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This Week in Asia
Illustration: Mario Rivera

Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

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Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

Safety fears bloom in Japan as ageing cherry trees collapse in Tokyo parks

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Southeast Asia

Singapore’s Workers’ Party finishes probe into chief Pritam Singh’s conduct

The disciplinary panel will present its final report and recommendations to the Central Executive Committee later in April.

Worker’s Party chief Pritam Singh (centre) is followed by journalists as he leaves the Supreme Court during an appeals hearing on November 4, 2025. Photo: AFP
Worker’s Party chief Pritam Singh (centre) is followed by journalists as he leaves the Supreme Court during an appeals hearing on November 4, 2025. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Here comes the ‘Mounjaro bride’: Indian pre-wedding prep includes obesity drug

Many Indian marriages are arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Politics

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

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Politics

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) toasts with Emmanuel Macron during a luncheon for the French leader at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) toasts with Emmanuel Macron during a luncheon for the French leader at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa

South Asia

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

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People

New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising fuel costs

Shane Dunphy asked the embassy to reimburse him for the US$1,600 spent on petrol vouchers for his staff so that they could travel to work.

People

Malaysia drops appeal on abducted activist’s case, family still seeks answers

Rights group Suhakam says the police Special Branch was involved in the disappearances of Raymond Koh and another activist, Amri Che Mat.

Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on February 13, 2017. Photo: Raymond Koh’s family

East Asia

‘I can’t breathe’: Korean Air sued over in-flight death of passenger

The lawsuit filed in the US alleged that the airline failed to provide oxygen to Porscha Tynisha Brown who died in 2024.

A Korean Air plane takes off from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
A Korean Air plane takes off from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Economics

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

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Economics

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

Politics

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

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Indonesia and Malaysia have implemented work-from-home schemes for government workers that require strict location monitoring. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

From general to Myanmar president: Min Aung Hlaing’s ‘cosmetic’ rebrand

His transition from top general to president is a ‘veneer’ that poses a challenge for Asean, which has long shunned him, critics say.

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Myanmar’s parliament elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on Friday. Photo: AFP
Myanmar’s parliament elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on Friday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

Politics

‘Defining truth’? Worry in Philippines over controversial anti-fake news bills

Critics warn the proposals risk turning legitimate reporting, public-interest speech and fast-moving online discussion into criminal exposure.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

videocam
Illustration: Mario Rivera
Illustration: Mario Rivera

Health & Environment

Burning daylight: Asean’s power grid plans get an Iran war jolt

Oil is up, coal is back and so are fuel queues. As the Middle East burns, Southeast Asia dusts off an old plan to rewire its future.

Health & Environment

Mortal combat: Southeast Asia fights fears of death to plan for the end

Birth rates are falling. Populations are ageing. In Southeast Asia, the business of dying has never been bigger.

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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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

videocam
Illustration: Mario Rivera

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysian bookshop hits on novel idea to hook readers addicted to ‘brain rot’

A couple reads using different methods at a Kuala Lumpur Reads event. Photo: Instagram/kualalumpurreads

Politics

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

The first mass-produced KF-21 fighter jet is unveiled during a ceremony at the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon on March 25. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

Politics

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

videocam
4
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (right) toasts with Emmanuel Macron during a luncheon for the French leader at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Photo: Yonhap/dpa

People

Malaysia drops appeal on abducted activist’s case, family still seeks answers

Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on February 13, 2017. Photo: Raymond Koh’s family
MORE IN This Week in Asia
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OPINION
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Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

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Opinion | What the Iran war reveals about Nato’s appetite for conflict over Taiwan

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Opinion | How selective outrage over Iran war exposes the limits of realpolitik

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Richard Heydarian

Opinion | How US war in Iran is pushing Philippines closer to China

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MULTIMEDIA
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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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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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