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Asia

This Week in Asia

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Thursday. The country’s first female leader will visit the White House next month, it was confirmed on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Trump announces White House visit by Japanese PM Takaichi on March 19

The US and Japan have been working to strike a ‘very substantial’ deal on trade, as well as collaborating on national security, Trump said.

4 hours ago

18 dead, 8 injured in explosion at illegal India coal mine, police say

20 minutes agovideocam

India probes suspected suicide of 3 sisters amid social media ban debate

5 Feb 2026 - 7:43PMvideocam

Politics

‘Dominated by non-Malays’: study on elected Kuala Lumpur mayor spurs race debate

Critics slam the study as a ‘naive and misguided’ move by Minister Hannah Yeoh that would worsen the country’s ‘cultural war’.

5 Feb 2026 - 5:40PM

Participants hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on August 31, 2025. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

‘Bali is so dirty’: waste woes under scrutiny after Prabowo warning

Experts point to structural problems endemic to the issue, such as overtourism, lack of enforcement and insufficient education among locals.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:01PM

Southeast Asia

Malaysia denies granting US exclusive rare earth access in Trump trade deal

Signed at the Asean Summit with the US president, the deal remains under negotiation as Malaysian PM Anwar seeks further written assurances.

5 Feb 2026 - 4:43PM

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People

Ex-actor Ian Fang to be deported from Singapore over underage sex offences

The Shanghai-born 35-year-old was jailed for 40 months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually penetrating a girl, then 15.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:52PM

Shanghai-born former actor Ian Fang met a 15-year-old girl at an entertainment event in Singapore in 2024 and proceeded to have underage sex with her on nine occasions. Photo: YouTube/The Celebrity Agency

Politics

‘Devil’s in the details’: why Asia may not sign up to Canada’s alliance call

While Canadian PM Mark Carney’s vision appeals to many, analysts say a lack of detail and divergent interests make a unified front unlikely.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:06PMvideocam

South Asia

Indian activist wins US$1 million prize for transforming slum schools through art

Rouble Nagi wins the 2026 Global Teacher Prize for opening 800 slum centres and using art to provide free education across India.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:50PM

Lifestyle & Culture

Outrage in South Korea over ‘importing virgins’ proposal to raise birth rate

Critics slammed a governor’s ‘crude’ suggestion to marry ‘Sri Lankan and Vietnamese virgins’ to local men as a fix for population decline.

5 Feb 2026 - 1:48PM

Nurses take care of babies at a postnatal care centre in Seoul. South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Site of a suspected separatist attack in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, Pakistan, on Monday. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asia

Video | Giant sinkhole threatens Indonesian village

Crop plantations and infrastructure in Aceh village have been destroyed by giant sinkhole.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:08PMvideocam

Politics

Could a ‘shock’ Pyongyang visit cement Japan PM Takaichi’s snap election bid?

Despite scepticism, a leading campaigner claims Pyongyang is ready to return surviving abductees for ‘immediate, large-scale’ aid.

5 Feb 2026 - 10:24AMvideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Thai funeral ‘food court’ blunder: tourists looking for buffet attend wake

The tourists who were served food by a family at the funeral were impressed with the kindness of the people in Thailand.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:38PMvideocam

A Thai family offering food to a group of tourists who are searching for a restaurant and wander into a funeral by mistake in the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Photo: Facebook/Charantorn Chaloemkiad

People

Chinese buyers top the list in Malaysia’s MM2H golden visa scheme

While Chinese nationals lead the pack, Malaysia’s tourism minister also cites interest from the US, UK, Australia and Bangladesh.

4 Feb 2026 - 3:35PM

Commercial buildings and residential housing in Kuala Lumpur. MM2H homeowners tend to cluster around prime districts in the Malaysian capital. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

While noting that ‘there is little risk of a war’, document urges vigilance to prevent the US from finding a pretext to invade Vietnam.

4 Feb 2026 - 12:01PM

Economics

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

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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

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?

24 Jan 2026 - 8:00AM

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

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

Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Filipino activists decry loss of public trust over failed bid to impeach Marcos

5 Feb 2026 - 9:04PM

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaking at the Apec CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

‘Bali is so dirty’: waste woes under scrutiny after Prabowo warning

5 Feb 2026 - 6:01PM

Waste materials lie on Kuta Beach on Bali island on January 23. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has said he received complaints from foreign dignitaries about the state of cleanliness in Bali. Photo: EPA

People

Ex-actor Ian Fang to be deported from Singapore over underage sex offences

5 Feb 2026 - 9:52PM

Shanghai-born former actor Ian Fang met a 15-year-old girl at an entertainment event in Singapore in 2024 and proceeded to have underage sex with her on nine occasions. Photo: YouTube/The Celebrity Agency

Politics

‘Dominated by non-Malays’: study on elected Kuala Lumpur mayor spurs race debate

5 Feb 2026 - 5:40PM

Participants hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on August 31, 2025. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

Outrage in South Korea over ‘importing virgins’ proposal to raise birth rate

5 Feb 2026 - 1:48PM

Nurses take care of babies at a postnatal care centre in Seoul. South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. Photo: EPA-EFE

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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

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