central to Malaysia’s troubled littoral combat ship programme as Putrajaya says it will seek an explanation from Oslo.

The Naval Strike Missiles produced by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace are meant for the Malaysian navy’s littoral combat ships and two guided missile frigates. Photo: Kongsberg
The Naval Strike Missiles produced by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace are meant for the Malaysian navy’s littoral combat ships and two guided missile frigates. Photo: Kongsberg

Economics

Iran war pushes Asia’s Gulf migrants to use stablecoins for remittances

The risk of sanctions has fuelled concerns that monetary transfers from migrant workers via banks or other operators could be disrupted.

Lifestyle & Culture

Why Indonesia is expanding under-16 social media ban to e-commerce

The plan aims to protect children from online scams and impulse buying, but experts say it could be a major compliance test for platforms.

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Southeast Asia

Who is dela Rosa, the ICC-wanted lawmaker holed up in the Philippine Senate?

The ex-police chief, accused by the ICC of crimes in Duterte’s drug war, is evading arrest over the bloody campaign that killed thousands.

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People call for the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa during a protest outside the Philippine Senate on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Like whale bones’: South Korea’s war memorial sparks conflict over symbolism

Critics argue the Korean war memorial should not be in a space in Seoul long associated with pro-democracy protests and its imperial past.

A row of 23 stone monuments in central Seoul representing South Korea and 22 other countries that fought alongside one another during the 1950-53 Korean war. Photo: Park Chan-kyong
A row of 23 stone monuments in central Seoul representing South Korea and 22 other countries that fought alongside one another during the 1950-53 Korean war. Photo: Park Chan-kyong

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Jho Low seeking Trump pardon for 1MDB fraud

The fugitive financier is accused of being the architect of a scheme to siphon at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

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Health & Environment

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

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Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

Economics

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

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Health & Environment

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

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Floating solar panels are seen at a hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani province. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

An artist's impression of the Sangley Point International Airport project. Photo: Handout

Economics

Samsung union’s strike threat fuels fears of South Korea’s economic slowdown

Union members from Samsung Electronics stage a protest in front of the company’s plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi province last month. Photo: The Korea Times

Politics

Mahathir ‘doesn’t care’ about ‘dictator’ label as he reflects on his legacy

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a picture outside his office in Putrajaya on May 5 last year. Photo: AFP

People

High stakes, low odds: why Trump pardon is unlikely for 1MDB’s Jho Low

videocam
Jho Low poses for a photo at his Jynwel Capital office in Hong Kong on March 11, 2015. Photo: SCMP

Politics

Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

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India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (right) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during the Brics meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
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MULTIMEDIA
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