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This Week in Asia
Supporters of South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol wave flags near the Seoul High Court in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Developing | South Korea’s Yoon given longer sentence for obstructing justice

A court increased the ex-president’s sentence from five to seven years on charges related to his botched martial law bid.

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Why UAE’s exit from Opec is good news for oil-thirsty Asia

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‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

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People

More Singaporeans are choosing jobs below their qualifications. Here’s why

A new survey shows 19.4 per cent of Singapore’s resident workforce had academic qualifications beyond what was required for their job in 2025.

Office workers in Singapore’s Central Business District. Photo: Shutterstock
Office workers in Singapore’s Central Business District. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

Bridge too far? Hormuz crisis revives Thailand’s controversial plan

While the plan to bypass the Malacca Strait is popular with Anutin’s government, economists and environmentalists say it is not realistic.

People

Mosque disputes expose tensions over Japan’s growing Muslim communities

Muslim leaders say local opposition has been fuelled by negative overseas coverage of Islam and claims circulating online.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Why Japan’s travellers are rushing abroad for ‘golden week’ despite falling yen

The operator of Narita airport anticipates that 1.59 million travellers will pass through the airport over the two-week holiday season.

People depart Japan from Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 18. Photo: Kyodo
People depart Japan from Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 18. Photo: Kyodo

Southeast Asia

Thai influencer sells premium durians for dirt cheap to save national ‘pride’

Weaker Chinese demand and growing competition from Vietnam and Malaysia threaten one of Thailand’s most valuable agricultural exports.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore firm sorry after airport baggage handler caught tossing luggage

Ground-handling company SATS pledged to improve service standards and staff training after a video of the incident went viral.

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South Asia

India’s major airlines on ‘verge of closing down’ as high fuel costs sting

A group representing carriers seeks a return to Covid-era cost caps on aviation fuel and a reduction in taxes to survive the crisis.

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The Federation of Indian Airlines has urged the government to implement a pandemic-era price cap on aviation turbine fuel. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Solidarity or showmanship? Singapore politicians’ train rides split opinion

Public transport posts by ministers and MPs have drawn praise from some Singaporeans and accusations of ‘wayang’ from others.

Screenshots from recent social media posts by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim about riding public transportation. Photo: Instagram/@gankimyong /@muhammadfaishalibrahim
Screenshots from recent social media posts by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim about riding public transportation. Photo: Instagram/@gankimyong /@muhammadfaishalibrahim

East Asia

How Samsung clan made a US$45 billion financial comeback in 1 year

The Lee dynasty is now Asia’s third-richest family, up from 10th last year, thanks to an AI-driven upswing in semiconductor valuations.

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People

‘It happened within seconds’: survivors recount horror of Indonesia train crash

Witnesses said passengers were left trapped in mangled carriages after a long-distance train struck a crowded commuter service near Jakarta.

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People

How watching K-dramas spelled death for North Koreans during Covid-19

A new report reveals that the number of people executed for consuming South Korean cultural content surged by 250 per cent during the pandemic.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang on February 23. Photo: KCNA via Reuters

Economics

Rock and hard place: why Indonesia is ignoring EU ban to secure Russian oil

Indonesia’s Karimun is the first non-Russian oil terminal to be sanctioned by Brussels since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022.

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A worker refuels a motorbike at a petrol station in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on April 20. Photo: EPA
A worker refuels a motorbike at a petrol station in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on April 20. Photo: EPA

Economics

India, New Zealand boost trade diversification with ‘forward-looking’ pact

The deal, part of a move to reduce reliance on major powers, will also strengthen India’s hand in trade negotiations with the US, analysts say.

East Asia

South Korean court increases ex-first lady’s corruption sentence to 4 years

The court also imposed a US$47,000 fine on Kim after finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.

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Economics

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

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A woman shops for vegetables in Depok, Indonesia, earlier this month near a sign asking customers to bring their own shopping bags. Photo: Reuters
A woman shops for vegetables in Depok, Indonesia, earlier this month near a sign asking customers to bring their own shopping bags. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

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Politics

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

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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.

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Illustration: Mario Rivera
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore firm sorry after airport baggage handler caught tossing luggage

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Ground-handling firm SATS has apologised for improper baggage handling at Singapore’s Changi Airport. Photo: Instagram/ericzhyoong

Politics

Developing | South Korea’s Yoon given longer sentence for obstructing justice

videocam
Supporters of South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol wave flags near the Seoul High Court in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

People

‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

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Little India in Kuala Lumpur. Ethnic Indians account for about 7 per cent of Malaysia’s population. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

Bridge too far? Hormuz crisis revives Thailand’s controversial plan

Cargo ships are loaded with containers at the port of Bangkok on April 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Why UAE’s exit from Opec is good news for oil-thirsty Asia

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An oil technician climbs down a tower at a refinery in Jebel Ali, UAE. Photo: AP
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As I see it | A remilitarised Japan threatens more than just China

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As I see it | Kuomintang gets the carrots, DPP the stick

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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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