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Asia

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This Week in Asia
Tepco’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex. Photo: Kyodo

East Asia

Japan halts world’s largest nuclear plant hours after restart

TEPCO halted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa restart after a monitoring alarm sounded, but confirmed the reactor is stable with no radioactive impact.

India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

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Australasia

Manhunt under way after deadly shooting in Australia leaves 3 dead

Shooting comes on a National Day of Mourning as Australia remembers 15 people shot dead in Sydney at a Hanukkah celebration on December 14.

Emergency services were called to a Lake Cargelligo address, a town of about 1,500, after reports of a shooting, police said. Photo: ABC News Australia
Emergency services were called to a Lake Cargelligo address, a town of about 1,500, after reports of a shooting, police said. Photo: ABC News Australia

People

Malaysian badminton player threatened with knife attack online over performance

Several shuttlers in Malaysia have faced online abuse after their early exits in major tournaments.

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Politics

Unrest in Iran complicates India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

India views the current Iranian government as a ‘predictable counterweight’ against Pakistan’s influence, an analyst says.

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Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh nominated for worst actress Razzie

Three years after her historic Oscar win, Michelle Yeoh faces competition from Natalie Portman and Ariana DeBose for the dubious honour.

Michelle Yeoh poses with her Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 12, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Michelle Yeoh poses with her Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 12, 2023. Photo: Reuters

People

South Korean court’s harsh jail term for Han sets stage for Yoon’s verdict

The ex-prime minister was jailed for 23 years for his role in Yoon’s martial law decree, deemed an ‘insurrection from above’ by the court.

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People

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

Prosecutors say ‘proceeds from unlawful activity’ were banked into accounts of Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife from 2024 to 2025.

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People

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure is striking and a reminder that women are not the only targets of molestation on public transport.

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Commuters travel on a train in Tokyo. Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure for male victims of groping – as revealed in a recent survey – is particularly striking. Photo: AFP

East Asia

South Korea banned dog meat. Now what happens to 500,000 animals?

As South Korea moves to end dog meat consumption by 2027, the government lacks a clear survival plan for nearly half a million caged dogs.

Dogs are seen in cages at a dog farm in Pyeongtaek, South Korea in June 2023. Photo: AP
Dogs are seen in cages at a dog farm in Pyeongtaek, South Korea in June 2023. Photo: AP

Economics

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

People

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

The Communist Party’s general secretary is already behaving as if he ‘expects a mandate’ to add the presidency to his portfolio, experts say.

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Politics

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

Right-wing media outlets and politicians are now concerned that Trump’s second term will harm Japan’s trade and security interests.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

Politics

Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role

The PMO says the LO office will ‘remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility’.

Singapore’s opposition Workers’ Party Secretary General Pritam Singh (centre) with his party’s members at Serangoon Stadium as they wait for the results of the 2025 general election. Photo: AFP
Singapore’s opposition Workers’ Party Secretary General Pritam Singh (centre) with his party’s members at Serangoon Stadium as they wait for the results of the 2025 general election. Photo: AFP

Economics

How Asia’s economies could benefit from Trump’s global power plays

Countries such as Canada are looking to diversify their customers, particularly for oil and gas, with ‘a strong focus on Asia’, analysts say.

Economics

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

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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.

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

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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.

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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

People

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

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A wooden boat carrying suspected Rohingya migrants is detained in waters off the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2020. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP

Politics

Unrest in Iran complicates India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

A man passes by buses destroyed in Tehran during recent unrest in Iran. Photo: Xinhua

People

Malaysian badminton player threatened with knife attack online over performance

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Malaysian badminton doubles players Teo Ee Yi (left) and Ong Yew Sin (right) playing in the 2024 German Open. Photo: YouTube/German Open Official

People

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

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Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan is escorted to court on Thursday. Photo: EPA
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