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Asia

This Week in Asia

Japanese troops take position during a joint military drill in Funabashi, Chiba prefecture, on January 7. Photo: AFP

Politics

Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival

Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say.

22 minutes agovideocam

US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region

5 Mar 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Asian airlines emerge on top as travellers fight for flights out of Middle East

5 Mar 2026 - 4:40PMvideocam

Southeast Asia

Singapore police seize US$390 million in assets in Prince Group probe

Three men, including the captain of Chen Zhi’s superyacht, have been arrested in connection with the case, police announced.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:34PM

Vehicles drive past the Prince International Plaza in Phnom Penh on October 15, 2025. Photo: AFP

Politics

Philippines advances Sara Duterte impeachment case, but ‘this is not a cakewalk’

A failed Senate conviction could ultimately strengthen Duterte-Carpio ahead of the presidential 2028 race, observers warn.

5 Mar 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

Politics

Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind

Experts say the US strikes on Iran are sharpening Pyongyang’s resolve to diversify nuclear-capable forces, including new naval platforms.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:16PMvideocam

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Lifestyle & Culture

‘We will go to war’: why #SEAblings became a Southeast Asian rallying cry

The hashtag went viral following a row over a South Korean band’s concert in Kuala Lumpur in January and protests in Indonesia last year.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:58PM

A social media post using #SEAblings and an illustration over a row following South Korean rock band Day6’s concert in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: X/Boju

Australasia

Albanese says Australian troops were on board US sub that sank Iranian ship

The prime minister said the military personnel were on the vessel as part of training arrangements under the Aukus deal.

13 minutes agovideocam

Southeast Asia

Philippines arrests Filipino nationals suspected of spying for China

China has dismissed the espionage allegations as fabricated and politically motivated, accusing Manila of ‘stigmatisation’.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:02PMvideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

A Kenangan Coffee outlet at a shopping centre in eastern Singapore. The Indonesian chain has opened about 10 outlets in the city state. Photo: Kenangan Coffee

People

‘I am not Jho Low 2.0’: Malaysia Arm chip deal probe turns political

The probe into a flagship chip-design deal has sparked criticism, with Prime Minister Anwar’s allies questioning the investigation.

5 Mar 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

James Chai is a former aide to ex-minister Rafizi Ramli. Photo: Facebook/James Chai

Football

CAS cuts sanctions on players involved in Malaysia scandal to official-match bans

CAS says the seven footballers who played for Malaysia using falsified documents can resume training with their clubs during the 12-month ban.

6 Mar 2026 - 12:14AM

United States & Canada

US won’t let India become rival like China, Trump official says

Washington will not ‘make the same mistakes’ as it did with Beijing 20 years ago, the State Department’s Christopher Landau says.

6 Mar 2026 - 2:18AM

Politics

Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares

Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

4 Mar 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

Pakistani security officers stand outside the US consulate in Karachi on Wednesday. Photo: AP

East Asia

South Korea jails doctors for killing baby delivered at 36 weeks

South Korea has decriminalised abortion but political deadlock has prevented governments from passing new laws to regulate the practice.

4 Mar 2026 - 6:11PMvideocam

Nurses take care of babies at a postnatal care centre in Seoul. Photo: EPA-EFE

People

Singapore’s ‘ageless’ Chuando Tan turns 60 and fans still swoon over ex-model

While online users continue to marvel over his looks and physique, Tan has said he does not have a secret formula for eternal youth.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:16PM

Politics

Philippine lawmaker slammed for ‘sexist’ remarks in defence of VP Sara

Analysts say lawmaker Angel Suntay’s comments have become an ‘effective distraction’ against the vice-president’s impeachment proceedings.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:50PM

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Politics

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

1 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM

Illustration: Huy Truong

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.

14 Feb 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

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.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:54PM

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.

31 Jan 2026 - 8:08AM

Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival

22 minutes agovideocam

Japanese troops take position during a joint military drill in Funabashi, Chiba prefecture, on January 7. Photo: AFP

Politics

Philippines advances Sara Duterte impeachment case, but ‘this is not a cakewalk’

5 Mar 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio has said she will run for president in the 2028 national election. Photo: EPA

Politics

US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region

5 Mar 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen in the Bay of Bengal during the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam, India, on February 18. Photo: AP

Politics

Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind

5 Mar 2026 - 5:16PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the test firing of a sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

People

‘I am not Jho Low 2.0’: Malaysia Arm chip deal probe turns political

5 Mar 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

James Chai is a former aide to ex-minister Rafizi Ramli. Photo: Facebook/James Chai

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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Opinion | Pakistan’s forever war and the politics of exhaustion

4 Mar 2026 - 10:30PM

Samer Elhajjar ,Niraj Dawar

Opinion | Fatigue is rewriting the US-China soft power contest, starting in Asean

Samer Elhajjar

Niraj Dawar

4 Mar 2026 - 4:30PM

Opinion | Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader

Rob York

3 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

Kamala Thiagarajan

Opinion | Nipah and mpox expose Asia’s urgent need for stronger disease surveillance

Kamala Thiagarajan

3 Mar 2026 - 5:30AM

Chris Fitzgerald

Opinion | How the Taliban can end the cycle of violence with Pakistan

Chris Fitzgerald

2 Mar 2026 - 6:44PM

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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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