-

Asia

Australasia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
This Week in Asia
Voters wait in line at a polling station during Malaysia’s 15th general election on November 19, 2022, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: TNS

People

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

Gen Z voters are more concerned about practical policies than party ideology, analysts say.

videocam

Japanese start-up puts elderly women at heart of local economy

China to step up investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector: Nepalese official

videocam

Southeast Asia

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

Singapore dance group Roxo Crew specialises in K-pop covers. Photo: Roxo Crew
Singapore dance group Roxo Crew specialises in K-pop covers. Photo: Roxo Crew

Politics

Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say.

videocam

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

East Asia

Japan and South Korea bolster defence ties amid regional tensions

Defence chiefs agree to joint AI, space, and drone development, aiming to stabilise the region against growing missile threats.

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (right) and South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back shake hands before their meeting at Japan’s Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AFP
Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (right) and South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back shake hands before their meeting at Japan’s Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo on Friday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

videocam

People

In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history

Wang says in his book that there are no borders between civilisations and that the past provides the ‘guideposts to the future’.

Lifestyle & Culture

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.

The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore begins ban on ‘undesirable’ visitors, airlines to comply or face fine

Among such visitors barred from entering are those with a criminal record in Singapore or who pose a threat to public safety.

Travellers walk through a transit hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Travellers walk through a transit hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

Politics

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

videocam

Southeast Asia

‘I’m a billionaire now’: price boom thrills Vietnamese sitting on gold hoard

But the precious metal’s rally has also made wedding gifts unaffordable for many and upended an informal gold mortgage system.

videocam
A woman holds gold bars in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: AFP

East Asia

South Korea forced to act after Cambodian worker’s death in freezing dorm

Seoul has apologised and pledged to improve foreign worker housing following the woman’s death in a makeshift dwelling in 2020.

Migrant labourers work inside a greenhouse at a farm in Pocheon, South Korea, in 2021. Photo: AP
Migrant labourers work inside a greenhouse at a farm in Pocheon, South Korea, in 2021. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Japan child suicides reach record high as experts warn of mounting pressures

The rise in child deaths contrasts with a broader decline in suicides, prompting scrutiny of school pressure and mental health support.

videocam

People

Singapore court rules man, 97, mentally fit to marry mistress

The widower, who had an extramarital affair with his secretary since 1971, has filed separate lawsuits against his second son and grandson.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

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.

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
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

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?

6

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.

videocam

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.

8
Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

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

People

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

videocam
Voters wait in line at a polling station during Malaysia’s 15th general election on November 19, 2022, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: TNS

Politics

Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

videocam
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, oversee a test-fire of a large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher system at an unknown location in North Korea. Photo: EPA/KCNA

Economics

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

videocam
A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP

People

In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history

Australian sinologist Wang Gungwu (left), speaking about his new book “In No Borders: Journeys Across Islands and Continents” at its launch in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: Jean Iau
MORE IN This Week in Asia
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
David Dodwell

Outside In | Gradually, then suddenly, the world is waking up to the US threat

David Dodwell
4
Richard Heydarian

Opinion | Trump’s power politics is paving the way to a G2 world order with China

Richard Heydarian
4
Alan Robles

Opinion | Marcos health problems call to mind past Philippine leaders’ woes

Alan Robles
Jiang Jiani

Opinion | How a rising China is becoming a provider of global public goods

Jiang Jiani
Nicholas Spiro

The View | Why Thailand, India and Japan’s hotel sectors deserve a closer look

Nicholas Spiro
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
04:27
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement