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This Week in Asia
Military personnel enter the Senate building as more than a dozen gunshots were heard at the Philippine Senate on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

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

Chaos mounted in anticipation of an attempt to arrest a top senator wanted by the International Criminal Court.

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

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

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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Indonesia’s social media ban for children has been effective since March 28. Photo: AP
Indonesia’s social media ban for children has been effective since March 28. Photo: AP

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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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.

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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.

A man shields his face from the sunlight as he leaves a train station in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 29. Photo: AFP
A man shields his face from the sunlight as he leaves a train station in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 29. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Vietnam asks US to let crucial oil tanker slip past Hormuz blockade

The ship’s destination, Nghi Son, can process 200,000 barrels a day – meaning the 1.99 million barrel load can keep it going for 10 days.

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Politics

Strong international sea laws ‘vital’ for small nations like Singapore: Wong

The prime minister warns of a direct impact on Singapore’s trade if the international law framework is weakened.

Politics

Philippines pitches Asean maritime hub despite ‘big red elephant in the room’

Can a Philippine-led maritime hub succeed? Observers say the plan touches on a dispute other members are loath to broach.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel tests its water cannon in the South China Sea on May 5. Photo: Xinhua

Southeast Asia

Thailand to review visa rules after spate of tourist crimes trigger public anger

Proposed measures include reducing the 60-day visa-free stay to 30 days for tourists from 93 countries and reviewing visa criteria.

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Thai police arrest two Russians suspected of murdering a fellow national near the resort town of Pattaya in February. Photo: Handout
Thai police arrest two Russians suspected of murdering a fellow national near the resort town of Pattaya in February. Photo: Handout

People

‘Low profile’ ex-judge takes over Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency

Abdul Halim Aman, 69, takes the reins at a turbulent time for the MACC. ‘He has a difficult job ahead’, one analyst says.

Lifestyle & Culture

Singaporeans refute lack of hunger stereotype, warn of ‘self-fulfilling bias’

A recruiter’s comment on Singaporean workers supposedly lacking drive has sparked a fierce debate on evolving career goals and pay.

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People

Japan’s Takaichi backs aide over smear claims against LDP rivals

Analysts say Japan’s prime minister used an ‘excellent non-answer’ to shield an aide against claims of orchestrating a smear campaign.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said that personal attacks are not her “approach”. Photo: Pool via AP

Politics

Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China

Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.

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A WeChat video saying Singapore is the most miserable country in the world. Photo: WeChat
A WeChat video saying Singapore is the most miserable country in the world. Photo: WeChat

People

‘Accountability is coming’: dela Rosa flight piles pressure on Duterte camp

Dela Rosa evading the ICC arrest and the Senate leadership coup could mark a turning point for a Duterte camp under siege, analysts say.

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Politics

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

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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

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

Foreign workers look at a tall plume of black smoke after an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone in the UAE in March amid the Iran war. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

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

Lifestyle & Culture

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

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Indonesia’s social media ban for children has been effective since March 28. Photo: AP

Lifestyle & Culture

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

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

Politics

Strong international sea laws ‘vital’ for small nations like Singapore: Wong

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum held at the Singapore Management University on Wednesday. Photo: Jacky Ho for SGLaw200
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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

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

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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