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Asia

This Week in Asia

People add to a floral tribute at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 18, 2025. Photo: AP

Australasia

Australia approves gun buy-back, hate crime reforms after Bondi attack

New legislation limits firearm access, sets up a gun buy-back programme, and tackles hate speech.

5 hours agovideocam

Diversify or die: Asian firms face trade uncertainty amid Trump’s Mexico threats

20 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

20 Jan 2026 - 7:32PM

East Asia

Japan arrests man for selling AI-generated celebrity porn

A 31-year-old in Japan arrested for using generative AI to create and sell 520,000 explicit images of celebrities for US$70,000 in profit.

20 Jan 2026 - 7:05PM

AI misuse sparks concern as a Japanese man is arrested for selling obscene deepfake images of celebrities Photo: Getty Images

Economics

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:53PMvideocam

People

Indonesia strips ex-police officer of citizenship for joining Russian forces

The former Aceh police officer lost his nationality after sending a video claiming he had joined the Wagner Group in Ukraine.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

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East Asia

How Project 2025 is reshaping immigration for Korean-Americans

Activist Kim Dong-seok warns lack of White House restraint has blurred immigration lines, leaving Korean-American residents in constant fear.

20 Jan 2026 - 4:51PMvideocam

ICE federal agents conducting an enforcement operation at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, on September 4, 2025. Photo: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement/AFP

People

Seoul airport ‘suicide flight’ threat sparks police manhunt in South Korea

A self-proclaimed pilot has threatened a crash and stabbing at Gimpo Airport in protest against the merger of Korean Air and Asiana.

20 Jan 2026 - 4:22PMvideocam

Politics

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:26PM

Economics

Singapore’s retail ownership data sparks debate about foreign chains’ influence

Some observers warn that public perception could be warped since popular foreign chains in places with high footfall may be more visible.

20 Jan 2026 - 10:00AM

Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt. Photo: Singapore Tourism Board

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

20 Jan 2026 - 1:53PM

The aerobics session, live streamed on Saturday morning, quickly triggered a social media pile-on. Photo: Facebook

Politics

Bangladeshi student leaders ousted Hasina. Now their political future is unsure

The party born of protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina now finds itself overshadowed by a resurgent Jamaat-e-Islami.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

People

Japan weighs disturbing grave of over 700 children to recover WWII relics

A US submarine attack in 1944 claimed 1,484 lives, and officials are now consulting families on whether to raise artefacts or let them lie.

20 Jan 2026 - 5:01PM

Economics

Silver steps out of gold’s shadow as Southeast Asian investors rush in

Soaring prices, tight supply and geopolitical uncertainty are driving a regional rush into the once-overlooked precious metal.

19 Jan 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

A jeweller displays gold and silver bars at his Kuwait City shop on January 12. Precious metal prices hit records amid market volatility and US trade tension fears. Photo: AFP

People

Anwar’s reform record questioned after Malaysian reporter’s sedition arrest

Rex Tan’s arrest for asking a ‘sensitive question’ shows how a colonial-era act continues to hold back Malaysian reforms, critics say.

19 Jan 2026 - 5:21PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to the media on January 10. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Is first impeachment bid against Philippines’ Marcos an ‘inoculation’?

Observers said the filing could trigger procedural limits that would block more substantive impeachment bids.

19 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Asia

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

20 Jan 2026 - 1:10PM

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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

17 Jan 2026 - 9:34AMvideocam

Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP

Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

10 Jan 2026 - 8:52AM

Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

3 Jan 2026 - 10:47AM

Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM

Illustration: Huy Truong

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

Diversify or die: Asian firms face trade uncertainty amid Trump’s Mexico threats

20 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Mexico’s Manzanillo seaport, a critical gateway for trade between Asia and the Americas, is seen in May last year after its expansion. Photo: Reuters

Politics

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

20 Jan 2026 - 7:32PM

Then ambassador-nominee to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, facing questions from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July. Photo: YouTube/Tammy Duckworth

Economics

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

20 Jan 2026 - 5:53PMvideocam

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his US counterpart Donald Trump shake hands during a world leaders’ summit in Egypt in October 2025. Photo: Reuters

People

Indonesia strips ex-police officer of citizenship for joining Russian forces

20 Jan 2026 - 5:14PMvideocam

Image circulating on social media showing former Indonesian police officer Muhammad Rio after he joined Russia’s Wagner Group. Photo: Handout

People

Seoul airport ‘suicide flight’ threat sparks police manhunt in South Korea

20 Jan 2026 - 4:22PMvideocam

An Asiana Airlines plane takes off from an airport in Seoul on January 14. Photo: Korea Times

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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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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