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This Week in Asia
Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza, a former vice director at Kilang Pertamina Internasional, arrives for his sentencing hearing on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Pertamina corruption trial: 9 jailed over US$17 billion state loss in Indonesia

Kerry Adrianto Riza, son of ‘gasoline godfather’ Riza Chalid, was given 15 years’ jail and ordered to pay US$173 million in restitution.

Indian tycoon Anil Ambani’s US$410 million building seized in fraud probe

Pakistan declares ‘open war’ with Afghan Taliban, attacks Kabul, Kandahar

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Health & Environment

Japan on track for hottest summer ever as ocean temperatures surge

Various regions across Japan are expected to register above-normal temperatures between June and August, the weather agency says.

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A man cooling down under a water misting system on a hot day in Tokyo in September last year. Photo: AFP
A man cooling down under a water misting system on a hot day in Tokyo in September last year. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Singapore jails Malaysian who posed as policeman and raped helper

Sharveen Chetty also issued a threat to blacklist the victim from working in Singapore.

Economics

Singapore budget surplus: poor ‘fiscal marksmanship’ or prudent forecast?

MPs have questioned whether the GST rise was necessary after the government projected a US$12 billion surplus in the current financial year.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters

People

2 arrested after Malaysian commander targeted by gang shooting near Thailand

Authorities have linked the attack on Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir’s car to the mounting smuggling crackdown along the porous border.

Southeast Asia

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

Cobra Gold is necessary to address emerging threats and improve interoperability in the region, the US ambassador to Thailand says.

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Politics

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Economics

As Deliveroo leaves Singapore, spotlight turns on city state’s tight market

The platform’s departure has underscored the challenge of turning a profit in a dense, tightly contested market.

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A Deliveroo rider in Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, in 2025. The UK-founded food delivery platform has been scaling back in parts of Asia in recent years, including Hong Kong, as competition intensifies in the region. Photo: Sam Tsang
A Deliveroo rider in Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, in 2025. The UK-founded food delivery platform has been scaling back in parts of Asia in recent years, including Hong Kong, as competition intensifies in the region. Photo: Sam Tsang

People

Viral video of child being shoved at Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing stokes anger

The video shows a masked passer-by appearing to knock the girl to the ground, prompting calls for an investigation.

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Politics

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

People

Did Philippine gig workers help Jeffrey Epstein clean up his online image?

The US Justice Department has released emails showing the sex offender might have recruited a ‘Philippine team’ to boost his reputation.

Documents that were included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Photo: AP

Lifestyle & Culture

Cash-for-tips scheme in Japan sparks debate over migrant rights

Backers argue tougher measures are needed to curb unauthorised employment, but migrant advocates fear unintended social consequences.

People walking at JR Mito station in Ibaraki prefecture in eastern Japan. Photo: Kyodo
People walking at JR Mito station in Ibaraki prefecture in eastern Japan. Photo: Kyodo

East Asia

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Citizens of China and Southeast Asian nations who have previously visited the country can apply for multiple-entry visas of up to 10 years.

Politics

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

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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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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Health & Environment

Japan on track for hottest summer ever as ocean temperatures surge

videocam
A man cooling down under a water misting system on a hot day in Tokyo in September last year. Photo: AFP

Economics

Singapore budget surplus: poor ‘fiscal marksmanship’ or prudent forecast?

Singapore dollar notes being withdrawn from an automated teller machine. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

videocam
Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters

People

2 arrested after Malaysian commander targeted by gang shooting near Thailand

Both Malaysia and Thailand have repeatedly floated the idea of a border wall across their frontier to combat smuggling. Photo: Hadi Azmi

Politics

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
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